Following an automobile accident it is common to experience headaches that arise from neck pain. Tension and tightness in the neck paired with stiffness of the joints can increase headache pain. Patients typically experience these headaches in the back of the head and they slowly creep forward into the forehead. In order to control these headaches many people resort to taking pain medication. While this can provide temporary relief it is not addressing the source of the problem. A chiropractor can provide gentle manipulation of the joints in the neck to reduce stiffness and give stretches that can help reduce muscle tension.
Upper back and neck stretches:
-Gently lean your head to the side until there is a gentle stretching sensation on the opposite side of the neck and upper back. Hold this position for about 20 seconds, repeat on the other side.
-Gently lean your head forward until you feel a gentle stretch in the back of the neck and into the upper back. Hold this position for about 20 seconds.
Some soreness is normal but if any of these stretches aggravate your condition, immediately stop the stretch.
Consult your chiropractor for personally tailored treatment plan to address your neck related headache pain.
