How to Keep the Lid on a Headache

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Uncategorized

How to Keep the Lid on a Headache

Headaches affect 47% of the global population and they are no laughing matter. For some people, they’re just a minor inconvenience, for others they can be utterly debilitating.

Successfully diagnosing a headache is complicated due to the wide range of disorders and triggers making each headache unique to the individual.

You can have mixed or multi – source headaches which are one, two or more types of headache or a migraine at the same time, where one may cause another, or overlap with each other. For example, a dysfunctional painful neck can cause an increase in surrounding muscle spasm, which will increase your blood pressure.

The most commonly diagnosed headaches are:

· Migraines (12%)

· Tension headache (75%)

· Cervicogenic headache (originating from the neck) (18%)

· Sinus headaches

If you only suffer from the occasional headache, this is often caused by lifestyle factors such as:

· Dehydration

· Stress

· Alcohol

· Caffeine

· Some foods

· Skipped meals

· Lack of sleep

· Posture

· Muscular tension

· Medications

· High blood pressure

· Infection

· Hormonal influences

However, if you suffer from headaches more regularly, there is some good news, because two of the most common headaches, tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches (which originate from musculoskeletal issues in and around the neck) can be significantly improved, and even cured by physical therapy, both in the short term, as well as the long term.

There is a robust body of research, as well as clinical evidence, showing that Physiotherapy is an extremely effective treatment for certain types of headache.

Manual, hands-on therapy such as mobilising your neck , trigger point therapy and massage can be hugely beneficial in eliminating your headache; or at least reducing the intensity and duration of the headache. Massage has also been shown to help people cope better during headache episodes, reducing associated stress and anxiety.

Poor posture and repetitive movements in your daily life, have also been shown to increase the risk of experiencing headaches and corrective exercises to strengthen weak muscles and stretch tight muscles can be extremely effective.

We have some more downloadable resources and advice sheets on each specific headache type at the following link

https://bit.ly/2ThRVru

If you would like to understand more about how we can help in the treatment and prevention of headaches, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly at Physio In Action on

01213548877 Or 07900197462

Or email me at

[email protected]