chronic tension headache - triggerpoint myofascial therapy

Chronic Tension Headache – TriggerPoint Therapists understand!

We know Myofascial Trigger Points cause the pain patterns and other symptoms of chronic tension headache – triggerpoint referrals. They also contribute to migraines.

So, if you have recurring headaches that just don’t go away – myofascial therapy can probably help! For more information on headaches in general, please see this intro.

Symptoms of tension headaches include dull pain, tightness, or pressure around your forehead. Sometimes, it happens on the back of your head and neck.

For instance, you may think it feels like a clamp squeezing your skull. Instead, some describe pain in the temples or around the ears.

Often, they are called stress headaches. They’re the most common type for adults.

Types of Tension Headache

Interestestly, symptoms of chronic tension headaches can be very similar to migraine headaches.12.

Many people have tension headaches from time to time. We refer to those as Episodic tension headaches.

Of course, some Episodic tension headaches recur over time. However, an additional mechanism turns episodic headaches into chronic headaches.

Usually, the episodic kind starts gradually. Often, this happens in the middle of the day.

However, chronic tension headaches come and go over time. Sometimes there is no relief.3

For treatment of tension headache pain – trigger point therapy can be a powerful tool for relief.

Chronic Tension Headache Characteristics

If these symptoms4 sound familiar it is because they are similar to migraine symptoms.5

When you get a tension-type headache you probably describe your pain as a constant pressure. In fact, you may feel as if your head were being squeezed in a vice. Usually, your pain is on both sides of your head at the same time.

Sometimes your headaches are milder but on some days it is really severe. Also, you get some tenderness in  your scalp during an attack.

Lately, you’ve been keeping a headache diary and you noted these things:

  • Your headaches can be less than an hour or last up to a week.
  • Also, your headaches are not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs.
  • Sometimes, you get nauseated and sometimes you’re sensitive to light. Usually not at the same time.6

Official classification of headache types, duration and frequency has been done.7They say that:

  • Episodic  tension headaches happen less than 15 days per month.
  • Chronic tension headaches happen more than 15 days a month.

We prefer to think of these as broad categories. Apparently, your 10 days a month of headaches might not qualify as “chronic”! However, we’ll bet they feel pretty chronic to you.

As we will see, the difference between episodic and chronic is not a sharp line. In fact, it has more to do with the development of central sensitization. The precise number of days a week or month you have headaches is less important.

Basically, chronic tension headaches occur frequently over a long of time. Unfortunately, for some, it’s almost always there.8

OTC pain medication can be effective for the treatment of tension headache that is not chronic. Tricyclic antidepressants appear to be useful for prevention of chronic tension-type headaches. However, the evidence is poor for SSRIs, propranolol and muscle relaxants.

Frequent use of pain medications for tension-type headache can cause medication overuse headache or rebound headache.

Chronic Tension Headache – TriggerPoint Therapy

medical history myofacial therapy trigger point

We focus on history, lifestyle, pain patterns and other symptoms to sort out your myofascial pain. There is a myofascial component to many types of headaches. Notably, myofascial pain is not caused by contracted or 'tense' muscles. They have no electrical activity.

Chronic Headache - Myofascial TriggerPoint Referral Patterns

We can clearly see how referral patterns of head and neck muscles evoke the pain patterns of migraines, tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches. They even overlay the symptoms of cluster headaches and TMJ headache pain. Some of the factors that activate those muscles may not covered by doctors. Those activation factors are things we care a lot about.
Myofascial activations are a part of most headache patterns!

Sometimes, when people are in chronic pain, medical history reveals problems with body mechanics. Body mechanics includes all the various ways that hold ourselves and move as we do things. Sometime is it how we hold ourselves when we are NOT doing things, like sitting.

