Headache

Whether it’s tension from chronic stress or a migraine that’s making your head feel like it’s splitting open, headaches can be overwhelming. At their offices in Downtown Washington DC, the Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team has considerable expertise in providing relief from headaches and migraines using noninvasive techniques. To find out how they can help with your headaches, call today or book an appointment online.

Why do I have a headache?

A headache starts when certain nerves in your head transmit pain signals to your brain. Some of the more common causes for this include:

Stress

Stress makes your muscles tense and is a particularly common problem in the neck and shoulders. The tight muscles cause tension headaches, which are one of the primary types of headaches and one you’ve probably experienced before.

Injuries

Hitting your head is going to be acutely painful at first and is likely to trigger a headache. An additional concern with head trauma is that you might have a concussion — a kind of brain injury. If you receive a blow on your head, you should always seek medical advice to check for concussion, even if you don’t have a headache.

Infections and fevers

Headaches are common symptoms of fevers and infectious diseases like colds, flu, and sinusitis. The pain is typically due to soft tissue inflammation that causes pressure inside your skull.

Environmental causes

Many things in the environment around you could trigger a headache. Examples include pollution, allergens, chemical fumes, bright lights, and loud noises. Not drinking enough water throughout the day can leave you mildly dehydrated, and a headache can be a symptom.

Musculoskeletal problems

Problems like damaged joints or tissues and misalignments can often cause headaches.


There are also many types of headaches with the cause not fully understood, like migraines.

What are migraine headaches?

Migraine headaches are especially painful — so much so that they can leave you unable to function properly. Many people who get migraines can do little more than sleep somewhere dark until the migraine wears off.

In addition to headaches, migraines cause a range of other unpleasant symptoms. These can include nausea and vomiting, weakness and fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, and seeing flashing lights or having other visual disturbances.

What treatments can help with headaches?

Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation provides many treatments that could relieve your headache. These include:

Before recommending a specific treatment, your Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation provider conducts a thorough physical examination and assessment of your symptoms. This helps them determine what might be causing or contributing to your headaches. Your provider can then design a treatment plan suited to your specific needs.

If you’re troubled by frequent headaches or recurring migraines, contact the team at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation for advice. You can call their office or use the online booking form to schedule a consultation.