Is My Headache Coming From My Neck?

In this video, we're going to talk about how you know if your headaches or migraines are actually coming from your neck or cervical spine.

There are lots of things that cause headaches and migraines. Everything from sinus headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, classic migraines, and more. But second, one of the major causes of head pain, and unfortunately it is also one of the most overlooked causes of headaches is referred pain from the neck or cervical spine.

0:00 Introduction
0:13 What Causes Headaches or Migraines?
4:03 How Do You Know if Your Headaches are Coming From Your Neck?
8:04 Treating Your Neck
11:14 Like & Subscribe

[jusadude]

Oh my God, you spoke directly to me. You may have just changed my life. So many years of doctors, tests, and medications (triptans, SSRI’s, topamax, triptylines, botox, trigger point injections, and finally pain meds). I’ve suffered from headaches much of my adult life. They are life altering. I know instinctively my headaches come from my neck and traps area but Rizatriptan (Maxalt) does stop the throbbing thank God. But my neck and shoulders are still sore. So docs think it’s migraines bc the Rizatriptan works and are reluctant to go beyond that. So I suffer thru them as best I can. And now that I am w/o insurance it’s unlikely I will ever find a “cure”. But at least I feel validated my pain refers from my neck area. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[marlenekowal]

You certainly did hit a home run with your patient getting her off meds and taking away her pain! Bless you!!!

[melissa]

You have almost perfectly described what was going on with me. I had suspected that my migraines were coming from my neck for at least 10 years, but I never could get my neurologist to admit it. He had been giving me trigger point injections in my neck for most of that time. They gave me only partial relief, until they stopped working. At that same time I needed PT for a knee issue, and thought maybe if I do exercises with my neck, it might help. It did. Nowadays I have significantly fewer migraines. My neurologist still won't say that most of mine aren't real migraines, because I do still have some that are real migraines, but I'll take any improvement I can get.

[marydd]

Excellent presentation. Clear and concise Your patients are fortunate to have you. Thank you.

[tiffswings]

Thank you so much! This saved me from prolonged pain.

[mitangbulus]

Thank you doctor..u really explain exactly what am going through, ,
Please what is the solution
How can I treat it

[akashatemple]

thank you Dr. I have just had a 4 day migraine and have DDD, facet arthritis and PHN in my neck. It makes so much sense … cheers

[maddgoatee]

Feels like I'm losing the battle. I have pain management team, chiropractor, neurologist, physical therapist and have received many epidurals. Been two years with only 20% relief. Started with really bad right shoulder blade pain and moved up to my right side of neck and right side headaches only. Headaches are so severe they wake me out of my sleep. Feeling like I have a hangover. I don't drink. Now I have both shoulder blades and both side of my neck hurt and intermittent hangover headaches. During one of the epidurals I lost some mobility to my right hand. Can't even sign my name for now. A good night of sleep is 5 hours.

[kingdavid]

You are on Target. Thank you for the Information

[Lasnipers]

Can you have auras from neck pain as well? Thank you for your time.

[newnew]

Thankyou Doc. thankyou for very informative Vedio Can u u make Vedio on VAGUS NERVE (heard Headache from Neck pain may be from VAGUS NERVE problem) thankyou

[sanjatitan]

I didnt think about it and i never actually had a neck pain but after this video something magical has happend. I tried to put a rolled up towel under my neck, right after i started feeling my migraine comming and the feeling dissapeared in few minutes without progression, wothout taking my medication( Sumatriptan)

[Rizzole]

Got all those symptoms on maxalt 10mg at least twice a week getting more as i age, nausau vomitting too. Docs again tommorow. Pain in the neck where it starts to radiate from, then. migraine. Also the weather, pressure changing. Frustrating, painful, not fair.

[richflynn]

I was in an accident where a guy ran a red light and hit me in the RF tire. I did not see him coming, then I slid into the front of an suv. Now when I move my neck it sounds like rice crispy cereal in milk. I can feel it as well as hear in. An mri was done on my spine as well with a bulging disc in L4.

[bronzeriver]

I used to suffer from vertex headaches and neck and shoulder pain when I had iron deficiency anemia and severe gastric issues from being on (an imperfect) vegetarian diet for so long plus I also had an h pylori infection which I think was due to low stomach acid from a long term alkaline based diet. My blood pressure used to be up as well but I knew I wasn't hypertensive. I used to wake up with marks all over my body from my bed sheets or the dress I slept in. Treating the h pylori infection was the first step and I had to do an endoscopy to detect it. Best to do a general check up at the hospital.

[CrayolaCrack]

I have chronic tension and cluster headaches. Dr says it's from allergies, but allergies and allergy shot doesn't help. Think I need a new Dr 🤷‍♀️

[fayecox]

I suffer from hemoplegic and chronic migraines which has caused me to have mini strokes I hate the ones that start at back of neck I’ve tried various medication but now waiting to try injections at back of neck I do suffer from arthritis of spine I also get aura s in the eyes and zig zag flash in my eyes

[samuelnemetsky]

Is there a link to the neck exercises/ therapy? I’m desperate here.

[valeriestorm]

I wonder if you could address the TMJ. I get migraines that I think are caused by my neck and TMJ, but my neurologist ignores these possibilities and just keeps trying different medications. I'd much rather know and fix the source(s) than continue with medication alone. So, .I want to know how to treat my TMJ pain and misalignment. Thank you for the information and exercises you provide.

[chrisa]

I've had debilitating chronic migraines my whole life & they have morphed into cervical migraines the past 20 years. Actual neck pain, soreness, stiffness. MRI shows a slight Chiari Malformation with a compromised disk. I live on Imitrex which is the only thing that works for the pain. It's a debilitating deep throb that starts from the base of the skull, goes up the left side behind the ear, then the temple, behind the eye, over the eyebrow around the back again to the top back of my crown. I get them from poor head placement on pillows that don't support the neck or my head. Also can't lay on my back & if the back of my neck touches a pillow it's instant migraine within minutes. Is there any relief for me? I'm 58 yo & assume it's arthritic along with my other neck issues. One last thing is that after the Imitrex calms the headache down my neck is so very sore even to the touch. It feels like I was hit with a baseball bat & I'm recovering from the initial hit. I don't know what kind of Dr to see because the neurologist that I went to see said that I have migraines & prescribed the medication. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there another Dr for me? Surgery is not an option.