Headaches: What a Pain in the…Neck?

A closer look at how neck function and headaches are linked   

Did you know that there are almost 200 different types of headaches?  

There are actually so many different headaches that it can be very difficult to determine the cause of a headache.  Because the severity of headaches can range from minor inconveniences to potentially life-threatening, it is important to get headaches properly assessed.  

Migraines and tension headaches are not life-threatening but can still cause a lot of pain and suffering.  A lot of the time, people experience neck pain when they get headaches.  Interestingly, the neck, in some cases, may actually be the culprit.

There is a specific type of headache that comes from the neck call a “Cervicogenic headache”. Cervico refers to the cervical or neck region of the spine, while Genic means producing symptoms. So, a Cervicogenic headache indicates a head pain that is generated by the neck.  

Cervicogenic headaches are very common after a neck injury like whiplash. Cervicogenic headaches are also caused by prolonged periods of stress or even bad posture.  The headache emerges when the small joints and muscles of the neck get irritated, effecting the nerves in the surrounding area that travel to the head. 

Because there are so many different types of headaches, even though many show similar symptoms, it becomes hard to identify what the cause or source is. Cervicogenic headaches share similar symptoms to those of migraines or tension types headaches, which include:

· Head pain – usually only on one side

· They are more common in females

· The pain can range from mild to severe

· The pain can be accompanied by nausea

· There may be associated sensitivity to light and/or sound

The defining feature of a Cervicogenic headache though, is the physical symptoms in the neck – most often pain and stiffness.  

Next time you have a headache, check out a few things:

1. Look side to side and up and down.  See if you have the same degree of motion in all directions.

2. Now gently squeeze your shoulders. Do you feel tension?

3. Find the top of your spine where your neck meets your head.   Gently push on either side of the spine and work your way down your neck until you reach your upper back.  Do you feel any areas of tenderness?

You are looking for tenderness, limited motion, or a change in the severity of your headache symptoms.  If these exercises affect your headache then it is quite possible that there is a relationship between your neck and your head pain. Your neck might actually be causing your headache.  

The best thing to do with any headache is to get it checked out. Thorough physical and neurological testing will rule out any serious pathology and can determine the cause of the headache. Also, if you do have a Cervicogenic headache, there is great treatment available to you. 

Chiropractors specialize in treating the muscles, joints and nerves of the body, especially the ones in the neck that are involved in Cervicogenic headaches. Treatment can include soft tissue and muscle work to reduce the tension in the muscles. Mobilizations and manipulations are used to regain motion in the joints and reduce irritation to the nerves that supply the head. Exercise and postural advice is also added to strengthen and prevent another episode.  Your practitioner may also recommend acupuncture, give you nutritional advice, or prescribe other relaxation techniques to reduce your symptoms.  

It is important to remember that sometimes neck pain and tenderness is a symptom of the common headache and other times it can be the actual root of the problem. Either way, I urge you not to ignore your symptoms. Get your headaches checked out, and enjoy your many options for helpful treatment.  

Dr. Lara Lever, DC