Post by @drjoedamiani

🔥 Headaches at the base of your skull that travel up the back or side of your head? Try this 2-step approach! If you saw yesterday’s video, we talked about how the upper neck and occipital region can contribute to headache pain that travels from the base of the skull upward. One area worth addressing is the suboccipital muscles—the small muscles located underneath the base of your skull. ⚡ When these muscles become tense or overactive, they can contribute to upper-neck stiffness and extension and may reproduce familiar headache referral patterns. So instead of only releasing them, we’re going to release the sensitive area first, then strengthen the muscles that help control your neck position. ✅ STEP 1: SUBOCCIPITAL RELEASE Place both thumbs underneath the base of your skull, with one thumb on each side. Apply firm but comfortable pressure into the suboccipital muscles and hold for about 30 seconds. Avoid aggressively digging into the area—the goal is controlled pressure. ✅ STEP 2: TUCK + LIFT Lie flat on your back and gently tuck your chin, then maintain that position as you lift your head off the table. Slowly lower back down and repeat for 10 controlled reps. ⚡ This challenges the muscles responsible for controlling your head and neck so you’re not constantly relying on an extended, compressed upper-neck position. 🔥 Why combine the two? The goal isn’t just to temporarily release tight suboccipitals—it’s to follow that release with strength and control so your neck has another strategy for supporting your head. RELEASE → STRENGTHEN → CONTROL #Headaches #Suboccipitals #HeadacheRelief #NeckPain #PhysicalTherapy