Headaches can really get in the way of your day. They can make it hard to work, concentrate, or enjoy time with family and friends. Sometimes, headaches can be linked to your neck or shoulders. This is where a physio can help.
What Can Cause Headaches?
Many things can lead to headaches, including:
- Sitting or looking down for a long time (like at a desk or on your phone)
- Poor posture
- Tight muscles in your neck or shoulders
- Stiffness in your neck
- Stress, which can make your neck and shoulder muscles tense up
- Having dental or jaw problems
- Dehydration
- Lack of sleep
- Infections, having a cold or flu
- Medication side effects
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal changes
Who Is at Higher Risk of Headaches?
Although headaches can affect anyone, certain people are more likely to experience
them. You may be at higher risk if:
- You spend long hours sitting or working at a desk (for example, office workers, students)
- You use phones, computers, or tablets for long periods with improper posture
- You have high stress levels or poor sleep patterns
- You have a history of migraines or headaches in your family
- You clench your jaw or have tight neck and shoulder muscles
- You experience hormonal changes (such as during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause)
What Can a Physio Do to Help?
Your physio can help by:
- Conducting a comprehensive physiotherapy assessment to identify the possible reasons of your headache
- Gently loosening tight muscles through therapeutic massage
- Helping your neck move more easily through hands on treatment
- Giving you ergonomic tips on how to sit or use your computer or phone without straining your neck
- Teaching you exercises to strengthen and relax your neck muscles
- Providing education or strategies to improve overall body posture and stress management
Important: If you get a sudden, very bad headache, or if you feel dizzy, weak, or have vision changes, see a doctor right away.
Headaches are incredibly common, but they don’t have to stop you from enjoying life. A physio can work with you to ease your pain and help stop it from coming back. Book a physiotherapy session with our team today to identify the root cause of your headache and provide treatment to help ease your headache, reduce muscle tension, and support long-term relief.
