Are Migraines linked to Neck Movement?

Are Migraines linked to Neck Movement is a common question we get as neck health experts.

Migraines are a recurring type of headache. They cause moderate to severe pain that is throbbing or pulsing. The pain is often on one side of your head. You may also have other symptoms, such as nausea and weakness. You may be sensitive to light and sound.

Many of us suffer from migraines with the cause being from many reasons!

You can modify one aspect of migraines by improving the strength, flexibility, and endurance of neck muscles. Additionally, posture of the neck and head can make a big difference on avoiding and treating Migraines!

A study in 2016 identified a relationship between Migraines and Active Trigger Points and Neck/Head Posture.

The authors discovered that individuals with migraines who have active trigger points exhibit reduced cervical lordosis and reduced head extension.

Trigger points are discrete, focal, hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. The spots are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, referred tenderness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena (Simons & Travel 1999).

Researchers have scrutinized the link between neck/head posture and pain in recent years, and the prevailing research suggests a weak relationship. However, it’s important to note that most of the research has focused on static (body at rest) posture rather than dynamic (body in movement) posture.

Dynamic movements and range of motion of the neck may be linked more than just static posture.

In the 2016 study by Ferracini et al, the authors found a relationship between the number of active trigger points AND the higher number of active TrPs was positively associated with a reduction in cervical lordosis and head extension of the head on the neck.

Here are pictures with labels of the muscles that the authors examined:

If you are having tenderness or hypersensitivity in the above muscles, in combination of not having proper cervical (head) extension, then this could be a reason why you are having migraines!

It may not be the SOLE reason for Migraines, but what if it was 25-40% of your pain—- wouldn’t you want your intensity or frequency of headache pain to be less?!