Repetitive Use

When ever we are making repetitive movements, we should be mind of using proper body mechanics. This will help minimize repetitive stress injuries and myofascial activations. For instance, lifting in a stooped posture and then twisting is always ill-advised. Doing it repetitively is worse. Therefore, if this type of lifting is required, we should rethink the task and try to organize it in a way that reduces stooping and twisting. However, even simple movements matter. For instance, what if your desk is arranged phone on the wrong side. In fact, with every call, you have to twist your head and neck and reach over with your arm to the wrong side of the desk This is poor body mechanics. Fixing it might be as simple as moving the phone. It pays to think about basic body mechanics in this common sense way each time we engage in a repetitive activity. Fortunately, we're starting to teach this important skill to young people, as in this student guide at University of Michigan.

Overload

We can experience chronic overload when we do things like wear high heels, carry a heavy bag or lean into our work. However, acute overload happens when we decide to lift, push, pull or otherwise move something that is too heavy for us. Most often, we overload our muacles with an eccentric contraction. For example, lifting a heavy box, correctly using your legs instead of your back, requires concentric contractions of your quads. However, setting that same heavy box down, slowly and with control, require eccentric, lengthening contractions. These should be done carefully.

Spill it!
Of course, if you have a diagnosis from your doctor, we need to know. If you have recent imaging or other test results, even better! We've all been knocked around a bit. We'd like to know everything you can think of about prior accidents, injuries, surgeries and other treatments. It is important to know about previous or current medical conditions that could impact our treatment. Anything from high blood pressure to TMJD to disc problems are vital information. Hopefully, medications align with your diagnosis. Sometimes, certain medications will also modify our reatment options. Some drugs interfere with nutrient absorbtion. Increasingly, supplement use is common and we'll review that with you as well.

Chronic Tension Headache – TriggerPoint Referrals Overlap

Surprisingly, There are several common patterns that are similar to the pain patterns of chronic tension headaches. For example, the patterns of the SCM, upper trapezius and temporalis muscles all refer pain strongly to the side of the head and the area above and behind the eyes.

In addition, trigger points in some of these muscles can also cause nausea, blurred vision, vertigo, sensitivity to light and other hearing and visual disturbances. Sound familiar?

First, take a moment to consider where your own pain is during a tension headache. We will usually have you draw it. Pay attention to the location and how it radiates.

Next, we take a look at referral patterns for that part of the body.

Sometimes, there is more than one referral pattern that seems to match your pain.

Myofascial referrals may explain most of your pain pattern!

From the outset, education is important. It is our job as therapists to educate you about our assessment and our process. Then, throughout our treatment, we continue this education process.
Myofascial treatment can get at some aspects of cluster headache pain that you might not have thought of!

Unfortunately, sleep posture and sleep disturbances contribute to many myofascial pain syndromes. However, this is especially important for relief from chronic headaches. Because of this, we always have a thorough discussion about how you sleep during an initial assessment. Diaphragmatic breathing is at the foundation of myofascial trigger point treatment. But, if you don't know how to do it, we will teach you. On the other hand, if you already know about it, we will help you deepen the technique. Of course, the medications and supplements you are taking matter too. Usually, reducing drug consumption is a good thing. However, it should be done gradually and in consultation with your physician. Keeping a headache diary is an important tool for understanding headaches. Also, it is how we clearly see things that improve our headaches - or not.

Structural variations need to be explored and understood. Once treatment begins, they can be accomodated or corrected in various ways. It is surprising, but most of us our not taught proper body mechanics. Whether we are at home or at work, we need to learn how to use our body correctly. Most people are self-conscious about their posture. But, identifying the postural aspects that should be improved is a challenge. Even harder, is understanding how they vary with movement. Ultimately, devising a strategy for improving them is essential.
All of these issues can be successfully addressed!

