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Tension headache in the morning, worsens with exercise and sleeping long?

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pete30830
pete30830

I’ve been having pounding morning headaches for a long time. I have a history of neck and back problems, so I’ve always believed it’s caused by my tight neck. On those mornings that my tension headache is worse, I also have a really tense feeling in my neck (often with a lot of crunchy sounds when I move my head). Normally the headache disappears within 20 min of getting up.

Anyway, I’ve been doing stretches, changing my sleeping positions and pillows but none of that seems to help. I have two distinct observations I haven’t found an explanation to yet:

  • If I sleep less than 6 hours I hardly have any headache when I get up. The longer I sleep the stronger the headache is.

  • Exercise clearly seems to worsen the morning headache. I have never heard of this before, but when I start going to the gym and swimming daily, I feel much more headache and dizziness when I wake up.

So what I would like to know is that are my symptoms normal for a morning tension headache cause by tight neck muscles and does it make sense that it worsens with regular exercise and sleeping longer? Also I would like to know what I could do next to fix the problem? I have been to doctors and physiotherapists many times about my back and neck problems. From what I remember they just advised me to stretch more and keep moving, but clearly that’s not making the condition any better.

Thanks!

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • moon53540
    moon53540 pete30830

    Posted

    Do you grind your teeth when you are asleep? A lot of people do and don't realise they are doing it. It can cause head, neck and shoulder pain as well as sensitive teeth. Your dentist can usually tell if you do this. Also you may do it when you exercise.

    • pete30830
      pete30830 moon53540

      Posted

      No, I don't grind my teeth. I'm pretty sure it's my soar and stiff neck that's causing it but I'm interested if anyone else has experienced or heard of the symptoms becoming worse with regular exercise. Is it just making my neck more tight and therefore worsening my feeling in the morning? I mean I shouldn't have to stop exercising, but it's annoying that it seems to make my morning headaches worse. The same goes for sleeping over 6 hours.

      Last night I took a muscle relaxant and I feel clearly better when I got up, but I can't take them continuously either.

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