Unlocking the Mystery: How Your Neck Might Be the Hidden Culprit Behind Your Migraine
Neck Mobility and Migraine Headaches: What's the Connection?
INTRODUCTION
Migraine is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide.They may cause extreme pain, make you throw up, make you sensitive to light and sound, and make you want to lock yourself away in a dark, quiet room. Not only that, they can be unpredictable, leading to feelings of stress and anxiety about when the next episode is going to occur.
Many things can cause a migraine attack, and it can be hard to figure out what causes it. It can be so hard to figure out that many patients and doctors give up on the idea of finding the cause.Still, new research strongly supports what we have known for a long time—decades, in fact—that the neck may be more important for migraines than many people in the field thought before.
The relationship between migraines and the neck will be discussed in this article, along with the neck structures that might cause pain to radiate to the head and how the other "non-pain-related" symptoms of migraine can also be caused by the neck, albeit indirectly.
We will also talk about how looking at the joints, muscles, and discs in the neck can help find the real cause of migraines, which is the first step to getting real, long-term relief without drugs or invasive procedures. And if you have previously had your neck treated because of your migraine and it didn't work, you will want to read this article in full. Let's dive in and learn more about how your neck is likely the hidden culprit in your migraines and how you can identify if that is the case for you.
Migraines and the Neck: The Basics
Overly sensitive nerves in the neck and head are the root cause of both migraines and headaches.
The brainstem sends signals to the cervical spine from the nerves in the head, neck, face, mandible, scalp, blood vessels, and "fight or flight" response.The brainstem serves as the nervous system's central processing mechanism. Inputs from various body regions, including the scalp, face, stomach, neck joints, discs, and muscles, are also received by the brainstem.
If these other nerves send too much information to the brainstem nerves over time, the brainstem nerves can become overly sensitive. This can result in a condition known as hypersensitivity or hypervigilance. This makes the brainstem more susceptible to common migraine triggers such as tension, sleep deprivation, exercise, certain foods, and odors. Importantly, these triggers are not the cause of migraine symptoms but rather the culmination of a protracted hypersensitivity process.
The sensitised region of the brainstem contains nerves for the eyes, hearing, inner ear, and gut, which can result in a variety of symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. When a migraine is triggered, the brain enters a crisis state, and portions of it may close down to protect themselves.
The Relationship between the Neck and Migraine
Regarding the relationship between vertebrae and migraines, three factors must be considered. First, the joints of the neck, particularly the three joints at the top of the neck, can cause discomfort in the head and face. The location of the pain can help determine which joint is the primary source. If the discomfort is located above the lower portion of the eye, the C1 joint is likely to be the cause. If situated behind the eye, it is most likely C2. If your head feels like it's in a vice, your C1 nerve may be affected; if your lower and upper mandibles are affected, the C3 nerve may be to blame. Consequently, the joints are typically the first item examined at a migraine clinic. If you haven't had a headache and migraine specialist examine your upper neck, you may be overlooking the primary cause of your headaches and migraines.
Second, the sub-occipital muscles at the top of the neck can become overactive and tight, which can cause pain in the head.These muscles attach to the cranium and are associated with tension headaches. Migraines and the inferior oblique muscle are correlated. This muscle contains the greatest number of proprioceptors in the body. This is crucial because the brain must be aware of the body's position in space. If this muscle is tense, you may experience vertigo, nausea, and a loss of control, as if you were standing on a boat.
To ensure that you receive the highest quality care, inquire about potential practitioners' training and experience. Migraines can be complicated, so you must select the correct practitioner.
How your sleeping position can affect your neck and trigger migraine headaches
Migraine is a common disorder of the brain and nervous system that can cause severe pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.Even though no one knows for sure what causes migraines, a number of things, like changes in sleeping patterns and positions, can bring on an attack.
Migraines can be triggered by resting positions that cause neck strain. Certain sleeping positions can put pressure on the neck, causing muscle tension, joint irritation, and nerve compression, which are all migraine triggers. Here are a few of the most common sleeping positions that can lead to neck strain and migraines:
- Sleeping on your stomach: This sleeping position places a great deal of pressure on the neck, as you must turn your head to the side in order to breathe. This can cause your neck to twist and turn in unnatural positions, which can result in neck discomfort and migraines.
- Sleeping on your back: While sleeping on your back can be beneficial for your spine, if your pillow is too elevated, it can also cause neck strain. This can cause muscle tension and migraine headaches.
- Sleeping on your side: If you have a pillow that supports your head and neck, sleeping on your side is the best way to avoid neck pain and headaches.However, sleeping with your arm under your head can also cause cervical strain and migraines.
Migraine sufferers must pay close attention to their resting position and make any necessary adjustments. Additionally, a supportive bolster and a comfortable mattress can prevent neck strain and headaches. In addition, practising good sleep hygiene, such as going to bed and rising up at the same time every day, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a relaxing sleep environment, can help lower the risk of migraines.
Tips for desk workers on how to minimize the risk of neck strain and migraine headaches
Working at a desk all day can cause aches and pains. It's no wonder desk workers moan most about neck and migraine pain. Sitting, gazing at a screen, and typing on a computer can strain your neck and upper back, causing muscle tension, joint irritation, and nerve compression. These causes migraines.