However, it usually takes more than hands on work to really erase the pain and keep it away. First, the chances are that we were not your first stop. As a general rule of thumb, the longer you have experienced headaches, the longer it will take to make them go away. Secondly, there are usually at least some factors that might be part of your headache picture that are out of our scope of practice. In contrast, if we are treating someone for tennis elbow, we can work on the muscles at play. We can talk with you about some modifications for your game and your lifestyle. Then, we can tell you that if you feel the OTC pain reliever you are taking isn't needed anymore that you can stop taking it. Finally, we can offer you stretches and other self-care advice that are pretty straightforward However, if you are suffering from serious headaches, you may have some other more complex factors at play. Often, you may be working with other providers on vascular (blood vessel), neurological, psychological and other issues. You may be taking prescription medications that you should discuss with your doctor. Chronic headache treatment is often inter-disciplinary.
Myofascial tigger point therapy - it's how you work this!

Education is the first step in the myofascial treatment protocol. Sometimes, we may not be good enough at explaining how myofascial pain works and how it activates your headaches. However, we believe that people can make more progress when they know more about their condition. So, we try to understand what your learning style is give you as much information as you want - but hopefully not too much!

Typically, we performing series of miniature cycles of test/assess, treat and test/assess again. It is an informed exploration for both of us. We have an initial assessment from your history, postural and range of motion exams, etc. Then, we use various treatment techniques before testing and assessing again.

Manual Therapy Techniques

First, we specifically expertly use manual pressure release therapy, neuromuscular techniques, and deep stroking, friction, skin rolling. When indicated, we also use fascial stretching. Sometimes, we use less common techniques like cupping, spray and stretch and acoustic compression.

Muscle Activation

In addition, we may also use active and passive muscle activation techniques. This includes reciprocal inhibition, postisometric relaxation, contract/relax, strain/counter-strain and muscle energy techniques. Sometimes, we also use hot/cold therapy.

Range of Motion/Testing

Finally, routinely run the muscle we are treating through its entire, pain-free range of motion. This is part of your treatment. However, it also the start of a new test/assess cycle. We learn together whether your range of motion has increased and whether your pain is reduced. We may have you get up and use your body in the way that causes pain to 'test' more dynamically. As we finish our hand-on work, we transition into learning new movement strategies and self-care.
Myofascial tigger point therapy - it's how you work this!

For general myofascial wellness, a quiet, regular self-inspection of our own bodies will often tell us where trouble lies. In addition, it will also give us the opportunity to address problem areas. For example, in Tai Chi, we go through a slow, controlled series of movements. However, we are not trying to stretch or strengthen anything. Rather, we are re-calibrating our nervous system and our myofascial system with each other. Instead, it is basically a form of movement or neuromuscular therapy. However, during these gentle movements, we may notice variations in our range of motion. In fact, limited range of motion is a symptom of an unhappy muscle. Plus, we may experience pain. That is also a symptom of an unhappy muscle. In activities like the Yamana rolling ball technique, we also go through series of movements. However, as we move, we are rolling over muscles that may be sore. So, we also have the opportunity to treat them with manual compression.

Cluster Headache - Myofascial TriggerPoint Compression

First, the most basic self-care tool is the tennis ball. Actually, we suggest using two tennis balls in a sock. Also, the sock gives you a "handle" so you don't drop the ball. Finally, two balls will give you more options and control. Sometimes, we use fitness balls, large foam rollers or handheld rollers such as the Tiger Tail for self-compression. However, awesome tools like the Backknobber can be used sitting, standing or lying down. Happily, it allows you to target specific areas in each muscle you want to work with. In fact, the leverage of the tool and pinning it between your body and floor allows access to quite a number of back and neck muscles. In addition, this approach can also be used with some large chairs, recliners and couches when sitting. There are other approaches to passive self-compression for muscles of the head.
Myofascial self-care helps reduce the frequency and severity of migraines!

Chronic Tension Headache – TriggerPoint Self-Care Stretches

Typically, certain muscles tend to be tight in most chronic headache patients. Your therapist will give you specific advice about muscles that you should stretch.

