Cervico-genic / Tension headaches:

What is a Cervico-genic /  tension headache?

• These headaches often feel very tight, possibly like the head is being squashed

• They feels like it is radiating up from a tight neck and shoulders

• Often pain comes up the back of the head or across the forehead, behind your eyes and eyebrows

What can cause Cervico-genic / tension headaches?

• Sitting at our desks for long days with a poor computer setup

• Weakness in some muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper back

• Trigger points! Sore spots in the muscles that can radiate pain into the head. You can see below some common headache related muscles such as upper trapezius, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid (SCM)

How can we help?

• Remedial massage is an excellent way to temporarily relieve pain, release trigger points and reduce the frequency and severity of headaches

• Exercises program at home from your physio to strengthen weaknesses causing headaches

• 1:1 pilates sessions supervised by physio to strengthen effectively and safely

• Stretches and self massage techniques can be given to ease tension throughout the day

So what can you do?

• Book an appointment for a remedial massage and/or physio

• Drink plenty of water

• Try the gentle stretch to ease off some tension

• Work on your home exercises given by your physio to strengthen underlying causes of your headaches

Give these stretches a try! 

Take regular breaks through the day to gently stretch (especially working at a desk). 

Let gravity do most of the work! Your hand should just rest on your head as an extra little bit of weight. Don’t pull as we don’t want to overdo it!