Overview

 

Tension type headaches originate from the cervical spine, neck and upper shoulders, and are clinically known as cervicogenic headaches.The tension or pain is usually described as a deep or dull pain that radiates from the base of the skull to the front of the face and around the temporal and eye regions.

 

Symptoms can include neck pain and muscle tenderness around the local area. These headaches can occur for many reasons. They can occur following a muscle trauma (ie whiplash, neck injury), or developed due to poor posture that has been prolonged for long periods as well as be related to stress.

 

Tension headaches are often referred from soft tissue or bony structures of the upper neck.

 

Signs and Symptoms

 

• Restricted neck movement - feeling very tight

• Changes in normal neck posture

• Tenderness when you push on the upper neck and shoulder muscles

• Head pain that can be triggered or reproduced by active neck movement.

 

Myotherapy Treatment

 

A postural assessment along with an active movement test will help to determine which muscle structures are tight and which will need treatment. In general people tend to adopt poor posture, due to work or physical activity conditions. Often seen is rounded shoulders and forward head carriage. This can cause stiffness in the upper neck and mid back, which contributes to headaches.Myotherapy will involve trigger point therapy and soft tissue manipulation to the muscles of the neck and shoulders. Soft tissue massage is also coupled with mobilizations to the mid back and upper neck. Dry needling is also a technique that myotherapist use to help treat the muscle knot. Patients will also be guided through a home exercise or stretching program, to help prolong the effects of the treatment. Stretches to the affected muscles, and also strengthening of the deep neck muscles will help the body support the head. Mid thoracic strengthening exercises are also helpful in stabilising postural problems, and advice on correcting postural dysfunction will be given.

 

Techniques may include;

 

• Deep tissue manipulation

• Dry needling

• Mobilisation techniques

• Stretching Muscle energy techniques

• Exercise therapy

• Postural correction advice.