Have any of you noticed a connection? As days go by my shoulders and back become very stiff and I am having some major headaches. Any suggestions?

quote:

I had wondered about this several times, but my trainer reassured me that walking 5 minutes is the same as stretching. Not true, says the doc. We went through a series of stretches and I already feel less tight in my shoulders and neck.

Maybe for cooling down/slowing heart rate but you definitely won't gain much flexibility that way! Glad you got some relief...tightness in my neck and shoulders will set off terrible headaches for me.

I will second Sandy's question about calories though. As Denise often says, it's hard to tell on those sorts of posts because most of us don't post quantities, but it does look like you are going pretty light on calories, particularly for breakfast. Something to consider too.

Peg

quote:

Originally posted by windycityattorney:
I talked with a doctor who lives in my building. He said that my headaches occur because I do not stretch. I had wondered about this several times, but my trainer reassured me that walking 5 minutes is the same as stretching. Not true, says the doc. We went through a series of stretches and I already feel less tight in my shoulders and neck.

Oh GOOD! That is great!!!!

I talked with a doctor who lives in my building. He said that my headaches occur because I do not stretch. I had wondered about this several times, but my trainer reassured me that walking 5 minutes is the same as stretching. Not true, says the doc. We went through a series of stretches and I already feel less tight in my shoulders and neck.

Windy,

I sometimes get headaches when I am lifting too heavy of weights or push myself to hard with my shoulders and back lifting. It is the way my back is "rigged"....if I do too much, it causes my muscles to swell, and pinches my nerves around my spine and causes me to have headaches. I now can recognize before I get to that point, of having the headaches, and will lighten my load, or the intensity. But if I do get a headache, I will take some ibuprofen, take a hot shower, and have dh massage my shoulders and upper back and neck for me. It always works.

I typed a long response, but it was lost.
Anyway... the gist of what I was wondering is this: Are you getting enough calories. I noticed in the What's for Dinner thread that your food sometimes seems very light to me- especially at breakfast.
I think you are wokring with a trainer, right? Perhaps s/he can offer some ideas.
Have you had a good physical lately?
Changes in sleep habits?

I get headaches when I do too many crunches. I know I do them properly, but I think I may clench my neck when doing them.

Dawn

Not sure what you're doing, but I agree with ltd, maybe you strained something in your back or neck. You were working with a trainer, right? Maybe he/she can check your weight lifting routine and check to see if your form is a little off.

I do notice sometimes that I have a bad headache on a long run day, but I think, like grrlscout said, it's hydration-related.

I don't notice getting headaches from working out. I do notice, however, that since I've stopped walking (about 2 1/2 weeks) the migraines that I get are worse and my cramps were terrible. I need to get back to walking - I know I'll feel so much better.

Maybe you pulled something or pinched a nerve. That could account for your sore shoulders and headache.

How's your hydration?