Headache Neck Pain

If you frequently get a headache with neck pain you may be suffering from muscle problems. We have discussed neck strain and detailed how the muscles can refer pain to the head. There is one particular region of the neck that is commonly involved in headaches.

The muscles illustrated here are related to headache from the jaw line to the side of the head. The "X" marks the area of strain and the red areas indicate pain referred to the head. This area is important because many of the neck muscles involved in a headache connect to the area right above at the base of the skull.
	Follow the diagram of the suboccipital muscles to see the relationship between headache and neck pain.

Typically, the headache is caused by neck problems like poor posture, overuse or stress. There is pain on motion which may also be in the shoulder of the same side. The headache pain is mild to severe with no throbbing sensation and may change when pressure is applied to the muscles. The headaches may last from a few hours to a few days or even weeks.

This type of headache pain usually responds well to neck exercises, posture correction, stress reduction and treatment of the area where the muscles attach as described above. One particular device that I like for treating the upper neck muscles is the headache neck pain release which can be adjusted to work those specific muscles. Using the weight of the head andd gravity, this device can reduce spasm of neck related headache muscles and, as you acclimate to it, can be used to self massage the area using various neck exercises while lying on it. It is based on an occipital release method of myofacial therapy.

Other structures in the neck can cause headaches. The discs and joints may also refer pain to the head in a similar manner. Degenerative neck arthritis can produce these types of headaches. Neck related headaches are the cause in as high as 20% of patients with chronic headaches and is four times more prevalent in women.

Headaches related to the neck as described in this article often respond well to Chiropractic adjustments so you may want to seek the advice of a practitioner in your area.

Remember there are many causes for headaches and neck pain. Always see your health care provider to determine the exact cause. Headaches can be very complicated and may indicate serious problems like meningitis with headache, neck pain and fever so don't delay proper attention with serious symptoms.