The Link Between Headaches and Back Pain 

Do you suffer from headaches? What about back pain? If you are someone who has both persistent headaches and back pain, the two could be linked. For as far as records go back, humans have been struggling with headaches. At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, we want to help you handle your back pain. We will help you find the cause and eliminate it with an individualized treatment plan. Read on to learn more about headaches, back pain, and how a combination of postural and physical therapy could help you. 

Understanding Headaches

Headaches are, to simply put it, pain in the head. However, this pain can occur for hours at a time rather than just last for a few seconds. Sharp and fleeting pain can come with different causes and treatments that can ache and linger. Though the pain may feel like it is in your brain, that’s not the case. In fact, headaches are a result of nerves on the surface triggering the reactions. However, even though this is the source, the cause could be due to another part of the body entirely — like the back. 

Common headache symptoms include:

• Pain localized to one part of the head or scalp itself
• Repetition of headaches over long periods of time
• Burning or tingling sensations that accompany head pain
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smell

Headaches and Back Pain 

Having headaches or back pain alone is more than enough pain, however, they sometimes occur together causing people great suffering. Studies have suggested that persistent headache or back pain is twice as likely in the presence of one another. Here is how a combination of postural and physical therapy could help you. 

Headaches and back pain can occur together because of the following conditions: 

• Injury: if you suffer from an injury, like a fall or car accident, headaches and back pain can occur together. 
• Poor posture: slouching at your desk or not standing straight can cause poor posture, which places strain on the muscles of the head, neck, and back. Over time, poor posture can cause both headaches and back pain. 
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): PMS is a rage of physical and emotional symptoms that occur between the time of ovulation and when a period starts. Headaches and back pain are common PMS symptoms. 
• Pregnancy: headaches and back pain are also common side effects of pregnancy. 
• Infections: many different infections can cause headaches and backaches to happen at the same time. Common infections that result in this are viruses like the flu, meningitis, and encephalitis. 
• Migraine: these intense, throbbing headaches typically occur on one side of the head and have been linked to lower back pain.
• Arthritis: inflammation of the joints, also known as arthritis, can lead to pain and stiffness that worsens as you age. If you suffer from arthritis in your neck or upper back, headaches are common.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS can cause a number of gastrointestinal symptoms in addition to back pain and headaches. 
• Fibromyalgia: this chronic condition includes a group of symptoms that can be felt all over the body, including your head and back. 
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): PKD is a genetic condition where noncancerous cysts develop on the kidneys, which can lead to head and back pain. 

Help for Headaches and Back Pain

Treatment for headaches and back pain is dependent on what is causing your pain. However, two common treatments are postural therapy and physical therapy. 

Postural therapy, also known as Egoscue therapy, is designed to eliminate chronic back, neck, shoulder, and even knee pain. Additionally, it can also treat other physical conditions, like headaches. 

It works by your doctor creating a personalized series of exercises and stretches specifically designed to correct posture and restore balance. Benefits are long-term and include improved posture, lessened pain, avoidance of surgery, better sleep, and even improved athletic performance. Postural therapy can also treat conditions like arthritis, scoliosis, sciatica, and other chronic pain symptoms that often come along with headaches. 

Make an Appointment with Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center 

If you are suffering from headaches, Dr. Shaner and the team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center are ready to help. Our team will provide you a customized treatment plan that is special to you. When you come in for your appointment, we will get to the source of your pain and help you understand what it will take to improve and feel less pain in your day-to-day life. To make an appointment with us, call us at (512)-806-0015.