Pain in the eyes when looking at lights. A tight sensation in your head. Tenderness of the scalp. People who have had a headache can attest that these are some of the symptoms they have experienced.
About 50% of people experience headaches annually, but some people might have them very frequently. When this happens, it’s known as chronic headaches. Chronic headaches are also known as recurring headaches. Your headaches can be considered recurring if they happen on at least 15 days per month for more than three months. People with recurring headaches often have difficulty working or doing activities they enjoy, like playing with their kids.
Physical therapists are experienced at dealing with recurring headaches, and they can help you learn the source of yours. Here are three issues that typically cause chronic headaches:
- Tension
Tension headaches are the most common type of headaches Americans experience. This is because anyone can experience the tension in the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders that are often to blame for them. This tension can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Eye or neck strain
- Poor posture
In the distant past when most people worked outside as laborers, poor posture was less of a problem. Now that many American workers are chained to their desks and hunched over a computer screen all day, poor posture has become a much bigger factor in the cause of chronic headaches. The hunched-over position of the head and neck place incredible strain on the muscles in the neck and shoulders.
With normal posture, the vertebrae of the neck have a slight bend backward, but over hours, days and years of tilting the head in a forward position, the muscles in your neck will actually move those vertebrae forward. This is why many tension headaches will also usually be accompanied by neck pain or shoulder pain.
- Sudden traumatic injury
A severe head injury can also cause chronic headaches. The whiplash movement experienced during a car accident can leave you with pain and inflammation in the sensitive muscles and nerves of your neck. In addition, headaches are common symptoms for people who suffer a concussion or other blows to the head.
Seek immediate medical attention if you feel any of the following symptoms following a head injury:
- Numbness or tingling in the head, neck and shoulders
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Confusion, cognitive impairment or changes in personality
- Dizziness or loss of balance
Panther Physical Therapy can help treat your chronic headaches
Our physical therapists at Panther Physical Therapy are experts in treating chronic headaches. We offer free screenings that can pinpoint the source of your headaches. Our team can also build individualized treatment plans that may include:
- Targeted exercises to increase the muscle strength in the neck
- Manual therapy to release tension in the neck
- Ergonomic recommendations to improve posture and reduce forward neck strain
Take the next step to start getting our help with your headaches. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Tags: Chronic headaches, Chronic migraines, Manual therapy, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy