Half of all individuals experience at least one headache a year and 15% of the population reports a headache on any given day. Headache causes are multifactorial but can be divided into groups such as cervicogenic (driven from the neck), migraine, and tension. Tension headaches remain the most commonly diagnosed headache sub group associated primarily with stress and muscular tension.
Tension headaches fall within myofascial pain or pain driven from muscular sources. Symptoms can include a dull, achy pain and tightness along with headache pain. Individuals with this type of headache often report headaches are worsened by eye strain, prolonged postures, and tightness along the head and neck musculature. In particular, muscles such as the upper trapezius, sub occipitals, sternocleidomastoid, and levator scapulae are known drivers of tension headaches.
Thankfully, although the most common, tension headaches are also easily treated with Physical Therapy interventions including spinal manipulation, exercise, and trigger point dry needling. Physical Therapists trained in dry needling target the muscular knots causing the referred pain associated with the headache. Patients often report immediate relief with this treatment. Patients are then prescribed corrective exercises to help improve posture, muscle balance, and mobility.
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