The , or headaches, are one of the most common disorders among the population. So much so that it is estimated that 90% of people will suffer a headache at some point in their lives.
The problem is that, because of the place where you sit, the cause of the headache is thought to be neurological, and this leads many patients to look for an answer where it is not always there.
Because the causes of headache are not always neurological, nor do they compromise the patient’s life, but rather, on many occasions, they can come from other areas of the body, such as bones and muscles of the head or spine.
As highlighted by , headaches can be caused by pathologies or alterations at the cervical level or in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
As he points out Carmen Mar Rodríguez Peñasgeneral secretary of the CPFCM.
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“It is quite frequent that the headaches that people suffer are due to musculoskeletal problems, but the causes outside the head itself are almost never sought.”
“Headaches can be punctual and due to various reasons, such as a cold, heat stroke, excessive cold, a lot of noise or an episode of stress, but we almost always think that they come from a strictly neurological problem and, therefore, We only consult with a neurologist ”, adds the one from the CPFCM.
This causes the underdiagnosis of headaches caused by problems in the neck or jaw, which also makes it difficult to identify the solution to those symptoms.
In this sense, Madrid physiotherapists recommend that, in the face of a continuous episode of headache, patients also consult a physiotherapist or traumatologist to have a more complete diagnosis that allows us to find out if there is any pathology related to the bones that could be the cause or an aggravation of the problem.
Sum of factors that cause headache
On some occasions, a patient with a neurological diagnosis of their headache can see how their symptoms worsen because they also suffer from problems in the cervical area or jaw.
And as Rodríguez Peñas says:
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“A headache caused by cervical or mandibular affections can produce symptoms similar to , with or without aura, and tension headache, and both problems can even coexist and be addressed only with medication. If that happens, it will be treated unsuccessfully.”
Hence the importance of having an assessment in addition to the neurological one and, above all, of prescribing a treatment that also takes into account, through physiotherapy, the necessary improvement of cervical problems or problems related to bones and joints involved in the problem.
Physiotherapy can also help to improve postural hygiene and thereby prevent future episodes of headaches, so it is recommended to incorporate a therapeutic approach when treating headaches.