When you experience back pain and a headache together, a question may arise in your mind “Can back pain cause headaches?”. Sometimes, it will be possible that a person suffers from headaches and back pain at the same time. There are so many reasons you can develop a mild to moderate headache. Small dietary changes, lack of sleep, and inappropriate posture or work environment can cause headaches. However, if you are experiencing neck pain along with cervicogenic headaches then such a condition needs to be taken seriously.
Generally, back pain and neck pain due to any injury or condition can be associated with headaches and migraines. Patients that have just recovered from a back or neck injury are more likely to suffer from mild headaches for some period.. The spine runs from the cervical region to the pelvic area. So, any injury or problem to your spine and neck can directly impact the surrounding nerves and thereby, possibly cause mild to moderate headaches.
What Causes Back Pain and Headaches?
Back pain and headaches are both common conditions that can be seen among people. However, there are plenty of conditions that can cause back pain and headaches to occur together. They are as follows:
Physical Injury: If you have a physical injury or trauma due to an unexpected car accident or while playing sports then you are more likely to develop a headache and back pain together.
Poor Body Posture: Poor body posture can also cause headaches and back pain due to muscle strains on your head, back, and neck. Poor posture can lead to discomfort and pain in the back and neck over time.
Premenstrual Syndrome: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are physical and emotional symptoms that can take place during ovulation or periods. The most common PMS symptoms are headache and back pain or abdominal pain.
Pregnancy: During pregnancy, a woman may have physical and mental stress. Back pain and headaches are common causes of pregnancy apart from nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Infections: Some viral or bacterial infections like flu and meningitis may also be the reason behind extreme back pain, headaches, and neck stiffness.
Arthritis: Arthritis, as you may know, is inflammation of joints that can promote neck stiffness, back pain, and headaches. Generally, arthritis and pain associated with it can be seen among older people.
Fibromyalgia: In fibromyalgia, an individual may suffer from pain all over the body. Fibromyalgia can also cause extreme fatigue, insomnia, headache, back pain, and tingling on the hands & feet.
Cervicogenic Headache and Its Treatment
Cervicogenic Headache or CGH takes place when pain originates from a specific point in the neck up to the head. Unlike migraines, cervicogenic headaches will not be caused by the brain, but by the neck or back. If you are suffering from cervicogenic headaches, then you are more likely to experience a dull or steady aching feeling. People suffering from cervicogenic headaches may wonder about if back pain can cause headaches. One must ensure to get effective treatment for cervicogenic headaches if the pain worsens over time.
Cervicogenic headaches are most commonly seen in women during their reproductive years as they go through hormonal changes. Men also experience CGH, but it is not as common. The pain typically worsens when the head and neck are moved or twisted, such as when someone sits up too quickly after lying down or when reaching for something on a high shelf. Two types of muscle contractions can cause neck pain: myogenic and cervicogenic. Myogenic refers to muscle contractions that are controlled by the brain, while cervicogenic refers to muscle contractions that are controlled by the head and neck.
The treatment for cervicogenic headaches includes a number of methods such as effective massage and physical therapy. A massage can help relax muscles and reduce the tension in the neck so that it doesn’t cause pain. Some professional pain specialists also recommend physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve their function. It will be beneficial to consult with an expert pain management specialist for cervicogenic headache treatment.
Get Effective Treatment For Back Pain and Headache By Contacting Dr. Patel!
Are you suffering from back pain associated with cervicogenic headaches? Do you need to get effective treatment for back pain and headache? If yes, then you should consult with the leading interventional pain management specialist in Houston – Dr. Silky Patel MD. Having more than 15 years of experience and expertise, Dr. Silky Patel can treat back pain effectively. She can help alleviate back pain and reduce headaches by prescribing proper physical therapy and treatments. Reach out to Dr. Silky Patel today and improve your healthy life.
If you too are wondering “can back pain cause headaches”, give Dr. Patel a call at 832-522-8535. Also, you can follow her official social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