However, most of us need to stretch our pecs, SCM, upper traps and levator scapula. After self-compression, these muscles can be stretched gently and effectively. You may also benefit from stretches of certain muscles on the back of your neck. Unfortunately, most of these muscles are over-stretched by head forward posture anyway. Your therapist can help you target specific muscles in the back of the neck.

Neck rolls and other vigorous neck stretches are always a bad idea.

It is the time to explore problems with the muscles of your TMJ more thoroughly. In addition, this is the time to strengthen your deep cervical flexors, serratus anterior, lower traps and other postural muscles.

Myofascial self-care helps reduce the frequency and severity of chronic tension headaches!

Specific Causes Chronic Tension Headache

Chronic Tension Headache Causes

chronic tension headache trigger point therapy central sensitization

In Central Sensitivity Syndrome, the nervous system begins to wind-up. It gets set to persistent state of high sensitivity/reactivity. Then, this persistent sensitivity lowers your threshold for what causes pain. Subsequently, your nervous system maintains this pain even after the cause is gone.

Allodynia

Allodynia occurs when you experience pain from things that are normally not painful. For example, simple touch or pressure become painful. Nerves in the area that was touched sends signals to your brain. But, your nervous system is in a heightened state. So, your brain doesn't produce a mild sensation of touch as it should. Instead, it produces a sensation of pain and discomfort.

Hyperalgesia

Hyperalgesia occurs when something that typically painful is more painful than it should be. For example, a simple bump would ordinarily be mildly painful. However, if you are a chronic pain patient it might send your through the roof. Again, your nervous system is more sensitive. Of course, it produces pain that is amplified.

Other Symptoms of Central Sensitization

Central sensitivity has other characteristics. They occur less often.  For example, it can lead to heightened sensitivities across all your senses. For instance, some chronic pain patients report sensitivities to light, sounds and odors. Normal levels of light can seem too bright. Perfume can produce a headache... In addition, central sensitivity is associated with cognitive deficits. For instance, this includes poor concentration and poor short-term memory. Also, it corresponds with increased levels of emotional distress, particularly anxiety. After all, the nervous system isn't just responsible for sensations, like pain. In addition, it produces our emotions. Central sensitivity can occur with chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain, whiplash injuries, headaches and other conditions.
Fortunately, for Chronic Pain - Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy helps break the cycle of central sensitivity...
chronic tension headache trigger point therapy migraine

Local Causes

Chronic pain begins with a peripheral or local issue of some type. For instance, it could be an injury, a surgery or a myofascial trigger point. Or, in some types of chronic headaches, the local cause can include pain from swelling blood vessels. Instead, in a low back injury, it could be compression of a nerve root. In fact, the initial pain of the peripheral stimulus can vary greatly. However, if the pain is severe/and or recurs, our perception of it can change.

Transition to Chronic Pain

Eventually, the recurring local pain response is transformed into a centralized pain response. Over time, these changes in peripheral pain pathways increase the excitability of the central nervous system pain pathways. This increased sensitivity makes another pain episode more likely and more severe. Ultimately, this results in the transition of your episodic pain into chronic pain. More precisely, hyperexcitability occurs in the trigeminal spinal nucleus, thalamus, and cerebral cortex. This causes central sensitization. We experience this as the allodynia and pain of chronic headache, low back pain and more.
Fortunately, is you have chronic pain – myofascial trigger point therapy works!
chronic headache pain myofascial treatment trigger point therapy

Consider research from the Cleveland Clinic. Simply. it could be that there is not much difference other than aura. Of course, we already know that you can have both types of headaches. In fact, many of your migraine symptoms are similar to your tension headaches. Plus, pain in your temples, forehead and sometimes other parts of the head. In addition, both types of headaches can also include other symptoms. For instance, vomiting, irritability, confusion, sleep disturbances and more. This could be dilated blood vessels, trigger points in muscles, etc. Next, this kicks off a neurological process where we become more sensitive to pain. This creates a forward feedback loop that make you miserable until the cycle breaks.

