Headaches can feel irritating but Cervicogenic Headache Exercises cannot cure them completely but they can give you relief for some time. It’s always tricky for people to find out a particular cure for such headaches. Have you ever experienced a headache that starts with the head & spreads throughout the whole body.
We like to warn you if these sorts of headaches are related to the neck or spine then you’re dealing with Cervicogenic Headaches. In this article, we’ll know more about this headache followed by an overview, effects, and cure.
Overview on Cervicogenic Headaches?
Cervicogenic headache usually originates from the neck. These forms of headaches can occur when the muscles of the neck are often stretched too much. Patients can usually feel the pain in the side of their heads.
Doing Cervicogenic Headache Exercises could relieve the patient from pain emitting in the back of the head, forehead & temple.
If you are experiencing pain in either of these areas mentioned earlier. Then it will be ruled out as a Cervicogenic Headache. Further, we’ll find out how these headaches can be eradicated from medications, surgery, or from performing Cervicogenic Headache exercises.
Physical Therapy
Medical professionals usually refer to physical therapies to recover from such injuries. Doctors usually recommend Physical therapy as the first form of treatment. In the eyes of medical science, these types of Cervicogenic Headache exercises have been proven to be more effective.
These exercises are effective because these movements restore the neural inhibitory systems. While the patients need to keep in mind that performing these exercises can be painful but that’s normal. During this phase of physical therapy, the patient needs to perform the following exercises –
1. Cervical Spine Extension & Retraction Exercise
This is the first exercise the patients need to perform to get rid of Cervicogenic Headaches. During this exercise, the person is supposed to contract his neck muscles. The person is supposed to stay in that position for 5 seconds & release it.
Later while maintaining the same position the person needs to extend his neck muscles. The person needs to do this exercise 10 times for the best results.
2. Shoulder Shrug Exercises
These Exercises are considered important that are suggested by physical therapies. But apart from that these exercises are considered safe for chronic headaches. You need to perform this exercise in a normal position and keep your shoulders shrugged. After you lift your shoulders up you stay in that posture for at least 5 seconds & release it. You need to keep doing this exercise 10 times.
3. Neck Flexion Exercises
This is another exercise or movement involved where the chin is lowered & is supposed to be touched by the chest. During Cervicogenic Headache Exercises, the person is supposed to keep his lower muscles tight to keep his lower body tight. And afterward, they need to slowly lower their chin towards the chest. The person is supposed to stay in that posture for 15-30 seconds. If they want results they need to repetitively perform this exercise at least 2 to 4 times.
4. Head Turning Exercises
Head-turning is a form of exercise through which the neck muscles can loosen up. Before doing these Cervicogenic Headache Exercises the person is supposed to be in a steady stance. After that, while staying in that position the person is supposed to turn his head slowly to the right side of his shoulder. The person needs to stay put in that position for 10 seconds.
This particular exercise is needed to be performed at least 4 times. The same exercise ne be on the left side as well. Staying in that exact same posture they need to slowly turn their head from the right side to the left side of their shoulder. The person doing this exercise should make sure that the particular exercise is repeated 4 times on the left side.
5. Head Circling Exercises
This Cervicogenic Headache Exercises makes the neck muscles flexible & relaxes the neck muscles a lot. The person needs to make sure they perform this particular exercise in a relaxed position. The person is supposed to start the exercise to start by rotating their head in a clockwise position. They need to do this exercise 4 to 5 times. The person needs to switch positions by performing the exercises in an anticlockwise position. This particular exercise needs to be done at least 3 to 4 times.
6. Sidelying Neck Rotation Exercises
These types of dynamic Cervicogenic Headache Exercises help in relaxes the neck muscles. Before doing this exercise the person should put his back over a pillow. While staying in that position gently turn your heads placed over your shoulders. You need to do these exercises over a total of 3-4 sets of 10 times on each side.
7. Doorway Pectoral Stretch Exercises
Doing these exercises can help shape your round shoulders & also improve your hunched back shoulders. Before carrying out the exercise you need to bring your shoulders at the level of shoulders. Staying in that position you need to stretch your arms at an angle of 90 degrees. Afterward, slowly bring your legs forward & stretch your backbone and shoulders. Hold your body in that position for 15 – 30 seconds & come out of that position & relax a bit. You need to perform this exercise up to 3-4 times as per the advice of your physical therapist.
8. Posterior Muscles Stretching Exercises
These posterior muscle stretching exercises are helpful in keeping you flexible & also Loosens your muscles. To perform this exercise you need to sit straight in a chair. In that sitting position, you need to place your right hand on top of your head. Place your Left hand to pull your right elbow over the left shoulder. While you attempt to pull your right elbow this will stretch your right neck muscles. Try doing these exercises about 2 -3 times.
Conclusion
People diagnosed with cervicogenic headaches need to inquire if they are doing something wrong for treating these headaches. It’s quite possible to identify what’s causing these headaches, taking necessary precautions to avoid serious ailments.
After diagnosing the actual problem the patient is on medications. They need to seek advice from a doctor who can recommend them to Cervicogenic Headache Exercises or Chiropractors. By taking these necessary steps patients can prevent themselves from long-term damage.
Let’s Look at Some Of The Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cervicogenic Headache Exercises?
Performing these exercises can relax your spine & relieve tension from neck muscles.
Who can suggest some good Cervicogenic Headache Exercises?
If you want to get cured of these headaches consult physical therapists, pain specialists, & orthopedic doctors.
How long do these headache lasts?
These Cervicogenic Headaches last for maybe a day or two. Although these headaches also stay for weeks, months, or even years.
Why doesn’t my Cervicogenic Headache goes away?
These headaches won’t go away easily because the pain is associated with the neck. Until & unless you are unaware of how the pain originated, the headache won’t go away.
How can I treat Cervicogenic Headaches?
As these headaches take a long time to heal start with some of these minor exercises. Most of the exercises are suggested by physical therapists, including shoulder shrugs, neck retraction, chin touch exercises, etc.
Is Cervicogenic Headaches a serious medical condition?
These headaches happen due to malfunctioning of cervical vertebrae. If these headaches are not treated urgently then it could lead to chronic headaches which remain untreated.
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