Headaches

[Willie6622]

I have a pretty big problem... I just started lifting again about 5 months ago after about 1 year off. Things were going good, but the last 3 workouts I have get a slight stiffness in my neck & one hell of a headache in the back right side of my head. The headache starts when I'm bench pressing, and gets worse with each set. I've had to quit the last 2 times and go back the next day to finish the rest of my routine.

I have 2 questions: Anyone ever have this problem?

2. I usually do bench press 3 sets
Incline 3 sets
Cable Machine 3 sets
Shoulder Press 3 sets
Dumbell side raises 3 sets
6 stes of various tricep exercisis

Will it hurt to go back next day and do shoulder & tricep exercises instead of doing same day as benches.

 

[blueta2]

sounds like tension headache.....warm up the neck first.
Severe headaches are not the norm when working out. If it keeps happening, I would get it checked out

 

[Protobuilder]

The pain you describe sounds very similar to something that used to happen to me when I was younger. I'd get severe shooting tension type headaches right where my neck meets my skull on the right side. It'd always start w/ bench and the throbbing would be too much. I'd have to quit. I narrowed it down to being caused by benching (probably pushing my head back into the bench) and/or breathing (intensely holding my breath during exertion I guess).

I didn't really "fix" it. It just went away eventually. In the meantime, I watched my breathing and was careful about driving w/ my head/neck on bench. It sucked and maybe you should get it checked out.

 

[sparetire]

take it light and then over a week or two, slowly increase your weight. You're probably lifting to much for your body at the moment and your neck muscle/shoulders are freakin out. If I can't finish tricep and shoulder on bench day, of course you can work it out the next day. If you get these headaches throughout the day, try a soma to relax the muscle created tension headache, that always works for me

 

[NickyE3]

Had that happen not too long ago. I took 2 weeks off and started back up slowly. It is fine now. Caused by muscle where the neck and scalp come together.

 

[Willie6622]

Thanks for the replies! It is really frustrating, because I really enjoy my chest/shoulder/tricep day, but being only able to workout the chest sucks. I might try to finish off my shoulders & arms tonight. I have been making some pretty good gains lately, and was worried splitting my workout into 2 parts like this will slow things down. I wanted to add that the headaches only last about an hour after lifting.

Thanks again.

 

[NickyE3]

Thanks for the replies! It is really frustrating, because I really enjoy my chest/shoulder/tricep day, but being only able to workout the chest sucks. I might try to finish off my shoulders & arms tonight. I have been making some pretty good gains lately, and was worried splitting my workout into 2 parts like this will slow things down. I wanted to add that the headaches only last about an hour after lifting.

Thanks again.

Mine started with the first set, of any workout, got worse till about the 3rd or 4th set - then it just stayed the same. Sometimes mine would still hurt all day long and sometimes it would quite about an hour after the workout.

 

[crazycarwes]

I got something similar while doing 20 rep squats for a few workouts. Hurt like hell but went away after like 4 workouts. Maybe something to do with the hard breathing? Havent had anything like it while doing any other exercises.

 

[justinjones1963]

Heat and massage should solve the problem.

 

[s8nlilhlpr]

I got something similar while doing 20 rep squats for a few workouts. Hurt like hell but went away after like 4 workouts. Maybe something to do with the hard breathing? Havent had anything like it while doing any other exercises.

I too had it start when I was using 20 rep squats. Mine was caused by holding my breath when it got tough, which I've fixed. Took a month for the headaches to go away completely, and they have not come back.