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23 November, 2009

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Headache and the musculoskeletal system

The skeleton and muscles work together to allow movement. Standing upright on two feet instead of down on all fours has led humans to be plagued by a variety of posture related problems. Many of these can cause or contribute to headache. For instance, tension headache is almost always triggered by excessive muscle tension in the upper back, shoulders, neck and face. Treatment options for recurring headache caused by musculoskeletal problems vary according to the underlying cause.

Problems of the neck
Research has found that irritated or inflamed nerves in the neck can refer pain into the face and scalp, causing headache. Common neck problems that cause or contribute to headache include:

‘Whiplash’ - when the head is violently snapped backward and forward, commonly experienced in rear-end car collisions. The muscles and ligaments of the neck are strained and torn. In severe cases, the vertebrae of the neck can be dislocated or fractured.
Trauma - caused by injuries sustained from, for example, falls or sporting accidents. The muscles, ligaments or bones can be affected.
Wear and tear - the ageing process can lead to a progressive degeneration of the neck vertebrae.

Muscular tension
Skeletal muscles are made up of muscle fibres, bundled together. Each fibre can contract or relax on demand. All fibres contract together to shorten a muscle. The command to contract or relax is given by the brain and relayed to the muscle by nerves. When we are under stress, we commonly tense the muscles of the shoulders, upper back, neck and face. This can lead to tension headache.

Painful trigger points
When muscle tissue is tense or irritated, it tends to produce chemicals in response. A buildup of chemicals and other wastes in an area of muscle produces what is known as a ‘trigger point’. When a trigger point is pressured, it refers pain along associated nerves to an area nearby. Trigger points of the face and neck can refer pain into the head, causing a headache. Joint problems of the neck are also involved. Some researchers believe that trigger points are the remains of old muscle injuries, or the result of chronic strain such as constant typing. Fatigue and diet also appear to play significant roles.

Poor posture and habits
The way we stand, sit and lie down can put unnecessary tension on the structures of the neck. Common problems of posture and poor habits include:

Slouching while sitting down
Spending too long sitting down, such as working at a computer
Sleeping on the stomach with the head always faced to one side
Clenching the jaw.

Nerve irritation
The pain-sensitive structures of the neck and skull are serviced by a central nerve. Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache caused by irritation of this nerve. Typically, the pain throbs in the base of the skull and sometimes flashes into the face, particularly the forehead. The nerve can be irritated by:

Muscle tension
Bad posture
Trauma
Viral infection.

Treatment options vary
Headaches caused by problems of the musculoskeletal system tend to ease once the underlying disorder is addressed. It is important to seek professional advice, as chronic headache tends to have more than one contributing factor. Treatment from a musculoskeletal expert, such as a chiropractor, has been found to be helpful for a wide range of neck and back related conditions.

Where to get help

Chiropractor
Osteopath
Physiotherapist
Your doctor
Complementary medical therapist

Things to remember

Problems of the musculoskeletal system, such as injuries or poor posture, can cause or contribute to headache.
Common problems include whiplash injury, muscle tension, poor posture and nerve irritation
Headaches that are caused by problems of the musculoskeletal system tend to ease once the underlying disorder is addressed.

You might also be interested in:
Computer-related injuries.
Headache - different types explained.
Headache - some causes explained.
Headache - treatment options.
Headache and ear nose and throat problems.
Headache and jaw problems.
Headache and stress.
Trauma - reacting and recovering.

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