Frequent headaches and migraines can range from a slight annoyance to being completely debilitating and are signs that something is not quite right.
Headaches and migraines can have a number of causes, however there is a direct link between poor posture and referred head pain, Selph Chiropractor Dr. Natalie Hope explains.
If you suffer from frequent headaches and migraines it’s imperative to consider if poor posture could be playing a role, as leaving these symptoms undiagnosed can lead to further degeneration of muscles and tissues.
Signs of developing postural tension are:
- Rounded shoulders
- A forward head position
- Elevated shoulders
- An increased curvature of the mid back or thoracic region of the spine
These positions collapse the neutral and strong position of your spine, shoulders and neck, resulting in increased load and pressure onto the joints and muscles in this region. Over time, these sensory nerves become irritated, causing pain around the neck, shoulders and back which then refers into the head, resulting in the presentation of a headache or migraine.
To counteract this problem, we look at restoring movement in your thoracic spine and strength in your deep neck flexors and shoulder muscles in order to help you hold your head more upright and keep your shoulders open.
Suspect poor posture could be a trigger for your headaches or migraines?
We recommend a chiropractic consult for a thorough analysis and treatment, including postural retraining and strengthening exercises for your spine and shoulders.
Take Home Tip:
Here’s how you can reset you posture at home at the end of each day:
- A postural resetting stretch to manage postural tension can be easily performed with a towel and a firm surface.
- Fold and roll a regular sized bath towel into a cylinder then place vertically on the ground.
- Lay on your back, positioning the top of the towel just under the level of the tops of the shoulders and directly under the spine.
- Bend knees up towards you with feet flat on the floor and arms by your side.
- Let your head rest on the ground gently and use a pillow under if your head feels hyperextended as support.
- Hold position for 5-10 minutes daily.
If you’re experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, use the code NATALIE20 for 20% off your initial consult with Nat.
*Limited to one per person. Offer does not expire. Code must be used when booking in order to redeem discount.