Neck pain and Headaches

The nerves in the neck are intricately connected to the head, and their role in the development of headaches is significant. When there are issues with the neck—whether due to muscle tension, spinal misalignment, or nerve irritation—it can directly affect the head, leading to headache pain. Let’s take a deeper look at how the nerves in the neck correlate with headaches.

The Role of Cervical Nerves

The neck, or cervical spine, is made up of seven vertebrae (C1-C7), and each vertebra is connected to a pair of spinal nerves that exit the spine and travel to different parts of the body, including the head. The nerves that emerge from the cervical spine are responsible for transmitting sensory and motor information between the brain and the muscles, skin, and joints of the neck, head, and shoulders.

Because the cervical nerves have such a far-reaching role, any dysfunction in the neck can impact the nerves and cause pain to radiate to the head. Here's how:

Cervicogenic Headaches

One of the most common types of headaches that result from neck nerve involvement is a cervicogenic headache. Cervicogenic headaches originate from the cervical spine (the neck region) and are typically caused by irritation or dysfunction in the neck's muscles, joints, or nerves.

The cervical spine houses several key structures, including the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves. These nerves transmit sensory information, including pain signals, from the neck to the head. When there is a misalignment, muscle spasm, or joint dysfunction in the neck, it can irritate these nerves, leading to referred pain in the head. Essentially, the neck pain is "referred" to the head via these nerves, causing a headache.

Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches often include:

• One-sided pain, usually felt at the back of the head or behind the eyes.

• Pain that worsens with neck movements or certain postures.

• Neck stiffness and limited range of motion.

• Often triggered or worsened by activities that strain the neck, such as turning the head or sitting for extended periods.

Tension headaches

They are often the result of muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, which compresses the nerves. The pain typically feels like a tight band around the head, and it is often associated with stiffness in the neck and upper back.

Tight muscles in the neck can also lead to a phenomenon known as central sensitisation, where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. As a result, even mild neck discomfort can trigger more intense and widespread pain, including headaches.

Referral of Pain via Nerve Pathways

The body’s nervous system is highly interconnected, meaning that pain originating in one area can be perceived in another. This is known as referred pain, and it is a common phenomenon in both neck pain and headaches.

The trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face and head, has connections with the cervical nerves, particularly the upper cervical nerves. When these cervical nerves are irritated or inflamed due to neck issues, the pain signals may be misinterpreted by the brain as originating from the head, causing a headache. Essentially, pain from the neck can be "referred" to the head through shared neural pathways.

Neck Movement and Nerve Stimulation

When you move your neck, it activates the muscles, joints, and nerves in the cervical region. If there is any dysfunction or irritation in these areas, certain movements can trigger headache pain. For instance, turning the head, looking up, or bending the neck in certain ways may compress or irritate the nerves, leading to the onset of a headache.

Migraine sufferers sometimes experience "neck pain" or discomfort before, during, or after a migraine episode. The nerves in the neck are often more sensitive in these individuals, and neck movement or tension can trigger or worsen their migraine pain.

Vascular and Nerve Interaction

Nerves and blood vessels in the neck and head are closely intertwined. In some cases, nerve irritation or dysfunction can lead to changes in blood flow, which can contribute to headaches. For example, the sympathetic nervous system—which controls the body’s response to stress—can cause blood vessels in the neck and head to constrict when it is overactive. This can lead to vascular headaches, which may feel like migraines.

Final thoughts

The nerves in the neck play a critical role in the development of headaches, whether through nerve compression, irritation, or referral of pain. Understanding how the neck and head are connected can help identify the root causes of headaches and enable effective treatment. Osteopathy’s holistic approach, which addresses musculoskeletal imbalances and nerve-related issues, can be a highly effective way to treat and prevent headaches that originate from the neck.

If you’re suffering from neck pain and headaches, consider consulting with an osteopath to explore how targeted treatment can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore balance to the body. Our experienced osteopaths can provide targeted treatment to address the root cause of your pain, improve mobility, and restore balance to your body. Take the first step towards lasting relief – book an appointment with us today.