Almost everyone has experienced a headache at some point in their life. Sometimes they’re a passing annoyance. Other times, they can force you to halt your plans for the day and retreat to a dark, quiet space to recover. Among the various types of headaches you might experience, some have distinct symptoms that feel as if the pain is coming from right behind your eyes. Whether it’s throbbing, pulsating, or just constantly there, this type of headache can make even the simplest tasks feel impossible.
The good news? Understanding your symptoms is the first step to finding relief. Pain behind the eyes can be caused by different factors, and the right treatment approach often depends on its root cause.
What does a headache behind the eyes feel like?
Not all headaches behind the eyes feel the same. And it’s important to understand your symptoms because they can be a clue about what’s going on beneath the surface. Here are some common ways headache pain behind the eyes might present itself:
- Pain in the center of your head
- Focused pain behind just one eye (left or right)
- Throbbing pain that feels like a pulsing sensation
- Constant pain that lingers throughout the day
- Frontal or deep pressure around the eyes
Whether you have a headache behind your left eye or a persistent, pulsating headache behind your eyes, decoding the type of pain can point you in the direction of the best treatment approach.
Types of headaches
Each type of headache can have a distinct set of causes and symptoms. While pain behind the eyes doesn’t necessarily indicate a single type of headache, several types can lead to this symptom. Here’s a breakdown of a few possible culprits and how to address them:
Tension headaches
Tension headaches are among the most commonly diagnosed types of headache. They create a dull, aching pain that can affect any part of the head, including the area behind the eyes. These headaches are often caused by stress, poor posture, or muscle strain in the neck or shoulders.
How to treat tension headaches:
- Gently massage the temples or upper neck
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
- Seek physical therapy to release tight muscles and improve neutral posture
Cluster headaches
Experiencing sharp, searing pain behind just one eye that comes in waves? You might be dealing with a cluster headache. These headaches are incredibly intense, short-lived headaches that repeat frequently over a few weeks or months (hence the name “cluster”).
How to treat cluster headaches:
- Avoid known triggers such as alcohol or specific types of food
- Consult a specialist if the episodes are frequent or disruptive
Sinus Headaches
If your headache comes with pressure around your eyes, nose, or cheeks, along with symptoms like nasal congestion, your headache may be due to a problem in your sinuses. Sinus inflammation is often caused by allergies or infections.
How to treat sinus headaches:
- Use a saline nasal spray or humidifier to relieve congestion
- Try over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines
- Seek medical advice for persistent or worsening symptoms in addition to headaches
Migraine behind the eyes
Migraine often creates a pulsating headache behind the eyes. These debilitating headaches are typically accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and visual disturbances.
Tips on treating migraine:
- Ask your primary care provider or migraine specialist about medication
- Identify and avoid triggers such as certain foods, stressors, or environments
- Consider physical therapy to manage muscular tension that can aggravate migraine
Help treating headaches behind the eyes
While over-the-counter medications are many people’s first treatment option for headaches, this isn’t always ideal for long-term pain management. Physical therapy might be able to help in the short and long term to relieve headache causes without the need for medication.
Physical therapy can address underlying issues like muscle tension, poor posture, or even nerve irritation that might be causing your headaches. A skilled Continuum Physical Therapist can guide you through specific exercises, stretches, and massages designed to:
- Relieve tension in the neck and shoulders
- Improve blood flow to the head and eyes
- Correct posture to reduce muscle exertion
By identifying and focusing on the root cause of your headaches, treatment with a physical therapist offers a safe route to sustained relief.
Find headache relief in Arizona
Not all headaches are the same–some are minor annoyances whereas others can ruin your whole week. If you’re sick of the throbbing, sharp, chronic pain behind your eyes, it’s worth getting an evaluation to see what might help relieve your pain sustainably.
The physical therapists at Continuum Wellness are here to help you live a more full life with less pain using holistic physical therapy principles. Learn more about our methods to treat specific types of headaches by calling our physical therapy clinic in Apache Junction or by requesting an appointment online today.
