The top 7 daily tension headache causes (and how you can treat them)

Tension headaches can be more than just a pain. They can become a major inconvenience to everyday life and make performing regular activities feel tedious. There are two general types of tension headaches: episodic and chronic. Episodic tension headaches occur fewer than 15 days per month, while chronic tension headaches occur more often than 15 days per month. Chronic tension headaches affect about 4% of the population. They also affect more women than men. 

If you experience chronic or daily tension headaches, you may be in search of treatment. Fortunately, there are treatments available for your condition that may improve your symptoms. Keep reading below to learn more. We’ll go over the most common symptoms of tension headaches, their causes and why you should consider physical therapy to treat your headaches.

What are some symptoms of tension headaches?

• Pain on both sides of the head — Someone who experiences daily tension headaches is likely to experience pain on both sides of their head, rather than just on one side.
• Pain that may feel steady and does not throb — Another symptom of a tension headache is pain that doesn’t feel sharp or throbbing, but rather feels steady and constant.
• Pain in a band around the head — Many daily tension headache sufferers report feeling what feels like a “band” of pain around their head.
• Pain that may take time to build — This type of headache is not usually associated with the sudden onset of pain. Most times, it develops gradually.
• Light and noise sensitivity — Some people may experience increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises during a headache.

What are some of the top causes of tension headaches?

• Physical stress.
• Emotional stress.
• Physical illness.
• Poor vision.
• Lack of sleep.
• Certain substances.
• Physical disorders.

Who is more at risk of developing daily tension headaches?

• Someone with tight shoulder and neck muscles.
• Someone who is frequently put under physical strain.
• Someone with poor posture.
• Someone who is frequently under emotional strain.
• Someone who is dealing with a long-standing illness.
• Someone who has bad eyesight.
• Someone who doesn’t get enough sleep on a regular basis.
• Someone who consumes alcohol on a regular basis.
• Someone who consumes too much caffeine or is experiencing withdrawal.
• Someone who isn’t drinking enough water on a daily basis.
• Someone with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

What are some of the treatment methods available to those who have daily tension headaches?

• Going to physical therapy.
• Improving diet and physical health.
• Mindfulness.
• Taking pain-relieving medication or muscle relaxants.

How can physical therapy help someone treat their daily tension headaches?

Despite there being several treatment methods for those with headaches, some of these treatments seem to present more benefits than others. Physical therapy, for example, is one of those. Take a moment to read about the many benefits of PT for tension headaches below:

• May reduce muscle tension — Physical therapy may also be helpful by way of reducing muscle tension. Soft tissue manipulation, gentle stretching, and exercise may help reduce the tension built up in the muscles and eventually reduce the frequency of daily tension headaches.
• Can build muscle strength — PT can build muscle strength, too. Consistent exercise during each session can help increase muscle mass and strength, leaving patients better able to control their muscle tension.
• Can improve posture — If poor posture is contributing to a patient’s daily tension headaches, PT may be able to improve posture.
• May provide better long-term relief — PT is also most often a better long-term option for daily tension headache relief than pain medication. Certain treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medication, may provide benefits that only last for only a few hours at a time. Physical therapy is more likely to provide relief from tension headaches that lasts longer than anti-inflammatory medications. The benefits of PT are likely to span weeks, making it a more reliable option for long-term relief.

Alliance PTP can connect you with the physical therapy practice you need for your daily tension headaches

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you address your daily tension headaches. PT may be able to help you reduce the frequency of your headaches and give you the tools you need to prevent future cases. Don’t wait to get the help you need. Reach out to us as soon as possible for more information. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!