You may develop tension headaches when engaging in physical activity, including using your treadmill. Keep a headache log and write down the day and time your headaches began. Include notes about what you ate and drank 24 hours before the pain began, the amount of sleep you had and situations occurring immediately before your headache started. Note how long each headache lasts and what made it stop. This information can help you prevent or treat future tension headaches.
Causes and Risk Factors
Holding your head in one position without moving for extended periods can cause a tension headache. According to Medlineplus.com, tension headaches occur when the muscles in your neck and scalp contract or become tense. Holding your head in awkward positions like looking down at the control panel on your treadmill may cause a tension headache by increasing tension in your neck and scalp. The Mayo Clinic suggests you may be more likely to experience tension headaches in your 40s. Women are also more likely to experience tension headaches. You may also experience tension headaches with migraines. Migraines result from abnormal brain activity that alters chemicals and neural pathways, because these changes can affect blood flow in your brain and surrounding tissues.
Triggers
Tension and muscle contractions in your neck and scalp may be triggered by existing medical problems or lifestyle practices. You may get tension headaches while exercising on your treadmill if you're an alcoholic, consume a lot of caffeine or have caffeine withdrawals. Smoking can trigger tension headaches. Using your treadmill while you have a cold, the flu, nasal congestion or sinus infections may lead to a tension headache. Dental problems that cause you to clench your jaw may trigger tension headaches. Overexerting yourself on the treadmill can trigger tension headaches. Sudden intense bouts of exercise on the treadmill can also trigger headaches.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Avoid using your treadmill if you are stressed. Reduce daily stress by planning ahead and organizing your day. Give yourself time to relax by letting your emotions settle when you experience stressful situations. Improve your posture while using your treadmill and throughout your day to avoid tension in your muscles. Hold your head high and your shoulders back while standing. Pull your abdomen and buttocks in and tuck in your chin slightly. Keep your thighs parallel with the floor and avoid tilting your head forward while sitting. Rinsing with a warm shower and gently stretching your neck and back muscles before using your treadmill may relieve or prevent tension headaches.
Massage and Relaxation
Massage and relaxation techniques may help prevent tension headaches you get from using your treadmill. Massage can relieve tight, tender muscles in the back of your head, neck and shoulders that cause tension headaches. Progressive muscle relaxation may reduce tension in these muscles by tensing and relaxing each muscle one at a time. Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and yoga may also improve the tension headaches you get from using your treadmill.
Drugs and Medical Treatment
Pain medication only provides temporary relief, and you may experience rebound headaches if you overuse these medications or use them regularly. Painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen may relieve tension headaches if relaxation techniques do not work. Medlineplus.com recommends taking one of these medications before activities that trigger your tension headaches like using the treadmill. A doctor may prescribe narcotic painkillers for tension headaches. Biofeedback sessions and behavioral therapy can also teach you how to manage stress and avoid tense muscles that cause headaches while using your treadmill.
