Migraines and tension-type headaches are two of the most common types of headaches that can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. While medications can help manage the symptoms of these headaches, they often come with unwanted side effects and may not be effective for all individuals. As such, many people are looking for alternative therapies to complement their medical treatment.

One promising approach for managing migraines and tension-type headaches is through postural corrective exercises. These exercises are designed to improve posture and alleviate stress on the neck and shoulder muscles, reducing the likelihood of headache attacks. Several studies have investigated the potential benefits of postural corrective exercises for individuals with migraines and tension-type headaches, and the results are promising.

One of the leading causes of migraines and tension-type headaches is poor posture. Postural errors such as forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and slouching can put significant stress on the neck and shoulder muscles, causing them to tense up and leading to headaches. Forward head posture, in particular, is one of the most common postural errors that can cause migraines and tension-type headaches. This posture involves the head being positioned in front of the body’s center of gravity, which can put a lot of stress on the neck and shoulder muscles and lead to headaches.

Additionally, poor posture can lead to reduced blood flow to the head, which can also trigger migraines and tension-type headaches. When the body is in a slouched position, the ribcage compresses the lungs and reduces lung capacity, leading to reduced oxygen intake. Reduced oxygen intake can lead to headaches and migraines.

Postural corrective exercises are designed to address these postural errors and improve posture. These exercises can strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles, alleviate tension in these muscles, and improve breathing patterns. By improving posture and reducing muscle tension, these exercises can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine and tension-type headache attacks.

In conclusion, postural corrective exercises can be a safe and effective complementary therapy for managing migraines and tension-type headaches. Our system can help you analyze your posture, identify postural errors, and provide customized exercises to improve your posture and alleviate headaches.

Sources:

• Sutbeyaz ST, Koseoglu BF, Gokkaya NK, Kibar S. Effectiveness of neck muscle training in patients with chronic migraine. Cephalalgia. 2010 Nov;30(11):1372-81. doi: 10.1177/0333102410365101.
• Lee SH, Kim SY, Jeong DK. Effects of Forward Head Posture on Forced Vital Capacity and Respiratory Muscles Activity. J Phys Ther Sci. 2014 Jul;26(7):1013-5. doi: 10.1589/jpts.26.1013.
• Ylinen J, Takala EP, Nykänen M, Häkkinen A, Mälkiä E, Pohjolainen T, Karppi SL, Kautiainen H, Airaksinen O. Active neck muscle training in the treatment of chronic neck pain in women: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2003 May 21;289(19):2509-16. doi: 10.1001/jama.289.19.2509.