You train. You stay active. You try to look after yourself.
So it’s frustrating when headaches keep coming back anyway.
Many people experiencing recurring headaches are not inactive or unhealthy.
In fact, they’re often:
- training regularly
- working demanding jobs
- trying to manage stress well
- stretching, exercising, and “doing the right things”
Yet the headaches persist.
This is something we see increasingly often – particularly in active individuals balancing high physical and mental load.
Often, a more integrated and individual approach is needed in persistent cases.
Headaches are often part of a wider pattern
It’s natural to focus on the head itself.
But many recurring headaches are influenced by what’s happening elsewhere in the body.
Common contributing factors include:
- Neck and upper body tension
- Jaw clenching or TMJ-related patterns
- Nervous system stress and overload
- Breathing patterns
- Long hours at a desk combined with intense training or activity
Over time, these layers accumulate.
The body adapts – and headaches can become part of that pattern.
Personal aside: Have you ever been on a roll with consistent exercise sessions, making strength and fitness gains and basically feeling like an absolute health rock star only to be struck down with a migraine or headache that just kills your training for a few days?
Yes? Me too! Frustrating isn’t it!
Well read on to see what I did to solve this problem and break the pain cycle once and for all…
Why active people often ignore the early signs
People who train regularly are often good at pushing through discomfort.
They’re used to:
- soreness
- fatigue
- physical stress
But headaches are different.
Unlike muscular fatigue, they’re often a sign that the system is struggling to regulate overall load effectively.
This can happen even when:
- training is well structured
- mobility work is being done
- recovery appears “good enough”
Because the issue is not always fitness – it’s accumulation – and before you even know what is happening, bang, another headache or migraine hits.
The role of desk work and cognitive load
One of the most common combinations we also see in clinic is:
👉 intense mental load + physical training
For example:
- long hours at a computer
- sustained concentration
- stress or pressure throughout the day
combined with: - lifting
- running
- high training frequency
This creates a system that is constantly “on.”
The nervous system never fully settles.
And over time, this can contribute to:
- tension headaches
- neck tightness
- jaw tension – read more here
- poor recovery
- recurring headache patterns
Sound familiar?
Why headaches often keep returning
Many people try:
- stretching
- massage
- hydration
- ergonomic adjustments
- supplements
These can all help.
But if the broader pattern hasn’t changed, symptoms often return.
This is why relief and resolution are not always the same thing.
A more integrated way to approach recurring headaches
In more persistent cases, it’s important to look beyond the symptom itself.
This includes considering:
- How tension is distributed through the body
- The role of the neck and jaw
- Breathing and nervous system regulation
- Overall load and recovery capacity
- Stress management
At Ithaca Wellness, treatment draws from:
- manual osteopathy
- therapeutic bodywork
- elements of shiatsu
The aim is not simply to reduce symptoms temporarily, but to better understand the pattern contributing to them. We look at the whole body, lifestyle, headache and pain patterns, seemingly unrelated factors, and also your response to treatments. This way we build a wider yet more detailed picture of what is going on.
And one major factor we consider in our approach that sets osteopathy apart – stress and the nervous system in alert mode. If those aren’t treated and reduced, the headaches and pain are coming back eventually. So we start there.
When to take a more detailed approach
You may benefit from a more complete assessment if:
- Your headaches keep returning
- They seem linked to stress or workload
- You also experience neck or jaw tension
- Training recovery feels increasingly difficult
- You’ve tried multiple approaches with only temporary improvement
A more personalised way to work
For more persistent patterns, a more individual approach is often required.
Private osteopathy sessions allow for:
- longer, more focused treatment
- greater continuity
- a more detailed understanding of contributing factors
Mobile and in-home sessions are also available for those seeking a more convenient and discreet option.
👉 Learn more here:
Private Mobile Concierge Osteopathy & Personalised Care
Begin with a consultation
If your headaches keep returning despite doing “all the right things,” it may be worth looking at the broader pattern involved.
👉 Book a consultation
👉 Or explore osteopathy in Coquitlam
Member of British Columbia Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (BCAOMP) – Fully insured and licensed.
To book appointments use the booking links below:
Mobile & Online Appointments https://ithaca.noterro.com
@ Dovira Clinic, Coquitlam https://dovira.janeapp.com/
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Providing manual osteopathy and therapeutic bodywork to the communities of Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody, Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Tri-Cities, and Greater Vancouver!
Professional osteopathic care – in-clinic appointments and home visits!
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