Neck’s Role in Headaches
The neck, often overlooked, plays a significant role in headache disorders. The Watson Headache® Approach involves a manual cervical assessment, addressing issues like referred pain, neuroanatomy problems, neck trauma, stress, and poor posture.
Various Causes of Headaches Behind the Eyes
Referred Pain:
Pain in the head can originate from the neck due to nerve pathways.
Neuroanatomy:
Nerves from the neck mix with those from the head, impacting brainstem sensitivity.
Neck Trauma:
Injuries like whiplash can gradually lead to headaches, even with a time gap between the incident and symptoms.
Neck Stress:
Modern lifestyles, especially screen use, can stress the neck, contributing to headaches.
Posture:
Poor posture, coupled with screen time or old injuries, can lead to dysfunction and headaches.
Triggers Beyond the Neck
A holistic approach is crucial, considering various triggers beyond the neck, including dietary factors, hormonal changes, stress, lack of sleep, mental health conditions and eye behavioural issues.
Eye Behavioural Issues:
Eye strains caused by prolonged or intense use of the eyes, uncorrected vision issues, blinking pattern issues, screen glare and brightness and incorrect prescriptions can contribute to headaches behind the eyes.
Diet:
Identifying and avoiding trigger foods, such as cheese, wine, chocolate, citrus, and MSG, can help manage headaches.
Hormones:
Hormonal changes, particularly drops in estrogen levels, can trigger migraines, especially in women.
Stress:
Chronic stress or constant busyness can increase brainstem sensitivity, contributing to headaches.
Lack of Sleep:
Poor sleep patterns or insufficient sleep can lead to headache/migraine episodes.
Mental Health:
Conditions like anxiety and depression can contribute to brainstem sensitivity, impacting headaches.
Persistent or severe headaches, especially behind the eyes, require professional evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A comprehensive approach, considering both neck-related issues and broader triggers, is essential for effectively managing and preventing headaches.
Book A Migraine/Headache Assessment
Book online or give us a call on 1300MyHeadache (1300 694 323) to organise an assessment with Sydney Headache & Migraine Centre and learn more about what causes your migraines and how we can help treat them.
