Neck Pain and the Connection to Migraines
Many people think of migraines as only a head-related issue, but the reality is that migraine experiences can involve multiple areas of the body—including the neck. Neck discomfort, stiffness, and tension are often overlooked symptoms that may provide important clues about what is happening during a migraine pattern. Understanding the common causes of neck pain can provide more insight into why the neck and head are so closely connected, and why some people experience neck symptoms before or during a migraine attack. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between neck pain and migraines, and why the upper cervical region may play an important role in understanding these symptoms.
Neck Pain Studies and Migraines
Neck pain may actually be the most common migraine symptom despite the fact that it is rarely listed among usual symptoms such as nausea and light sensitivity. According to one study in 20101 that involved 113 patients, neck pain was even more common than nausea. In a survey of 144 migraine patients, 3 out of 4 said that they experienced neck pain together with migraines. 60% of those who experienced neck pain said that it started before a migraine, making it a precursor to migraines and about three times more common than migraines with aura.
If neck pain is one of the most common symptoms of migraines, both before and during an attack, it is clear that the two are linked. So why is this an often-overlooked symptom? What is the connection between the neck and the head? We’re about to take a comprehensive look at the structures of the neck and why misalignments in the neck may lead to neck-related migraine dysfunction.
Let’s begin by discussing some telling research in Italy2 that clearly connects neck pain and migraines.
Study Reveals that Patients Confuse Cervical Pain and Migraines
The research involved a study of 207 patients. 64% of the patients diagnosed themselves with cervical pain syndrome (a.k.a. neck pain syndrome). However, it turns out that in more than 90% of cases the patient was actually suffering from migraines. This makes a good case for seeing an expert in the neck for evaluation.
- The pain started in the back of the neck
- Weather changes triggered pain
- Patients experience nausea and vomiting
- Other symptoms like dizziness and vertigo occured
- Neck pain preceded other symptoms
- The condition ran in the family
All 6 of these symptoms accurately describe migraines. Unfortunately, as noted above, many do not realize that one of the most common migraine symptoms is neck pain that precedes or occurs along with the rest of the symptoms.
The 3 Roles of the Upper Cervical Spine (upper neck)
To begin, we need to explain the three primary functions performed by the upper cervical spine. Understanding these structures and their function will result in a better understanding of why neck problems can lead to migraines. These three primary functions are:
Protecting the brainstem and spinal cord.
The bottom of the brainstem extends into the C1 vertebrae and connects to the spinal cord at this vital juncture. The upper cervical bones (upper neck bones) are protection against damage to the brainstem and spinal cord. Thus, the C1 and C2 play a vital role in brainstem function and communication throughout the body. Even a slight misalignment can take these bones from being protectors to being part of the problem.
Supporting the head and facilitating movement.
The average head weighs between 10 and 14 pounds. This atlas (C1) balances the weight of the head. If the C1 becomes misaligned, the weight of the head can become distributed improperly. This puts excess pressure on the neck and throughout the back, resulting in pain, tingling and numbness, and other nerve and soft tissue issues. The C1 and C2 also facilitate more than half of the range of movement of the head due to their unique design that is different from any other vertebrae. Unfortunately, this wide range of motion also results in more common misalignments in these two bones.
Enabling blood flow to the brain.
The cervical vertebrae (neck vertebrae) contain openings called vertebral foramen. These passageways provide a place for the vertebral arteries that provide the brain’s blood and oxygen supply. These openings also make the cervical vertebrae unique. As a result, proper alignment of the cervical spine (neck) plays a key role in the brain getting the blood and oxygen it needs to function properly.
Knowing these points about the function and design of the cervical vertebrae is an important factor in understanding the connection between the spine and migraines.
The Upper Neck and Migraines
The reason neck pain is so common with migraines may very well be related to the effects of an upper cervical misalignment (upper neck misalignment). When the C1 and C2 vertebrae (located at the base of the skull) are misaligned, the function of the entire central nervous system can be thrown off because of the roles we just discussed that are carried out by these bones.
There can be a restriction of blood flow to the brain if the misalignment affects the vertebral arteries and creates any kinks or other slowdowns. Reduced blood flow plays a key role in migraine occurrence. The misaligned bones could potentially put pressure on the brainstem or spinal cord, and this pressure can cause malfunctions in communication between the brain and body. Brainstem function also has some link to migraines. But these are not the only issues that can lead to migraines.
Upright MRI Evidence
Additionally, the position of these bones can result in pooling of cerebrospinal fluid if proper drainage becomes inhibited. Research has been performed using upright MRIs3 to see the effect misalignments have on drainage. Some of these studies also show that upper cervical realignment can help to restore proper drainage and eliminate the effects.
These misalignments can also damage nerves and soft tissue, thereby causing pain and stiffness. Even for patients who do not have migraines, the tissue damage often causes pain first. However, it is important to note that upper cervical misalignments don’t always cause neck pain, so if you have migraines but don’t have neck pain, do not automatically assume that your upper cervical spine is in alignment. Doctors must examine your neck using specialized techniques and diagnostic imaging to be certain.
How Do Upper Cervical Misalignments Occur?
It is important to appreciate that you do not have to have sustained a serious neck injury to be dealing with an upper cervical misalignment. Any kind of head or neck trauma can cause this issue.
For example, if you have suffered a concussion while playing sports or a whiplash injury from a car accident, a misalignment is likely. But did you know that it takes a collision of only 5 mph to cause a whiplash-type injury? Thus, more than just a sports collision or a fender bender but even a simple slip and fall can result in the problems we are discussing here. Thus, many fail to mention their injuries when filling out a patient history.
