Constant headaches are one of the most common forms of pain people experience. A headache is pain that affects the head, face, or neck and may range from mild pressure to severe, throbbing pain. Headaches happen for many reasons and vary by type, frequency, and intensity.
At Advanced Physical Therapy, we help patients understand how movement, posture, and musculoskeletal factors contribute to headaches. Learning about headache causes and headache symptoms helps people understand why headaches occur and which treatment options may support long term headache management..
Muscle Tension and Soft Tissue Dysfunction
Muscle tension is one of the most common causes of headache pain and a common type of headache known as tension type headache. Many people get tension headaches due to stress, posture, or repetitive activity. Tension headache symptoms often include dull pressure, tightness, or a band-like sensation around part of your head or the sides of the head.
Tight muscles in the head or neck, shoulders, and upper back can refer pain into the head or face. Headaches typically feel steady rather than throbbing pain, although some people experience throbbing pain headache symptoms. Tension headaches usually affect both sides of the head but may also occur on one side of your head.
Common contributors include:
• Prolonged desk work
• Poor head and neck posture
• Jaw clenching
• Limited upper back mobility
When muscles remain tight, blood vessels and nerve sensitivity are affected. Trigger points form and can trigger headache attacks. Over time, this cycle can lead to daily headaches or chronic daily headaches. Physical therapy helps prevent headaches by restoring tissue mobility and reducing factors that cause headaches.
Cervical Spine Joint Dysfunction
The cervical spine plays a major role in headache causes. Joint dysfunction in the neck can cause headaches that originate from the head or neck rather than the brain. These headaches are a type headache known as cervicogenic headache and are classified under secondary headache, meaning the headache is a symptom of another condition.
Symptoms may include:
• Pain starting at the base of the skull
• Headache pain that worsens with neck movement
• Reduced range of motion
• One side of the head pain or pain on one side of your head
These headaches often affect one side of your head and may radiate toward the temples or behind the eyes. Secondary headache is a symptom of joint or nerve irritation. Diagnosing headaches accurately helps determine appropriate treatment options.
Poor Posture and Forward Head Position
Posture strongly influences headaches. Forward head posture increases strain on the head or neck and alters how blood vessels and muscles support the head. This constant stress can cause headaches and contribute to headache history that becomes long term.
Postural habits linked to headaches include:
• Phone and tablet use
• Laptop work without support
• Slouched sitting
• Sleeping positions that strain the neck
Headaches may become more frequent when posture remains uncorrected. Physical therapy focuses on posture correction strategies that help prevent headaches and reduce headache pain over time.
Stress and Nervous System Sensitivity
Stress is a major trigger headache factor and is linked to tension headache, migraine headache, and headache and migraine overlap. Stress increases nervous system sensitivity and muscle tension, making headaches easier to trigger.
Stress related headache symptoms may include:
• Tight jaw or temples
• Neck stiffness during busy periods
• Headache is accompanied by fatigue
• Poor sleep quality
Headaches can sometimes be caused by prolonged stress exposure. Movement, breathing strategies, and guided exercise help regulate the nervous system and support headache management.
Jaw Dysfunction and TMJ Involvement
Jaw dysfunction is a lesser known but important headache cause. TMJ issues can cause headaches, facial pain, and head pain that affects one side of your head or both sides of the head.
Signs that jaw mechanics may be causing the headache include:
• Clicking or popping with chewing
• Facial or head pain
• Morning headaches
• History of teeth grinding
Jaw related headaches are less common than tension headache but are often overlooked. Addressing jaw and neck mechanics together improves headache treatment outcomes.
Visual Strain and Screen Exposure
Visual strain is a common trigger headache factor. Prolonged screen exposure can cause headaches due to sustained focus and subtle head or neck tension.
Risk factors include:
• Poor screen height
• Glare and lighting issues
• Uncorrected vision changes
• Long periods without breaks
Headaches often develop later in the day and may feel worse on one side of the head. These headaches are not serious but can become frequent without intervention.
Dehydration and Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle habits influence headache causes. Dehydration, sleep disruption, and caffeine changes also cause headaches or worsen existing headache disorders.
Common causes include:
• Low fluid intake
• Irregular sleep schedules
• High caffeine fluctuation
• Limited physical activity
Headaches usually improve when lifestyle factors are addressed alongside physical treatment.
Why Medication Alone Often Falls Short
Headache medications may reduce symptoms but do not correct what is causing your headaches. Medication overuse of headache can develop when pain relievers are used too frequently.
Headaches can be treated effectively when treatment options include addressing movement, posture, and mechanics. A comprehensive treatment plan reduces reliance on medication.
How Physical Therapy Evaluates Headaches
Physical therapy helps diagnose headaches by identifying contributing factors outside the head itself. Headache diagnosed through movement analysis provides clearer answers than symptom based treatment alone.
Assessment includes:
• Neck and upper spine mobility
• Muscle endurance
• Postural alignment
• Headache triggers
• Headache history
This approach aligns with guidance from the National Headache Foundation and the American Headache Society, which emphasize identifying causes of headache rather than treating symptoms alone.
Treatment Approaches That Support Long Term Relief
Headaches treated with physical therapy focus on sustainable change. Treatment options include manual therapy, movement retraining, and education.
Care may include:
• Manual therapy for joints and soft tissue
• Postural retraining
• Strengthening for deep neck muscles
• Mobility exercises
• Strategies to reduce daily strain
Headaches can be prevented when the underlying cause of headaches is addressed.
For related symptom connections, read Can UTI Cause Back Pain? to understand how internal conditions may contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort.
Address the Physical Causes Behind Your Headaches
If you experience frequent or severe headaches, professional care can make a difference. Advanced Physical Therapy helps identify physical factors contributing to headache pain, including neck mobility, posture, and muscle tension.
Our outpatient orthopedic physical therapy services focus on targeted manual therapy and guided exercise to support lasting relief. Schedule a free consultation with Advanced Physical Therapy to learn how a personalized treatment plan can help you manage headaches and return to daily life with confidence.
