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Headaches post session
Posted: March 12th, 2024, 4:16 pm
by winniewinser
Quick question....does anyone else suffer from headaches post exercise?
I'm suffering quite often with necky tension which leads to headaches. These are often post exercise. I thought it may be hydration but I hit 2.5L today but still have one.
I've been to the GP but they were not really pinpointing anything. I thought it may be caffeine related but can't correlate that to today.
Looking back I remember getting some post a full on TT but it's now most sessions.
It's not going to stop me erging but is literally a pain in the neck.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 12th, 2024, 4:46 pm
by jamesg
At high ratings on rowerg our neck has to produce the forces needed to accelerate and decelerate the mass of our head as we move back and forth.
In severe cases such as car collisions it's called whiplash; cars have head rests and airbags. I noticed the effects on erg the first time I raced a 500m, but not since.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 12th, 2024, 6:38 pm
by MPx
No.
Sounds bad Alex best of luck with sorting something to avoid that outcome.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 12th, 2024, 7:01 pm
by Ombrax
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 12th, 2024, 4:16 pm
Looking back I remember getting some post a full on TT but it's now most sessions.
Have you tried backing off a bit (on both pace and stroke rate) so see if the issue abates?
I'd see if an upper limit of 20 spm and at any given distance a pace that's 5 sec slower than your typical pace for that distance (to take a number from Paul's law) help things out.
Finally, do you do any other exercises, cardio or strength, that are as intensive as your rowing? If so, have you been getting any headaches there too? That might help diagnose the problem.
Good Luck
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 13th, 2024, 4:08 am
by Sakly
Hey Alex, if this is caused by neck tension (based on your description this could be very likely) it can be aggravated by rowing with creating lots of tension due to missing stability of the shoulders and/or compensating movements.
I would try to do some stability drills for the shoulders. Look up Squat university on YouTube and search for shoulder stuff from them. It's worth a try.
Additional strength training in general is helpful for such topics.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 13th, 2024, 5:00 am
by winniewinser
Thanks all.
I think the neck tension could be part of the root cause as I had not been rowing much and have recently increased volume. I also noted some neck tension when swimming breaststroke on holiday last week (different neck movements). Overall my posture needs work.....will check out that site Sascha.
Another underlying issue is my eyes/glasses....since getting separate reading/distance glasses and having to chop between them I have noted lots more headaches. Particularly behind my right eye which had the biggest prescription change recently. I change into even older glasses for rowing so I suspect all the chopping and changing is causing eye strain as they are not adjusting well.
So a couple of things to work on here. Eye test also booked in a couple of weeks time.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
by Dangerscouse
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 13th, 2024, 5:00 am
Thanks all.
I think the neck tension could be part of the root cause as I had not been rowing much and have recently increased volume. I also noted some neck tension when swimming breaststroke on holiday last week (different neck movements). Overall my posture needs work.....will check out that site Sascha.
Another underlying issue is my eyes/glasses....since getting separate reading/distance glasses and having to chop between them I have noted lots more headaches. Particularly behind my right eye which had the biggest prescription change recently. I change into even older glasses for rowing so I suspect all the chopping and changing is causing eye strain as they are not adjusting well.
So a couple of things to work on here. Eye test also booked in a couple of weeks time.
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 7:16 am
by winniewinser
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
I could do but it makes watching Netflix harder
I'll be trying another session later so will try my reading specs this time.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 7:19 am
by nick rockliff
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:16 am
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
I could do but it makes watching Netflix harder
I'll be trying another session later so will try my reading specs this time.
Get some varifocals, much better than changing between two types.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 7:38 am
by Dangerscouse
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:16 am
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
I could do but it makes watching Netflix harder
I'll be trying another session later so will try my reading specs this time.
Hahaha, I never think that some of us watch TV. I just can't get on with it, so it's always music for me
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 8:05 am
by Sakly
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:38 am
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:16 am
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
I could do but it makes watching Netflix harder
I'll be trying another session later so will try my reading specs this time.
Hahaha, I never think that some of us watch TV. I just can't get on with it, so it's always music for me
Absolutely same for me - team music
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 8:17 am
by winniewinser
nick rockliff wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:19 am
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:16 am
Dangerscouse wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 6:40 am
Can you row with eyes closed? I know it doesn't suit everyone but that might help
I could do but it makes watching Netflix harder
I'll be trying another session later so will try my reading specs this time.
Get some varifocals, much better than changing between two types.
I've tried them before.....can't get on with them really
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 8:24 am
by iain
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 8:17 am
nick rockliff wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 7:19 am
Get some varifocals, much better than changing between two types.
I've tried them before.....can't get on with them really
I have some "office glasses" that are varifocal only between short and mid-distance. Not sure whether you can get the equivalent for mid to long distance to allow TV viewing while still seeing the monitor.
For me even music is too much distraction on anything faster than long slow distances
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 9:34 am
by winniewinser
I feel like I need a full service, valet and maybe even an overhaul......eyes rubbish, ears constant tinitus and losing the left, back iffy....blah blah.....pfff
All excuses I know.....plenty in a worse boat than me.
Re: Headaches post session
Posted: March 14th, 2024, 10:21 am
by nick rockliff
winniewinser wrote: ↑March 14th, 2024, 9:34 am
I feel like I need a full service, valet and maybe even an overhaul......eyes rubbish, ears constant tinitus and losing the left, back iffy....blah blah.....pfff
All excuses I know.....plenty in a worse boat than me.
I have constant tinnitus too. Would you believe my sight improved last year and had to have new lenses and have improved again since then. Apparently due to the start of cataracts and the changing shape of the eye lens! I don't need to wear glasses on the erg any more. I do have glaucoma too which doesn't get better
