Upper back/neck pain with migraine ?

I've had migraines since puberty (I'm now 68) and I still can't figure out the physiological connection between the onset of a migraine and the extremely painful tightening of muscles in my upper back and neck. Does anyone else experience this? Any clues as to why it happens - and how or if it can be prevented? Thanks.

[md5299]

Cervical spine hypomobility.

[Cat00]

Hello,

I've had migraines since I was 5, I'm 40 now with chronic migraines. Two years ago I had a MRI on my neck and back and they said I had 'significant muscle spasm' down all the muscles on one side of me. They said this meant all the muscles down that side of my neck/back had shortened and were tighter because of 'years of pain'. So essentially the way I was holding my body to try and minimise the pain from the migraines has now resulted changing my physique which causes further pain. They gave me 20 injections down my spine with a type of anaesthetic they said it was 50/50 as to whether it would work unfortunately it had no effect what so ever!

[KatherineM_PBC]

I think this is common in many sufferers. I too have a lot of back neck and shoulder tension, I have had regular massage for years which may have kept the headaches at bay but for the last 2 years have been getting bad migraines. Sometimes i feel the neck pain then the headache comes on, sometimes the headache starts then the neck pain which is probably due to me tensing up. I favour Ibuprofen as a pain killer as I think an anti-inflammatory drug will help the muscles, but of course we're told not to take too much of that! You might find an Osteopath could help with massage and manipulation? As you have also no doubt been told several times too, avoid stress, haha! As if any of us can! x

[Gambit62]

nobody is quite sure what causes migraines but one theory is that it's down to muscle spasms - which can happen at all levels - in blood vessels or in other muscles so could well be that. I don't think I suffer with problems with the neck - my main problem is very violent spasms in the gut.

Really sorry that you have suffered for so long, and are continuing to suffer.

My migraines are hormonally related ... and family history is that they should stop once I'm the other side of the menopause though they are pretty horrendous going through the menopause, which is where I am now.

I recently discovered that naproxen works quite well for my migraines if I can manage to take it early enough - had it to help with relieving a trapped nerve a few months ago - in part because it also acts as a muscle relaxant - may be worth looking into something along those lines - might help

[5555aniceta]

I have migraine headache for many years and I can’t find any cure I try every thing and nothing works, yesterday I star doing acupuncture so far the headache is gone

Fingers crossed

🙏

[babs1234]

Yes my headaches go with neck and shoulder pain too. I think antimflamatory tablets help but unfortunately I’m not supposed to take them due to gastric problems

[Frodo]

From what I've read (info from a headache clinic) the same nerves involved in migraine are also responsible for pain in the neck.