Hi, I have a question (a few...) about a problem I have been having with what appears to be cervicogenic headache.

About six or seven years ago I started suffering from headaches when I slept. I wake up with pain all over my head, but most noticeably above my eyes. I can at times hear the blood rushing, especially in some positions where my head is lowered. These headaches start to subside once I get up and start my day. After a few years I started to suffer from them the morning after I did exercise (running, swimming). I had unsuccessfully been treated for cluster headache and migraines but eventually I visited a physiotherapist who told me that this was most likely a headache that originates in my neck. My Sternocleidomastoids and Splenius Capitis are always tender and painful to touch, especially at the base of the skull, but do not feel tight or restrictive. I have received treatment from a physiotherapist and osteopath, and while both helped a little, neither have been able to really tackle the cause of the problem. I also tried pilates and found a few exercises that helped, one is called the diamond press. I have tried sleeping in different positions (I usually sleep on my front with my head turned to the side), but again this doesn’t seem to tackle the cause of the problem. I have mild Wikipedia reference-linkscoliosis in my back which causes my chest cage to point slightly off-centre (to my right) this causes my left shoulder problems and I can often feel discomfort down the left side of my back next to my spine if I lean my head very far forward.

I would like to know - If these headaches are a result of stress in the Sternocleidomastoids and splenius capitis, what could be causing this stress? How can I stop these muscles from being painful? Why do the headaches only occur when I sleep? Might this problem be related to my scoliosis? What kind of exercise would help these problems? Who should I approach for further treatment?

Thanks for reading, I tried to keep it as brief as possible but didn’t want to miss anything out. It feels like I’ve hit a hundred brick walls trying to sort this problem out so any help or advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated.

- Philip

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