The Connection Between Headaches and Neck Pain

You may feel some soreness in your neck when you have a headache. This is common because there is a direct correlation between headaches and neck pain. So when you have a headache, pay attention to whether or not it is accompanied by any tightness, soreness, or discomfort in the neck.  While medication is always an option, there are natural remedies that can help relieve the pain and discomfort connected with headaches and neck pain. One of them is chiropractic care; a safe and effective natural treatment for headaches and neck pain.  In this article, we’ll further explore the connection between headaches and neck pain and explain how chiropractic treatment can help with these conditions.

Headaches and Neck Pain

There are several sorts of headaches, each with its own unique set of triggers. How to tell which type you have and why it's happening might be difficult. However, if your headache is connected to a problem in your neck, it is most likely a cervicogenic headache (CH).

Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headache

One of the symptoms of CH is neck pain that occurs when you suddenly move your neck. In addition, if you keep your neck in the same posture for a long period, it might cause CH.

In addition, there may be other indications, such as:

●     Head or facial pain on one side.

●     Persistent pain.

●     Headache when you cough, sneeze or take a big breath.

●     Neck pain that lasts for several hours or even days.

●     Stiff neck.

Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches

Problems with the cervical vertebrae or muscles in your neck can cause CH and neck pain. Hairdressers, carpenters, office workers and truck drivers, for example, are at risk of developing CH as a result of the way they hold their heads while working. The neck and upper back are put under extra strain because of this "forward head motion."

Chiropractic treatment for cervicogenic headaches and neck pain

Cervicogenic headaches and neck pain can be successfully treated with a variety of chiropractic therapies, including the following:

Spinal Manipulation

This is one of the most prevalent methods of chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors use devices that impart a mild force to a specific joint during treatment. The focus of treatment is on the cervical vertebrae, which are positioned at the top of the spine in the neck area.

Trigger Point Therapy

The different symptoms of cervicogenic headaches and neck pain can be alleviated by this chiropractic therapy. The pain alleviation can also be felt in the neck, which is another common location for chronic pain. It also helps to increase the range of motion in the neck muscles.  For the effective treatment or management of cervicogenic headaches and neck discomfort, chiropractors typically use this treatment therapy alongside joint or spinal mobilization, spinal adjustment, and exercise rehabilitation.

Deep Neck Flexion Exercises

A neck flexion exercise might be helpful. This process, which requires you to move your joints and muscles actively, will be guided by your chiropractor.

To alleviate headaches and neck pain, the focus of this treatment is to extend and loosen the neck.

Joint Mobilization

Treating neck pain caused by cervicogenic headaches and vice versa is made easier with this technique. A passive movement of your joint is used to alleviate neck discomfort and improve head mobility. For headaches and neck pain management, the cervical bone is addressed in this procedure.

Final words

Headaches and neck pain can become debilitating if left untreated. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, can ease the discomfort and allow patients to return to an active lifestyle. The cervical spine is usually where the treatment is focused to alleviate discomfort and increase neck mobility. Common chiropractic treatments for headaches and neck pain usually include spinal adjustments, trigger point therapy, deep neck flexion exercises, and cervical mobilization.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neck-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20375581

https://www.healthline.com/health/headache/cervicogenic-headache

https://www.kadenchiropractic.com/patient-education-2/the-neck-and-headache-connection/