How can you stop tension headaches on your own?
by Dr. Sherry McAllister, executive vice president, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced many of us into self-quarantine to avoid getting sick.
During this period, you may feel a little more stressed than usual. You’re likely working and teaching your children in your living space. You may be worried about your job or economic pressures. Or dealing with increased childcare and homeschooling. You may even feel more significant strain on your mental health without the in-person social interactions with friends and family that you’re used to.
This is a challenging time. This added stress and lifestyle changes can lead to tension headaches, which feel like a tight pain around crown around your head. Tension headaches can be triggered by a few things including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Staring at a computer or phone all-day
- Poor posture
- Sleeping on your stomach
- Poor diet
- Dehydration
- Clenching your jaw
A chiropractic adjustment can help to reduce the tension in your shoulders and neck that may be causing the problem. However, if you are homeward bound for the foreseeable future, here are a few ways to manage your headaches on your own:
- Stretching exercises to help ease your pain
- Daily exercise
- Relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing
- Using a heating pad on sore shoulder and neck muscles
- Taking screen breaks
- Practicing good posture
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating healthy and drinking plenty of water
- Fresh air
Once you’ve started a routine of chiropractic care, a disruption to your treatment plan can be hard on your body. Remember to take care of your physical and mental health in the best way you can. If you have any questions for your doctor of chiropractic, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
