General Health

Are My Neck Pain and Headache Connected?

A headache can give rise to neck problems, and vice versa.

Medically Inspected by: Loreta D. Dayco, MD, Edilberto B. Garcia, Jr., MD, and Maria Christina H. Ventura, MD

Headaches and neck pains are undesirable experiences on their own. Unpleasant as they may be, these pains can be even more distressing when experienced at the same time. If you are someone who often gets headaches and neck pains together, you may have started wondering whether these two are related. Read on to learn more about the simultaneous occurrence of neck pain and headache.

Causes of neck pain

A painful neck may be due to various causes, such as:

Muscle strains
Damaged joints
Compressed nerves
Injuries
Certain diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis

Poor sleeping positions, bad posture, prolonged sitting, or even reading in bed may also contribute to experiencing pain in the neck.

Causes of headache

A multitude of reasons can also cause headaches and are consequently classified depending on their causes. Primary headaches are often the result of chemical activity in the brain or too much activity going on in pain-sensitive areas of the head. These are normally not a result of an underlying health condition and are triggered by various activities or habits, like exercising, coughing, drinking alcohol, changing sleep patterns, or skipping meals.

Secondary headaches are often a symptom of an underlying disease that arouses pain-sensitive nerves of the head. This includes headaches caused by sinusitis, blood clots, aneurysms, concussions, and more.

How neck pain and headache are connected

It is possible that a headache can give rise to neck problems, and vice versa. For instance, neck pain has been heavily linked to migraines, and studies conducted over the years have found that it is actually a common migraine symptom. Cluster headaches, which are headaches accompanied by one-sided pain and often occur in bouts or clusters, may also bring about pain that extends down the neck.

On the other hand, a condition called cervicogenic headache is a result of pain that starts in the neck and can be felt up to the head or face. Tension headaches are also a result of strained muscles in the head and neck, which often bring about neck pain.

How to manage the headache and neck pain combination

There are several easy ways to manage your headache and neck pain. A simple cold compress may help address both your headache and neck pain. Observing good posture can prevent unnecessary stress on your neck muscles and can also help avoid triggering a headache.

Pain-relieving medications like ibuprofen, paracetamol, or a combination of both may provide immediate relief from acute pain experienced in the head and neck. But if pain does not subside even after medication, it is crucial to consult your physician.

Taking note of important details such as the onset of pain or the activities you were doing when you experienced either type of pain may help your doctor better assess for underlying conditions and recommend a corresponding treatment plan.

General disclaimer

Your doctor will always be in the best position to give the appropriate medical advice for your condition. For suspected undesirable drug reaction, seek medical attention immediately and report to the FDA at www.fda.gov.ph and UNILAB, Inc. at 8-UNILAB-1 or productsafety@unilab.com.ph. Always buy your medicine from your trusted drugstores and retailers.

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