Headache is a very common medical problem in contemporary times. Almost everyone we know has had a headache at some time or other. Some of the most common symptoms of a headache include pain in the head, skull, face, eyes and neck. As per research, a loss of neck curve can result in chronic headache neck pain.

Headaches can also be caused by various ailments such as meningitis, hypertension, brain tumor, encephalitis etc. During an attack of meningitis the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord get infected due to viral or bacterial activity leading to swelling and severe headache and neck pain. In this case, it is essential for the patient to be admitted to the hospital for advanced medical care.

Relationship between the neck muscles and headache:

The face has a number of muscles that facilitate the movement of eyes, formation of expressions and other facial movements. A tendon at the crown connects the muscles of the forehead and the back of the head. The neck muscles join the head with the spinal cord at the nape. These muscles are extremely vulnerable and bear maximum strain whenever we sit or sleep in an odd position for prolonged hours or indulge in strenuous exercises such as weightlifting.

Watching too much television or working for long hours in front of a computer can strain the eye muscles, thereby causing a headache. In case of fever the blood vessels of the entire body are dilated including the nerves around the brain causing headache and neck pain.

Prevention and treatment of headache neck pain:

Relaxation: Various relaxation techniques such as meditation and recreation help relax the muscles of the neck and alleviate stress.

Exercise: Regular exercises of the neck and shoulders strengthen the muscles and prevent headache.

Yoga: Various stretching and deep breathing exercises associated with yoga help rectify your posture, thereby reducing the risk of chronic neck pain and headache.

Physiotherapy: This technique helps alleviate neck stiffness and provides relief in case of chronic pain and headache arising due to contraction of the neck muscles.

Good posture: Sitting in a good posture takes off the strain from the neck muscles and enables you to get rid of neck pain or headache. In case, you have to sit at your computer desk for prolonged hours, you must try taking a break and do some stretching exercises.