What the headache!

The moment you experience headaches, you usually pin it over stress or that you might be dehydrated or simply the drinks you downed last night. But what if you haven’t consumed any alcohol or aren’t drowning in stress and have enough water to keep yourself hydrated? What could be the reason then for those frequent nagging headaches? The answer could be your posture, the fact that you might be slumping in your chair for hours at a stretch at work.

The study
According to a recent study conducted in the UK, experts have suggested most headaches are actually caused due to increased pressure on the neck, which is made worse by bad posture. The researchers have also say that 80 per cent of all tension-type headaches — the most common type of headache — are caused by muscles in the neck. These types of headaches typically last from 30 minutes to two days. We asked experts to shed light on the same.

Case in point
Neena Jaiswal (name changed) is 28-year-old media professional working for a leading entertainment channel, who would work on her laptop and computer for more than six to seven hours. She often complained for frequent headaches, neck pain and weakness. She even had to quit her job as she lost her confidence when even standing became difficult for her. She sought help and was advised to work on trunk coordination, strengthening of core muscles and improving over all endurance, recalls Dr Umesh Shetty, orthopaedic surgeon, Aviva Multispeciality Hospitals.

Neena started physiotherapy where different manipulation techniques were tried so as to reduce the spasm and pressure, which was built around her neck to slumping and bad posture. Her balance was worked upon later. She was advised to swim and most importantly Neena was taught how to maintain a correct posture and continue working on core muscles, says Dr Anvi Shah, physiotherapist, Aviva Multispeciality Hospitals.

Expert speak
“Slumping can cause headaches as it puts pressure on the neck which leads to formation of knots in muscles. These knots release chemicals which makes the nerves more sensitive to pain and as this pain radiates, it leads to headache and even neck pain,” explains Dr Shah who sees about 15 to 20 such cases in a month.

Recognising headache due to slumping
“Headaches caused due to slumping is like a pressing pain on both the side of the head, it even tends to radiate to shoulders and mid-back at times. While in other cases, one might get headache due to neurological disorders or stress, anxiety where you have to check up with your doctor to differentiate and treat it accordingly,” says Dr Shetty.

Common among sedentary jobs
Both the health experts agree that this kind of headache caused by slumping is common among people within the age group of 25 to 45 years. Especially of individuals who are into the banking sector and those have to work on computers for more than four to five hours. Also, even spending an excessive amount of time on the phone can cause slumping.

Popping pills is not the solution
A majority of people end up popping paracetmol pills of various brands. However, doing so only provides temporary relief and the next day again they feel the same headache. The problem has to be treated from its root, opines Dr Shetty.

Treatment
Headaches caused due to slumping can be treated with different manipulation and mobilisation techniques, stretching trapezius muscles (either of two flat triangular muscles of the shoulder and upper back that are involved in moving the shoulders and arms) helps to relieve stress around neck and stretching pectorals will help too. Also, strengthening the neck and core muscles is important as it will help to maintain correct posture says Dr Anvi.