Headaches are one of the most common and treatable health problems worldwide. When headaches become frequent and chronic, they can interfere with life’s enjoyment.
Headaches are experienced when the pain receptors in your head and neck have been triggered.
There are many factors that can trigger this pain, these include:
- Stress
- Muscle Tension
- Poor Posture- putting excessive strain on the back and neck muscle
- Dental or jaw (Temporomandibular Joint) problems
- Injury to the head, neck or spine
- Arthritis
- Impaired sleep
- Sinus Infections
- Migraine
Stress
Stress is a state of mind and a signal of danger. Our bodies react to modern-day stresses the same way it once responded to being chased by a sabre tooth tiger! Our sympathetic nervous system is triggered and muscles tense ready for the “flight, fight or freeze” response. Physical or emotional stress can trigger muscle tension and lower one’s tolerance to pain. Physiotherapy can help treat recurring headaches caused by musculoskeletal problems related to stress by:
- Stress-relieving exercises, such as breathing, muscle meditation and relaxation
- Specific massage releasing muscular tension (variety soft tissue techniques, trigger point release, acupuncture, laser etc.)
- Here at Physio Body and Sole we can teach you some valuable de-stress breathing exercises, and you may like to join a group Yoga class or enjoy a one-on-one session with Liz. Yoga helps restore muscular flexibility, core strength and balance. A home program can be made specifically for you Learn More
Muscular Tension
Muscular tension is the most common cause of headaches. A tension headache feels like a tight and constant band of pressure around the head and is often associated with muscle tightness in the head, neck or jaw. Tight muscles may compress nerves supplying sensory information/pain to your head, or from trigger points in tight muscles referring pain up to the head.
Posture
Poor postural alignment (Poke neck posture, hunched shoulders) of the spine and neck can refer pain into the head. Physiotherapists teach postural correction and mobilise stiff joints to relieve pressure or irritation on nerves that may be causing a headache. Over many years poor posture can result in joint changes and arthritis in the neck. Physiotherapy can help treat recurring headaches caused by poor postural habits by:
- Identifying activities that may be contributing to stress to the neck and shoulders
- Joint mobilisation (for stiff joints and to relieve pressure on nerves)
- Education and correction of posture and movement
- Strengthening weak postural muscles
Physiotherapy Treatment:
Physiotherapy treats tight, sensitive muscles and entrapped nerves and restores alignment.
- Joint mobilisation and specific muscular releases (massage techniques)
- Postural correction
- Education about workplace set up
- Stretching and strengthening exercises tailored to you
5. Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is an additional, specialised treatment available here at Physio Body and Sole. It can be very effective in treating long term headaches. Often seemingly everything else has been tried and this gentle treatment helps. It involves specific and gentle hands on connective tissue treatment. It releases tight tissues around the head, neck and jaw. The bones in the face and head are mobilised very gently relieving pressure in the head and neural mobility optimised. It stimulates drainage of craniosacral fluid and restores mobility of the fibrous connective tissue surrounding the nervous system, particularly at the junction between the head and neck where many headaches emanate from Read More
