Are headaches a pain in your neck?

Where is your head at this moment? Is it reaching forward towards the computer monitor?

Is it flexed down as you read this on your phone? Or is it in line with the rest of your spine?

Muscular headaches are the most common types of headaches, but what causes them? 

POSTURE

The average weight of a head is 5kgs, sounds heavy right? But when the back and neck are straight the spine is supported and stabilised. 

As soon as you slouch or are in a hunched position your spine no longer has the support and stability it needs and the head becomes heaver. 

For every inch of forward head posture, the weight of your head can increase by a whopping 5kgs!

Imagine all the extra work those muscles in your neck now have to do stabilise your head!

ACTIVE TRIGGER POINTS

When your posture is poor the muscles in your neck have to do more work than necessary and become strained, tight and tense. This can contribute to neck and shoulder aches and pains and even headaches.

These muscles then develop active trigger points and refer pain to other areas such as the head (headaches.) 

(Want to know more about trigger points? Click the link below and have a read. 

https://www.mmtherapies.com.au/single-post/2016/08/31/What-is-a-muscle-Knot

DESK/COMPUTER WORK

Work at a desk or computer all day? Sitting in the same position all day is terrible for the body, especially if your posture isn't correct while sitting at the desk 

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MUSCLE STRAIN

Any activity that places strain on your neck for an extended period of time such as holding a phone against your shoulder while you talk, sleeping with your neck at an awkward angle (Tummy sleepers) and Carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder

So tight neck and jaw muscles can cause headaches? 

But there is good news, releasing the tension in your neck and correcting your posture can alleviate headaches. 

Did you know there are non pharmaceutical ways of treating headaches?

Taking pain killers will alleviate the pain for a certain period but it wont fix the cause.

There are many different health professionals and alternative therapies that can help with your pain:

Sports Therapy 

Myotherapy

Remedial Massage

Chiropractic 

Dry Needling

Acupuncture

Osteopathy

Additionally, practicing living a healthy lifestyle may help to prevent headaches:

Getting enough sleep

Regular exercise 

Healthy, balanced meals 

Water intake 

Limiting sugar, caffeine and alcohol 

Being a non smoker