Stress-Related Headaches Wearing You Down? Physical Therapy in Glen Rock Can Help.

If you’re dealing with frequent headaches — especially the kind that seem to show up on stressful days — you’re not alone. Headaches are one of the most common pain complaints in the U.S., and for many people, they can be draining, isolating, and disruptive to everyday life.

The good news?
You don’t have to live with them.

At Lisa Johnson Pelvic & Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Glen Rock, NJ, we help patients identify the underlying cause of their headaches and provide gentle, effective treatment that brings lasting relief.

Below, we break down the most common causes of stress-related headaches and how physical therapy can help resolve them naturally.

Why Stress-Related Headaches Happen

Stress, posture, muscle tension, jaw clenching, fatigue, and even screen use can all contribute to headaches. Many people feel their pain start:

• At the base of the skull
  
• Behind the eyes
  
• Across the temples
  
• Along the jaw or cheeks
  
• Through the shoulders or upper back

This type of tension often comes from tight, overworked muscles or restricted mobility in the neck and upper spine — both of which physical therapy can effectively address.

How Physical Therapy Helps Relieve Headaches

Although the ultimate goal is pain relief, your physical therapist also works to correct the movements, habits, and muscular imbalances that caused the headaches in the first place.

At our Glen Rock clinic, your plan may include:

1. Improving neck and upper-back strength

Weak postural muscles can make your neck work overtime, leading to tension headaches. We teach targeted strengthening exercises that help you sit, stand, and work with less strain.

2. Restoring healthier neck movement

Gentle manual therapy, soft tissue work, and mobility techniques reduce tightness, improve range of motion, and release the trigger points that often refer pain into the head.

3. Correcting posture — especially during daily activities

Your physical therapist will show you how posture, workstation setup, driving position, and even sleep habits influence your headaches. Small changes can create big improvements.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your initial evaluation in Glen Rock is comprehensive so we can pinpoint exactly what’s contributing to your pain. Your therapist will:

• Assess the mobility of your neck, shoulders, and upper back
  
• Evaluate your posture in sitting, standing, and movement
  
• Ask questions about your symptoms and medical history
  
• Test strength and flexibility
  
• Check for jaw involvement (TMJ-related headaches are very common)
  
• Determine whether your headache is tension-based or another type
  

If your headaches fall outside the scope of physical therapy, we’ll help guide you toward the appropriate specialist. But for most stress-related or posture-driven headaches, PT is one of the most effective, low-risk treatment options available.

Understanding Tension Headaches

Tension headaches — often referred to as stress headaches — are the most common type seen in adults. They can be triggered by:

• High stress or emotional strain
  
• Long hours sitting or working at a computer
  
• Poor posture
  
• Neck or jaw tightness
  
• Fatigue
  
• Arthritis affecting the neck
  
• Clenching or grinding teeth

These headaches often feel like a band of pressure stretching from the base of the skull toward the forehead or eyes. Some describe it as wearing a tight hat or having their hair pulled back too tightly.

Other Types of Headaches

While tension headaches are the most frequent, there are several other types, including:

• Migraine
  
• Sinus headache
  
• Caffeine-related headaches
  
• Hypertension headaches
  
• Hormone-related headaches
  
• Exertion headaches
  
• Rebound headaches
  
• Post-traumatic headaches
  
• Cluster headaches

A skilled physical therapist can help you determine whether your symptoms are musculoskeletal (tension-based) or whether another provider should be involved.

Why Choose Physical Therapy for Headache Relief?

Physical therapy doesn’t just mask symptoms — it addresses the root cause.

People in Glen Rock choose PT for headaches because it offers:

• Long-term relief without medication
  
• Improved mobility and posture
  
• Greater awareness of triggers
  
• Better work and sleep habits
  
• Reduced neck and shoulder tension
  
• A more active, comfortable daily life

When your neck and upper spine are functioning well, your head feels better. It’s that simple.

Ready for Relief? We’re Here to Help.

You don’t have to push through headaches or hope they disappear on their own. With the right approach, you can significantly reduce their frequency and intensity — and often eliminate them altogether.

At Lisa Johnson Pelvic & Orthopedic Physical Therapy in Glen Rock, we specialize in helping patients feel better, move better, and live without daily pain.

Contact us today to schedule your evaluation and start your path toward headache-free days.