Neck Pain and Headaches: What’s the Connection?
Neck Pain and Headaches: What’s the Connection?
You wake up with a stiff neck. A few hours later, you have a headache. Or maybe the pain seems to start at the base of your skull and gradually travel toward your forehead.
Coincidence? Not necessarily.
Neck pain and headaches can sometimes be connected, particularly when muscles, joints, nerves, or other structures in the neck are irritated. For people dealing with recurring headaches and neck discomfort, identifying where the symptoms are coming from can be an important step toward finding appropriate treatment.
At Xcell Injury Care in Elyria, Ohio, we evaluate musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain, including symptoms that may develop following car accidents, work injuries, poor posture, and repetitive strain.
Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches?
Yes. Problems involving the neck can sometimes contribute to headaches.
One example is a cervicogenic headache, which originates from structures in the cervical spine, or neck. Although the source may be in the neck, a person can feel pain elsewhere in the head.
These headaches may be associated with:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Reduced neck movement
- Pain near the base of the skull
- Pain that travels toward the forehead or behind an eye
- Headaches triggered or aggravated by certain neck movements
- Shoulder or upper-back discomfort
Not every headache that occurs with neck pain is cervicogenic, however. Headaches have many possible causes, which is why persistent or unusual symptoms should be properly evaluated.
Why Can Problems in Your Neck Make Your Head Hurt?
Your neck is a complex system of vertebrae, joints, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
When these structures become irritated or injured, pain signals originating in the upper cervical region may be perceived as pain in the head.
Muscle tension can also play a role. Long periods spent looking at a computer or phone, poor posture, stress, and repetitive movements can place additional strain on the muscles supporting the head and neck.
The result may be a familiar combination: tight shoulders, a stiff neck, and a pounding or aching head.
Can Whiplash Cause Neck Pain and Headaches?
Neck pain and headaches are also common complaints following car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions.
During a collision, the head and neck can move rapidly backward and forward. This sudden movement may strain muscles, ligaments, joints, and other structures in the cervical spine.
This type of injury is commonly associated with whiplash.
Symptoms may include:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Upper-back discomfort
- Reduced range of motion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Tingling or numbness
One important thing to remember is that symptoms after a car accident may be delayed. You might walk away from a crash feeling relatively normal only to develop neck stiffness or headaches later that day or over the following days.
If new headaches or neck pain develop after a car accident in Lorain County, consider getting evaluated rather than assuming the symptoms will simply disappear.
Could Your Phone or Computer Be Contributing to Neck Pain?
Modern life isn’t particularly kind to our necks.
Think about how often you look downward at a phone, laptop, or tablet. Holding your head forward or downward for extended periods can increase strain on the muscles and structures supporting your neck.
Sometimes called “tech neck,” this pattern may contribute to:
- Neck stiffness
- Aching shoulders
- Upper-back discomfort
- Muscle fatigue
- Reduced neck mobility
- Headaches
Improving workstation ergonomics, taking movement breaks, changing positions regularly, and strengthening supporting muscles may help address contributing factors.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Neck Pain and Headaches?
For some people, chiropractic care may be an appropriate conservative treatment option for certain musculoskeletal causes of neck pain and associated headaches.
Depending on the patient’s condition and evaluation, treatment may include chiropractic manipulation or mobilization, soft-tissue techniques, stretching, exercise recommendations, ergonomic changes, and physical rehab.
There isn’t a single treatment that’s right for every headache or every patient.
The first step is determining whether the headache may be related to a musculoskeletal problem involving the neck or whether symptoms suggest that another type of medical evaluation is needed.
When Should You Get Neck Pain and Headaches Checked?
An occasional headache or stiff neck doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious problem. However, recurring or persistent symptoms shouldn’t simply become part of your normal routine.
Consider getting evaluated if:
- Your headaches repeatedly occur with neck pain
- Your neck feels persistently stiff
- Turning your head makes the headache worse
- Symptoms began after a car accident
- Pain interferes with sleep or work
- You experience recurring shoulder or upper-back pain
- Neck pain extends into an arm
- You experience numbness or tingling
Some headache symptoms require more urgent medical attention. Seek prompt medical care for a sudden, extremely severe headache, a headache following significant head trauma, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, fainting, fever with severe neck stiffness, vision changes, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, or weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neck Pain and Headaches
What does a neck-related headache feel like?
Symptoms vary, but some people experience pain beginning near the neck or base of the skull and extending upward. Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion may occur at the same time.
Can poor posture cause neck pain and headaches?
Prolonged or awkward positioning may contribute to muscle tension and strain in the neck and shoulders, which can be associated with headaches in some people.
Why do I have a headache after a car accident?
Headaches after a collision can have several possible causes, including whiplash and other neck injuries. However, headaches can also occur with concussion or other injuries, so new or worsening headaches following an accident should be evaluated.
Can chiropractic care help headaches caused by neck problems?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some musculoskeletal conditions associated with neck pain and certain headaches. An evaluation is important to determine the possible source of symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
Can physical rehab help with neck pain?
Depending on the condition, physical rehab may be used to improve strength, mobility, flexibility, and function and may be combined with other conservative treatment approaches.
Your Headache May Be Telling You to Look at Your Neck
If headaches keep appearing alongside neck stiffness, soreness, or reduced movement, treating the headache alone may not address the underlying issue.
Whether your symptoms developed gradually from posture and repetitive activity or appeared following a car accident or work-related injury, identifying what’s contributing to your pain can help determine the next steps.
Xcell Injury Care serves patients throughout Lorain County, Ohio, providing evaluation and conservative care for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, including neck and back pain.
If recurring neck pain and headaches are disrupting your work, sleep, or daily activities, schedule an evaluation with us and find out what may be contributing to your symptoms.