How Stress Management Can Help Alleviate Headaches

Morgan noticed that she was regularly developing headaches toward the end of her workday. The tight band of pain felt like a vise squeezing around her head, and while over-the-counter painkillers helped, she wanted a more permanent solution. Eventually, she found a surprising one: stress management for headache relief finally helped her live a pain-free life.

However, it’s important to note that stress management was only a part of Morgan’s overall treatment. Why? Because her work stress wasn’t directly causing her headaches–even though it was contributing to it.

Morgan was suffering from tension-type headaches, the most common type of headache in the world. They occur when the muscles in the neck and face tense up. But causes those muscles to tense up in the first place? That’s where things get complicated.

At Legacy Chiropractic, our team of chiropractors can help you manage certain types of headache pain, including tension-type headaches. Stress management for headache relief is just one tool in our toolbox.

Keep reading to learn more about the role of stress in headache pain.

Stress and Headache Pain: What’s the Connection?

Let’s return to Morgan’s story. Morgan was an office manager for a large company–there was no denying that her job was stressful. However, it was also a desk job, and Morgan spent most of her day working on a computer and taking calls (both on her phone and via Zoom).

When Morgan visited our Los Angeles clinic looking for headache relief, we first performed a comprehensive physical assessment, including checking her posture while she was sitting and standing. We found that she tended to sit with a slightly forward head position, which stresses the neck joint.

So, what exactly was causing Morgan’s headaches? Was it stress from a high-powered job? Or was it the prolonged, awkward posture that stemmed from working on a computer all day?

The answer? Both were contributing factors.

Remember, tension headaches ultimately stem from restricting the muscles in the head and neck. When Morgan had stressful experiences at work, her body reacted by tightening up her muscles–which further aggravated the muscular imbalances from her improper posture.

Armed with his information, we created a customized treatment plan to help Morgan manage her stress and correct her posture.

What Stress Management Techniques Do We Suggest for Headache Relief?

While managing stress likely won’t eliminate headaches in and of itself, it does play a significant role in a comprehensive treatment plan. In Morgan’s case, we used personalized postural corrections and cervical spinal adjustments to help bring her spine back into its natural alignment.

However, at Legacy Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to care, so we wanted Morgan’s treatment plan to include stress management for headache relief–and overall health. Some of the techniques we used to improve her posture, such as a spinal adjustment, have the bonus of promoting relaxation. We also included the following methods:

• Deep breathing exercises
• A plan for Morgan to incorporate more physical activity throughout the day (as a bonus, it also helped her to spend a bit less time in front of the computer)
• Tips and strategies for improved sleep.

Are you, like Morgan, struggling with regular tension-type headaches? Stress may very well be a contributing factor, even if it isn’t the underlying cause. Fortunately, chiropractic care can be relaxing, helping you manage stress as you work to address muscular imbalances and postural issues that might lie at the root of your discomfort.

Ready to experience the benefits for yourself? Request an appointment at Legacy Chiropractic today!