Spine problems can cause headache

Some spine problems can cause headaches because when there is a change in the cervical spine the tension accumulated in the muscles of the upper back and neck takes the painful stimulus to the brain, which responds by generating headache, which in this case is called of tension headache.

Some examples of health problems that can cause headaches are:

Increased muscle tension due to tiredness and stress; Spinal deviation; Poor posture; Cervical rib; Thoracic outlet syndrome.

These changes lead to an imbalance in the support forces of the head, generating compensations that can compromise the biomechanics of the neck region, causing headache.

Sometimes the headache can be confused with migraine because they cause similar symptoms. However, the headache originating from spine problems has some typical characteristics. These characteristics are pain that starts or worsens with neck movements and increased sensitivity in the neck region, which are not present in a migraine.

When to see a doctor

It is advisable to see a general practitioner or orthopedist when:

Headache is intense and persistent; Headache starts or worsens when you move your neck; When it becomes more and more frequent; When, in addition to the headache, there is a burning or tingling sensation in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands.

In the consultation, it is important to say exactly what you feel, how long you have noticed these symptoms, if you have been involved in an accident and if you exercise regularly.

These questions help the doctor to understand the cause, helping in the diagnosis. In some cases he may order tests such as X-rays or MRIs, but they are not always necessary, because sometimes the doctor can arrive at the diagnosis only by observing the individual and his symptoms.

How to relieve headache caused by back problems

To relieve the headache caused by back problems, what you can do is:

Take a pain reliever, such as Aspirin or Paracetamol; Take a muscle relaxant, such as Miosan; Take a relaxing bath, letting the jet of water fall on the back of the neck; Place a warm compress on the neck and shoulders, letting it work for at least 15 minutes; Try doing some neck stretching exercises.

Watch the following video to find out what can relieve back pain, which can also be related to tension headache:

In addition, it is essential to treat the spine to eliminate the problem at the root. In this case, the ideal is to seek help from a physiotherapist so that he starts the appropriate treatment. This professional will be able to use some techniques, such as mobilization of the vertebrae of the spine, of the first rib, in addition to exercises and massages that can help to rebalance the forces that maintain the good positioning of the neck and head, thus avoiding the headache of cervicogenic origin.