Which position helps relieve a spinal headache?

Which position helps relieve a spinal headache?

• A. Supine position
• B. Standing
• C. Prone
• D. Side-lying with head elevated

Answer: (A)

Spinal headaches after a lumbar puncture come from CSF leaking and causing low intracranial pressure. The pain tends to worsen when upright and improve when lying flat, because lying supine helps restore CSF pressure and reduces the brain sagging that contributes to the headache. Keeping the patient in a supine position provides the most relief, whereas standing or elevating the head tends to make symptoms worse.

Spinal headaches after a lumbar puncture come from CSF leaking and causing low intracranial pressure. The pain tends to worsen when upright and improve when lying flat, because lying supine helps restore CSF pressure and reduces the brain sagging that contributes to the headache. Keeping the patient in a supine position provides the most relief, whereas standing or elevating the head tends to make symptoms worse.