Regular headaches can majorly disrupt your life. Cervicogenic headaches, originating from the neck, are particularly troublesome as they are often misdiagnosed or mistaken for other headache types. These headaches' correct identification matters as the right diagnosis can lead to effective treatment plans and lessen your discomfort.
Cervicogenic headaches typically cause mild to moderate pain over the forehead, discomfort behind one or both eyes, and widespread pain that encircles the head and neck. Notably, the discomfort usually initiates in the neck before spreading to the head. Understanding these symptoms is vital, enabling you to recognize the onset of such headaches and seek timely help.
To alleviate the impact of cervicogenic headaches, it's critical to address the underlying causes and implement suitable management steps. The importance of this lies in the fact that with a strategy tailored to combat cervicogenic headaches specifically, you can significantly improve your daily life quality.
Posture is one such factor that plays a significant role in these headaches. While perfect posture might seem like the answer, it's more about changing your posture throughout the day to reduce neck strain. You aim to keep a neutral position when static and change postures frequently. Setting reminders to move every 30-40 minutes can help maintain dynamic posture, reducing the likelihood of cervicogenic headaches, and thereby improving your productivity and overall wellbeing.
Upper back mobility is often likened to a "green leafy vegetable"—we all need more, and we can't have too much. Stiffness in the upper back can increase the workload on the neck, causing strain. Incorporating exercises, like the Open Book Maneuver, can help improve upper back mobility and thus lessen neck strain. Regular practice of such exercises can potentially reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches.
Deep neck flexors, muscles that help stabilize the cervical spine, need strengthening in managing cervicogenic headaches. Weakness in these muscles can cause neck pain and headaches. Exercises such as Chin Tucks, performed regularly, can help strengthen these muscles and thus control headaches more effectively.
Focusing on strengthening your upper back is also crucial. Strengthening muscles around your shoulder blades can reduce strain on the cervical spine. Exercises like Banded Pull Aparts can help build upper back strength, providing better support for your neck and reducing the chances of cervicogenic headaches.
By addressing these factors through physical therapy, you can reduce the impact of cervicogenic headaches on your daily life. Remember, each individual is unique and would benefit from a personalized plan from a physical therapist.
If chronic headaches are hampering your life, reach out to us at admin@steadystatehealth.com or via the button below. Our personalized guidance could be your pathway to a headache-free life!