Shrugs = headaches

Just curious if anyone else gets headaches from doing shrugs, or any heavy trapezius workouts?

For some reason, my traps are probably the muscles that have increased in strength the most, in the shortest period of time. However, the next day is always the same, filled with this really crap headache, as the trap spans from the middle of the back right up into the skull. Neck ache = headache.

It's like eating Nando's extra hot peri-peri chicken, always seems like a good idea, but then the next day you're paying the price!

I know when I used to go to the gym with my dad and we started doing heavy duty shrugs, he got those headaches too, and me and my gym partner still get them. Just wondering if any of you experience the same?

spike should be able to give an explanation for this.

this is interesting i have had it once or twice, but i think it was just due to bad form on my part.

Kkkyle wrote: this is interesting i have had it once or twice, but i think it was just due to bad form on my part.

You are young and headaches are the least of the problems.

The nerves running through that area especially (C5,C6), C7 (SPIKE!!) probably get pinched causing the headaches.

Carefull!

Dont look down. I know Dorian Yates advocated looking down but that will just put too much strain on your neck.

Agree with Jack, either that or valsalva effect is a possibility.. A lot of people hold there breath on shrugs deads and squats causing pressure build up and headaches.

like i said mine was due to bad form, used to drop my head which would pull my shoulders forward, thus placing strain on my spine, i havnt got a headache from shrugs in over a year

what would be more on the top of my worries list uncle jack?

Nerves get damaged. You lose the ability to contract certain muscles or parts of muscles.
Maintain good form. Dont use limbs at angles they aren't supposed to go.
If it hurts there is a reason for the pain - stop.

jackrabbit1 wrote: Nerves get damaged. You lose the ability to contract certain muscles or parts of muscles.
Maintain good form. Dont use limbs at angles they aren't supposed to go.
If it hurts there is a reason for the pain - stop.

I always try and maintain form, as I said, the headaches I feel are mostly because of my neck muscles being sore, and if my neck is sore, I have headaches. Like for example, sleeping badly and having neck pains the next day, always causes me headaches.

To be honest I'm surprised at the seriousness this thread has taken, you guys really are concerned and helpful! Thanks for the advice though, will make sure I don't look down whilst doing shrugs (don't think I do though?). Mostly just asked this question to see if any of you had the same problems

Can be even simpler than jack suggested. The trapezius muscle, particularily the upper portions, has a number of trigger point locations that, when active, can refer pain up the neck and to the head. You may be activating these trigger points with your workout, make sure you are stretching and even icing the traps post workout. The other possible culprit, and even more likely if your form is off and you are straining, can be the SCM muscles (sternocleidomastoid). They run from the sternoclavicular joint (collar bone) to the base of the skull, and when you strain at a weight you may notice them flare and contract. They are very sensitive and a common cause of headaches. These are all tension type headaches.

Secondary possibilies are cervicogenic headaches caused by joint strains in the neck...