Is Your Headache a Pain in the Neck?

There are so many different types of headaches and headache causes that sometimes, people just learn to live with the discomfort, take pills to alleviate what pain they can, and wait for the headache to pass. But certain headaches may actually be caused by something you can control – neck pain.

The Neck Has More to Do with Headaches Than We Give It Credit For

Just at the base of the skull you’ll find a group of muscles, the suboccipital muscles. You may even subconsciously try to massage or stretch these muscles when you’re feeling stressed or have been hunched over a computer. These muscles in your neck can be a significant factor in stress and tension headaches.

Signs of Suboccipital Muscle Tension

In addition to a headache, there are other symptoms of suboccipital muscle tension. You may have had an injury from a car accident that caused whiplash. You may notice yourself grinding your teeth, feeling restless when seated because of unexplained discomfort, and more.

What Does the Headache Feel Like?

The headache caused by tension in the suboccipital muscles feels like a tight band tied around your head. Because inflammation of these muscles can also compress nerves, you may feel sharp pain above your eyes and over your head as well.

Treat Tension Headaches by Addressing Root Causes of Neck Muscle Pain

One of the most common reasons for this type of headache-inducing neck pain is having your head and neck in the wrong position for an extended period. By adjusting your computer to eye level and enlarging the screen size, you can minimize this tension. You can also focus on squaring your shoulders to prevent slouching. A yoga class can help you be more mindful of your neck muscles.

What Should I Do If I Think My Headaches are Caused by My Neck?

Because neck pain can be unique for each patient, we recommend making an appointment with Complete Neurological Care. Our physicians will evaluate your neck pain and may recommend trigger point injections. These tiny knots of contracted muscle can cause significant, radiating pain, especially around your neck. Your back and neck pain doctor will introduce a special anesthetic solution into the trigger point to release muscle tension.

Schedule an appointment today for back and neck pain treatment at Complete Neurological Care, located in Queens, Downtown Manhattan, Midtown Manhattan, Long Island, Upper West Side, the Bronx, and New Jersey. Our expert neurologists are equipped with the skills and technology necessary to diagnose and treat your neurological concerns.