HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR HEADACHES ARE A PAIN IN YOUR NECK

We call them headaches because we feel the pain in our heads. But, rarely is the source of the pain actually in your head. All pain is caused by some sort of irritation, pressure, or damage to nerves. The question is where are the nerves being irritated. Heart attacks can cause pain down the left arm even though there is nothing wrong with the left arm.

If you don’t identify the location of the nerve irritation and tension then you are unlikely to solve the problem. Taking pain medication might help temporarily but it is doing nothing to address the underlying cause. 

Let’s explore how to find out if your headaches are caused by imbalance, tension, and irritation in the delicate nerves and muscles of the cervical spine. 

Before going further make sure not to miss any of my articles, videos or posts. Make sure to subscribe here:

Facebook: Life Chiropractic Facebook
YouTube: Life Chiropractic YouTube
Instagram: Life Chiropractic Instagram

I’VE FOUND THAT THE NECK IS THE MOST COMMON SOURCE OF HEADACHES

One of the motivations I had more than 40 years ago to explore chiropractic was headaches I was experiencing. They were interfering with my ability to function in every area of my life. I couldn’t sit for long, didn’t sleep well, had neck pain, and almost daily headaches.

I had never even heard of chiropractic when my mother suggested I see her friend’s chiropractor. I had no concept of what chiropractic was or how it worked. I’m grateful to this day that I was willing to explore chiropractic. That day was literally a new beginning for me that shifted the focus and direction of my life. 

I’ve spent the last 35 years researching and refining ways to help people overcome headaches, pain, fatigue, anxiety and more that are predictable and repeatable. While I’m always looking to improve, I’ve got it down pretty darn well.

YOUR NECK IS CAUSING YOUR HEADACHES AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Maybe you’ve heard of cervicogenic headaches. That’s Latin for coming from the neck. Most physicians believe it only applies to a small subset of headaches. When  we look at headaches or any pain for that matter, we need to explore where the pain is coming from. Only then do we stand a chance of correcting the problem. 

What I’ve discovered over the years is that the neck is almost always the source of headaches for a couple for reasons. Some are really obvious and some not so much. The bottom line is that when you correct the problems and imbalances in the neck the headaches always improve and most often resolve. 

WHY YOUR NECK IS SO IMPORTANT

  • There are 3 pairs of nerves that come from the upper neck and travel into the head. They go to the back of the head, side or temple, and forehead. If you pinch those nerves, guess what? Headache!
  • The upper neck is home to the Brainstem. This is the control center for most of the critical functions of the body, like heart rate, digestion, and muscle tension. 
  • The neck should have a curve in it going forward. Since the spinal cord and brainstem are tethered to the base of the skull and both the upper and lower neck, any straightening of the neck curve puts the spinal cord under tension. 
  • Chronic tension and spasm of the neck muscles pulls the neck straight and increases pressure on the nerves to the head. 

IS YOUR NECK THE CAUSE? LET’S FIND OUT!

Let’s check a few things to get a good idea if your neck might be the source of your headaches.

  • Range of Motion: if you have any restricted motion especially in the upper neck it is putting tension on your Brainstem and those Occipital Nerves. Try these:
    • Standing, look down at the floor bending only your neck. Do you feel any stiffness, discomfort, tendion or pain in your neck or upper back?
    • Standing, look up at the ceiling using only your neck. Can you easily see the ceiling above your head? Do you feel any tightness, discomfort or pain, especially at the top of your neck?
    • Stand with your back against a wall and turn your head as far as you can right and left. Can you easily see the wall behind each shoulder equally? Do you feel any tightness, discomfort or pain in your neck?
  • Upper Neck Muscles: there are small muscles, smaller around than a pencil that attach the top 2 vertebra to each other and attach to the base of your skull. Let’s see if these muscles are being overworked:
    • Press your thumbs or index fingers into the base of your skull just above your neck. Press towards your eyes. Start on each side at the knob of bone in the center of base of your skull. Put pressure starting on both the right and left sides of the knob and move toward the ears. Are there sensitive and tender spots?
    • Press on your neck just below your skull down about 2 inches on both right and left sides. Do you find any sensitive or tender spots?
  • When you turn your head side to side or look up at the ceiling or down toward the floor do you hear any sound in your neck, a little like sandpaper?

WHAT’S THE VERDICT?

  • Did you experience any tightness in your motion or imbalance from side to side?
  • Did you feel any discomfort or pain on any of the neck motions?
  • Was there any tenderness at the base of your skull where those muscles attach?
  • Was there any tenderness of the muscles in the upper neck?
  • Do you experience any sandpaper or crunchy sounds especially in the upper neck?

If you answered yes to any of these there’s a really good chance your headaches are starting in your neck, even if you don’t have any neck pain. Pressure to any of these tissues can cause headaches with minimal neck pain. 

Make sure to subscribe to my social media channels where I regularly post tips, insights and practices to help you.

Facebook: Life Chiropractic Facebook
YouTube: Life Chiropractic YouTube
Instagram: Life Chiropractic Instagram

Schedule a Consultation, History and Exam here: Life Chiropractic

I look forward to exploring how we can help you.