chiropractor for chronic tension headaches starting at the base of the skull after working on a laptop
Summary
Chronic tension headaches originating at the base of the skull are frequently linked to "tech neck," a common byproduct of prolonged laptop use. When you hunch over a screen, the muscles at the top of your neck overwork to support your head, leading to stiffness and referred pain that radiates over the scalp.
Most likely causes
- Forward Head Posture: Leaning toward a screen shifts your center of gravity, putting immense strain on the cervical spine.
- Suboccipital Muscle Tension: The small muscles at the base of the skull (suboccipitals) tighten or develop "trigger points" due to poor ergonomics.
- Joint Restrictions: Misalignments or lack of proper movement in the upper neck vertebrae (C1-C3).
- Ergonomic Strain: Using a laptop without a riser, which forces your gaze downward and rounds your shoulders.
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