Can neck tension cause headaches, and how do I ease it?

Yes - many headaches start in the neck rather than the head. When the muscles at the base of the skull and across the shoulders stay tight, from screen posture, stress and hours of holding the head forward, that tension can refer pain up and over the scalp as a dull, banded "tension headache". The head feels like the problem, but the neck and shoulders are often where it is built.

Gravity Stretching decompresses the neck and upper spine and opens the tight shoulders and chest that pull the head forward, so the muscles at the base of the skull stop working overtime. The slow, breath-led pace also calms the nervous system, which is a big part of why tension headaches build in the first place. People often describe their head and neck feeling lighter and clearer afterward.

Keep it gentle and regular - inversion sends a little extra pressure toward the head, so a beginner starts short and easy. This is a wellness practice, not medical treatment; if your headaches are severe, sudden, frequent, or come with vision changes or numbness, see a doctor first.