Neck Pain and Headaches

Neck pain, in itself, can cause a lot of discomfort. When it is accompanied by headache, then it becomes quite unmanageable. Stiffness and heaviness can be felt in the entire neck area and it makes neck and head movements very difficult. Its intensity often varies from mild to severe, and it may last for just a few hours or may continue for some weeks. If neck pain and headaches bother you persistently, then it can disrupt your normal life activities. You cannot focus on your work at hand.

Causes

The most common cause has been found to be strain or sprain in the neck muscles. These muscles are attached to the base of the skull. As a result, pain in these muscles often get referred to the head and causes headache. The neck muscles have high mobility and they do not get rest throughout the day. So, they suffer strain due to overuse. Injuries may occur during twists and turns of the neck. Traumatic injuries to the head or neck can lead to a stiff neck and headaches.

If you experience headache and neck pain together, after working for long hours in front of computer, then it is associated with poor posture while sitting. Sleeping in a wrong position can also cause this problem. Mental stress may tense up the muscles in the neck area and give you a headache. It can be a symptom of a serious infectious disease named meningitis. However, in that case, it is accompanied by fever and you will be unable to touch the chest with your chin. Those who are dealing with sinusitis often complain about a sore neck and headaches. A herniated disc in the cervical spine can exert pressure on the surrounding soft tissues, resulting in chronic neck pain and headaches. Neck arthritis, migraine and fibromyalgia can be other causes of headaches and neck pain.

Treatment

When there are constant headaches and neck pain, then its cause is first diagnosed with the help of laboratory tests like x-rays, MRI, CT scan, etc. Any kind of muscle injury is treated with the help of anti-inflammatory medicines which can bring down the inflammation and ease off the pain. Other suitable medicines are also prescribed for curing headaches. Application of ice on the neck can provide a soothing relief from the painful symptoms. A gentle massage of the neck muscles also proves to be useful.

However, pain relieving medicines cannot be taken for a long time as they have adverse side effects on your health. So, as soon as the pain subsides a bit, doctors recommend some neck exercises. Such exercises are effective, not just for neck pain but also for headache. There are two different types of exercises. One of them is stretching exercises and the other one is the muscle toning exercises. Bend the head on any one side and hold the position for a few seconds. Then repeat the same on the other side. This will stretch the neck muscles and release the stiffness. Rotating the head slowly, from one side to another in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, is a simple exercise that can add strength and flexibility to the neck muscles.

In cases where there is an indication of some underlying health problems, then that has to be treated properly, in order to get relief from neck pain and headache. Sinus infection needs to be treated with antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines. Meningitis is a serious disease and it requires immediate medical intervention.

Neck pain with headaches is one such problem that you should never neglect, in order to avoid any future complications. It can be prevented, to a large extent, by maintaining good posture while sitting, standing or sleeping and leading a healthy stress free life.