One of the most common causes of neck pain is misalignment of structural of spine in neck or upper back. When these occur they cause interference with the nerves of spine and cause pain. Headache can be caused by neck pain, in which turning head from side to side can make it worst.
Neck pain and headaches are often connected due to stiff neck or irritated spinal nerve. The pain is described as dull nagging and persistent pain in your neck and head. You may suffer from sharp shooting pain at back of the skull, temple or behind one eye. It’s depending on the cervical nerves affected. Pains in the back of your head or neck can travel down your spine and cause middle back pain or weakness in shoulders.
Symptoms of Neck Pain and Headaches
- Neck pain that results in a stiff neck and problems moving your neck
- Shoulder pain caused by a pinched shoulder nerve
- Weakness in one of your arms due to neck pain or inflammation of your cervical spine
- A tingling sensation running over your shoulder blade and down one arm
- Feeling of “pins and needles” at the base of your skull.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Symptoms :
- Head pain localised to the neck on the same side
- Pain may radiate to forehead, orbital region, temples or ears
- Often caused by neck movement / sustained awkward head positioning ( such as painting the ceiling / washing the floor )
- Limited neck movement
To help relieve cervicogenic headache,
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Stretching exercise
- Posture and ergonomic evaluation
Tension Headaches
Symptoms :
- The pain is described as ‘ a band of pain around my head like a head band ‘
- Pain quality ‘ tightness / squeezing / pressure ‘
- The pain should be even
- Not throbbing, no nausea, no photophobia ( sensitive to light ).
To help relieve tension headaches,
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Myofascial trigger point technique
- Stretching exercise
Cluster Headaches
Symptoms :
- Head pain and neck pain that comes on suddenly
- Affects one side of the head
- Intense pain behind one eye and occur quickly
- The pain is described as ‘excruciating’, ‘penetrating’ and ‘piercing’
- Might related with facial sweating & flushing, tearing / blockage of nose
To help relieve cluster headaches,
- Occipital myofascial release
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Stretching exercise
Migraine
Symptoms :
- The pain is usually moderate to severe throbbing or pulsatile
- Pain is one sided and localised in frontal/temporal area
- The related effect will be nausea and vomiting
- Patient with more severe case in migraine will be sensitive towards light and sound ( migraine with aura )
- Might be related with menstruation / PMS, puberty or menopause
To help relieve migraine,
- Chiropractic adjustment
- Myofascial trigger point technique / massage
- Stretching exercise
- Stress management and nutrition guidance
Stretching Exercises for neck pain
- Sit on a chair with your back straight.
- Roll your shoulders backward and down. Repeat 10 times.
- Squeeze your shoulder blade together, hold the position for a few seconds and release. Repeat 10 times.
- Put your hands on the back of your head, hold your head, and push your head into your hands. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Tilt your head to one side as far as it can go without causing pain. Repeat 10 times on each side.
‘ The beauty of this exercise to strengthen your upper back and get rid of back and neck pain is that you can do it while sitting at your desk or in the car. ‘
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