Migraines are among the most prevalent neurological illnesses, characterized by intense, debilitating headache pain that often includes nausea and vision changes.
Neck pain is a frequent symptom of migraines and should be seen more as an indicator than an actual cause. In most instances, however, neck pain should not be seen as the source of any headache discomfort but rather treated as such.
When experiencing neck pain alongside a headache, it’s essential to consider the possibility of a migraine. According to Dr. Sandhya Kumar, a renowned neurologist specializing in headaches at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston Salem, North Carolina, this combination is a common symptom of migraine headaches.
Understanding the Migraine-Neck Pain Link
Migraine headaches can manifest with various symptoms, and neck pain is frequently reported by migraine sufferers. Dr. Sandhya Kumar highlights the connection between neck pain and migraines, suggesting that while there can be other underlying causes for neck pain accompanied by a headache, it is often associated with migraines.
Neck Pain and Migraines
Causes
Neck pain is one of the hallmark symptoms of migraines. This typically appears on one side as the headache and can manifest either during or following an attack.
Research has indicated that neck pain is typically caused by stimulation of the trigeminal nerve in the head and neck region. This nerve controls facial feelings as well as muscular actions like biting and chewing; when stimulated it sends pain messages directly to the brain as well as initiating blood vessel inflammation in the area.
Neck pain may be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen (Motrin, Tylenol) as well as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans, ergotamine and caffeine combinations (ERGOTAMINOIDS) or narcotics; some people also find relief through neck traction or physical therapy sessions.
If your neck pain isn’t due to migraine symptoms, other treatment may be needed such as herniated cervical disc syndrome where a soft disc between vertebrae in your neck bulges out and presses on nerves inflicting painful symptoms causing intense discomfort affecting all nerve endings of your spine; treatment involves removal.
Symptoms
Neck pain is often one of the first telltale symptoms of migraine headaches and typically affects just one side of the head. The dull but sometimes throbbing pain may be made worse by movement and light/sound.
Migraines typically last several hours up to a day and come with other symptoms such as light sensitivity/sound sensitivity/ nausea & vomiting or changes in senses such as flashing lights/blind spots/tingling sensations/smelling certain scents etc.
Neck pain associated with migraines may be treated using over-the-counter and prescription anti-nausea drugs such as acetaminophen, naproxen and ibuprofen as well as triptans, dihydroergotamine or other similar anti-nausea agents like triptans.
Physical therapy or chiropractic care may also provide relief. To properly diagnose the source of your neck discomfort it’s essential that its source is identified first as this will prevent unnecessary tests or procedures being performed – your doctor will listen, feel it and move it several different times while listening.
Diagnosis
Migraine attacks do not usually lead to physical symptoms detectable via tests like an MRI; as a result, diagnosis usually relies on your medical history and physical exam which include an evaluation of duration, frequency, severity and triggers of neck pain.
Doctors may use various techniques, including palpation or pressing of certain areas on your neck and upper spine and asking you to move in various ways, to assess any discrepancies between how they appear on X-ray or an MRI and your true structure of head, neck and upper spine structure.
Research has demonstrated that 89% of those suffering migraines experience neck pain, Dr. Rashmi Halker Singh, a neurologist at Mayo Clinic says; however, most often this symptom rather than being the primary trigger for their migraine headache.
A migraine usually produces unilateral throbbing or pulsating pain while neck pain often comes along with other cranial autonomic symptoms such as aural fullness, lacrimation, facial/forehead sweating and allodynia that appear before, during, or even days following the migraine headache itself.
These can last anywhere between minutes and days after first appearing and can last anywhere between minutes and days or more before appearing during or prior or even during migraine headache episodes – giving rise to headaches that usually caused unilateral throbbing or pulsating pain rather than any triggers or triggers!
Treatment
Migraines are treatable medical conditions. If you experience neck pain in combination with migraine headaches, be sure to see a healthcare provider to identify if the two conditions are connected and start treatment as soon as possible.
Before seeing a provider directly, track your symptoms for several weeks in a pain diary in order to gain a greater insight into the frequency and severity of your neck pain and migraine headaches.
Your healthcare provider may suggest over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as Tylenol or Excedrin (acetaminophen and aspirin) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen for pain relief, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen if OTC medication doesn’t help; otherwise they might prescribe migraine specific medication like Fioricet (acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine), Zomig (zolmitriptan), or Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm).
Finally they might recommend physical therapy; in most cases when people with migraine come to visit doctors complaining of neck pain they don’t find structural abnormalities but rather find that this pain serves as a precursor of migraine attacks; rather, this discomfort serves as a precursor.
How to Manage Neck Pain During a Migraine Attack
Here are some helpful tips for managing neck pain during a migraine attack:
- Cold Compress or Ice Pack: Apply a cold compress or ice pack to your head for 15 minutes, take a 15-minute break, and repeat.
- Heat Therapy: Try heat therapy by placing a heat pack on the back of your neck or taking a hot shower.
- Massage: Get a massage to relieve pain in trigger points in the neck and scalp muscles.
- Posture Maintenance: Maintain good posture to alleviate neck strain.
- Appropriate Pillow: Use an appropriate pillow that supports your neck and promotes proper alignment.
- Daily Journal: Keep a daily journal to track your migraine attacks and identify triggers or patterns.
- Physical Therapy: Visit a physical therapist who can provide targeted exercises and stretches to alleviate neck pain.
- Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Take over-the-counter pain relief medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
- Stretching Exercises: Engage in stretching exercises that target the neck muscles to reduce tension and improve flexibility.
It’s important to try a combination of these tips to determine which ones work best for managing your headache and neck pain. If your symptoms occur frequently or worsen over time, it is advisable to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Can Neck Pain Indicate a Serious Condition?
While neck pain is commonly associated with migraines, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition. Although rare, neck pain can be a symptom of a cervicogenic headache, which is caused by an underlying neck disorder or injury, such as a tumor, fracture, or infection.
If you experience severe headache along with neck pain, as well as symptoms like fever, rash, nausea or vomiting, confusion, trouble speaking, vision loss, difficulty walking, or muscle weakness, it is crucial to consult a doctor promptly.
Other Conditions that Cause Neck Pain
In addition to migraines, neck pain can stem from various other conditions, including:
– Arthritis
– Disc degeneration
– Spinal canal narrowing
– Muscle inflammation
– Strain or trauma
– Cervical dystonia
– Cervical spondylosis
– Fibromyalgia
– Herniated disk
– Meningitis
– Myofascial pain syndrome
– Osteoarthritis
– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Tumors
If you experience neck pain accompanied by symptoms such as fever, headache, numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms or hands, or pain radiating into a shoulder or down an arm, it is important to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
