Could Your Neck Be Causing Your Headaches?
There’s no denying that a bad headache can derail your entire day. It’s even worse when your headache keeps coming back!
Treating recurrent headaches can be tricky. There are over a hundred different types of headaches, each with its own causes and contributing factors. What often surprises people, however, is that one of the more common types of headaches doesn’t actually originate in the head, but in the neck.
These are known medically as cervicogenic headaches, and they often go undiagnosed or mistaken for migraines or sinus problems. However, they respond very well to conservative care from the team at First Colony Aquatic and Rehabilitation Center.
A Closer Look at Neck-Related Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches develop due to mechanical dysfunction in the neck region of the spine (the cervical spine). There are several nerves in the neck that travel up into the head, and your brain can sometimes interpret neck irritation as pain in the forehead, temple, or back of the head.
How Do Cervicogenic Headaches Develop?
Several factors can contribute to cervicogenic headaches, including:
- Poor posture, especially prolonged forward head posture
- Repetitive neck strain from work or daily activities
- Arthritis in the neck joints
- Whiplash-related injuries
- Sports injuries
- Degenerative disc changes
Over time, these issues can place extra stress on the neck’s joints and soft tissues, potentially leading to stiffness, inflammation, muscle guarding, and altered movement patterns that continue to trigger headache symptoms.
For example, it’s not uncommon for people to notice that their headaches worsen after a long day spent working at a computer or looking down at a phone or tablet. That’s because these activities force the neck into awkward postures that then aggravate the nerves and other tissues in the neck, triggering a headache.
How Are They Different From Other Headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches share several symptoms with other types of headaches, which is why they often don’t get diagnosed correctly. That said, here are some signs that you might be dealing with a neck-related headache:
- Pain begins in the neck and spreads up through the back of the head toward the forehead.
- The headache is accompanied by neck stiffness, difficulty turning your head, or tenderness in the neck or upper shoulder muscles.
- Your headache symptoms are triggered by neck movement or sustained postures.
You can also rule out other common headache types by considering the symptoms you don’t have. For example, tension headaches generally feel like a band squeezing your head. While migraines are primarily known for severe nausea or intense light sensitivity, neck-related headaches are much more localized to movement, though severe episodes can occasionally cause mild overlapping discomfort.
Why Physical Therapy Is Great for Cervicogenic Headaches
Because cervicogenic headaches stem from musculoskeletal dysfunction, physical therapy is a great choice for directly targeting the factors that trigger them. The team at First Colony Aquatic and Rehabilitation Center will work closely with you to improve how your neck moves and functions, reducing the irritation that leads to headaches.
We start with a thorough evaluation to identify the factors contributing to your headaches. In addition to a conversation about your symptoms and headache triggers, we’ll also perform a physical assessment to evaluate your neck strength and mobility, overall posture, and movement patterns. This information helps us choose the best treatment techniques to help you find relief.
What Techniques Do We Use to Treat Neck-Related Headaches?
Take the First Step Toward Lasting Headache Relief
If you suspect your recurring headaches are actually starting in your neck, now’s the time to reach out to First Colony Aquatic and Rehabilitation Center. Together, we can identify what’s driving your symptoms and create a plan to help you move, feel, and live better.
Return to PT at First Colony!
Miss feeling your best? Come back to First Colony Aquatic and Rehabilitation Center & Sports Therapy Center and let us help you get there—schedule your appointment today!
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Healthy Recipe
Caesar-Marinated Chicken Kabobs with Zucchini and Grilled Romaine
These caesar-marinated chicken kabobs with zucchini and grilled romaine bring bold, savory flavor together with a fresh, summer-ready twist. Perfect for the grill, they’re a satisfying and balanced meal that feels both light and indulgent at the same time.
Ingredients:
- 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, minced or grated
- ⅓ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 5 Tbsp 0% Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, plus more if needed for the romaine
- 1 ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ¼ pounds skinless boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 long wooden or metal skewers
- 1 zucchini
- 1 large or 2 small heads romaine
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- Cooking spray
To make the Caesar marinade
- Add the anchovies, garlic and pepper to a large bowl and use your fork to mash into a paste.
- Add the cheese, lemon juice, yogurt, 1 Tbsp olive oil, mustard, and pepper and stir to combine.
- Reserve half for serving.
- Add the diced chicken to the bowl with the remaining dressing and stir to coat.
- Set aside to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
For the kabobs
- If using wooden skewers on an outdoor grill, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Trim the ends from the zucchini, halve it lengthwise, and cut it into semicircles between ½- and 1-inch thick.
- Separately, cut the romaine in half (if using small heads) or quarters (if using a large head), leaving the root ends intact.
- Lightly spray or coat the cut sides with oil.
- Thread the chicken onto doubled skewers, alternating every few pieces with a slice of zucchini, for a total of 4 kabobs. Place the kabobs on a large plate or baking sheet and, when they’re assembled, season lightly with salt.
- Preheat the grill with medium-high heat and oil the grates. Grill the kabobs for 6 to 8 minutes total, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and well browned.
- When the chicken is done, grill the romaine flat side down until it’s lightly charred in places but still bright green and crisp, about 30 seconds per side.
- Serve the romaine alongside the kabobs and drizzle the remaining marinade over both.
Stay Active Without Overheating
Put the cool factor back into your workout routine this summer. Staying hydrated, listening to your body, and making a few smart adjustments can help you exercise safely while continuing to build strength, endurance, and overall fitness.
Cool Down Before You Start
Hop into a cold shower before exercising. Research suggests a pre-workout cooldown can lower your heart rate and body temperature, helping you perform better in hot weather.
Choose Cooler Routes
Walk, run, or cycle on dirt and gravel paths whenever possible. These surfaces absorb less heat than asphalt and concrete, making outdoor workouts feel much more comfortable.
Use Cooling Essential Oils
A few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil on your neck and temples can create a refreshing cooling sensation while helping open nasal passages during humid conditions.
Train Smarter With Intervals
Maintain conditioning by exercising at a slightly easier pace while adding short 30-second bursts of speed every few minutes for an efficient workout.
Refuel With Fruit
Watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew contain over 80% water, making them excellent post-workout snacks for hydration and recovery.
Hydrate Consistently
One of the most important summer fitness habits is staying hydrated before, during, and after exercise to help prevent fatigue, overheating, and muscle cramps.
Make Summer Your Strongest Season Yet
With the right preparation and a few heat-smart strategies, you can continue exercising safely throughout the summer while enjoying all the benefits of an active lifestyle.
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Our purpose at First Colony Aquatic and Rehabilitation Center & Sports Therapy Center is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
