Trying to get through a hectic workday is already a challenge, let alone having to suffer constant headaches while at it. It’s true that dealing with persistent headaches after sustaining an injury can be extremely debilitating. Add that to the pressure of trying to stay productive in a workplace environment.
Fortunately, with the right treatment plan, workplace adaptations, and self-care regimen, managing post-traumatic headaches is possible. This article will highlight the measures you can take to effectively manage this little nuisance to your well-being and productivity.
Understanding post-injury headaches
Headaches arising after a head injury, whiplash, concussion, or neck injury aren’t isolated cases. These post-traumatic headaches are caused by inflammation or dysfunction in areas like neck vertebrae, head tissue, blood vessels, facial nerves, and pain receptors. These can begin immediately after the traumatic event. In some cases, they may take weeks or months to develop. The pain also varies significantly between people.
Some common post-injury headache types include:
- Cervicogenic headaches stemming from neck injuries
- Post-concussion headaches due to traumatic brain injuries
- Migraine headaches triggered by injury-related chemical changes
- Tension-type headaches resulting from prolonged strain or pain
The headaches may be intermittent or persistent, mild or severe, sensitive to stimuli, or accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and mood changes. Understanding your specific post-injury headache pattern is key. Tracking details like pain location, timing, triggers, and severity, along with related symptoms, helps you and your doctor pinpoint the type and appropriate treatments.
Build your treatment plan
As frustrating as post-injury headaches feel, the old adage, ‘Take two aspirin and call me in the morning,’ isn’t an adequate treatment plan. Consult with both your primary care physician and a neurologist or headache specialist to explore your best options.
Effective treatments usually require multiple complementary components, including:
- Prescription or over-the-counter pain-relieving medications to alleviate acute headache episodes
- Preventative daily medications to reduce headache frequency or severity
- Complementary therapies like massage, acupuncture, or physical therapy to address associated muscle tension, inflammation, or neck issues
- Stress reduction techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or counseling for tension headaches related to increased anxiety
- Trigger avoidance—like limiting exposure to bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells—is known to spike headache pain
- Improvement of sleep quality, as fatigue and exhaustion can heighten sensitivity to headaches
The goal is to discover your optimal multipronged treatment approach that reduces existing headaches and prevents continual flare-ups. Have constant communication with your workers comp neurologist and other treatment providers about each added medication, therapy, or lifestyle change. They can guide you with appropriate adjustments. Bring the full picture of your experiences into developing the best personal solution.
Adapt your workstation
Even with effective treatments on board, working for eight or more hours with post-injury headaches remains challenging. Optimize your office or cubicle setup to accommodate your condition. Doing so can make your work easier.
Photosensitivity, noise sensitivity, eye strain, and neck tension often accompany post-injury headaches, so adapting equipment and environment can make a substantial difference in managing pain.
Useful accommodations to request include:
- Installation of fluorescent light filters or replacement bulbs to prevent glare without diminishing visibility
- Supplying special glasses to block bright light or blue light emitted from computer screens
- Access to noise-blocking headphones, earplugs, or a white noise machine to minimize sound distractions without isolation
- More frequent scheduled breaks to rest in a dark, quiet room apart from your designated workspace
- A larger computer monitor should be placed at eye level to avoid neck strain
- An ergonomic chair with adjustable armrests and neck support
- Alteration of office traffic flow if working in high-movement areas
Notice which adaptations help decrease headache frequency or intensity over a week or two. Present supporting documentation from your doctor to your employer when requesting specific accommodations. It should be as precise as possible about what would optimally support your needs. Preventing headaches through environmental adjustments takes continual effort but pays off substantially.
Pace work and self-care
Making temporary modifications to your workload or schedule gives your body and brain the needed space to heal. Pushing through severe headaches repeatedly only extends the recovery period and risks further injury. Be honest with yourself and your manager regarding what you can reasonably handle day-to-day or week-to-week with post-injury headaches.
Help them understand adjustments like:
- Taking more frequent breaks to rest, ice sore areas, or take medications
- Working shorter or more flexible days
- Avoiding extensive computer work in favor of paper tasks
- Working from home one to two days a week if possible
- Trading especially laborious responsibilities with a colleague
- Delaying less essential meetings or projects
- Moving up deadline extensions
Also, communicate openly about the headaches’ impact on factors like attention span, memory, concentration, organizational skills, or emotional regulation. Assure your manager this is a temporary state needing accommodation, not a reflection of your work ethic or abilities.
In conclusion
With all these best practices laid out, one thing is sure—you have to listen to your mind and body. When a workday is riddled with agonizing headaches, you can counteract having resting moments between periods until you get home.
Don’t forget the power of destressing. A bath, a good book, your favorite show, or a fun outing with friends can do wonders. Although healing from any injury follows an unpredictable path requiring patience, relief will steadily come with the right treatment plan and self-care regimen tailored to your needs.
Hi, I’m the Founder and Developer of Paramedics World, a blog truly devoted to Paramedics. I am a Medical Lab Tech, a Web Developer and Bibliophiliac. My greatest hobby is to teach and motivate other peoples to do whatever they wanna do in life.