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Tension headache and neck headache treatment in Shirley, MA
The short answer
Many headaches start in the neck and shoulders. Tight upper back and neck muscles and a stiff upper neck can send pain up the back of the head, around the temples or behind the eyes. Physical therapy, including hands on care and dry needling, helps calm those muscles and joints, and strength work helps keep the headaches from coming back.
On this page
What usually causes tension and neck headaches
These headaches often build through the day and feel like a band, a pressure or an ache that starts at the base of the skull. These are the most common triggers.
- Tight neck and shoulder muscles
- Knots in the upper traps and the small muscles at the base of the skull can refer pain into the head.
- A stiff upper neck
- When the top joints of the neck do not move well, they can cause a headache on one side, often called a cervicogenic headache.
- Desk and phone posture
- Hours of looking down or forward keep the neck muscles working hard without a break.
- Stress, jaw clenching and poor sleep
- Stress tightens the shoulders and jaw, and poor sleep makes the whole system more sensitive.
- A weak upper back
- When the upper back muscles are weak, the neck muscles pick up the slack and get overworked.
When to get it checked
Get checked if you get headaches more than a few times a month, if they start in your neck or shoulders, or if pain relievers are becoming part of your routine. See a doctor soon if your headaches are changing, getting worse, or waking you up. Go to the emergency room right away for the worst headache of your life, a headache that comes on suddenly like a thunderclap, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, trouble speaking, weakness, vision loss, or a headache after a hit to the head.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Take screen breaks
- Every 30 to 45 minutes, look away, roll your shoulders and gently tuck your chin a few times.
- Heat the neck and shoulders
- A warm pack or shower on the upper back can ease tight muscles.
- Strengthen the upper back
- Simple rows and shoulder blade squeezes help the upper back share the load with your neck.
How we treat tension headaches at Whole Health Solutions
Your physical therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish. We check your neck, upper back, jaw and daily habits to find what is driving your headaches, then build a plan around your life.
01
Relieve
Hands on care and dry needling for tight neck and shoulder muscles, plus gentle movement for a stiff upper neck.
02
Rebuild
Neck and upper back strength and simple habit changes so the muscles stop getting overloaded.
03
Perform
Fewer headaches and more good days at work, at home and in the gym.
04
Thrive
Stay with the team that knows you. Check ins, training and a quick tune up whenever something new comes up, so this stays in the past.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
How dry needling can help
For tension headaches, your physical therapist may use dry needling to speed things up. They will tell you on your first visit if it is a good fit.
Dry needling
A very thin needle placed into a tight, guarded muscle helps it let go, so pain calms down and you can move and strengthen again. Always paired with hands on care and strength work.
Learn about dry needlingCommon exercises for tension headaches
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for tension headaches. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our physical therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about tension headaches all the time.
Talk to a physical therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about tension headaches
Can physical therapy help headaches?
Yes, especially headaches that start in the neck and shoulders. Physical therapy treats the tight muscles and stiff joints that cause them and builds strength so they happen less often.
Does dry needling help tension headaches?
For many people, yes. Dry needling can help tight muscles in the neck and upper shoulders relax, which often eases headaches that start there. Your physical therapist will tell you if it is a good fit.
How do I know if my headache is coming from my neck?
Neck headaches often start at the base of the skull, are worse with certain neck positions or long days at a desk, and come with neck or shoulder tightness. Your physical therapist can check this on your first visit.
Do I need a referral for headaches?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our physical therapists.
Visit us
Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.