An occasional minor headache is usually no cause for alarm, but chronic headaches and neck pain can cause you to miss out on the important things in life, like quality time with your family.
Neck pain and headaches are often connected because of conditions in your neck that spread pain into your head. These are known as cervicogenic headaches.
Take a moment to get to know what might be causing your cervicogenic headaches and why you may need physical therapy for treatment.
Five possible reasons you have chronic headaches and neck pain
- Strains — Overstretched or torn muscles in the neck are referred to as strains. A strain is painful and limits the range of motion in your neck. This increases stress on your spine, which puts pressure on the nerves running through it into your skull.
- Whiplash — Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your head suddenly jerks forward and back, such as when in an automobile accident. This motion can strain your neck and cause herniated discs and other spine issues that contribute to neck pain and headaches.
- Herniated disc — A herniated disc is a disc in your spine that has burst, which causes its fluid to leak out and spread around the spinal cord. The pressure from this fluid surrounding your spinal cord can cause pain to your nerves that run from your neck into your head.
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) — DDD is the natural wear and tear on the discs in your spine that develops as you age. Some people never notice any effects from DDD, but others may have pain and stiffness. If DDD affects the discs in your neck, you may develop pain that spreads into your head.
- Arthritis — Arthritis causes inflammation that destroys the cartilage in your joints. This can affect the joints in your spine, which can cause pain in the neck that spreads to your head.
Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy for chronic headache and neck pain treatment
Do you have constant headache and neck pain that may be related to one of these conditions or another chronic condition? Our physical therapists at Excel can help. We can thoroughly examine your neck to determine the source of your pain. We will develop a personalized treatment routine to help you reduce your pain and improve the range of motion in your neck.
Physical therapy treatments for headaches and neck pain typically include:
- Gentle exercises and stretches
- Posture guidance
- Hands-on mobilization techniques
- Patient education and more
Are you ready to start your recovery journey from headaches and neck pain? Contact our team today for more information about chronic headaches and neck pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
Our Locations
FAQ
Conditions Library
