If you suffer from chronic headaches with no medically diagnosed cause, they are probably due to a number of factors in combination. What you may not know, however, is that one of the most common reasons for issues with headaches isn’t inside the head at all – but in the neck. Indeed, persistent headaches and neck pain alike often originate from the vertebrae of the neck and the surrounding muscles and connective tissue. The consequences of a modern lifestyle at work at school – such as upper body muscle tension or poor posture – may lead to pain that can be severe and disruptive.
Luckily, physical therapy offers many minimally invasive methods that work well for the head and neck – at JAG PT, we’ve helped countless patients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania find relief for chronic head and neck pain. Our experience in treating this sensitive area and multispecialty care means that we will always develop an effective headache PT plan that fits your lifestyle. Book your appointment today to get started or see more below on the origins and treatment of headaches and neck aches.
What Causes Chronic Headaches and Neck Pain?
Because of the neck’s important anatomical role and many functions, including supporting the head and protecting part of the central nervous system, it’s subjected to a lot of physical pressures. To use a common example, many people tense their necks when under psychological stress. This alone can cause headaches, as pain from the neck muscles can be felt in the back of the head, the forehead, or the temples.
Other causes of neck pain can be both more long-term and more serious. Prolonged screen use, as many working people and students must engage in, can result in headaches from eye strain and neck aches from awkward posture. Myofascial trigger points, or overly tensed areas of muscle fibers, can occur in the neck or shoulder muscles, leading to either dull or sharp pain. Misalignment in the cervical (neck) vertebrae and herniation of the associated discs can lead to nerve compression, and past injuries such as whiplash sustained in a car accident or a concussion from playing sports can also have lasting aftereffects.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Relieve Headaches and Neck Pain?
A large number of the physical therapy techniques used on other parts of the musculoskeletal system are also applicable to the neck. Manual therapy, for example, is a key treatment suitable for almost all patients – in the case of the neck, it’s primarily aimed at muscle tension release, especially in the posterior triangle area, as well as joint mobilization. This goes hand-in-hand with posture correction – your therapist will recommend exercises and changes to your habits to improve the way you hold your head and neck over time.
Other often-used types of exercises include strength training (to improve the stability of the neck and its ability to bear the weight of the head) and stretching (for relaxation and neck strain reduction). Furthermore, there are more specialized techniques that can be used for specific neck problems, like dry needling for trigger points in the neck. Once you start a targeted physical therapy program for your neck, the goal is to lower head and neck ache frequency and severity over time.
What Are the Best Exercises for Neck Pain and Headache Relief?
While your physical therapist will evaluate your neck and recommend exercises to help your particular situation, as well as guiding you on technique, there are several that are very commonly used for neck pain. Chin tucks, for example, are a simple and easy stretch that has two key effects: Lengthening shortened or tensed neck muscles and improving the alignment of the cervical spine.
Scap traction exercises are one of the best ways to train for better posture and strengthen the upper back and shoulders, which support both the neck and head. These, however, require some simple equipment, and should be done in a specific routine under PT advice. In this same body region, your therapist will probably also recommend exercises for the upper trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. Finally, deep breathing and other relaxation practices can help you to manage stress, alleviating one of the biggest root causes of neck tension.
When Should You See a Physical Therapist for Chronic Headaches?
You may want to see a physical therapist for consistent headaches simply because you want to take action and increase your daily quality of life. However, some specific types of head and neck pain could indicate a more serious problem that will definitely require professional care. These include worsening headaches over a period of weeks or months, head pain radiating to your neck or arms, and headaches triggered by either prolonged sitting or beginning to move after sitting. You should also look out for neck stiffness that persistently limits mobility or numbness in the neck and shoulders.
Listening to your body and getting evaluated for new symptoms means that your physical therapist can intervene in time to prevent possible long-term complications. But more than that, symptoms such as these can seriously affect your life at work, school, or home. Getting help means less stress and better time with family and friends.
Find Lasting Relief from Headaches and Neck Pain with JAG Physical Therapy
If you experience chronic headaches or often have a stiff, aching neck, this isn’t something you just have to live with. The team at JAG Physical Therapy treats these issues with skill and compassion – your custom treatment plan will focus on long-term healing for your neck and comprehensive head pain and tension relief. Schedule an appointment now to begin alleviating your chronic headaches.
