Understanding the Link Between Neck Pain and Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints in the world, and everyone has probably experienced one at least once in their lives. But did you know there’s sometimes a connection between neck pain and headaches?
It’s true! There are multiple types of headaches, each with its own set of symptoms and causes. One of these types is the cervicogenic headache. To understand a cervicogenic headache, let’s break down its name:
- Cervic: related to the neck portion of the spine
- Genic: meaning “produced or caused by”
Cervicogenic headaches, then, stem from the neck–or rather, dysfunctions in the neck.
As chiropractors, the team at Davis Chiropractic Center recognizes the spine’s role in our overall health. When something’s wrong with your neck, you might experience pain in the face or head–a headache.
Fortunately, we have extensive experience helping the Davis Chiropractic Center community manage both neck pain and headaches through holistic, drug-free treatment methods. Want to learn more? Keep reading, or request an appointment at our clinic!
What Can Cause a Cervicogenic Headache?
The first step in treating any headache is to determine its triggers. There are dozens of different headache triggers: skipping meals, not getting enough sleep, or loud noises, to name a few. But when your headache pain starts in your neck, it usually stems from improper postures and prolonged positions–such as spending long periods in front of a computer.
We’ll perform a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms to help us get to the bottom of your headache pain. When do the headaches develop? Is it during certain times of the day? After performing certain activities?
We’ll also assess your posture and mobility to see if we can identify any underlying weaknesses or injuries contributing to your headache pain. Finally, we can check for any nerve issues in your neck, as nerve injuries can often lead to cervicogenic headaches.
How We’ll Help You Find Relief for Neck Pain and Headaches
physical therapist have several treatment options for addressing impairments in the spine–including the cervical spine. We’ll develop a personalized treatment plan based on your unique situation and symptoms.
Our primary aim is to resolve the underlying cause of your headache pain. For some people, this may mean postural work and corrective exercises to build strength in the neck and upper back to properly support the neck. It might also mean making ergonomic adjustments to their workstation so that they aren’t putting undue strain on their neck.
If someone has an injury in their neck, we can work to resolve that, too. We might use manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation, to reduce pain and promote blood flow. Cervical spinal adjustments can help restore range of motion and manage pain.
Find Relief from Neck Pain and Headaches Today
Many people are surprised to learn that neck pain and headaches can go hand in hand. Fortunately, cervicogenic headaches can often resolve easily with some hands-on pain management approaches and a few simple lifestyle changes.
Ready to say goodbye to pain and discomfort? Request your appointment with Davis Chiropractic Center today! Call us today!