Table of Contents
Introduction
Tight fascia can cause headaches. Over the years I have treated many patients who suffered from chronic headaches. The headaches we generally treat often feel like a “tightness” around the head. Patients usually describe this sensation as low grade. It is felt either once they wake up or sometime in the afternoon.
These headaches can be daily. It can also be described as dull. Most times the patients will gesture to the location of their headaches.
At times individuals have described a “pulling” sensation when they move their necks in certain directions.
Did you know that tight fascia can cause headaches? Watch the video to learn more about this potential cause.
What is fascia?
Fascia is the connective tissue that lies under the skin. It connects everything together. It wraps around pain sensitive structures such as muscle, bones, nerves, ligaments and tendons.
When the fascia becomes tight and stuck, it can cause pain and discomfort both locally and further away.
Tight fascia can cause headaches, how?
When fascia becomes extremely tight it can cause nerves to become irritated and cause spasm. With tight fascia you can also have tight muscles. These tight muscles can have trigger points that can cause headaches.
For example a muscle called the Upper Trapezius can cause headaches to the temple. This is the case when this muscle, which sits at the top of your shoulders has trigger points. Trigger points are taut bands in muscles. They can have a referral pattern such as pain towards the temple or side of the head.
Fascia can become tight in a number of ways. The most common reasons are bad posture and stress and anxiety. Over time what can happen is the fascia can become very tight and cause pain and discomfort.
A therapist can assess and decide. This is part of their plan to focus on the muscular component of the patient’s signs and symptoms.
Initially, it seems to be a muscular issue. However, it can actually be more of an issue with the fascia. Allow me to explain.
Focus on the Fascia First
Historically, I have seen patients in the office with chronic headaches. Their treatments before where often focus more on the muscles. Unbeknownst to them, their actual condition is rooted in chronic tightness of the fascia.
I can have someone coming in and what looks to be muscular in origin is actually more of a symptom. For example, a person shows up at the office. I feel around different muscles. I notice how much tightness there is.
I can assume the obvious in that the headaches are trigger points in the muscles, causing the symptoms. But in many chronic cases I need more information.
What I happen to piece together is information from their health history and interview. Information such as how long they have had the problem for. It includes the multitude of treatments and therapists they have accessed. I look at the anatomical focus and any other symptom they may have, etc…
I will ask more probing questions if needed.
This along with my palpation (observation by feel) can lead me to deduce that the fascia is the actual problem. It is more nuanced because you need to delve deeper into the case. Avoid making the assumption that it is strictly muscular.
When I assess and conclude that it is the fascia, it becomes the primary target of treatment. “Fascia fist and the muscles will follow”. This is a saying, I live by through the years.
Are there other clues to lead me to the fascia as the cause?
Tight fascia can cause headaches. Other than how long they have had this issue for, there are other determining factors to help me conclude.
One clue a patient may volunteer is a sensation of “pulling.” They might also describe it as “tightness.” This occurs when they move their head and neck in certain directions.
Also, when I palpate around the typical areas, causing referral, I usually notice how rock hard the muscles are. I will try to relax the muscles and work on the trigger points. If the results become lacking, I will try something else. I will attempt to literally pull away the fascia from the other tissues.
Typically, this can be very difficult. The fascia becomes stuck that one can imagine that it is “glued” to the area.
Once I relax the fascia, the next phase is to go after the muscles and trigger points .
There is one thing to understand . That in chronic issues with pain and tightness, the muscles will relax better if the therapist attacks the fascia first.
Because the fascia is more relaxed and the muscles are a little softer, it becomes easier to go after those annoying trigger points.
Tight Fascia can cause headaches. If you have been suffering for a long time. It is time to contact us, and we can discuss treatment options.
More resources
Suffered long enough from headaches? You can book your appointment here. Our other site, vprc.ca can give you tips on managing your pain, watch this vlog now on managing your pain.