What is the difference between a chronic tension headache and a migraine?

In both types of headaches, they become chronic when central sensitization happens. However, the variations and significance of migraine aura are only starting to be appreciated. In 1991, Oleson focused on three key aspects of chronic headaches. First, the "peripheral" stimulus of myofascial pain. This includes the pain of swelling blood vessels and the central sensitivity of the nervous system itself. Essentially, he showed that mild or moderate myofascial pain is reinforced by central nervous system sensitization. This was true in both migraines and tension headaches. In addition, he showed that even a mild combination of vascular swelling plus myofascial pain OR central sensitization causes migraines. Finally, there was aura when the swelling was severe. However, sometimes, the primary symptom is aura with no headache. Then, patients have swelling of the blood vessels WITHOUT myofascial pain or central reinforcement.
The involvement of blood vessels in your scalp is really what makes a migraine...

Chronic Tension Headache – Myofascial Perpetuation

Structural Variations

For instance, a difference in either the actual or apparent length our legs is not uncommon. In fact, a difference of 1/4″ can cause myofascial pain.

On the other hand, our legs might be the same length and the two sides of our pelvis might be different sizes. Imbalances caused by myofascial trigger points can pull one side of your hip up while the other falls.

In addition, we can find ourselves out of balance from front to back. For example, this can happen as the result of Morton’s Foot Structure. The slight downward angle created in the foot is like adding a heel to your shoe. Surprisingly, it can pitch your entire body forward. In fact, Morton’s Foot Structure can contribute an inch or more to head forward posture.

Some of us have relatively short upper arms. This means that computers, desks and other furniture is not built for us. Because of this, we might benefit from some changes to our workspace and other environments.

Either way, we are built the way we are and it is ok.9

All of these variations can be accomodated or corrected. Myofascial therapists know how!

How Do You Sit?

Sitting Posture

Obviously, how we sit matters. Of course, there are different kinds of sitting. The way we sit at a desk might be different than how we sit in auto seat or a recliner. However, it should be that different. For instance. in any sitting posture, we want to keep our back fairly straight. Typically, this means no slump in the lumbar spine or upper spine and shoulders. In addition, we want to keep our head and neck reasonably well aligned with our spine. Basically, our hands and arms should be within easy reach of our work - whether it is a keyboard, steering wheel or a desk. Do not lead with your face! Next our legs should be reasonably open at the hip. Unfortunately, the tight flexion of a straight back chair. traditional desk chair or bucket seats shortens our hip flexors and hamstrings. In addition, it overloads our quads and glutes. Finally, it promotes head forward posture overloads the neck and upper spine. Finally, our feet should touch the floor - heels and toe. Often, if you are using a high desk chair, there may be a rail that you can rest your feet on. However, avoid using it. Instead, adjust your chair to a height that allows your feet to touch the floor.

Generally, you reduce stress and take the meds prescribed for you. In fact, you avoid every trigger and take steps to reduce other risk factors for chronic headaches. However, if your head and neck look like this picture, they will will continue. When your head is significantly out if front of your body, it is a symptom of muscular imbalance. More importantly, for chronic headache, we recognize that head forward posture contributes to the headaches themselves. Therefore, relieving chronic headaches requires reducing head forward posture!
Myofascial and Trigger Point therapists, often recommend simple, gentle exercises to strengthen the deep cervical flexors!

Problems with the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) cause pain in the face and head. Often, the root causes of TMJ headache - myofascial pain vary widely. In addition, TMJ disorders (TMJD) can cause myofascial problems AND myofascial dysfunction can cause TMJ pain, reinforcing each other. Myofascial treatment for TMD includes, work with the temporalis, masseter, pterygoids, digastric, hyoids, SCM, scalenes, trapezius, longus colli and suboccipitals. Fortunately, you have some muscles that are easily accessible from the outside of the head that are probably part of the story. However, there are also important muscles inside the mouth. We can provide advice and training for you to access those muscles in self-care.

