Category: Headache

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

7/2/2020

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

A well-functioning thoracic spine can accelerate your running and promote pain-free living.

The thoracic spine is the mid-back between the neck and the waist (lumbar-region). The ribcage attaches to it. This special part of our spine gets less attention in science journals than other spine areas. It an important source of local or referred pain for spine, hip and shoulder problems. This is due to its unique nerve supply and mechanics as a junction between the upper and lower body.

“If you have unresolved issues of other areas of the body, your thoracic back is the link to examine."

As an important mechanical lever of the body, taking 47% of body weight ⁽¹⁾, the curve of the thoracic spine impacts on shoulder girdle movements ^(2-3) and the lower limbs. For example, walking and running rely on thoracic rotation to store and generate momentum. In turn, the thoracic spine is very stable alongside its partner, the ribcage, affording protection to vital organs. Consequently, it is less mobile than the neck or low back.

“Back, hip, flank, neck and even arm pain may have their source from the mid-back."

Motion of the shoulders relies on rotation and side bending in the thoracic spine ^(2-3). If this part of the spine loses the little flexibility it has, more load is placed on the shoulder joint, girdle and rotator cuff. The compressive forces from a lack of spine flexibility can set up problems elsewhere in these other tissues.

“The thoracic back has the unique quality of an energy-storing spring and a counterbalance.”

Walking and running uses to-and-fro arm swing and shoulder motion, whilst simultaneously the thoracic spine winds up and down via twisting motions. This enables balance and, like a spring, enables energy transmission to the arm swing to propel the body forwards. In fact, to increase speed when running, you need to increase your thoracic twisting motion ⁽⁴⁾. You can compensate for this via the hips or overarching the lumbar back, but for how long?

The nerve supply of one thoracic vertebral segment is also known to include several levels, meaning a mixed nerve supply. A problem in one area can refer to many seemingly unrelated regions of the arms, buttocks and legs. Occasionally, when counterfeit symptoms resembling organ pain are from thoracic joints, physiotherapists will judiciously examine for key features of musculoskeletal involvement, being pain on movement, tenderness and tightness of musculoskeletal structures ⁽⁵⁾. If these musculoskeletal features are absent, then the case requires further consultation from a medical practitioner.

References
1. White, A. A. 1969. Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica Suppl: 127, 8-92.
2. Tsang, S. M. H., Szeto, G. P. Y. & Lee, R. Y. W. 2013. Manual Ther: 18, 431-437.
3. Crosbie, J., Kilbreath, S. L., Hollman, L. & York, S. 2008. Clin Biomech: 23, 184-192.
4. Tojima, M., Osada, A. & Torii, S. 2019. J. Phys. Ther. Sci.: 31, 661-665.
5. Harding, G. & Yelland, M. 2007. Aust Fam Physician: 36(6), 422-3, 425, 427-429.

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Can't have chocolate, cheese or wine without a headache?

5/12/2015

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A simple bite or glass of one of these pleasures can reek headache or migraine havoc. Whether it's also ongoing stress, a stiff neck or not enough sleep, headaches are debilitating and affect a lot more people than you think. In fact the World Health Organisation in 2010 listed Tension Type Headaches and Migraine after Toothache as the most prevalent of disorders. Headache is a global problem in any language. So what can we do about persistent headaches?

The science

Headache and Migraine are extensively researched and studied, yet researchers and clinicians are still uncertain of the exact causes and disagreement exists between experts. There is however a potential common denominator in headache and migraine.

Some headaches may be caused or prolonged from stiffness in the upper neck joints, the jaw or the neck-to-shoulder muscles. The stress of everyday life, poor posture, lack of sleep, diet or even dehydration can make headaches worse. Other kinds of headache and migraine are thought to be linked brain activity, bloodflow or hormone levels.

Combined physiotherapy and medical research efforts are showing that sufferers of migraine and tension type headache also display changes in muscles and joints (1). Studying the physiology of what makes these headaches different is showing some aspects of each that may actually be the same (2). The brainstem, a part of the nerve system with shared interconnections to the neck, when overactive may become one common factor to neck and head pain.

How can my physiotherapist help?

Regardless of origin, a headache is troublesome to deal with and can interfere with every day life.
Physiotherapy techniques can help make changes in activity to the nervous system which could reduce symptoms. This may be beneficial.
We are ready to assist head pain sufferers, including those that have headaches on one side or that swaps sides, possibly even during an attack.

So what can I do when I get a headache?

Self massage tight muscles around the neck and shoulders
Drink more water
Light exercise such as walking
Basic back and neck stretches
Come to see our Specialist Physiotherapist who will be able to help diagnose and manage your headaches

No body likes having a headache. Since most headaches seem to be caused by stress, poor posture, and stiffness around the neck area, simple exercises and activities that decrease stress and loosen your muscles may help manage the head pains. If your headaches are really causing you problems, then our specialist can provide a full headache assessment and a management plan for you to work on.

