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Neuralgia (Nerve Irritation)

This condition is believed to be due to irritation to the main sensory nerve in the back of the head; (that which supplies all of the skin and pain sensitive structures in the upper neck and back of skull).

It is believed that this irritation may be caused by tightness in the muscles, joints or ligaments of the upper neck, thereby putting pressure on the nerve itself and causing it to become irritable and painful.

Neck injuries, postural strain, and viral infections are amongst a number of other potential causes of irritation to this nerve.

The pain has been described as a continuous aching/throbbing in the base of the skull, and back of head, with occasional referral (pain travelling) into the forehead/face regions.

Occipital neuralgia- like most other types of headpain; needs to properly diagnosed, and all causes identified.

Treatment of this condition should be aimed at eliminating causes through the appropriate therapies/advice/medications, and allowing nerve irritation to subside.

Serious causes should always be checked for.

Neck problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines, so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes, as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient.

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Many of these cases constitute medical emergencies; and further underline the need for an accurate diagnosis for all headache and migraine cases. Often, there is little correlation between the seriousness of the underlying problem, and the severity of the symptoms. If in doubt , see your doctor and / or neurologist.

Tension Type Headaches

This category of headaches is not well defined in the literature and is often a diagnosis given for aching or tightness around the back of the skull, temples, and even in around the forehead; of variable intensity and duration, but often long lasting and commonly related to stress and tightness in the muscles around the face and neck.

Tension headaches are thought to be caused by a number of different factors, perhaps acting in conjunction with each other; it is therefore recommended that these types of headaches be addressed using a number of approaches, once a diagnosis has been arrived at.

Tension headaches may combine with a vascular type headache (ie:migraine), to produce a 'combined' headache; which essentially involves tension headache and a migraine co-existing. It is therefore important to address potential causes of both and once again this is where a combined approach will be best suited for relieving and/or preventing future attacks.

A 'combined approach' involves addressing any/all aggravating factors simultaneously.

Neck Problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines, so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes, as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient.

See Treatments Section

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Muscular Trigger Points

Muscular 'trigger points' commonly refer to discrete areas within a muscle which send a sensation of pain to an adjacent area; when pressed upon. Researchers believe that these points consist of tight areas within a muscle which are extraordinarily sensitive, due to a build up of wastes and chemicals which the body produces in response to irritation. These points become so sensitive that they may irritate adjacent nerves supplying that muscle, and then cause pain signals to travel to other areas in the neighborhood.

What causes the irritation in the first place?

It is widely believed that trigger points arise in muscles which have become injured due to trauma (ie: car accident/whiplash); or recurrent strain (ie: keyboard operators,sportspeople). It is also believed that trigger points can be further perpetuated by fatigue, poor diet, stress, and many other factors.

This phenomenon is common in headache and migraine sufferers; especially where long-standing headaches or migraines have afflicted the sufferer.

Muscular trigger points around the face, head and neck regions will often 'refer'(send) pain into neighbouring areas, thereby simulating headaches, or possibly provoking their onset .

Trigger points causing head pain, often co-exist with joint problems in the head, face, neck, and shoulder regions, and there are many different techniques used to treat them.

Neck Problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines, so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes, as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient.

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Upper Neck Stiffness

Cervical Joint Dysfunction:

Upper neck problems are a common cause of referred pain into the head region. Research has demonstrated how the nerves in the upper neck (when irritated), can send pain signals into the head and face regions; researchers believe this happens because the nerves supplying the skin and other sensitive structures in the neck have connections with the nerves supplying the face, forehead, temples, and even behind the eyes.

It therefore follows that injuries such as 'Whiplash' and 'Neck strain' can affect these nerves, and may cause pain in the head many years after the initial injury - (ie: following poor healing and/or repetitive re-aggravation)

Even more common is the slow progressive onset of neck problems, which occurs with day to day 'wear and tear' due to poor postures in the work place and poor postural habits at home (ie: sitting all day with the head down over a keyboard ; sleeping on your stomach every night and having your neck turned to one side)

Often these people report a slow worsening of the intensity, and frequency of their headaches, and sometimes they may start to have migraines as well.

In short, neck problems are a common source of irritation for headache and migraine sufferers; even where other problems may be the obvious initiators of attacks (ie: menstrual migraines).

The various components of these types of headaches can be readily addressed through treatment.

Neck Problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines, so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient.

See Treatments Section

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