Benefits of Physical Therapy for Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are stress-related and occur due to tension, contraction, or spasm in neck and scalp muscles.
People of all ages experience headaches. However, the most common headache adults and older-teens experience is a tension headache. Tension-type headache or TTH affects a large population worldwide. While most people experience tension headaches occasionally, some have them more frequently. Persistent headaches affect their quality of life and have a socio-economic impact. Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment option that offers quick relief to people dealing with annoying, painful, recurring, and lasting tension headaches.
What is a tension headache?
Tension headaches are stress-related and occur due to tension, contraction, or spasm in neck and scalp muscles. Tension headaches usually begin at the back of the neck and progress to the top of the head and behind the eyes, causing pain and discomfort. Pain due to tension headaches is also commonly experienced along the jaw, cheeks, and shoulders.
Causes of a tension headache include:
Poor posture
Fatigue
Anxiety and depression
Neck or jaw issues
Arthritis
High level of stress
Physical therapy for tension headaches
Licensed physical therapists have the skills and experience to offer long-term relief from tension headaches. They create a safe and effective customized treatment plan after carefully examining the patient, assessing the symptoms, and diagnosing any health risks to treat the issue from its root. Usually, the physical therapist uses a combination of active and passive treatment options for pain relief based on the cause and intensity of pain.
Some methods used to treat tension headaches are soft tissue mobilization, ice or heat compressions, cervical traction, range-of-motion exercises, stretching, massage therapy, ultrasound, muscular releases, strengthening exercises, body mobilization, and low-impact aerobics.
Benefits of physical therapy treatment for tension headaches
Alleviates pain
Tension headaches can cause immense pain, making it difficult to perform routine activities. Physical therapy methods aim at reducing the pain intensity of headaches. According to medical researchers, physical therapy can lead to a 30% decline in pain intensity in patients with chronic tension headaches after six weeks of treatment.
Decreases headache duration
Tension headaches may last for 30 minutes to seven days. Physical therapy for tension headaches is also helpful in decreasing the time for which the pain lasts. It helps a patient spend a fair amount of time without experiencing moderate to severe pain, improving their quality of life and ability to perform routine activities.
Cuts down the headache frequency
Frequently recurring tension headaches are troublesome for people. Another benefit is that physical therapy reduces the number of headaches people have. Reduction in headache frequency is a significant relief for most patients.
Some other benefits of physical therapy for tension headaches include:
Increases head and neck mobility
Improves neck movement
Posture improvement
Strengthens muscles controlling neck and upper back
Improves posture
Relieves stiffness
Enhances quality of life
Along with treatment, physical therapists also educate patients. For example, they can help identify triggers that cause tension headaches and teach various relaxation techniques to alleviate the symptoms.
Choose physical therapy to alleviate headaches
If suffering from persistent tension headaches, contact an experienced physical therapist instead of living in pain and discomfort. Regular physical therapy treatment is the best way to get long-lasting pain relief and improve the quality of life.
Liberated Rehabilitation is a mobile physical therapy service in the Phoenix metro area specializing in fully personalized in-home physical therapy. We provide tailored physical therapy in the home or work setting for faster, better recovery. Call (602)755-2276 to schedule an appointment.