Get Better Sleep, Reduce Chronic Pain

chronic pain-better sleep hygiene

Yes, getting good quality sleep is important!

Sleep is a natural process when we rest and repair ourselves. In fact, a minimum amount of sleep is needed for survival. In addition, we need larger minimum amount of sleep to be at our best.

Ideally, we don’t need to do anything about sleep. We get tired, we go to bed, sleep all night and wake up the next day feel refreshed.

Sadly, sleep often doesn’t go the way we expect. Often, we may be tired when shouldn’t be and unable to fall asleep when we go to bed. Sometimes, we may not sleep through the night. Or, we may sleep enough hours, but not get enough deep sleep. Finally, when we wake up in the morning, for some of us, that is one of the worst times of the day. Now, everything hurts and it takes a significant amount of time to “warm up” and feel better.

First, to get better sleep, we need to do is regulate our schedule.

Set a time to go to bed and get up and stick with it. If you can, the includes weekends.

Also, eating regular meals at consistent times help regulate our systems.

In addition, don’t nap during the day and get adequate sunlight. This helps set your body clock properly.

Avoid habits that interefere with good quality sleep. Make some new good habits. You’ll sleep better!

First, to get better sleep, we need to do is regulate our schedule. Set a time to go to bed and get up and stick with it – even on weekends, if you can. In addition, don’t nap during the day and get adequate sunlight. This helps set your body clock properly.

Avoid habits that interefere with good quality sleep.

Generally, good sleep hygiene is common sense. Most of us already know what do to. But, changing major lifestyle habits is hard. When we realize how far off we’ve gotten from good sleep it can be discouraging.

In that case, consider small steps. Reorganize your bedroom a bit. Focus on reducing just one negative habit and replacing it with one better one.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. One step at a time…

Sleep Posture

chronic pain-better sleep positions

Of course, just as when we are awake, some postures are more likely to cause myofacial problems.

Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? Maybe half-side, half-stomach? But, if on your side, do you curl up? Generally, sleeping flat on your back with little or no pillow is considered natural and ideal.

In fact, this is how infants naturally sleep. However, as older adults, we may find that sleeping on our backs can aggravate low back pain. Also, we are more likely to experience sleep apnea on our back.

So, for for various reasons some of us sleep on our side or stomach. Unfortunately, when we sleep on our stomach our head and neck are turned to one side. Obviously, this causes problems with muscles in head, neck, shoulders and arms.

Sleeping on your stomach is bad. Period.

Often, side sleeping is a great compromise for many people. However, side sleepers need to pay more attention to pillows than people sleeping in other positions. Also, notice the difference for you between ‘half-stomach/half-side” and being purely on your side. True side sleeping means you are laying on your arm OR that you tend to let your shoulder round in. Pillows can help with this.

Most of us sleep with too many pillows, not enough pillows or the wrong kind of pillows. And, this is potent factor is in perpetuating myofascial pain.

Back Sleepers

We recommend a single, very thin pillow under your head. In addition, if you experience low back pain when laying on your back, you may find that bolster under your knees helps. Of course, this could be another ordinary pillow, but a good bolster is round, thick enough and will hold its shape all night.

Side Sleepers

First, we recommend a thick pillow at the head. If you wake up with a hand or arm tucked under your head, that is your body telling you that your pillow is too thin! Side sleeper pillows are either thick and firm OR they have fill that can be positioned as you want it and will mostly keep its shape during sleep.

Next, let’s think about your arms. Naturally, the arm you are sleeping on needs to be accomodated. Try placing a thin pillow under your rib cage. This creates a “slot” for this arm and shoulder.  In addition, your upper arm should rest on a thick, firm pillow or bolster. As much as you love your partner, we all need to find a sleeping position that works for us on our own.

