Tag Archives: Headaches

Cervicogenic Headaches: Is your Headache Coming from Your Neck?

What is a cervicogenic headache?

Firstly, the term “cervicogenic” means produced by the neck. Thus, cervicogenic headaches arise from structures in the neck. Namely, the upper cervical and atlanto-occipital joints are affected, and the resultant pain is perceived in the head and face. 

The main symptoms of a cervicogenic headache are a combination of unilateral pain (more or isolated pain on one side), and diffuse shoulder and arm pain on the same side of the headache. 

Why do these headaches happen?

A cervicogenic headache is thought to be a referred pain from irritation in cervical structures. Specifically, it is the structures that are supplied by the C1, C2, and C3 nerves. Therefore, any of the structures supplied by the C1–C3 spinal nerves could be the source for a cervicogenic headache. 

Oftentimes, it is hard to pinpoint the exact structure. This may include the joints, disc, ligaments, and musculature. Additionally, the lower cervical spine may play an indirect role in pain production if it is dysfunctional, In fact, this finding is more common in patients with a history of whiplash.

How do we differentiate cervicogenic headaches from other types?

Stiffness and pain in the neck joint and musculature is found in cervicogenic headaches

Cervicogenic headaches usually have a unique set of symptoms and when tested in clinic, have a clear relationship with the neck. If you are interested in other headache types you may find more information at headache.org. The following is the clinical presentation of a cervicogenic headache:

  1. Unilateral dominant headaches, usually start at the back and wrap around to the front
  2. Decreased neck range of motion and reports of stiffness
  3. Headaches are increased by neck movements or certain postures 
  4. Tenderness to the touch on the upper cervical spine 
  5. Weakness in the deep neck flexor musculature
  6. Patients have increased tightness and trigger points in upper trapezius, levator scapulae, scalenes and suboccipital extensors 

It is rare to have other symptoms with cervicogenic headaches like light and noise sensitivity, visual disturbances, or vomiting, which helps to differentiate it from other headache types like a migraine.

How do I treat my headache?

Luckily, Physiotherapy Treatment has been shown to be effective in managing cervicogenic headaches. The following are potential types of treatments and exercises that may be used during a session:

  • Cervical spine manipulation or mobilization
  • Strengthening exercises including deep neck flexors and extensors 
  • Thoracic spine thrust manipulation & exercise 
  • C1-C2 Self-sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide (SNAG) shown to be effective for reducing cervicogenic headache symptoms
  • Re-education of good posture habits 
  • Trigger point therapy 

Having issues with headache and neck pain?

Look for relief with PhysioNow! With 10 locations across the GTA from Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga and Etobicoke, we have many experienced clinicians ready to help you feel better. Our Registered Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists are all experts at working with headaches and neck pain. Get started with your pain relief journey and book with PhysioNow today!

Tension Type Headaches: How do I stop them?

What are Tension Type Headaches?

Tension type headaches (TTH) are one of the most prevalent types of headache. Unfortunately, they affect a significant portion of the population globally. When experienced, they feel like a dull, aching, type of headache that may wrap around the head. In fact, some patients describe it feeling like a tight band is compressing their skull. Unlike migraines that have symptoms like nausea, noise or light sensitivity, and visual manifestations, tension headaches do not have additional symptoms other than pain. Overall, frequent tension headaches could decrease one’s quality of life.

What causes them?

Tension Type Headaches are heavily influenced by stress and posture. You might be more likely to have them if your job is currently very demanding and you’ve been putting in many hours.

The exact cause of tension headaches isn’t known, but it has been linked to several factors including stress, posture, anxiety, muscle tension, poor sleep and more. The headaches may be be episodic as well as chronic, depending on the amount of time it is experienced in a month. To clarify, episodic means it is experienced for <15 days in a month, and chronic means it is experiences >15 days in a month for 3 months.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health provider will ask you questions about your medical history, triggers to the headache, type of symptoms, patterns and frequency of headaches, and more. As a result, this will help them rule in or out other causes of and other types of headaches.

Additionally, TTH requires a comprehensive physical assessment of the head and neck muscles to check for areas of tenderness, muscle tension and trigger points which are commonly associated with TTH.

How are Tension Type Headaches treated?

Physical Therapy treatment of the neck can help manage pain and provide relief from persistent headaches.

Physical therapy management for TTH is a comprehensive and effective approach. Firstly, patient education is a key factor in every case. It is important for patients to learn about their condition, factors that may trigger their headaches, and strategies for managing their symptoms. Additionally, other techniques may include:

  • Myofacial release technique and other manual therapies in the cervical structures
  • Research suggests cold packs can have a positive effect on relieving pain and discomfort
  • Stretching and strengthening of cervical muscles
  • Postural correction techniques
  • Lifestyle and stress management advice

Need help?

Look for PhysioNow! Whether you are looking for relief from neck pain, stiffness, or headaches, we can help you. Our expert team of Registered Physiotherapists, Manual Osteopaths, and Registered Massage Therapists are all equipped with the skills to take care of you. Locations from Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, and Etobicoke, book with PhysioNow today for your first assessment and treatment!

