Are headaches getting in the way of you living your life? Are you waking up with headaches several mornings a week? Do your headaches come at the end of the day?
For many people, pain relievers have become a way of life. But what if you could kill the headaches forever?
Headaches are caused by many different things, For instance, you work at a computer all day with your head down most of the time, sleeping awkwardly on a pillow, or clinching your teeth.
First, let’s look at the head and neck of your body, You have a muscles on each side of your spine that connects at your pelvis and runs up to the base of your skull. It connects to a muscle on the back of your head which runs over the top of your head to your forehead. For every inch you lean your head forward, the weight of your head doubles.
Working at your computer for long periods of time can fatigue the muscles on each side of your spine and cause a headache on the back of your head or over your eyes. This can even create pain between your shoulder blades.
If you get headaches on the sides of your head, you probably are clinching your teeth unconsciously. The muscles on the side of your head help to move your lower jaw. Ever seen a man with short chewing his food? You can see his temples moving with every bite. This is the muscle that can cause that headache.
Below are some neck stretches that can help stop your head and neck pains.
First Stretch-Sit up straight in your chair, tuck your chin down toward your chest. Place your hand on the crown of your head and pull your head down. You will feel the pull between your shoulder blades. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times, each time pulling your head a little further. This may feel painful at first, but will soon feel great! Don’t worry, you will break anything or tear anything.
Second Stretch- Sitting up in your chair, hold the bottom of your chair with your left hand. Turn your head 45 degrees to the left. Take your right hand and place over the top of your head, just above your ear. Now pull your right ear toward your right breast. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times. Stay in the same position, but rotate your head to the right. Place your right hand on the crown of your head and pull your head down toward your right breast. Hold for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times. Don’t forget the other side!
Third Stretch- While sitting in your chair, put the palms of your hands on each side of your chin. Lean forward slightly and lift your head up and look at the ceiling. Make sure you bend from the neck and not your waist. You will feel a stretch from the front of your neck. This will help you swallow better and take pressure off the back of your neck. Remember to only hold the stretch for 2 seconds and repeat 10 times.
These are basic neck stretches you can do every day, 2-3 times a day, anywhere, anytime. Remember to breathe as you stretch your muscles to relax your body.
Don’ let headaches stop your life, instead STOP YOUR HEADACHES!
Butch Phelps is an Active Isolated Stretching Therapist, a licensed massage therapist, and a certified Personal Trainer. He has studied the muscles of the human body for many years and is fascinated by the reactions your muscles can cause in your body.