Headaches are a pain! We all get them now and again, but for some of us, they’re more of a regular occurrence than others.
At Moore Performance, we’re amazed how many people tell us they’ve suffered from headaches so often that it has become a daily part of their life.
That’s why over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen and various painkillers, are big sellers across the UK.
But drugs can only relieve the symptoms temporarily by masking the pain – when many times, the reoccurring headaches may be the result of something else!
Our experience has shown us that individuals with regular episodes of headaches simply haven’t reached the underlying root cause of their pain. And most commonly, it’s nothing to do with anything that’s going on in the head!
Painkillers prescribed by doctors may help take the pain away for a few hours, but they do not solve the cause of the headache. Many painkillers do not prevent headaches from reoccurring a few hours later.
Recurring headaches may be the result of tension in the neck or shoulders – something many people aren’t aware of.
Other causes of headaches include particular foods (such as cheese, chocolate and red wine), hormone changes, irregular meals, disrupted sleep and changes in environment. It’s important to assess potential causes of headaches.
So, you’ve changed all these things, but your pounding headaches continue. What do you do now?!
One thing we often disregard as a trigger is stress. Stress (AKA the silent killer) does many things to our body, including muscle tightness and hormonal changes (for prolonged stress).
Many people hold tension in their neck, and as a result often have tightness in their shoulders. This is one of the most common causes for headaches!
Picture this…
You’ve woken up late and now running around to fit your regular routine into 30 minutes. You can’t find your keys, unprepared for the morning meeting at work and your dog has dragged their muddy paws through the living room. No wonder you’re stressed!
All of these small stressors add up, and by the end of the week you’re fighting tension in your neck and shoulders. This is why it’s important to deal with these daily stressors in a helpful, stress-free way (or at least reduce the stress where possible) to prevent headaches and reduce its frequency.
What can I do right now to help my headaches?
Relaxation techniques often come to mind when trying to reduce stress. Your cliché answers are cliché for a reason – they work! Making time for pleasurable activities, listening to music, reading a book or exercising helps in managing stress. Our therapists often opt for yoga, walking, breath work or a warm bath as their go-to stress reliever.
Set 10 minutes aside for these activities daily to practice different relaxing techniques. When you find one you like, stick to it for 7 days. Then 14 days. Then 30 days. Then 60 days. Then 90 days, and you get the idea. And before you know it, you may see a difference in how often you may have a headache!
At the end of the day stress can make your head hurt – and a headache can really stress you out! So, either way to reduce the pain, we’ve got to rein in the stress. Stress can cause muscle tightness, which can make you more stressed from the lack of movement and increased pain in your daily activities. This is where a vicious cycle starts.
If you’re battling continuous neck strains or tightness in your shoulders, download this report to give you simple ways to ease pain naturally. No painkillers required when you implement these tips daily!
📲 01480775912
⌨️ info@mooreperformance.uk