Migraine Management

 

What is Migraine and how does it feel?

Migraine is type of headache which radiates to jaw, eyes, one of face and neck and shoulder sometimes. It can cause throbbing and severe sensations on your one side of face including jaw and eyes and forehead. Sometimes, it is accompanied by other symptoms like pressure in back of head, pulsating sensation on face, sensitive to noise, light, nausea and vomiting. Migraine management is of utmost important from the time you start experiencing it.

migraine

Symptoms:

Migraine attacks are long lasting depending on the patient. It can vary from hours to days. Sometimes, it is severe enough to interfere in your daily life and work life.

Sign and symptoms:

  • Pressure/tension in different area of head, usually in back of the head
  • Difficulty in Concentration
  • Nausea and sometimes accompanied by fever
  • Vomiting
  • Sensitive to noise
  • Sensitive to lights
  • Flashes on face
  • Visual disturbance like blind spot or flashes of lights
  • Usually chewing disturbance when jaw is involved
  • Tingling and numbness o face
  • Mood changes
  • Diarrhea

What is Aura?

Migraine starts from some basic symptoms slowly about 15-20 minutes and then lasts for days. However. it usually involves the nervous symptoms first and one after another involves other systems like vision, jaw and teeth, shoulder and neck. Also, starts having visual disturbance like sensitive to screen, wet eye, etc.
– Lock jaw means difficulty in opening jaw
– Sleep disturbance
– Reduce range of motion in neck
– Pressure on back of head
– Ringing in ears
– Feels heavy arms and shoulder

How it starts?

Migraine usually starts with aura and then gets symptoms more severe. It usually begins with dull pain and radiates to face or head and become severe. It gets worse with physical activities. Majority of people usually has nausea, vomiting, fever and mild headache. Migraine can last from 3-5 hours to 3-4 days. It is very common to get migraine stacks once every week or 2-3 times every month.

Migraine

Causes:

There is not any specific cause for migraine. Migraine headache is one of the symptoms. However,  there are some risk factors which could impact migraine like,
– Posture
– Stressful environment
– Sleep disorder
– Desk worker
– Sex: women tend to have more episodes of migraine than men
– Family history: person who has family history of migraine, they are more prone to have migraine attacks.
– Medical conditions such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorder
– Skipping meals
– Caffeine
– Hormonal changes like menopause, menstrual cycle
– after heavy and strenuous physical activities
– change in weather
– Cervical spine derangement

Types:

Following are some common types of migraine. Most of them starts with its Aura.
Tension migraine: Person who has stiff neck and cervical spine derangement could have tension migraine. Sometimes it radiates to neck or mid back.

Menstrual Migraine: It triggers when female is having her menstrual cycle.

Vestibular migraine: Patient has ringing in ear, loss of balance, dizziness while change in positions. Also, patient feels nausea, vomiting, lethargy.

Ophthalmic migraine: In this type of migraine, mostly, accompanied with temporary loss or disturbed vision, wet eyes, concentration disturbance and sensitive to screen.

To know in details about migraines and its type visit this link https://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/migraines-headaches-migraines

Migraine management?

There are some researches on migraine management as its cause varies patient to patient. However, based on patient’s symptoms, Physiotherapist will recommend line of treatment. Also, Physiotherapist help you to assess your posture thoroughly and provide relevant treatment. Following are some basic advice or line of treatment for migraine:

Exercises for migraine management:

  • Firstly, posture correction: Try to sit upright and avoid forward head posture. As a result,  your brain gets enough blood supply for its functions and gets less fatigue. Also, Work on your neck and thoracic spine muscles to keep your posture upright. However, strengthening and stretching exercises for back paraspinals will help maintain proper posture. Try to avoid forward head posture and keep your neck and neutral and straight position. Try to use back support and ergonomic chair to keep your posture straight.
  • Secondly, eye exercise: Working on desktop most of the time of the day makes our eye muscles weak. Contact your physiotherapist for better assessment and figure it out which exercise will make your eyes healthier.
  • Lastly, sleeping position: Most of the episode of migraine starts since patient wakes up in the morning. One of the causes would be neck position while sleeping.
    Therefore, contact your physiotherapist for better advice on your sleeping posture and sleeping pillow.

Home-education for migraine management:

  • Most importantly, manage your screening time. IT profession and one who work on desk mostly, they have to manage their screen time and break time. Try to take few minutes break every 3-4 hours to give relaxation to your eyes and brain. Also, Keep your work station ergonomically correct which will enhance your productivity for your work.
  • Moreover, try to take 7-8 hours deep sleep. It will provide relaxation to your brain and makes it ready next day to work again with best capacity.
  • Lastly, also avoid skipping your meal. Try to have your all meals on time. Because our body needs carbohydrates on regular time for better work. Our body has set up its biological cycle to have source of energy. If you skip meals, brain starts to get tired easily and begins sign and symptoms of migraine.

In conclusion, if you have a long history of migraines, seek help of highly skilled physiotherapist at PhysioNow. Book your appointment today.