Almost 50% of the world’s population deals with headaches. Headaches and neck pain can go hand in hand, which can create a cycle of discomfort that can have a significant impact on your daily life. This is because the muscles and nerves in your neck are part of a complex network that is closely connected to those in your head. When tension builds in your neck, it can cause pain to radiate upward and trigger a headache. Similarly, certain types of headaches can cause neck pain. This can make it hard to separate the two issues. Specific reasons why neck pain can trigger tension headaches include:

1. Muscle tension
2. Poor posture
3. Vertebrae misalignment
4. Referred pain

These two issues can become chronic issues, causing you headaches or neck pain every day. Approximately 3% of the global adult population struggles with chronic daily headaches. Chronic headaches are when you have 15 or more headaches every month for at least three months. Understanding the connection between neck pain and headaches is important for finding effective treatments to help you manage your symptoms. 

Headaches that can cause neck pain

There are two main types of headaches that can cause neck pain:

• Tension headaches — Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They can cause tightness and soreness in your neck and shoulders. This happens because tension headaches can be triggered by muscle contractions in your head, neck and shoulder areas. When these muscles are tight for a long time, it can cause pain that radiates into your head and triggers a headache. This is an easy way to see how neck pain and headaches are closely linked. 
• Migraine headaches — Migraines are a type of headache that can also cause neck pain. Neck pain and stiffness can be experienced before or during a migraine attack. The exact cause of this connection isn’t entirely understood, but it may be because the muscles and nerves in your neck can be affected by the same triggers of your migraines. 

Headaches that can be caused by neck pain

There are two main types of headaches that can be caused by neck pain:

• Cervicogenic headaches — Cervicogenic headaches are a common type of chronic headache. Neck pain is the root cause of cervicogenic headaches. Issues in the neck that can trigger them include joint dysfunction and muscle strain, but instead of feeling the pain in your neck, you feel it in your head. Cervicogenic headaches can be mistaken for other types of headaches. A defining characteristic of cervicogenic headaches is that the pain starts in your neck and radiates to the back of your head or your temples. 
• Occipital neuralgia — Occipital neuralgia happens when the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord to the scalp, become irritated or inflamed. This can cause a sharp, stabbing pain that starts in the back of your neck or head and can spread to your scalp, forehead or even behind your eyes. Occipital neuralgia is rare but can be extremely painful if you experience it. The neck pain associated with this type of headache can make it feel even worse. 

Causes and symptoms of tension headaches

Tension headaches can cause symptoms such as:

• A dull or aching pain in the forehead, temples or back of the head
• Tenderness in the scalp
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating

Tension headaches can be triggered by:

• Stress
• Fatigue
• Eye strain
• Poor posture
• Muscle tension
• Certain medications 
• Temporomandibular jaw disorder

Causes and symptoms of cervicogenic headaches

Cervicogenic headaches are responsible for up to 20% of all chronic and recurrent headaches. They can be caused by problems with the joints in the neck, such as arthritis or a herniated disc. They can also be caused by muscle tension or injury to the neck, such as whiplash. 

Symptoms of a cervicogenic headache can include:

• A sharp pain in the back of the head or neck
• Pain in the face, jaw or teeth
• Pain on one side of the head or face
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Pain that gets worse with certain movements or positions
• Neck stiffness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Blurred vision

Unlike a tension headache, a cervicogenic headache is caused by a problem in the neck. Treating the neck issue can also provide relief from the headache. 

Treatments for headaches and neck pain

Finding the right treatment for your chronic headaches and neck pain can depend on the underlying cause of your symptoms. In some cases, treating your neck pain can reduce or eliminate your headaches. In other cases, addressing both your neck pain and headache is necessary for you to find relief. Treatments for daily headaches and neck pain can include: 

• Rest and activity modification
• Pain-relieving medications — over-the-counter or prescription depending on severity
• Heat and cold therapy
• Physical therapy 
• Stress management

Physical therapy treatments for everyday headaches and neck pain

Physical therapy can be a very effective treatment for everyday headaches and neck pain. Your physical therapist will use a variety of techniques that are intended to help:

• Decrease the intensity, length or frequency of your headaches
• Lower your medication usage
• Boost your mobility and function
• Improve your quality of life

Your physical therapist will do a thorough examination to help them understand the severity of your symptoms and determine any underlying causes. After this examination, they will create a personalized treatment plan that may use a combination of techniques, such as:

• Manual therapy — Manual therapy encompasses a variety of hands-on techniques your physical therapist can use, including:
• Soft tissue manipulation — Your physical therapist will use their hands to gently massage and manipulate the soft tissue in your neck. This can help release muscle tension, improve circulation and reduce headache symptoms. 
• Joint mobilization — This technique involves your physical therapist using gentle movements of the joints in your neck to help boost mobility and reduce stiffness. By restoring proper movement in your neck, joint mobilization can help relieve pain and prevent headaches. 
• Trigger point therapy — Your physical therapist will apply pressure to specific tight areas in your neck muscles, called trigger points. This pressure can help release tension and reduce your headache symptoms. 
• Myofascial release — This hands-on technique focuses on releasing tension in your connective tissue, or fascia, that surrounds your muscles. Myofascial release can help improve your range of motion and reduce neck pain. 
• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation is provided through electrodes your physical therapist will place on the skin of your neck or possibly at your temples. These electrodes deliver low-level electrical currents that stimulate the muscles to promote relaxation and pain relief. 
• Postural correction — Poor posture can contribute to the development of neck pain and headaches. Your physical therapist will work with you to help improve your posture. This may include exercises or advice on how to keep better posture throughout the day. 
• Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises are designed to help strengthen the muscles in your neck, shoulders and upper back. By improving the strength and flexibility of these muscles, you can see a reduction in the frequency and severity of your headaches. 
• Aquatic therapy — Aquatic therapy uses the natural buoyancy and resistance of water to help reduce pain and improve mobility. The pool provides a low-impact environment where you can do exercises without putting extra strain on your neck, and the warm water can have a therapeutic effect on tight or sore muscles. This can promote blood flow and relax muscles, which can reduce stiffness. 
• Spinal decompression — Spinal decompression involves stretching your spine to help relieve pressure on your vertebrae and nerves. Spinal decompression can help reduce neck pain and prevent headaches caused by nerve irritation. 

If you’re experiencing daily tension headaches, it’s essential to see a doctor to rule out any potential underlying conditions. Once the cause of your headaches has been determined, you can work with your doctor and physical therapist to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. With the right treatment approach, you can manage your headaches and neck pain to improve your overall quality of life. 

Find relief from everyday neck pain and tension headaches with Lattimore PT

At Lattimore Physical Therapy, we understand how debilitating having neck pain and headaches every day can be. Our team of experienced physical therapists, which includes over 30 with their Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, is dedicated to helping you find relief. Through personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, we’ll provide you with compassionate and comprehensive care and work with you to address the root cause of your pain and improve your overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches or another type of neck pain, we can help you start your journey to relief and healing. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.