Headaches

Headaches

headaches

Headaches are a common cause of pain and lost time from work. Three types have a significant connection with neck pain; tension, cervicogenic (neck related) and whiplash related headaches.   In a Canadian study those with significant neck pain were 4 to 11 times more likely to suffer from headaches than those with no neck pain. 

Treatment of headaches was studied by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration and was published in the European Spine Journal (2016).  Exercise was found to be an effective treatment.  Manual therapies (neck manipulation and mobilization) can benefit neck related headache patients. Tension headache sufferers can be helped by neck and upper back mobilization, upper neck exercises and postural correction.  One study found that spinal manipulation combined with massage and moist heat was more effective in reducing headache pain intensity than massage and moist heat alone.

Dr. Nolet’s treatment involves gentle manual therapies, active release technique, exercise and education.  Treatment focuses on improving posture issues such as forward head posture.  Forward head posture causes increased muscle activity causing muscle fatique and pain.  Correcting the forward head posture allows the neck muscles to relax and the headache to subside. Combining neck and shoulder strengthening exercises to manual therapy can lead to longer term results. Should you be dealing with frequent headache pain, call our office to have an assessment with Dr. Nolet.