Can headaches come from neck pain?

The short answer is yes, but we will dive into it a bit. Headaches are common in patients having neck pain. The issue however is that complications that can cause neck pain, are at times solely responsible for headaches alone. At times people have headaches that are like migraines but then some part of the neck makes them more pronounced or painful. Neck pain can be associated with several different types of headaches. One type of headache associated with neck pain is a cervicogenic headache. We see these headaches in patients who have been in motor vehicle accidents and suffer an injury that causes whiplash.

Arthritis, neck sprains, a pinched nerve, or a neck fracture can also lead to cervicogenic headaches. While less common, your sleep position and your posture at work might also trigger this type of headache. According to the American Migraine Association, a specific source of pain in the head or neck causes a cervicogenic headache. It leads to a dull, aching pain on one side of the head. Some symptoms that you may be experiencing include: ·Limited range of motion of the patient’s neck ·A headache that worsens as a result of specific movements ·Increased headache pain due to pressure on the neck ·Pain that typically occurs on one side of the head ·Pain that starts in the back of the head or neck and travels behind the eyes Cervicogenic headaches are typically the result of an underlying condition in the neck, so treatments focus on the neck. This may include physical therapy, medications, and even an injection in the neck or back to improve muscle functions.

Nerve blocks are another common treatment for this type of headache and accompanying neck pain. People experiencing these headaches should contact MIPM today for a comprehensive consultation. Muscles located at the base of the skull and the top of the neck can contribute to headache pain. Another type of headache is a tension headache which gradually gets worse with time with neck pain accompanying it. Fatigue, stress, and muscle strain are often underlying causes of these headaches. The suboccipital muscles found in the neck may become inflamed and tender when someone has a tension headache. These tension headaches often lead to throbbing pain on both sides of the head. The pain might come and go.

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