Bad Habits That Are Leading to Worse Headaches

Headache pain can take you out of your daily routine in a matter of minutes. You can blame it on the smell of your co-worker’s perfume or the show your kid won’t stop watching, but what if you’re the reason your headaches are so hard to manage?

The experts here at Nebben Physical Medicine in Clarksville, Tennessee, take a closer look at some bad habits that can make your headaches worse. 

You have tense muscles

Chronic tension in your muscles — namely those in your forehead, jaw, scalp, neck, shoulders, back, and chest — is one of the most common causes of headaches and migraines. 

You might have more muscle tension if you’re stressed or overdoing it at the gym. Office workers who type all day also risk increased muscle tension and the resulting headaches. 

You’re neglecting your diet

They say you are what you eat — and the saying applies to your headaches. Junk food, overly processed treats, and carbonated drinks all have additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), that can lead to headaches. 

Similarly, artificial sweeteners in certain beverages, candies, and chewing gums are notorious for setting off headaches. 

Skipping meals, over-consuming alcohol, and/or letting yourself get dehydrated can also contribute to more frequent and severe headaches.

You don’t have good posture

How you sit, stand, and sleep has a significant impact on your overall health. Without good posture, you add to the stress on your neck and shoulders, which can lead to headaches. You also can experience long-term or permanent changes to the shape of your muscles.

You’re overstimulated

If headaches are a regular occurrence for you, spending time around bright lights and loud noises is a big no-no. This includes screen time, too. 

If your job calls for hours upon hours of screen time, try to take frequent breaks during the day. Give your eyes a rest when you clock out and try to stay off your phone and other devices. 

You grind your teeth

If you have bruxism, a condition that refers to frequent teeth grinding or clenching, you put an inordinate amount of stress on the muscles in your jaw and head. This can lead to headaches, as well as pain in the neck, shoulder, ears, and eye area. 

Bruxism tends to stem from stress, but it also can result from underlying medical or dental problems. 

You’re taking too much pain medication

This one might seem counterintuitive, but taking too many over-the-counter pain medications can actually have a reverse effect on your headaches. 

What happens is called a rebound headache, which can develop after regular use of pain medication. Not only are rebound headaches often worse than the original headache, but you also tend to take even more medication in an effort to manage them. 

How we can help

There are many reasons why you have headaches. But the good news is that we have a variety of ways to help you manage them. 

At Nebben Physical Medicine, we take a holistic, integrated approach to headaches and never prescribe treatments that simply put a bandage on the problem. Instead, it’s our goal to help your body heal, address the underlying condition, and reduce your symptoms naturally. 

First, we conduct a thorough review of your health history and your symptoms before we recommend a treatment plan. Depending on your needs, you may benefit from one or more of the following treatments:

• Chiropractic care
• Physical therapy
• Massage therapy
• Trigger point injections

We can also help you identify triggers in your diet and lifestyle that set off a headache attack and equip you with practical strategies to avoid them.

Sick and tired of dealing with headaches? Don’t wait another day to talk to us. You can schedule an appointment by calling 931-313-3843 or by using our online booking tool.