Looking forward

Managing Headaches

Why do we experience headaches? A headache can be caused by a number of different factors

such as tight muscles around the neck, dehydration, eye strain,

fatigue, cold or flu, bright lights, caffeine, a sinus infection, poor

posture, emotional stress or after a concussion.

Coping with a headache

Take a ‘Brain Break’Our brains do everything for us; allowing us to move, speak, think and plan. So, taking five 10-15 minute ‘brain breaks’ a day in a quiet environment with your eyes shut or staring at a blank wall, will give your brain a time out and help control the symptoms you experience.

RelaxationImplementing relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, yoga or meditation practices and incorporating these into your daily routine will help ease a tension headache.

Southern Rehab | Managing Headaches

Southern Rehab | Managing Headaches

Looking forward

Pace your tasksYour body and brain needs time to recover so it’s very important to pace yourself. We recommend you ‘chunk’ your daily activities into smaller and more manageable tasks.

Diet and HydrationCertain foods you eat may cause your headaches. It’s a good idea to keep a food diary and to eliminate the foods from your diet that may trigger a headache. It is also important to drink water regularly throughout the day.

Other useful tips> Caffeine, smoking, alcohol and recreational drug use are likely to

increase your symptoms so it’s best to eliminate these.

> Minimise the time you spend on screens (including computers, TV, smart phones and tablets) as these devices are hard work for the brain.

Here at Southern Rehab we have a team of clinical experts who have experience helping people manage the symptoms of a headache. They will carefully listen and understand more about what triggers your headache and will develop a personalised plan that will help you cope better and get relief from your headaches.

Contact Southern Rehab to find out more about how we can help.