Is Poor Posture Giving you a Headache?

A headache is a common reason many Australian’s visit a doctor’s clinic. But not all headaches are the same and health practitioners, other than your local doctor, can assist with these different types of headaches. The International Headache Society documents 14 different types of headaches with one of the most common types being a “Cervico-genic headache” which can be effectively treated by a physiotherapist.

Common characteristics of cervico-genic headaches are that they begin in the neck and tend to travel upwards towards to top the head. They can also refer pain, which is usually described as a dull ache, to locations above and behind the eyes.

These headaches usually arise gradually over a period of hours, up to days, and can last for the same length of time. Painkillers will assist in decreasing the pain symptoms but a cervico-genic headache quite often returns once the painkillers wear off.

What’s the cause?
Headaches can arise in the neck from stiff or irritated joints; this then causes the surrounding muscles to become tight which prevents the joint from moving, thus preventing further injury to the joint. The joints most irritated are the upper three vertebrae of spine just below the head. They typically arise in persons who have a forward head posture which is commonly seen in desk workers.

How to manage a headache
These headaches are managed initially by relaxing the tight musculature surrounding the stiff joints and mobilising the stiff joints themselves. This aims to decrease the movement restriction in the neck complex and promotes normal function.

As most of these headaches arise due to poor neck posture, long term management relies upon accurate assessment of neck posture and prescription of exercises to strengthen deep neck musculature and muscles surrounding the shoulders and shoulder blades. If you’re at risk of getting such headaches, do you best to prevent them happening in the first place. If you sit at a desk for eight hours a day, be conscious to move around throughout the day, not sitting in one position for too long, ensuring your workplace is set up effectively. Another effective method of treatment is through the use of a Clinical Exercise program which can be designed by a physiotherapist.

Scott Sanders – Physiotherapist, Back In Motion Sydenham