Stress-Related Headaches Don’t Have to Add to Your Anxiety– PT Can Help

Stress-Related Headaches Don’t Have to Add to Your Anxiety– PT Can Help

Stress-Related-Headaches

When you see someone clutching their head at work or in a difficult situation, you may assume that they are under extreme stress or that they have a headache.

In fact, you could be correct on both counts. Physical and emotional stress can both cause tension headaches, as well as cervicogenic and migraine headaches, all of which can leave you in severe pain.

You may suffer from chronic or recurring headache pain, in which case you’re probably tired of constantly taking pain relievers. Perhaps it’s time to consult with our physical therapist to find a better solution.

Physical therapy can alleviate headache symptoms by addressing the underlying causes, providing you with a more secure and long-term headache management strategy. To learn more about your treatment options, contact Enjoy Wellness NYC in New York today!

Why does stress cause headaches?

Emotional and physical stress are inextricably linked, with either capable of causing or exacerbating the other. As the body enters “fight or flight” mode in response to perceived crises, muscles can tighten.

When tightness affects small muscles at the base of the skull, such as the RCPM muscle in the neck, those muscles may pull on the dura mater, a pain-sensitive membrane in the head. The dura mater reacts by releasing waves of pain, resulting in a classic tension headache.

Cervicogenic headaches originate in the neck as well. These headaches are frequently caused by cervical spine alignment issues or imbalances. These imbalances cause physical stress on the neck muscles, resulting in headaches and neck pain. Emotional stress can also contribute to cervicogenic headaches by causing muscle tightness, which can pull the neck out of alignment.

Last but not least, migraines are the most dreaded type of headache. In fact, a migraine attack can cause symptoms other than the infamous crushing headache, including:

  • Visual distortions known as “auras”
  • Sound and/or light sensitivity
  • Faintness
  • Nausea and vomiting

While it’s hard to pin down the underlying causes behind migraines, many of the triggers are well known – and they include stress. In addition to various foods, bright lights, loud sounds, weather changes and hormonal swings, migraines can be set off by physical overexertion or emotional strain.

How can physical therapy alleviate my stress-related headaches?

Pain relievers such as NSAIDs can help with the occasional headache, but they cannot address the stresses that cause chronic headaches. Physical therapy can provide that level of relief.

Our physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation that will include an examination of your neck and cervical spine, a discussion of your symptoms, and an analysis of lifestyle factors that may be stressors. This background enables us to develop a headache management program that is heavily based on stress management and its effects.

This program may include:

  • Mindfulness exercises such as yoga to help you add more serenity to your daily life
  • Suggestions for changing or sleep position or trying a different kind of pillow
  • Chiropractic adjustments to correct cervical spinal alignment
  • Ergonomic adjustments such as changing your computer monitor height (to prevent constant neck droop)
  • Dry needling to ease stress-induced tension and pain
  • Massage therapy to relax a chronically tight neck
  • Exercises to limber up your neck or strengthen your neck muscles

What else may be causing my stress-related headaches?

One of the most common causes of stress-related headaches is obvious: stress. A headache usually occurs when the muscles in the neck or scalp tense and contract.

Depression and anxiety are two emotions that, like stress, can cause headaches. Furthermore, there could be a physical cause for your stress-related headaches. Headaches can be caused by an accident or injury to the neck or back. Other potential causes include poor posture and arthritis.

The diagnosis will influence how you treat your stress-related headaches. For example, if your headaches are the result of a previous injury, one course of treatment that would work for correcting your posture and strengthening your neck muscles may not be appropriate.

In general, you can expect stretching and strength training to be part of your treatment. Other options that your physical therapist might employ can include:

  • McKenzie therapies
  • Cervical traction
  • Body mobilization
  • Hot and cold compressions
  • Soft tissue mobilization

Aside from your physical therapy sessions at the clinic, your therapist will also recommend exercises, stretches and lifestyle changes that you can make at home, which will all contribute to eliminating your headaches.

It’s time to put headaches behind you; contact Enjoy Wellness NYC today!

If you can conquer your stress, you might be able to conquer your chronic headaches as well. Contact our office New York physical therapist to learn more about this drug-free method of headache relief!

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