When Neck Pain Is Actually a Migraine: Understanding the Neurological Connection
Many people associate migraines with severe headaches – the throbbing, one-sided pain often accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. But what’s less commonly known is that migraines can also present with neck pain, sometimes even before the headache begins, or in place of a traditional headache altogether.
This overlap can be confusing. Patients often seek help for what feels like a neck or muscular issue, only to discover the root cause is neurological. Understanding this connection is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.
Neck Pain and Migraines: What’s the Link? 🔗
It’s common for migraine sufferers to experience pain or stiffness in the neck, particularly at the base of the skull. This neck discomfort can:
- Occur before the headache phase as part of the prodrome or early warning signs
- Happen during a migraine attack as referred pain
- Be present without a typical headache, especially in chronic migraine
This happens because of how the trigeminal nerve system and cervical nerves interact. In a migraine, pain signals can radiate and be perceived in areas like the neck and shoulders. While it might feel muscular, this pain is often part of the migraine process itself – not a result of poor posture or a spinal issue.
A Common Misdiagnosis ❌
Due to the prominent neck symptoms, migraines are sometimes mistaken for:
- Cervicogenic headaches (originating from the neck)
- Muscle tension or strain
- Arthritis or disc issues in the cervical spine
As a result, patients may undergo unnecessary imaging, physiotherapy, or other treatments targeting the neck – without improvement.
Migraines Are a Neurological Condition 🧠
Migraines arise from dysfunction in the brain and nervous system, not the neck. They involve a complex cascade of events, including changes in brain activity, nerve excitability, blood vessel changes, and inflammation. Because of this, they require neurologist assessment and targeted neurological treatment.
Simply treating neck pain won’t resolve a migraine. Effective management requires identifying migraine triggers, understanding the full spectrum of symptoms, and often using preventative or acute migraine-specific medications.
When to See a Neurologist? 🧑🏻⚕️
If you have recurring neck pain especially with any of the following a migraine could be the cause:
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea or visual disturbances
- Headache that follows or accompanies the neck pain
- A family history of migraine
- Pain that is one-sided or throbbing in nature
At Migraine Specialist, we help patients make sense of complex symptoms and get to the true cause of their pain. Migraines are treatable but only when they’re correctly diagnosed as the neurological condition they are.
Still wondering if your neck pain could be a migraine? 🤔
To book an appointment with our Neurology team, or to find out more, speak to a member of our team on (07) 3831 1611.
Published by Migraine Specialist
15th April 2025
This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider.
This content was created as a collaboration with Neurologist Dr Nicole Limberg, in conjunction with the use of AI.