Finally, consider your legs. Unfortunately, flexing the hips and/or knees and curling up close to a fetal position is hard on our hip flexors and hamstrings. Try to avoid this. A thick, firm pillow or bolster should be used in between the lower legs. Remember, the idea is to keep your knees and ankles about the same distance apart as your hips.

Avoid foam…

First, we do not recommend foam pillows of any type. Even if you are happy with your foam mattress, we don’t recommend foam pillows. They do not maintain their thickness. In addition, they ‘jiggle’ which is not good for your neck. Of course, it you have any concerns about the foam material itself, you don’t want it near your nose and mouth all night. Besides, there are a variety of other materials that are better for conventional head pillows.

Next, there are a variety of side sleeper pillows in various shapes, including ‘L’ and ‘J’ shaped. For those who go back and forth between back and side sleeping, consider the “Tri-Core” pillow or similar.

Basically, thick pillows and bolsters used to support your limbs need to keep their shape all night. They should be made with dense cotton stuffing or similar.

Feet and Ankles

Sometimes, we need to pay attention to foot and ankle positioning at night. For instance, if we have myofascial issues in the calf, we want to avoid pointing out toes. So, back sleepers probably want to use a bolster of some type to help keep their ankles from drooping at night.

In addition, this means that we might not want heavy covers or sheets tucked in at the foot of the bed. They will weigh down our toes and point our feet and ankles.

Sleep Hygiene

chronic pain-better sleep hygiene

When we are in chronic pain-better sleep is more important than ever. There are many things we commonly eat, drink and imbibe in the evenings that can interfere with your sleep. These are common recommendations for good sleep hygiene.10

Substances

  • Caffeine – Some people find that it affects them so strongly that coffee, tea, colas or energy drinks after noon can affect sleep.
  • Alcohol – Although alcohol is a depressant, and too much will cause you to pass out, alcohol interferes with your sleep architecture. If you enough, but still feel tired in the morning, consider avoiding alc0hol for 3-4 hours before you go to bed.
  • Muscle relaxers, opiates, marijuana (w/THC) – Our advice is similar to alcohol. All are best avoided later in the evening. CBD products may be a different story.
  • Liquids – It seems obvious right? We knew this as small children. If you consume significant amounts of liquid before bed, it is much more likely that you will need to get up at night to use the bathroom.

Other Factors

  • Blue light – Electronic screens from phones to computers to TVs emit a large amount of blue light that can interfere with sleep. Avoid them for as long as possible before sleep.
  • Stress – Getting mentally or emotionally involved in something significant can be stressful. Stress increases cortisol levels. However, cortisol promotes daytime energy and interferes with sleep.
  • Exercise – Regular aerobic exercise is good in many ways, including for promoting sleep. However, most of us sleep better if we avoid vigorous exercise in the hours immediately before bed.

If you are already avoiding liquids and getting up at night purely to use the bathroom, this is NOT normal. Men should see a urologist about prostate and/or bladder issues.  Both men and women should consider gentle self-care for their pelvic floor. Some pelvic floor issues can be treated externally. Internal therapy for pelvic floor issues is controversial and outside of the scope our practice.

If are able, our bedrooms should be for sleeping only. Our bodies and brains learn what to expect based on what we do and where we do it. If we avoid eating, working, studying and watching TV in the bedroom, it helps to program our system correctly.

We understand biologically that when we go to bed and turn out the lights, it is time for sleep. Instead, if we frequently go to bed, turn out the lights and turn on the TV, we have sent a confusing message to our brain.

Temperature

The temperature of your bedroom under your covers and pajamas is important. If it is already bedtime and we are laying down with the lights out, the next cue that our bodies use is temperature. Cooler temperatures encourage sleep. If you wear pajamas make sure you are not too warm.

Your head, hands and feet are all powerful radiators. If you have trouble falling asleep make sure the room is cool (65-70F), you are not wearing socks, your hands are outside of your covers and your head is uncovered. Maintain adequate humidity in the winter (above 25%).

