Share:

If you frequently experience both neck pain and headaches, the two sources of discomfort may be more closely related than you think. This is particularly true of tension headaches, which are a common source of chronic pain. Here’s a closer look at how treating the problem in the neck can reduce headaches as well.

What Is a Tension Headache?

The suboccipital muscles are situated in the neck at the base of the skull. These muscles control the movement of the spine, holding the head up and maneuvering it. When these muscles become tense, they compress the nerve at the base of the skull. This causes headaches that often feel like a band of tension around the head and over the eyes.

How Can You Treat It Without Medication?

neck painIn order to treat your tension headaches, you need to remove the source of the neck pain. This involves relaxing the suboccipital muscles to relieve the pressure on the neck’s nerve. A common cause behind this tension is poor posture. Forcing the neck muscles to support the head’s weight constantly—especially in a way they’re not designed for—will stress them.

If you work an office job, adjust the workstation so that the computer screen sits directly in front of your eyes. Your head shouldn’t have to tilt forward to look at it. If you’re on the phone often, get a headset to avoid tilting your head to the side to support the phone on your shoulder.

Join a yoga or Pilates class to relieve stress while teaching your body proper posture. A professional massage can work out those knots that aggravate pain and stress.

When Are These Headaches a Serious Concern?

Most tension headaches are not a serious concern; you’ll simply want to relax the muscles and treat the headache. If the pain is chronic—usually identified as lasting longer than six months—and common remedies aren’t helping, seek the advice of a physical therapist to find what the root cause is.

There are signs that the pain could be accompanying a more serious issue that needs a doctor’s attention, such as stroke, aneurysm, tumor, or meningitis. These include high fever, pain, or numbness down one or both arms, seizure, slurred speech, blurry vision, and loss of balance. You should also see a doctor if your headache comes on immediately after a sudden movement, such as sneezing, coughing, or bending over.

 

The physical therapy professionals at O’Fallon Pain Relief Associates will treat the underlying cause of your neck pain and headaches. They help patients throughout the St. Charles County, MO, area with holistic pain management to provide both immediate relief and long-term results. Learn more about what they offer online and call (636) 978-3000 to schedule an appointment.

tracking