One small headache can ruin your entire day. It’s hard to move around or think when you have a throbbing, dull ache in your head. Even while lying down or sitting still, a headache can still be unpleasant.
Fortunately, most headaches are not too serious. Headaches can usually be treated with some over-the-counter pain medication and some rest. Other kinds of headaches that are severely painful or last for long periods of time may require professional treatment. These kinds of headaches may be the sign of a serious condition, including:
- Chronic migraines
- Slipped disc
- Meningitis
- Inflammation in the brain
- Brain tumor
- Concussion
Usually, these kinds of conditions exhibit other symptoms besides head pain too. If you have a strong headache and are suffering from other symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Can headaches be prevented?
Chronic and severe headaches are usually related to conditions or injuries that may not be preventable. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting minor headaches or some of the conditions that lead to major headaches.
Here are some tips that may be useful for you if you want to prevent headaches:
- Lower your stress — Symptoms of stress like muscle tension, high blood pressure and grinding your teeth can lead to head pain. Simplify your daily routines and try some stress-reducing activities like yoga.
- Avoid triggers — If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, take notes on when they happen and what was going on before they happened. This may help you identify certain scents, flavors or other triggers that may be causing your headaches.
- Improve your diet — Make sure you eat regularly and maintain a healthy diet to help lower your risk for headaches and other problems. You may also need to cut back on caffeine.
- Get better sleep — Not sleeping for long enough or getting disturbed sleep can lead to frequent headaches. Talk to a healthcare professional for recommendations if you’re having trouble sleeping.
- Exercise — Exercising is good for preventing headaches for two reasons. First, it helps improve your mental health, which can reduce your stress levels. Second, it helps improve your cardiovascular health, which can reduce tension headaches.
Treating headaches with physical therapy
Despite your best prevention efforts, you may still suffer from headaches at various points in your life. If your head pain becomes too severe or recurrent, you should seek professional help. In many cases, physical therapists can help treat headache pain.
Our physical therapists at Panther Physical Therapy specialize in exercises and techniques that strengthen the muscles in the neck. Weak neck muscles are often a culprit for head pain. Stretching and exercising these muscles may be exactly what you need to lower your head pain.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial consultation.
Tags: Chronic migraines, Headache Treatment, Inflammation in the brain, Meningitis, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy, Slipped disc