Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on November 20, 2021 Headaches with
neck pain can make you feel miserable. But not all of them are the same. Sometimes neck problems are what inspire a throbbing head, or it could be that the headache has another cause that leads to neck issues. Pain signals can be sent by: Stress, poor posture,
caffeine withdrawal, and hangovers all can be causes. Pain relievers and stretches may be all it takes to feel better. In some cases, though, it’s worth seeing your doctor to figure out what’s causing your pain. If you’re tense, muscles in your neck, scalp, shoulders, and jaw can tighten up. That can lead to a tension headache. Depression or anxiety can also cause the same symptoms. Try to eat well and get enough rest. Relaxation strategies like yoga can
help, too. If stress causes you to grind your teeth at night, your dentist might recommend a bite guard. You might consider seeing a mental health professional to find out what’s causing your feelings. To ease your pain on your own, you can try: There are relaxation techniques that can also help, like: Check in with your doctor if your tension headaches make you take pain meds more than twice a week or if they disrupt your daily life. Also, make an appointment if the pattern or symptoms of your headaches change. Migraine headaches are different from tension headaches. If you have a migraine, the pain is throbbing and can be moderate to severe. Symptoms may also include: What Causes a Headache With Neck Pain?
Stress
Migraine
There are many potential migraine triggers, such as: Over-the-counter
pain relievers may ease your symptoms if you take a full dose early on after the migraine starts. If these don’t work, check with your doctor, who might prescribe triptans for pain relief or preventative medicine, like: You might explore complementary treatments like
acupuncture, massage, tai chi, and
biofeedback, though it’s unclear how well these work. Dietary supplements are also a way to avoid migraines. Other options that may work include: Be careful, though. These may not be safe for women who are pregnant or nursing, children, and people taking other medications. Ask your doctor before you take any of these. Also, be sure to tell them about any supplements, drugs, or alternative tools you are using. Too much alcohol can result in a bad night’s
sleep. Either you toss and turn, or you fall into an unusually heavy sleep where your neck is in an uncomfortable position. It’s because alcohol causes the blood vessels in your brain to expand and irritate nearby tissues. All this can cause: Remedies are the same as those for stress headaches in general, with a few added ideas: hydrate (with water or broth) and enjoy something with fructose (like honey
or tomato juice).Hangovers
Poor Posture
This strains your muscles and tendons. That can lead to a headache with neck pain. Things that could help include:
- A body-friendly (ergonomic) chair and workspace
- A visit to a chiropractor or other health professional
- Biofeedback
- Massage therapy
Relaxation techniques like breathing exercises can also help.
Caffeine Withdrawal
Caffeine withdrawal can cause head and neck pain if you cut out beverages like coffee and tea too quickly. This can make your blood vessels dilate, or expand. That causes the head pain. It’s better to ease off your caffeine step-by-step rather than all at once.
When to See a Doctor
In some cases, the things that lead to your headache with neck pain need medical attention. Call your doctor if the pain:
- Is severe or sudden
- Gets worse with time
- Involves personality or mood changes
- Is paired with a fever
- Comes with confusion or memory problems
- Also makes you feel sluggish
- Involves jaw pain, vision problems, and a sore scalp