Many people complain of a sore neck before or after they experience a migraine. This is not uncommon. The National Headache Foundation discovered that thirty-eight percent of those with migraines also have neck pain before or after a headache. Some thirty-one percent say they have neck pain in conjunction with migraines. So, overall, sixty-nine percent of migraine sufferers also have neck pain. That is a pretty large number.

The Cause

Pain in the neck can be caused by a tightness felt in the muscles surrounding the neck and shoulder area. Because this affects the nerves of the cervical spine, it is referred to as a cervicogenic headache. Something causes the nerves of the spine to become activated. These nerves reach into the head and, when irritated, cause migraines. The tightness experienced in the neck area can be caused by stress or tension. This can be mental or physical. What can cause this?

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The Environment

Sometimes the environment in which a person lives can be a cause of stress. This needs to be examined carefully. Some things to do to alleviate a stressful environment are to

  • Schedule downtime to relax
  • Eat a healthier diet
  • Be sure to spend time doing an enjoyable activity

Exercise and techniques to help reduce stress, such as breathing exercises, can also be helpful. Dealing positively with stress will help reduce migraines. What if something more is needed?

The Solution

A person may do all of the above and are still not seeing a reduction in head pain. A professional may need to be consulted. If a natural, pain-free treatment is desired, it is a good idea to consult with an upper cervical chiropractor. You may be feeling the effects of a tiny misalignment of ¼ of a millimeter in your upper neck. A past accident or injury could have caused this. It could be something you don't even remember happening. This misalignment can cause changes in blood and spinal fluid flow and nerve damage. This, in turn, can affect your nervous system causing migraines.

At San Diego Integrative Spine Center, we use the NUCCA technique to detect and correct these misalignments. Adjustments are both gentle and effective. This can result in positive, long-lasting effects and may even completely eliminate a patient’s migraine problem.