Posture related headaches

Headaches can come in many shapes and forms. Some are one sided, some with nausea and some with vertigo. When checking for the cause behind headaches that seem to stem from neck pain, don’t forget to take into account the middle or thoracic spine.

The Dowager’s hump (at upper thoracic spine) is a common cause of aching and stiffness along with secondary problems higher up in the neck. Most common in middle age females of ages 35+, this hump can be the un-noticed seed of much discomfort. Often because it is not visible, the hump is unknown to the person until photographic evidence is produced. I like to use photos to shock the owner of a hump as it assists me in getting across the importance of the exercises!

Often treatment such as mobilisations and stretches for the thoracic spine can greatly assist the range of movement limitations in extension and rotation of the cervical spine, hence relieving the neck related headaches.

If this typical patient does not address the underlying cause, which may apparently seem benign, the patient will not find relief. When the patient has learnt these stretches and has had hands on treatment he/she will find relief from headaches and minimize the worsening of the unsightly hump.

Neurological causes of headache