Neck Pain and Headaches

Patients with headaches also usually complain of neck pain. This connection is the rule, not the exception and hence, treatment for headaches must comprise treatment of the neck to attain optimum consequences. The term, "cervicogenic headaches" has been an accepted term because of the close link between the neck and head for many years. There are numerous anatomical reasons why neck issues result in headaches. A few of these include:


The origin or nucleus of the 5th cranial nerve known as the Trigeminal, innervates the sensation to the face and is located in the upper cervical region close to the origin of the 2nd cervical spinal nerve, which innervates sense to the back of the head up to the top. Therefore, difficulties situated in the upper neck will often result in painful sensation radiating upward from the foundation of the skull/upper neck over the top of the skull to the eyes and /or face.
The 11th cranial nerve that innervates the upper shoulders and muscles in the front of the neck arises in the top 5 to 7 spinal cord amounts in the neck. Harm anyplace in the neck can result in spasm and hurting in these big muscle groups.
These links can change facial muscle strength/movements, taste, tongue and throat movements, and stomach disorders such as nausea from these three cranial nerve interconnections, respectively.

A comprehensive evaluation of the neck, upper-back, and cranial nerves is routinely performed for the preceding reasons, when individuals seek treatment for his or her headaches. It is common to find upper cervical movement and vertebral alignment problems present in patients complaining of head ache. Painful points located involving the shoulder-blades, along the top shoulders, on the sides of the neck and particularly, in the bottom of the skull are commonly found. Hurting often radiates from the painful point over the top of the skull when pressure is used in the upper neck/base of the skull area. Tenderness in the sides of the head, in the temples, over the eyes, and close to the jaw joint may also be common. Grip or pulling the check out stretch the neck is often fairly hurting alleviating and this is normally performed as part of the chiropractic visit and can also be applied at home with the use of a home cervical traction unit. Quite satisfying relief is often brought by spinal adjustments applied to for the fixated or misaligned vertebra in the top neck to the headache sufferer. Exercises that promote motion in the neck, as well as strengthening exercises are also helpful in both in preventing events, particularly with anxiety or tension headaches and reducing headache pain.

rodechiropractic.com
chiropractor-poway.com
yelp.com/biz/rode-chiropractic-poway-2

by Dr. Kip Rode