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Is Pain In The Neck And Temple Symptomatic Of A Migraine Headache?
Question: Hello I am a 45 yr old women who does suffer from the occasional migraine and headache today I woke up with slight neck pain and a slight headache the pain starts at the base of the head at the back and neck hurts when I turn it then my temple hurts all on the same side does this sound like migraine headache otherwise in good health normal blood pressure
Brief Answer:
Migraine unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That doesn't sound like a migraine headache.Migraine has a pulsating character, involving half of the head, with nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and noise. So while there are always variations among patients, not presenting all those features, it is not typical.
One possibility can be simply tension type headache, which is the most common type of primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause).
More probably though it is cervicogenic headache, headache related to changes of the spine and triggered/exacerbated by some abnormal prolonged posture during sleep leading to increased muscle tension. I mention changes of the spine because from past questions you seem to have had some minor disc issues in the lumbar spine and usually changes to the neck spine go parallel to the lumbar spine, as the parts of the spine with most mobility.
For the moment I wouldn't do much apart from taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen 400-600 mg. Only if it becomes a repeated issue may other measures such as anatomical pillows and physical therapy be considered.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Migraine unlikely.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
That doesn't sound like a migraine headache.Migraine has a pulsating character, involving half of the head, with nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and noise. So while there are always variations among patients, not presenting all those features, it is not typical.
One possibility can be simply tension type headache, which is the most common type of primary headache (primary meaning without an identifiable cause).
More probably though it is cervicogenic headache, headache related to changes of the spine and triggered/exacerbated by some abnormal prolonged posture during sleep leading to increased muscle tension. I mention changes of the spine because from past questions you seem to have had some minor disc issues in the lumbar spine and usually changes to the neck spine go parallel to the lumbar spine, as the parts of the spine with most mobility.
For the moment I wouldn't do much apart from taking an over the counter anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen 400-600 mg. Only if it becomes a repeated issue may other measures such as anatomical pillows and physical therapy be considered.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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