Headaches and neck pain
Most headaches that build through the day are a neck problem wearing a different name. We treat the part that is actually tight, not just the part that hurts.
What people usually describe
- An ache that starts at the base of the skull or across the temples
- Neck and shoulders that feel tight by mid-afternoon
- A stiff neck that will not turn as far one way
- Headaches that seem to follow a long day at a screen
Not just the headache
Most headaches that build through the day start with upper crossed syndrome: the chest and the front of the shoulders tighten, while the muscles that should hold the neck and mid-back upright quietly switch off. The shoulders roll forward, the curve at the top of your spine increases, and your neck and shoulder muscles end up carrying weight they were never meant to hold alone. Tender points in that overworked muscle can refer pain straight into the head. We treat the pattern behind the desk day, not only the ache it produces by four o’clock.
What's usually behind it
Two patterns show up again and again in the neck and shoulders of people who get headaches by the afternoon.
Posture and muscle imbalances
Long periods in the same position can strain your neck and shoulder muscles. This leads to muscle imbalances, sometimes referred to as upper crossed syndrome. This is usually accompanied with that really big knot behind the shoulder blade that doesn’t seem to go away.
Stress, breathing and your nervous system
Stress can increase muscle tension and your sensitivity to pain. Upper chest breathing can also overwork your neck muscles, making them tight and painful, eventually leading to headaches.
How we'd approach it
Your neck, muscles and nervous system work together. We look at how movement, breathing and everyday stress may contribute to your neck pain and headaches, then tailor care to your needs.
At your first visitWe discuss your symptoms and assess neck movement, posture, muscle function and breathing to understand what may be contributing.
What treatment usually includesGentle, hands-on care for your whole body, with extra attention to your neck, plus exercises to improve movement, strength and coordination between your muscles and nervous system.
Between visitsSimple movement and breathing exercises, plus practical advice on your workspace, sleep and stress, to support recovery.
One step at a time
A first visit starts with a proper look at your neck, shoulders and posture, not just the headache itself. If we think this needs a different kind of care, we’ll say so.
