Jun 08
1
Common Cause of Headaches
June 2008
Neck problems due to poor posture or trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a sporting injury, are a common cause of headaches. This is because when joints within the neck become stiff or have excess movement, the overlying neck muscles can start to develop tension. This can present as pain at the top of the head, behind the eyes, at the base of the skull, or anywhere else that people tend to experience headaches. It is usually described as a dull, constant feeling of pressure and tightness that gradually develops.
When people experience a headache, they tend to reach for pain killers as a quick fix. This can become a problem because pain killers only mask the symptoms of a headache; they do not get to the source. If you frequently experience headaches, you could benefit from seeing a Physical Therapist because they will be able to determine whether your headaches are a result of neck problems, and in that case help alleviate the source.
After a thorough assessment, your physiotherapist will distinguish which joints are stiff and try to guide them into proper movement. As well, tight muscles and weak muscles will be identified so that they can be appropriately stretched and strengthened to ensure they support the neck correctly. Advice on maintaining an optimal posture will also be discussed because a poor posture can contribute a lot to headaches. Most importantly, you will be educated on how to prevent further headaches with a home exercise program so that you do not need to go through the hassle of another headache.
If you are experiencing headaches and would like to get some relief, book an appointment today with your Physical Therapist.
Sincerely,
Your Nose Creek Sport Physical Therapy Team.
If you find this information useful, feel free to share it with your friends, family, and work colleagues.
We appreciate your feedback. If you have any topics of interest that you would like us to cover, please leave a comment below.
Nose Creek Sport Physical Therapy is located in Calgary, Alberta since 2001, providing Physiotherapy and Therapeutic and Relaxation Massage Therapy services. Our services include Manual Therapy, exercise prescription, modalities, acupuncture, IMS Dry Needling, Massage Therapy, Custom SOLE footbeds, patient education, and injury prevention.