How neck and headache linked to one another?

What causes headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia and cluster headaches?

The picture to the left displays the nerves from the Central Nervous System (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord, and how they travel into the temples, forehead, face and jaw.

If these nerves are disturbed, it’s possible that they are a likely cause of pain when referring to headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, and cluster headaches.

How does the brain process pain

Now let’s think of the brainstem as Melbourne’s own Flinders Street Station. The train lines act as the nerves from our neck, head and face, and the passengers act as messages. Trains must come into the station where they get processed and continue their journey to transport passengers to correct destination.

When does neck pain become a headache?

When it comes to head pain, the brainstem (Flinders St) can become overwhelmed and confuse the nerve pathways (train lines). This can then result in the wrong messages being delivered (passengers being transported to the wrong station). Therefore, pain messages from the neck can be misinterpreted by the brain. Then, instead be delivered in the form of headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia, or cluster headaches.

We’re here to help.

As Watson Headache® Practitioners, we are trained to determine whether your neck is contributing to your headaches and we are here to facilitate your journey in managing your condition.

For more information get in contact or book online.