Suffer from headaches? Comment below and let us know the ways you cope with them!

1. Florencio, LL et al. Headache, (2015).
2. Tajti J, Szok D, Párdutz Á, Tuka B, Csáti A, Kuris A, Toldi J, and Vécsei L, J Neural Transm, no. 119 (2012) 557-5681.

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Neck Pain and Headaches

4/4/2012

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The common phrase “pain in the neck” has become a cliché because it is used so often to describe someone or something that is a constant irritation. However, neck pain and headaches are more than just irritating. They can be downright painful. Many pharmacy shelves are stocked with headache remedies, but finding relief from headache and neck pain often times entails getting physiotherapy treatment.

The neck includes the bones and joints of the cervical spine; shock absorbing discs that separate the bones of the cervical vertebrae; the muscles and ligaments that hold the cervical spine together. Neck pain may be felt at the base of the skull and spread across the shoulder on one side and even down the arm. It may also lead to headaches. The pain may feel like a kink or stiffness in the neck or severe pain. Range of motion may be limited, usually more to one side than the other, making it difficult to drive or look over the shoulder. Neck pain may be caused by bad posture, normal wear and tear, overuse or injury.

Bad posture is one of the main contributors of neck pain and sometimes headaches. The rule is to keep the head in a neutral position. Many of us tend to hunch or bend the neck forward while reading or working at the computer. In some offices the computer may be at a much higher level than the head, causing the individual to look up for extended periods. Sleeping with your neck too high or too low can cause neck pain and headaches, as well as a mattress that does not support the natural curve of the back.

Physiotherapy researchers have proved that long standing neck pain is related to stiff joints, improper co-ordination of muscles around the neck and a loss of ‘neck position sense’. All of these responded to physiotherapy treatment by the researchers.

Cause of Neck Pain Headaches

Trauma to the neck as occurs with whiplash is a very common cause of neck pain. Whiplash is usually associated with neck pain, but it can happen during skiing accidents or falls from significant heights. In severe cases spinal cord injury may result, requiring emergency care. When whiplash occurs, a cervical collar may have to be worn in order to rest the neck and heal the inflammation. A physiotherapy program consisting of muscle control, strengthening and range of motion exercises will follow. Your specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist will also examine for other problems from the injury that require onward referral, such as nerve conduction problems and over reactive stress responses.

Other causes of neck pain and headaches are:

arthritis resulting from wear and tear to the discs in the neck, which can cause a pinched nerve
meningitis – a serious viral or bacterial illness that causes headaches, fever, stiff neck (serious enough to make it difficult to touch the chin to the chest) and sometimes vomiting.
The flu. This can cause headaches and neck pain without the stiffness.
Stress and tension can also give rise to what is sometimes called ‘tension’ headaches and neck pain.
Torticollis – severe contraction of the neck muscles causing the head to be tilted to one side of the body and the chin to be turned toward the opposite side of the neck.

Treatment for neck pain requires careful diagnosis and physiotherapy treatment depending on the condition. The goal of physiotherapy is to help you return to your prior level of functioning and assist you in living a pain-free life. If you’re a sufferer of neck pain headaches, contact Jayce Gilbert of Peak MSK Physiotherapy in Hampton, on 9533 5305 to make an appointment to discuss treatment.

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THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

“If you have unresolved issues of other areas of the body, your thoracic back is the link to examine."

“Back, hip, flank, neck and even arm pain may have their source from the mid-back."

“The thoracic back has the unique quality of an energy-storing spring and a counterbalance.”

Can't have chocolate, cheese or wine without a headache?

The science

How can my physiotherapist help?

So what can I do when I get a headache?

Neck Pain and Headaches

Cause of Neck Pain Headaches

Jayce Gilbert

Luca Scomazzon-Rossi

Archives

Categories

Contact Us

Support

Connect With Us

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

THE THORACIC SPINE ENIGMA

“If you have unresolved issues of other areas of the body, your thoracic back is the link to examine."

“Back, hip, flank, neck and even arm pain may have their source from the mid-back."

“The thoracic back has the unique quality of an energy-storing spring and a counterbalance.” ​

Can't have chocolate, cheese or wine without a headache?﻿

The science

How can my physiotherapist help?

So what can I do when I get a headache?

Neck Pain and Headaches﻿

Cause of Neck Pain Headaches

Jayce Gilbert

Luca Scomazzon-Rossi

Archives

Categories

Contact Us

Support

Connect With Us

“The thoracic back has the unique quality of an energy-storing spring and a counterbalance.”

Can't have chocolate, cheese or wine without a headache?

Neck Pain and Headaches