What is causing my neck pain and headaches?

June 1, 2021

Maria Nolan

A tightening of the head and neck muscles may be causing your neck pain and headaches. This is called a tension headache and is common among teenagers and adults. Here’s how osteopathy can help.

Many of us are using smartphones, tablets and laptops for hours on end so it is no wonder neck pain and headaches are one of the most common conditions we treat at Nolan Osteopathy.

What causes a tension headache?

Tension headaches are usually caused by a tightening of the head and neck muscles. This can irritate the blood vessels in or around the head. It can also irritate the meninges, which are three layers of protective tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.

This is a great blog to understand more about what is going on.

Helpful Tips To Avoid “Text Neck”

Tension headaches usually tend to happen in isolated incidents but some people can suffer from constant headaches. These are the most common reasons for persistent neck pain and headaches.

  • Stress
  • Bad Posture
  • Eye Strain
  • Fatigue
  • Alcohol & Tobacco use
  • Hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle

How do I get rid of persistent headaches?

Headaches can be serious if you ignore them. It is important you speak to an expert to understand what is going on. An osteopath is trained to diagnose what is causing your neck pain and headaches and will give you expert advice and treatment.

There is a good chance your headache is being caused by poor posture or due to tension or strain in the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. Osteopathy treatment will involve gentle massage techniques to loosen the joints and muscles of the neck, thorax and back. This will help to relieve the tension.

In addition to this, an osteopath will offer guidance on exercise and lifestyle changes. This could include advice on simple changes you can make to your posture when at work, driving or even your sleeping position.

In conclusion, if you would like to find out more about how our osteopath in Henley on Thames, Thatcham or Newbury can help with neck pain and headaches;

BOOK ONLINE: https://nolanosteopathy.co.uk/book-online.php

☎ 01491 281972 (Henley Clinic)

☎ 01635 597290 (Thatcham or Newbury clinics)

You can find out more about tension headaches here https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tension-headaches/