Question Regarding Headaches and Physical Therapy?

Question by rachel??: Question regarding headaches and physical therapy?
I have had a constant headache for over two years, with the pain toward the front/top of my head. Last month, I started physical therapy and doing neck exercises. The doctor explained to me that these neck exercises are moving the pain to the back of my head, and eventually to my neck. When that happens, the pain should become more manageable/controllable (sorry if that explanation is a little off). She didn’t specify how the pain “moves” backwards, and becomes controllable. Can someone please explain this to me?

Best answer:

Answer by Kat
When you start exercising your neck the muscles start to strengthen and your neck starts to become more agile. That is called a range of motion causing greater blood circulation in the neck. This decreases your headaches. Headaches are caused when the muscles are tight and weak. I am not sure what the doctor meant by the headache/ pain moving to the back of your neck. But the bulk of the pain in the neck is in the spinal cord at the back.

Answer by mistify
This is a pattern called “centralization” which occurs with referred mechanical neck pain. The upper three segments of the neck can refer pain into the head/and or face. As pressure is removed from whatever is being mechanically irritated, the pain begins to centralize (or localize). It’s a well documented phenomenon in spinal pain.

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Physical Therapy Exercises for the Back : Lower Back Exercises for Back Physical Therapy – Learn how to perform lower back exercises for back physical therapy in this freevideo. Expert: Monica Paradise Bio: Monica Paradise works at Industrial Hand and Physical Therapy in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in exercise science. Filmmaker: Eric Johnston