Even if you work at a desk, you can reduce your risk of neck strain and headaches. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Take frequent breaks from your desk to stretch, rest your eyes, and walk around. At least once an hour, get up and move.
- Improve your posture’: Slouching at your work strains your neck and upper back, causing headaches. Sit up erect with relaxed shoulders and flat feet.
- Make sure your desk, chair, and computer monitor support good posture and reduce neck strain. Your display should be at eye level, and your chair should be high enough for your feet to touch the ground.
- Sitting in an uncomfortable chair can worsen neck pain and headaches. Buy a chair with back support and a tailbone cushion.
- Reduce worry: Migraines are often caused by stress. Meditation, deep breathing, and mild yoga can reduce stress.
These steps reduce neck strain and headaches while working at a desk. Always put your health first, even at work.
Neck Tension and its Role in Migraines
Migraines are a widespread and incapacitating disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Although there are numerous triggers for migraines, one that is frequently disregarded is neck tension. In fact, numerous studies have demonstrated that neck tension is a significant contributor to migraines. In this blog, we'll examine the link between cervical tension and migraines as well as what you can do to alleviate your symptoms.
What is neck tension?
Neck tension, also known as "neck strain," is a prevalent condition characterised by tight or strained neck muscles. This can be brought on by a number of factors, including poor posture, tension, anxiety, and sleeping in an awkward position. When the neck muscles are tense, they can produce a variety of symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.
The Relationship Between Neck Tension and Headaches
How does the tension in the neck contribute to migraines? The solution resides in the nerves that travel from the neck to the head. When neck muscles become tight or strained, they can place pressure on these nerves, which can trigger a migraine. In addition, the tension in the neck can tighten the muscles in the scalp, which can exacerbate headache discomfort.
Tension in the neck can be a significant contributor to migraines, and addressing this issue is crucial for managing your symptoms. By reducing tension in your neck and shoulders, you can alleviate migraine pain and enhance your overall quality of life. If you are experiencing migraines and neck tension, don't hesitate to communicate with your healthcare provider about potential treatment options.
Taking a Skilled Examination to the Next Level
A skilled examination can determine whether the neck is the cause of migraines, but it requires a steady hand, an in-depth enquiry, and a comprehensive physical examination. If your migraine pain is located in any area linked to C1, C2, or C3 (i.e., behind the eye(s), back of the skull, or sinus area), your neck is potentially the source of your migraines. So, it's important to get your neck checked out and find out what's causing your migraines.
Not all doctors have the advanced training they need to look for problems in the neck that cause migraines.
To make sure you get a full picture of how your neck is doing, you must choose a practitioner who has experience in this area. Some doctors only have 3 hours of headache training at university, which makes it challenging to understand all the possible causes of migraine.
A skilled practitioner can perform a series of tests to determine the root cause of your migraines and devise a customised treatment plan to target the underlying cause of your migraines effectively.
Do not be afraid to talk to a qualified practitioner to get the help you need to improve your quality of life.
Consider choosing a practitioner trained in the Watson Headache® Approach if you want a doctor with advanced training in looking at the neck for migraine-related problems.
This method is a type of physical therapy that is designed to help diagnose and treat headaches and migraines. As part of this rigorous training programme, practitioners must take advanced courses and continue to learn to keep their certification, often having completed hundreds of hours of ongoing training. It is always best to check with individual practitioners’ credentials, experience, and how many chronic and complex migraine patients they have seen. Training is great, but experience also matters.
The Watson Headache® Approach uses manual therapy techniques, exercise, and patient education to improve neck function and reduce the number and severity of headaches and migraines. Patients treated with this method have seen big changes in their symptoms and quality of life.
By choosing a healthcare professional who has been trained in the Watson Headache® Approach, you can be sure that you will be taken care of by someone who has specialised training and knowledge in figuring out what is wrong with you and how to treat headaches and migraines that are caused by your neck.
Make sure you get the best care possible by asking potential practitioners about their training and experience. Migraines can be complex, so you need to choose the right practitioner for you.
The team at Melbourne Headache Solutions undergoes hundreds of hours of training every year to be at the forefront of complex and chronic headache and migraine treatment. They are dedicated to providing comprehensive and personalised care to patients suffering from migraines and other headache disorders. They have extensive experience diagnosing and treating migraines, and they use the most up-to-date techniques that are backed by evidence to help manage symptoms and stop future attacks.
In addition to their clinical expertise, the team at Melbourne Headache Solutions also takes a patient-centred approach to care. They understand that each patient is unique and may require an individualised treatment plan to achieve the best results. Because not all migraines are caused by neck problems, it's critical to see a practitioner who can accurately assess the neck and the other important factors that may be causing it. Far too many patients are left to guess what is causing their migraines, and they simply try many different things. At Melbourne Headache Solutions, we take the time during the initial consultation to properly assess all of the major areas that could be the source of the migraine so that we can confidently treat the correct area from the beginning
Overall, choosing the right practitioner for migraines is critical to getting the care and support needed to manage this condition effectively. With the expertise and patient-centred care provided by Melbourne Headache Solutions, patients can feel confident in their choice of healthcare provider
