According to one source, between 2% and 4% of North Americans and Europeans suffer from chronic daily headaches. But how do you know if your headaches fall into this category? Well, the Mayo Clinic defines chronic daily headaches as ones that occur at least 15 days every month for more than three months. If you’ve been dealing with this type of headache in Saint Peters, Missouri, there are three tips that can help you treat them.
- Avoid medication overuse
Research into chronic daily tension headaches suggests that medication could actually be part of the problem. It has been shown that people who take aspirin on a daily basis are more likely to have daily headaches. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other common over-the-counter medications have also been shown to increase this risk, but your headache frequency can decrease if you avoid taking these types of medications regularly. However, talk to your doctor to determine the best way to wean yourself off such medications before you stop taking them.
- Exercise regularly
Exercising regularly is another treatment option for chronic daily tension headaches. It helps get your blood moving, and low blood flow is often cited as a cause of headaches. Exercise also causes the body to release endorphins. These chemicals are the body’s natural pain reliever, and they can also help improve your mood. This can be helpful if you’re dealing with depression because this condition is often linked to chronic daily headaches.
- Find ways to reduce your stress
Stress can create many negative reactions in the body, including chronic daily tension headaches. Decreasing your daily stress may lead to a drop in headache frequency. To decrease your stress, there are many options you could choose from. You can do a few minutes of deep breathing exercises several times a day. Other people de-stress by doing an activity they enjoy, like reading, or by practicing yoga. Finding the best de-stresser for you can be a prescription that helps decrease how many headaches you’re having.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy in Saint Peters, MO, can help treat chronic daily tension headaches
If at-home remedies aren’t helping with your chronic daily tension headaches, you should give physical therapy a try. Excel Sports & Physical Therapy has a clinic right here in Saint Peters, and we offer free screenings that can help you find the cause of your chronic headaches. We can also build you a personalized treatment plan to target your headaches, and this plan can make use of therapy techniques like:
- Manual therapy
- Trigger point therapy
- Therapeutic exercises
Take the next step to get our help with your headache treatment. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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