Avoid drafts, especially on your head and neck. This can activate myofascial trigger points in your neck. Do not make the room too cool. If you are cold at night you are more likely to curl up in a fetal position.

Other Conditions In Your Bedroom

If you have blinds or curtains, use them. Keep your bedroom dark when you are sleeping. Try not to have mirrors positioned that can reflect light on you while you sleep. Avoid flashing lights. Clock radios and other appliances with blue lights can especially troublesome.

Couples

Couples need to work out how to handle schedules that are not aligned. If one of you is having sleeping problems, snoring or otherwise disturbing the other, it may require separate sleeping arrangements for a short while.

Some medications that you are taking may interefere with the amount your sleep. Instead, some can make your sleepy but interfere with the quality of your sleep. Be aware of these effects and discuss them with your doctor.

Medications to promote sleep generally fall into two broad categories.

Medications To Fall Asleep

Melatonin – For example, melatonin is a popular, OTC product that helps us fall asleep. Melatonin is actually a naturally occuring hormone in our body that sends a signal to our brain that it is time for sleep. As we sleep, we use up our melatonin and start making cortisol. When we wake up, our melatonin level should be low and our cortisol level high. This gives us the energy to get through the day. By evening, our cortisol level should be dropping and our melatonin level increasing. The exposure of our eyes to light is one of the ways we make melatonin. If we don’t get enough daylight or our schedule is disrupted by shift work, melatonin 30 minutes before bed might help. We also make less melatonin as we age.

Other sleeping aids, from Sominex to Ambien use different mechanisms to help us fall asleep. Like melatonin, they do not help us STAY asleep.

Medications To Stay Asleep

There are various prescription medications to promote deeper sleep. Consult with your physician for more details.

One of the most commonly prescribed is trazodone. Originally developed as an anti-depressant, small doses of trazodone help some people sleep better. Often, it is prescribed for chronic pain patients. Other types of anti-depressants have also been used to improve sleep.

Pain at night can wake you up. For this reason, muscle relaxants and opiate pain medications may be prescribed before bed. However, these medications may interfere with your sleep architecture. Discuss with your doctor what the best time is for you to take these medications.

Good Sleep Matters!

What Else Contributes To Chronic Headaches?

Do These Things To Feel Better!

  • Keep a headache diary - Discover more about what triggers or contributes to your headaches and what treatment is most effective.
  • Try relaxation techniques - This can teach you ways to deal with stressful situations. This might help reduce the number of headaches you have.
  • Improve your posture - Good posture allows your neck muscles to work properly.

Get Organized

  • Improve your work furniture - Consider a standing desk. Make sure your work area is arranged to minimize repetitive head and neck movement.
  • Increase aerobic exercise - We go beyond this and encourage healthy movement that my include yoga, dancing, Pilates or other classes.
  • Firm up your routines - Don't sleep too much or too little. Set and follow a consistent sleeping schedule. Eat nutritious meals at regular times.
  • Drink plenty of fluids - Staying properly hydrated will help, but don't over do it. Alcohol and coffee are dehydrating.
  • See The Eye Doctor Regularly - Poorly fitting eyeglasses or improper prescriptions can contribute to headaches. Discuss pros and cons of  progressives versus two pairs of glasses, monovision or other approaches.

Coping and support

Living with chronic headaches can be frightening and difficult. The attacks can seem unbearable and make you feel anxious and depressed. Ultimately, they can affect your relationships, your work and the quality of your life. Talking to a counselor or therapist might help you cope with the effects of chronic headaches. And, joining a headache support group can connect you with others. The may have similar experiences and share helpful information.
You can do this!

Avoid These Things!

  • Stress.
  • Smoking.
  • Dehydration.
  • Excess alcohol.
  • Clenching/bruxism.
  • Head forward posture.
  • Improper (chest) breathing.
  • Rebound from caffeine and other medications.

Make Yourself A Priority!