If you are an executive mom who has finally carved out time to move your body but ends up with a pounding headache afterward, it’s frustrating, to say the least. You may be doing the “right thing” by exercising but despite that your head may hurt more than your muscles. The truth is, many busy women are unknowingly setting themselves up for post-workout headaches, not because they are doing too much, but because they are doing it with poor posture or excessive muscular tension in the neck and shoulders. In this blog, lets discuss the link between workouts and headaches and how to modify your workout to prevent headaches.
When you have a poor posture due to long hours of desk work, stress, or long days on your feet, your neck muscles are likely overworking. Add in exercises that involve lifting or movement with a forward head posture, and you have got a recipe for neck tension that radiates straight to your head.
Common exercises that cause this include:
- Core workouts where your head is unsupported
- Shoulder or upper-body movements done without postural control
- Planks or push-ups with the head jutting forward
- Crunches or leg lifts that strain the neck muscles
All of these can cause stresses to build up on the cervical spine leading to muscle spasm or tightness and irritation of the nerves around your neck, leading to cervicogenic headaches that show up post-workout.
Watch this video to learn'How cervical nerve compression can be the cause of your headaches?'
How to Avoid Post-Workout Headaches, Without Skipping the Gym:
You don’t have to give up exercise to avoid these headaches. It is all about moving smarter and supporting your body, especially your neck as you build strength. Here are some simple yet effective tips to help:
Before Your Workout:
- Do a quick neck mobility warm-up (yes, it matters a lot!)
- Loosen tight muscles with gentle shoulder rolls or chin nods
During Your Workout:
- Keep your neck in alignment: no jutting chin or forward head posture
- Modify core work to support your head and reduce tension
After Your Workout:
- Stretch your neck and upper back to release tension
- Hydrate well as dehydration can make muscle tightness and headaches worse
You don’t have to power through the pain. If you are regularly ending your workouts with a headache, your body isn’t just sore. It is sending you a signal. You can strengthen, move and stay active without triggering cervicogenic headaches.
Want a step-by-step way to stop these headaches before they start? Check out the Cervicogenic Headache Relief Course, designed specifically for executive moms who want real relief without giving up movement. This course gives you a step-by-step plan to reduce neck-driven headaches, with practical, easy-to-implement proven strategies that actually work and have helped countless people to overcome their pain, regain energy, and fully engage with their families and careers.
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