HEADACHES - SOME ADVICE ON SELF MANAGEMENT & WHAT TO DO NEXT

If you’re someone who suffers with headaches on a regular basis you’ve probably done quite a bit of research already but for those who don’t know much about them the NHS Choices website have some good information.  

From the NHS link you can see that there are a number of reasons we might get a headache.  The sort of headaches that a physio can help and advice on are the sort that feel as though they are radiating from the neck.  Patients of mine have reported long days of driving, cradling a mobile phone between shoulder and neck, sitting without good back support such as on a sofa or unsupportive work chair.  They have also reported things such as a sudden neck turn, a car accident or simply just waking up with it.  The list of why headaches can come on is long.

Management will depend on the cause however maintaining good posture, not carrying anything that's too heavy especially in/with one arm, not repeatedly lifting things over head that or too heavy.  Distributing weight equally through arms or maybe carrying a backpack instead, using your core if you have to do any of the things that are best avoided. Using the correct number of pillows to support your neck in bed, not sitting twisted either on the sofa or at your desk, using a desk top instead of a laptop for lengthy work, ensuring your workstation is well set up.  The list is long and varies depending on what you do with your day.  If you have a headache and despite having a go with the things listed about it doesn't seem to be changing it's worth calling a physio who will be able take a look at you and hopefully help get you painfree.

For more information on how a physio might be able to help you specifically do call or email.