It is estimated up to 90% of people will experience headaches in their lifetime, so it is not surprising that we see many patients at The Physio Studio in Goodwood for this complaint. The presence of headache can have a major influence on your productivity, general health and happiness. It must be remembered that there are many possible causes for headaches, the neck joints and muscles are just one possible cause of headaches.
A true cervicogenic (originating from the neck) headache occurs when sensitive neck structures are irritated and signals refer via the nervous system to be perceived as pain in the skull. Neck pain or stiffness will often be present on the same side. These headaches often develop through sustained muscle tension, poor posture or awkward sleeping positions.
Physiotherapy assessment can play a vital role in helping to determine the possible causes of your headache. Our therapists take a thorough history detailing the nature and behaviour of your headaches before performing a detailed physical assessment to pinpoint if your neck joints or muscles may be involved. Importantly where further investigation or assessment is warranted, your physio will refer you on for medical assessment.
Physiotherapy treatment can be of benefit to Cervicogenic headaches through carefully mobilising and stretching the joints of the upper neck. With relief of the headaches achieved, the physio can then guide you in exercises to maintain flexibility and retrain the important supporting muscle groups that will assist in preventing the recurrence of headaches.
While we most commonly treat true cervicogenic headaches, the neck can also act as a trigger in some migraine and tension-type headaches and treating the neck can still be helpful in many of these cases.
If you suffer from headaches and suspect your neck may be involved, book a time with one of our physios to find out if we can help, call 8357 0418.