T Nation

Headache on Top of the Head From Heavy Lifting

#1

Hello all,

After I finished my powerlifting program in August I started from 1st of September Mike O’Hearn’s powebuilding workout routine.
First week went smooth already feeling change.
As I started the second week with chest I started having extreme pain in the top of the head while starting with a heavy bench press and then it will carry as a mild headache during the moderate weight lifting phase.
Thing is that during my powerlifting phase ( 3 times per week) I never had any problem with headaches now I train 5 days per week and I just started having the headaches.

What do you advice?

Thank you in advance.

#2

My first thought is that if you’re now using higher reps than you’re used to, you could be holding your breath and causing a kind of exertion headache. Make sure you consciously breathe during the reps, unlike a lot of lower rep powerlifting work where you can get away with holding your breath for fewer reps.

#3

I thought about that, today when I started doing my 5 reps of squat ( I start with heavy deep squats for 7x5 and then front squat with lower weight 5x10) I had immediately a headache around the 3rd rep although first time I got 2 days before doing bench press (again with the heavier weight).
Should I take a break from everything for about a week do you think?
even running ? ( I do around 5km low intensity running 4 days per week) and abs (6 days per week).

#4

Could be a tumor, I’d go see a doctor.