So please keep this in mind when speaking to health practitioners about migraines. Even a desk job where improper posture is sustained throughout the day or a habit of looking down to check a mobile device over and over again can lead to a misalignment in the upper neck.
Extensive Research Involving Migraine, Neck Pain, and Upper Cervical Care
To back up this connection between migraines and neck pain, research was conducted involving migraines and upper cervical care. Upper Cervical Care is a subspecialty of chiropractic that focuses on gentle and precise adjustments of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. There is no twisting, cracking, popping or jerking of the neck involved with this specialty.
The research involved 11 patients who had never received care from an upper cervical chiropractor. Each patient had experienced between 10 and 26 migraine days for at least four consecutive months prior to the study. The patients also needed to report a minimum of 8 headaches per month that hit a 4 or higher on a pain scale of 0-10 in order to qualify. In this particular study, patients received NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) method of upper cervical care to correct misalignments.
What were the results of the study?
The average number of days with migraines being experienced by patients at the start of the study was 14.5 per month. After just one month of care, that average was reduced to 11.4 days per month. After two months of care, that number was further reduced to 8.7, nearly half of the headache days at the beginning of the research. The study only lasted two months, but it can be inferred that further care would lead to continued benefits.
Other factors in the study included the use of a MIDAS score. This number records the degree of disability resulting from a condition with a higher number indicating greater disability. In this study, the average degree of disability was decreased from 46.7 down to just 14.6 after two months of adjustments and observation.
The study also considered the quality of life of the patients in three areas: emotional, physical, and restrictive (ability to perform normal activities). With these figures, a higher number indicates a better quality of life.
- Physical quality of life averages increased from 54.1 to 86.6
- Emotional quality of life averages increased from 53.3 to 81.2
- Restrictive quality of life increased from 38.4 to 73.5
You may be impressed to know that these patients received between one and five adjustments only as-needed.
Case Studies Involving Upper Cervical Care for Migraines, Neck Pain, and Headaches
Besides this study, there are many case studies involving both migraine and headache patients who have benefited from various forms of upper cervical care. In one compilation of 101 case studies, 37 of the patients were experiencing migraines (note that a different method of upper cervical care was used in these studies). All but 8 of those 37 patients could remember a head or neck trauma that preceded the onset of migraines.
What were the results of these 37 case studies? 26 of the patients experienced the elimination of their migraines, including two men and a woman who had daily migraines. The other 11 patients all experienced a reduction in the number of migraines per month. Several daily migraine sufferers were down to just one or two per month. Some patients received benefits in as little as 1 month of care.
The youngest patient was age 9. He had been experiencing 10 migraines per month following an injury. His condition completely resolved in just one month of care. The oldest patient was 67, and she experienced a reduction of her migraine days to just one per month.
How Upper Cervical Care Differs from General Chiropractic
The results of the studies noted above are very convincing when it comes to the benefits of upper cervical care for migraine patients. However, you may still wonder if upper cervical is right for you or whether you can get the same benefits from seeing just any chiropractor. Here is a little information on what makes upper cervical care unique.
Upper cervical is a unique subset of the chiropractic field. As noted in the studies above, there are several different methods when it comes to how practitioners determine the degree of the misalignment or the way the adjustment is administered to the upper neck. However, there are commonalities between each method, and the primary differences are between upper cervical and general chiropractic.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, Atlas Correction is a gentle, precise form of upper cervical care focused on evaluating this relationship. Through a personalized evaluation process, we look at your symptoms, history, and overall function to determine whether this approach may be a good fit for your health goals, and whether a correction of upper cervical structural instability can help reduce the frequency and severity of neck pain and other related migraine symptoms.
Here are the main things that set upper cervical apart:
Gentle adjustments
No popping, cracking, twisting, or forcing of the spine. Doctors perform adjustments with low force corrections using either hands-on manipulation or an adjusting instrument.
As-need adjustments
After the moving back of the atlas and axis (C1 and C2) into their original position, future adjustments are less and on as-needed basis. If your examination reveals that your adjustment is holding, you won’t receive an adjustment, and you may be able to extend the time between visits. This provides a cost-effective approach to care.
Family-friendly care
Your great grandmother or your infant may not be able to handle the heavy-handed adjustments of general chiropractic, but upper cervical care is for everyone. This allows families to extend a holistic (whole body) approach to health care to each member of the family.
Common questions
Yes. Many people who experience migraines also report neck discomfort or tension before, during, or after an attack. Because the neck, posture, and nervous system are closely connected, the upper cervical region is often an area people explore when looking at possible contributing factors.
Some individuals experience neck pain or stiffness as part of the migraine experience, sometimes even before head pain begins. These early symptoms may be part of the body’s response leading up to a migraine episode.
Neck-related headaches are often associated with discomfort that starts around the neck or base of the skull, while migraines are a broader neurological experience that may involve symptoms such as nausea, sensory sensitivity, or visual changes. However, symptoms can overlap, which is why identifying patterns can be helpful.
Posture can influence how the neck and surrounding structures function. Long periods of sitting, device use, or repetitive positions may contribute to increased tension or discomfort in some individuals.
Some individuals explore upper cervical care as part of a personalized approach to migraine support. Atlas Correction focuses on the upper cervical region through a gentle, precise technique designed around each person’s symptoms, history, and overall wellness goals.
Explore a Different Approach to Migraine Support
Neck pain and migraines can be connected in ways that are not always obvious. Understanding how the upper cervical region, nervous system function, and your overall health history may relate to your symptoms can be an important step toward finding a personalized approach.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we use Atlas Correction to evaluate and support upper cervical function through a gentle, precise approach.
If you’re ready to explore your options, get started with care today.
Get Started With Care
