by Physiotherapist Jeremy Tan, Physioworks Mulgrave (WPPC)
In our busy everyday life, our bodies develop numerous aches and pains. Headaches can be one of the most debilitating conditions that can affect how you function throughout your day.
At Physioworks Health Group our physiotherapy team are constantly assisting clients who present with headache symptoms.
There are a number of different types of headaches – migraine, cluster, tension and cervicogenic. Complaints of a headache are usually accompanied by neck stiffness and pain.
Other symptoms may include:
- Pain and stiffness of the neck
- Pain around the eyes
- A decrease in range of motion of the neck
- Pain in the shoulder
- Headaches/pain triggered by neck movements or postures
- Increased tightness and trigger points in the neck, shoulder and upper back
Symptoms similar to migraines may also be present, such as light sensitivity, noise sensitivity and blurry vision.
Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches which usually begin in the neck and back of the head.
Certain neck movements can provoke the Cervicogenic headaches. Symptoms usually develop on one side of the head. The pain can originate from the back of the head and neck, then radiating up the side, around and towards the front of the head.
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by problems in the neck which irritate the upper three cervical nerve roots. There is a multitude of different conditions which can cause neck problems. These can include osteoarthritis, disc or joint dysfunction, whiplash, and sporting injuries.
Other possible causes may include:
- Poor posture
- Muscle imbalances
- Poor work ergonomics at work, such in front of the computer screen.
- Sustained awkward positions of the neck, such as sleeping.
- Stress
If you suffer from headaches, the physiotherapy team at Physioworks Health Group has vast experience in headache pain assessment and management. They can thoroughly examine, assess and treat your condition. For a consultation please contact your preferred Physioworks clinic: www.physioworkshealthgroup.com.au
References
Becker, W. J. (2010), Cervicogenic Headache: Evidence That the Neck is a Pain Generator. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 50: 699-705. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01648.x
Bodes-Pardo, G et al. (2013), Manual treatment for cervicogenic headache and active trigger point in the sternocleidomastoid muscle: a pilot randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 36(7), 403-411. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.05.022
Bogduk, N & Govind, J. (2009), Cervicogenic headache: an assessment of the evidence on clinical diagnosis, invasive tests, and treatment. The Lancet Neurology, 8.10: 959-968. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(09)70209-1