Headache

The neck has been recognised as a source of many headaches by the Classification Committee of the International Headache Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain. Although there are many causes of headache, two of the major causes can be treated by Physiotherapy:

Tension headaches:

Characterised by being persistent low intensity, often a tight band sensation, typically in the forehead, temple upper neck (back of the head) regions.

Pain occurs as a result of substantial muscular contraction brought on by stress/tension, poor posture or muscle imbalance (weakness of the stability of muscles)

Cervicogenic headaches:

This type of headache presents itself as a one-sided deep, dull pain starting in the neck or back of the head(Occiput) and radiating to the frontal, temporal and upper eye areas.

The associated symptoms can include; nausea, dizziness, vertigo and blurred vision.

These types of headache are common following whiplash injuries; they are also caused by upper neck joint problems and Spondylosis.