Neck pain and headaches are more closely related than people think. Symptoms such as muscle aches, tightness, and tension can typically present at the neck and refer to the base of the skull or the sides and top of the head. The symptoms can also refer to the base of the shoulders and upper back. When upper cervical muscles are involved, tension headache symptoms can be exacerbated to include other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or light sensitivity. These symptoms can be experienced because of the close relationship of the muscles of the neck with surrounding sensory nerves.
Physical therapy can help reduce the intensity of headaches and prevent future headaches by addressing muscle tension and joint mobility throughout the cervical and thoracic spine to help reduce stress on the surrounding sensory nerves. When the facet joints of the cervical spine become limited, the tension of the surrounding muscles is increased contributing to pain and headaches. Physical therapists can use manual therapy techniques including soft tissue and joint mobilizations, or modalities such as dry needling followed by stretching and strengthening exercises to help address these impairments and improve overall neck mobility. Other complementary strategies to prevent neck pain and headaches include limiting alcohol, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and taking sinus medication if you have allergies.
If you have been experiencing neck pain and headaches that you are struggling to get relief from, schedule an evaluation with a physical therapist at John Goetze Physical Therapy to discover the root of the problem and establish a plan of care that will get the results you are looking for. Schedule a FREE evaluation with one of our therapists at (904) 280-2001 or visit manualpt.com.
