Find Relief For Holiday Headaches Through Physical Therapy

November 25, 2025

The “season of joy” can feel a lot more like the “season of headaches,” can’t it?

Between extra baking, shopping, events, travel, and family expectations, many people notice more tightness in their neck and shoulders and more frequent headaches this time of year. Most just push through with pain relievers and caffeine… and then do it all again the next day.

But you don’t have to fight through holiday headaches.

At New Life Physical Therapy, our team regularly helps people find relief from cervicogenic and tension-type headaches by treating the source of the problem—not just the symptoms.

What kinds of headaches can PT help?

Two of the most common headache types we see in the clinic are:

Cervicogenic headaches
These headaches start from the neck. Pain or stiffness often begins at the base of the skull or in the neck and can wrap around to the front of the head, sometimes even behind the eyes. They’re commonly related to:

• Joint stiffness in the neck or upper back
• Muscle tightness or trigger points
• Past injuries (falls, whiplash, etc.)
• Poor posture (computer work, texting, driving)

Tension-type headaches
According to the World Health Organization, tension-type headaches are the most common primary headache disorder worldwide. They’re often described as:

• A band of pressure around the head
• Tightness that spreads into the neck and shoulders
• A dull, aching pain rather than sharp or throbbing

Tension-type headaches are frequently linked with:

• Stress and mental overload
• Fatigue and lack of sleep
• Prolonged screen time or desk work
• Musculoskeletal issues in the neck, jaw, and upper back
• Poor posture and weak postural muscles

Many people actually have a mix of cervicogenic and tension-type headaches—both influenced by how their body is moving (or not moving) throughout the day.

How can physical therapy help?

Physical therapists are movement and musculoskeletal specialists. Instead of just managing your pain, we look for why you’re having headaches in the first place.

During your visit, we will:

• Take a detailed history of your headaches (location, pattern, triggers)
• Examine your neck, upper back, shoulders, and jaw
• Assess your posture, strength, mobility, and movement habits
• Identify specific muscles, joints, or movement patterns that may be contributing

From there, we create a plan that may include:

• Hands-on (manual) therapy to improve joint mobility in the neck and upper back and reduce muscle tension.
• Targeted exercises to build strength and endurance in the postural muscles of your neck, upper back, and shoulders.
• Stretching and mobility work to restore normal movement and reduce stiffness.
• Posture and workplace coaching so you can sit, stand, and move in ways that don’t keep feeding your headache pattern.
• Dry needling as appropriate, which can be a powerful adjunct to calm down trigger points and muscle tightness.
• Breathing and stress-management strategies to reduce one of the biggest drivers of tension-type headaches—stress.

The goal is not only to help you feel better quickly, but also to reduce how often headaches come back by fixing the underlying contributors.

What to expect at New Life Physical Therapy

When you come in for a headache evaluation, you can expect:

• A thorough 1-on-1 assessment with a physical therapist
• Clear explanation of what we find—no confusing jargon
• A tailored plan focused on your goals (whether that’s getting through the holidays, returning to workouts, or simply functioning without constant pain)
• A simple home program so you know exactly what you can do between visits
• Guidance on lifestyle and posture changes that fit your daily life

We’ll also talk about any “red flag” symptoms that may require coordination with your medical provider, because your safety always comes first.

Ready for a different kind of holiday season?

If the holiday season has already turned into a headache—literally—physical therapy may be a safe, effective, and affordable way to get relief and get back to enjoying this time of year.

👉 To learn what’s driving your headaches and what you can do about them, contact any New Life Physical Therapy location to schedule an initial evaluation.

You don’t have to push through another season of “just dealing with it.”
Let’s help you get back to feeling and functioning your best and thrive moving through the holidays and life!