exertion headache

Norcaliboy15 · 02-11-2008, 05:41 PM

I got an exertion headache doing my squat widowmaker last Friday, I read that the throbbing headache that follows the acute pain can last weeks to months and any strenuous activity can bring back the pain. I'm sure there are others here that have experienced this. I'm just curious how long it lasted until you were 100% again, and did you just deal with it and keep going, or change exercises, or just take time to recuperate?

Determined · 02-11-2008, 06:12 PM

that has happened to me on numerous ocassions. the best advice i can give is to always be aware of where you're tilting your head during a movement. for example, make sure you're not pushing your head too far back on the back when squatting and thus hurting your neck and make sure not to push the back of your head too hard on padded exercises such as hammer strength decline press (yeah, it sucks). you should be 100%pretty shortly after, give it a few days. if you can't correct the problem yourself, then i'd switch out the exercise

Maniacal · 02-12-2008, 02:30 AM

Yeah, I had the same problem. Started almost a year ago, and it still comes back once in a while. Obviously all the basics apply, like make sure you're not screwing your neck and you're breathing right.

After getting the headaches after every leg workout, I decided to take a break. Took a month off, came back, still got 'em.

If it continues for a month or so, you should definitely get to the doc; I did, and it turned out I had high bp. Got a bp med, and it stopped the headaches (mostly).

The biggest thing I'd say is to make sure you're not flexing your neck when you don't need to. Whenever I strain for that last rep, my neck tends to tense up. Try to control that and it'll help. And like determined said, stay away from decline exercises, it really puts a lot of pressure on your neck.

marlon · 02-12-2008, 02:39 AM

I've had 'em. Took a month off and I was okay, but it still comes during after a real nasty workout sometimes. I've gotten to the point I can feel it coming so I know to bring it down a bit and concentrate on not letting it happen during the workout.

btech · 02-13-2008, 05:12 PM

I had them once. The pain is intense, that's for sure. So intense you have to sit down and hold your head in your hands. When I got it, for the next week I couldn't even finish a set of ANY exercise without experiencing that damn headache.

When I asked my doctor, he said,
"Judging by what you told me, I'd say you have the textbook definition of what we call 'weightlifter's headache'."

It's normal to have, nothing is wrong, just make sure you are breathing properly.

02-11-2008, 05:41 PM	#1
Norcaliboy15 New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: p-ville Posts: 39	exertion headache I got an exertion headache doing my squat widowmaker last Friday, I read that the throbbing headache that follows the acute pain can last weeks to months and any strenuous activity can bring back the pain. I'm sure there are others here that have experienced this. I'm just curious how long it lasted until you were 100% again, and did you just deal with it and keep going, or change exercises, or just take time to recuperate?

02-11-2008, 06:12 PM	#2
Determined Bantamweight Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: VA Posts: 180	that has happened to me on numerous ocassions. the best advice i can give is to always be aware of where you're tilting your head during a movement. for example, make sure you're not pushing your head too far back on the back when squatting and thus hurting your neck and make sure not to push the back of your head too hard on padded exercises such as hammer strength decline press (yeah, it sucks). you should be 100%pretty shortly after, give it a few days. if you can't correct the problem yourself, then i'd switch out the exercise __________________ Want the best supplements currently on the market? Order at trueprotein.com and use discount code DDM221

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-12-2008, 02:30 AM	#3
Maniacal New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 35	Yeah, I had the same problem. Started almost a year ago, and it still comes back once in a while. Obviously all the basics apply, like make sure you're not screwing your neck and you're breathing right. After getting the headaches after every leg workout, I decided to take a break. Took a month off, came back, still got 'em. If it continues for a month or so, you should definitely get to the doc; I did, and it turned out I had high bp. Got a bp med, and it stopped the headaches (mostly). The biggest thing I'd say is to make sure you're not flexing your neck when you don't need to. Whenever I strain for that last rep, my neck tends to tense up. Try to control that and it'll help. And like determined said, stay away from decline exercises, it really puts a lot of pressure on your neck.

02-12-2008, 02:39 AM	#4
marlon Lightweight Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 295	I've had 'em. Took a month off and I was okay, but it still comes during after a real nasty workout sometimes. I've gotten to the point I can feel it coming so I know to bring it down a bit and concentrate on not letting it happen during the workout.

02-13-2008, 05:12 PM	#5
btech Light-heavyweight Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Shanghai, CN Posts: 1,186	I had them once. The pain is intense, that's for sure. So intense you have to sit down and hold your head in your hands. When I got it, for the next week I couldn't even finish a set of ANY exercise without experiencing that damn headache. When I asked my doctor, he said, "Judging by what you told me, I'd say you have the textbook definition of what we call 'weightlifter's headache'." It's normal to have, nothing is wrong, just make sure you are breathing properly.

Sponsored Links