Neck pain can be a very annoying condition and have a negative impact on your day-to-day activities. Add to it a recurring headache, and your day is sure to get spoiled!
Many different conditions can be the reason behind your neck pain and headache. However, while some conditions may originate as a neck issue and lead to a headache, other instances may involve a headache evoking neck pain.
Let’s explore both scenarios in detail.
Why Does Neck Pain Cause Headaches?
Headaches that arise from a neck condition are generally chronic in nature and differ in type as per the underlying cause.
Since the cervical (connected with the neck) nerves transmit pain signals, neck issues can provoke cervicogenic headaches, resulting in neck pain, stiffness, nausea, blurred vision, etc.
Similarly, a pinched nerve in the neck can initiate severe headaches caused by a condition known as occipital neuralgia.
Causes of Neck Pain
Various factors such as neck muscle/ligament strains, injuries and neck conditions can cause neck pain. The following are the most common causes of neck pain:
- Consistent improper posture
- Desk jobs
- Stiffness in the neck muscles
- Neck injuries
- Persistent phone usage with poor neck posture
- Inappropriate sleeping positions
- Herniated or bulging disc
- A pinched nerve in the neck
Types of Headaches That May Cause Neck Pain
Specific kinds of headaches can cause pain that radiates into the neck region. Here are a few examples of headaches that cause neck pain:
Migraine
Migraine is basically a recurring headache that is characterised by medium to intense pain on one particular side of the head. It may also cause symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to bright light and/or loud sounds. Neck pain prior to a migraine attack or during it is pretty common.
Following are a few triggers that are known to cause migraine headaches:
- Stress
- Hormone fluctuations
- Climate changes
- Regularly skipping meals
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
TMJ headaches are mild aches that begin around the temple region of the head and the Temporomandibular Joint. They may sometimes be confused as ear pain.
TMJ disorders that cause headaches are usually a culmination of multiple factors such as:
- Genetics
- Degeneration of muscles or ligaments
- Injury to the TMJ
- Dislocation of the TMJ
- Muscle fatigue/weakness in the TMJ
- Arthritis of the jaw
Neck Problems That Can Cause Headaches
Certain kinds of headaches can be the consequence of neck issues like injury, inflammation, chronic neck tension, etc.
- Injury: Injury to the neck muscles or ligaments can cause cervicogenic headaches, also known as secondary headaches.
- Inflammation: Inflammation of the muscles, nerves, tendons or joints can cause cervicogenic headaches.
- Chronic Neck Tension: Muscle contractions in the neck area, face or scalp due to strain, stress, tiredness, etc., can cause headaches.
Treating a Pinched Nerve in the Neck
Treatment for neck pain and headache differs from person to person depending on various factors like the underlying condition causing it, whether the condition is severe or mild, and current symptoms. If you are experiencing neck pain and headache and suspect a spinal disorder to be the reason behind it, then it is time to consult with a spine expert.
A pinched nerve in the neck is generally treated through the following treatments:
Physical Therapy
Muscle strengthening and stretching exercises can be prescribed to you as per the location of the pinched nerve in the neck. This can help boost the strength of neck muscles, enhance the range of motion and alleviate neck pain.
Injections
Some doctors may recommend taking steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain until the nerve is expected to recover.
About ANSSI:
ANSSI Wellness focuses on improving the quality of life for patients suffering from spinal issues, aiming to provide relief where other conventional treatments have failed. Through advanced non-surgical spinal decompression treatment, ANSSI is committed to helping patients avoid surgery and recover in a safe, effective, and compassionate environment.
