Headaches can present as tightness, throbbing, pressure and more, depending on the case. They interfere with daily life, affect concentration, and may be accompanied by neck pain, nausea, or even visual disturbances. Fortunately, several approaches can help reduce their frequency and intensity.
What causes headaches?
Headaches can be caused, among other things, by muscle tension, nerve irritation, or compression of blood vessels in the neck region. Many factors can play a role, such as stress, anxiety, fatigue, hunger, dehydration, the menstrual cycle, bruxism (teeth grinding), or prolonged maintenance of a posture.
A health professional can help properly identify the source of your symptoms in order to treat them appropriately.
When should you be concerned about a headache?
If you experience a very severe headache accompanied by loss of control of your movements, difficulty speaking, or facial drooping, you should go to the emergency room. A very intense headache can be a symptom of a stroke.
You should see a doctor promptly if you have had a blow to the head and your headache is accompanied by fever, confusion, loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, or night sweats. Visit our page on concussions.
The different types of headaches
Headaches include several types of pain felt in the head or neck. Here are the main ones:
What causes headaches?
The medical term “headache” refers to what is commonly called a headache. The two expressions therefore mean the same thing. There are different types of headaches:
- Tension-type headache: quite common, usually episodic, and described as a tightening or vise-like sensation around the head. It can be felt in different areas of the skull.
- Cervicogenic headache: associated with a mechanical issue (muscular or joint-related) in the neck that causes pain radiating to the head.
- Post-traumatic headache: caused by an injury or impact to the head or body that leads to symptoms reaching the head.
What are the symptoms of cluster headache?
Also known as Horton’s headache, cluster headache is quite rare and occurs more frequently in men. It typically causes brief but frequent and very intense headaches. The pain is first felt around one eye and then spreads into the face. It may be accompanied by tearing and nasal congestion.
What are the symptoms of migraine?
Pain associated with a migraine is usually very intense and may be located near one eye, on one side of the head, or be more diffuse. Often described as a throbbing or pulsating sensation in the head, it may also be accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, visual halos, nausea, or vomiting. A migraine episode can last from a few hours to several days. There are different types of migraines (vestibular, hormonal, with or without aura, etc.). This condition must be managed in collaboration with a physician.
What is Arnold’s neuralgia?
This type of headache is caused by irritation of the nerve that passes very close to the second cervical vertebra, at the base of the skull. Stiffness, tension, or scar tissue in this area can be the cause. The pain is often intense and usually felt on one side, from the back of the head to the forehead and behind the eye. It may sometimes be accompanied by numbness.
KNOW?The medical term “cephalalgia” refers to what is commonly called a headache. The two terms mean the same thing.
What can cause headaches?
- Muscle tension due to prolonged poor posture.
- Jaw problems, such as bruxism (teeth grinding).
- Stress and anxiety.
- Injuries or trauma (impact, whiplash).
- Poor lifestyle habits: sleep, nutrition, hydration.
- Medical conditions (hormonal or neurological disorders).
Headache symptoms
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of headache. It is therefore completely normal to wonder: what does this mean? What should I do? Although it is generally recommended to consult a health professional, here are a few pointers to help you better understand the situation.
Headache upon waking
Headaches upon waking may be associated with various factors, including sleeping posture or an inappropriate pillow, jaw tension related to bruxism, or an insufficient number of hours of sleep or suboptimal sleep quality. The first step is to try to identify the cause in order to take appropriate action. Changing pillows or adjusting sleeping position are examples that can help reduce headaches caused by muscle tension.
It is important to keep in mind that since a night’s sleep generally lasts 6–8 hours, a pillow that is too thin or too thick can lead to muscle tension and result in headaches upon waking.
Read our article: The best sleeping position to sleep without pain
Persistent headache
A headache tends to persist when the cause has not been properly identified and addressed. A persistent headache may be influenced by factors such as prolonged stress, fatigue, certain lifestyle habits, physical tension, or repetitive strain. It may be helpful to observe the duration, frequency, and impact of your activities on your headaches in order to take appropriate steps to help reduce them.
