Stress Headaches
Joe Grant, PT, ATC, EdM
There are many causes for headaches. One very common cause is tension. Tight muscles throughout the upper back, head and neck can cause impingement of nerves. This can lead to a headache at the base of the head, behind the eyes, or at the temples. Another common complaint is a headache described as a tight band around the head. Stress can often be the original cause for this muscle tension. If stress is prolonged, the muscles in the head and neck can become adaptively shortened. This sets one up for chronic or frequent headaches. Another source of headaches is poor posture. Rounded shoulders and a slumped back lead to positional changes in the neck. This leads to joint compression and adaptive shortening or lengthening of muscles, which can cause nerve impingement.
Physical therapy can help these kinds of headaches. Physical therapists are experts in addressing muscle tone, joint alignment and postural problems. If you suffer from frequent headaches, ask your doctor if a PT referral is appropriate for you.
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