Headaches

Headaches affect approximately two-thirds of the population. Headaches are often seen in those with poor posture, office workers and people under stress. This kind of headache is called a cervical headache.

What causes Headaches?

Cervical headaches are caused by the stiffness and tightness of the joints, muscles, fascia and nerves in the neck, presenting as a constant, steady, dull ache, often on the forehead, temples or the back of the head.

This can occur following direct trauma, such as a whiplash injury or repetitive trauma at work or during sporting activities. The onset is usually gradual and may be present for days, weeks or months and is often associated with neck pain and stiffness.

A person working for long periods at a desk with a poor posture is also at risk of developing a cervical headache. Maintaining a poor posture for long periods can lead to tight muscles and joints in the neck, shoulders and upper back which in turn manifest themselves as a headache.

What are the symptoms/effects of a Headache?

Common symptoms of a headache include:

Pain at the back and base of the skull, sometimes extending down to the neck and between the shoulder blades
Pain behind the eyebrows and forehead
Stiffness in the neck
Nausea
Vomiting
Increased sensitive to light and sound

Physio for Headaches

I commonly assess and treat people suffering from headaches following trauma or due to poor posture.

Treatment will depend on your needs and lifestyle but may include:

Mobilization and manipulation of the joints in the neck
Stretching and strengthening of the muscles in the neck
Massage to tight muscles in the neck and shoulders
Trigger point release through soft tissue work, dry needling or shockwave therapy
Postural retraining.
Ergonomic workstation assessment and advice