Neck pain is a quite painful problem that is accompanied by neck stiffness and also reduces head mobility. Moreover, when a headache is also present with neck pain, it leads to other problems such as increased pain, eyesight problems, dizziness, issues concentrating on tasks, and many more.
This article is based on the insights shared by Dr. Dipti Mangla, a renowned pain management specialist who will discuss the causes of neck pain and headaches and the effective treatment for them. Continue reading to gain crucial insights from an expert who is renowned for providing neck pain treatment in New Jersey. Let’s dive into the details.
Causes of Neck Pain & Headache
A variety of disorders can cause neck pain and headaches. While some diseases begin in the brain and cause discomfort to migrate down to the neck, others may begin in the neck before sending symptoms up to the head. After acquiring an appropriate diagnosis, a treatment strategy must be devised in order to successfully manage the illness and eliminate discomfort.
Some common causes of Neck Pain include:
- Stiff neck muscles
- improper posture when using a phone or a computer, and sleeping postures
- injury
- disc herniation
- Herniated Disc- When one of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck sustains injury and protrudes outward, it is known as a herniated cervical disc. One may experience discomfort in the neck and head if this pins down a nerve.
When a nerve in the neck is aggravated or compressed, it becomes a pinched nerve. Given the abundance of sensory nerve fibers in the neck's spinal cord, a pinched nerve here can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Neck stiffness
- Excessive back-of-the-head headache
- Headache brought on by rotating the head
Some other symptoms may include shoulder pain accompanied by muscle weakness, numbness, and a tingling sensation.
Headaches that May Cause Neck Pain
The pain from some headaches may radiate to the neck. Headaches that cause neck pain include the following:
- Headache Caused By Tension. A common type of headache known as tension headache is characterized by mild to severe non-throbbing discomfort in the neck, scalp, and forehead. When the muscles in the scalp and neck tighten up due to tension, stress, fear, or other emotions, tension headaches can result.
- Migraine Pain. A migraine is a common headache that frequently affects one side of the head and causes moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain. Constipation and/or sensitivity to light and/or sound are possible additional symptoms. Neck discomfort is frequently accompanied by migraines and may appear either before or during an episode.
- Headache from the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). A TMJ headache begins at the temples and radiates outward from the TMJ; it may feel like an earache. Degeneration of the TMJ's muscles, ligaments, and/or bone, injury to the TMJ, or TMJ dislocation are all TMJ disorders that can lead to headaches. TMJ weakness or muscle slackness might cause neck pain. Bruxism, or unconscious teeth grinding and/or clenching, causes soreness in the face and neck by wearing down the TMJ muscles. Because bruxism can be unconscious and happen while you sleep, most people are unaware they have it.
Neck Pain and Headache Diagnosis and Treatment
Clinicians use data from the physical examination, diagnostic testing, and headache features to accurately determine the kind of headache. Additionally, two headaches could appear simultaneously. Medication is used to treat primary headaches in order to provide both short-term and long-term relief (by preventing further attacks). In order to manage symptoms, secondary headache treatment focuses on the underlying disease.
When Should You See a Doctor?
In some circumstances, the causes of the headache and neck pain require medical care. If the following symptoms occur, contact the doctor:
- It is severe or abrupt
- Worsens over time
- Involves personality or mood changes
- Is accompanied by a fever
- It is associated with confusion or memory issues.
- Additionally, it makes one feel sluggish.
- Jaw ache, eyesight issues, and a sore scalp are all symptoms.
When Are Headaches and Pain in the Neck Serious?
If one has neck discomfort or a headache along with one or more of the following symptoms, one should seek medical assistance right away:
- Radiating ache and numbness down one or both arms
- High fever, headache, and stiff neck
- Coughing, sneezing, running, bending, straining during bowel movements, or the Valsalva maneuver (an attempt to release air with the mouth closed and nose squeezed tight) can all cause headaches.
- Seizures, slurred speech, balancing issues, and visual problems
- Unintentional weight loss or sickness
Treatment for Neck Pain & Headaches
The treating physician or a pain management doctor recommends a wide variety of treatments. The treatment options depend on the specific causes and types of headaches. Some of the treatment options provided are:
- Radiofrequency Ablation for Headaches & Neck Pain
A non-surgical method called radiofrequency ablation utilizes radio wave electrical currents to numb painful nerves. The nerves are heated by the electrical currents, which prevent the brain from receiving pain signals. This provides relief from the chronic pain one may experience daily.
- Trigger Point Injections
Injections into trigger points can help treat persistent muscle pain, including neck pain. These injections go after trigger points, which are like "knots" in the muscles that can hurt, make one stiff, and limit the range of motion. Anesthetic or, occasionally, steroid injections are used to treat the affected area.
- Epidural Injections
Pain management specialists use cervical epidural steroid injections (ESIs) as a temporary pain relief option for certain causes of chronic neck pain. Anti-inflammatory medicine is injected into the epidural area around the spinal nerves. It lessens edema and inflammation where the compressed nerves are, reducing pain.
- Botox Injections
Botox has been granted authorization by the FDA to treat cervical dystonia, a type of neck pain. According to research, the medication obstructs the pathway through which pain is transmitted from the central nervous system in the brain to the nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.
When one experiences a migraine, the body releases neurotransmitters and chemicals that are linked to pain. Botulinum toxin inhibits the transfer of these chemicals, which commonly occurs where nerves and muscles meet. When the substance is injected into the muscles surrounding the face, head, and neck, it is thought to be taken up by the neurons and interfere with pain-related neurotransmission.
These are some of the most common and effective treatments for neck and head pain. The best-suited treatment would be decided by the specialist doctor after a thorough examination. To learn more about the treatment options in detail, one can consult Dr. Dipti Mangla, the renowned pain management physician in New Jersey, at Mainland Pain Management Clinic.