Pain that is persistent, represents a change compared to your usual headaches, or does not improve over time may warrant an evaluation to identify its cause.
Daily headaches
Daily headaches can sometimes develop when certain factors are present continuously. These factors may be mechanical in nature (work or sleep posture, teeth clenching, etc.) or related to lifestyle habits (sleep hygiene, nutrition, hydration, stress, etc.). Over time, the system may become more sensitive to various triggers.
As with persistent headaches, daily headaches may warrant an evaluation to identify the cause.
Headache and fatigue
Headaches accompanied by fatigue may reflect both physical and mental overload. When the body is fatigued, certain areas such as the neck, shoulders, and upper back may develop increased muscle tension that can contribute to the onset of symptoms. In some people, fatigue can also lower the pain perception threshold. Lack of sleep, prolonged stress, or a demanding lifestyle can intensify the cycle in which fatigue and headaches influence each other.
If fatigue is significant, persistent, or accompanied by frequent or unusual headaches, it is recommended to discuss it with a health professional in order to explore possible causes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can migraines be treated with physiotherapy?
Yes. If migraines are linked to tension in the neck or jaw, physiotherapy can help reduce their frequency and intensity.
Can the location of the headache indicate the cause?
Forehead pain, pain behind the eye, pain at the back of the head, and muscle spasms in various areas of the skull can all cause significant discomfort.
While location alone isn’t enough for a clinical diagnosis, it can offer clues about the origin of the headache. Nerves, the jaw, and the sinuses may also be sources of pain.
With a thorough assessment of your condition, a physiotherapist can identify the underlying issue and create a personalized treatment plan. If the cause is not of neuromusculoskeletal origin, they will refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.
How to relieve your headaches?
Expert tip: improve your posture
- Avoid staying in the same position for too long (maximum 30 minutes).
- Adjust your screens to eye level.
- Breathe using your diaphragm to reduce neck tension.
- Incorporate exercises to improve neck mobility and flexibility.
- Engage in regular physical activity.
- Strengthen your deep neck muscles.
Which professional should you see?
Different healthcare professionals often work together to maximize results.
When in doubt, we recommend starting with a physiotherapist. They can assess your condition and determine which treatments are appropriate for your type of headache.
If necessary, they will refer you to the right professionals to support your recovery.
Why consult a physiotherapist?
After a thorough assessment, a physiotherapist will explain the origin of your headaches and offer you a treatment plan based on your goals. Different options can be considered such as exercises specific to your condition, joint mobilizations, muscle relaxation techniques, etc. Your physiotherapist will also give you advice on how to relieve your headaches.
Why consult an occupational therapist?
The occupational therapist will assess how your headaches affect your daily activities, such as work, household tasks, and leisure.
Their interventions may include strengthening exercises, work task simulations, posture advice, or strategies for managing your daily schedule, which will help you maximize your independence.
Why consult an osteopath?
Through a variety of manual techniques, an osteopath will treat the mobility restrictions that can affect all the structures of your body (bones, muscles, ligaments, viscera, etc.) in connection with your headaches. Improved mobility enables the body to recover better and decreases pain.
Why consult a massage therapist?
A massage therapist will focus mainly on releasing tension in the superficial and deep tissues to help you move more freely and reduce your headaches. Their treatments will also help increase blood circulation to promote better recovery.
Why consult an acupuncturist?
Through various techniques and using therapeutic tools such as needles and suction cups, an acupuncturist will work to reduce the pain, stress, muscle tension and inflammation that may be linked to your headaches.
Why consult a kinesiologist?
After assessing your ability to move and your overall physical condition, a kinesiologist will teach you exercises that are appropriate to help you resume your activities.
Have questions? Call us at 1 855 743-9872 or write to us at informationsweb@physioextra.ca.
