Headaches

About 20% of all headaches are caused by a problem in the neck. This can be as a result of;

• nerve irritation in the upper part of the neck
• stiffness in the joints of the neck
• or areas of sustained muscle spasm in the neck or shoulders

If headaches are caused by the neck there is often a history of neck injury like ‘whiplash’ or sporting injury. Poor posture is linked with headaches specifically rounded shoulders and protruding-chin postures when sitting. These can cause headaches when sustained for long periods for example when working at computer screens.

Treatment will consist of;

• Reducing joint stiffness with manual techniques
• Treating tension and muscle spasm (trigger points) in the muscles of the neck.
• Retraining and strengthening muscles around the neck
• A home exercise program to increase and maintain strength and flexibility of the neck
• And postural education and advice (including taping if necessary) to prevent re-occurrence.