Migraine Caused by Neck Pain, Not Posture?

Many people who suffer from headaches complain of neck pain, and the first study published in Asia has found a link between migraines and neck pain.

A research team led by Professor Soo Jin Cho and Professor Hee Jin Lim, Department of Neurology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, South Korea confirmed this in a study titled "Neck Pain Disability on Headache Impact and the Association between Sleep Disturbance and Neck Pain in Migraine."

The research team analysed 295 patients diagnosed with migraine at Hallym University Dongnada Sacred Heart Hospital from August 2020 to December 2021 through neurologist interviews and questionnaires. Their average age was 39 years, and 217 (74%) were female, more than 78 (26%) were male by gender. They suffered from migraine headaches for an average of 11.5 days per month and were diagnosed with 'severe headache' with an average score of 60 on the Headache Impact Assessment (HIT-6).

Of all migraine patients, 153 (51.9%) complained of neck pain, of which 28 (18.3%) experienced severe neck pain. In addition, 117 (76.5%) of migraine patients with neck pain answered that "neck pain is associated with headache."

Factors leading to severe headaches included neck pain, number of days of medication per month, and excessive sleepiness. In addition, headache frequency and obstructive sleep apnea were factors that induced severe headache in patients with migraine and neck pain.

Professor Hee Jin Lim said, "Through this study, we confirmed that neck pain is a factor related to the severity of migraine headaches."

Professor Soo Jin Cho Ng said, "Patients who visit headache clinics often wonder if their headaches are caused by their neck, but this study confirmed that neck pain is a common symptom of migraine, and that controlling pain and sleep disturbance is a very important factor in reducing headache intensity. However, it was found that the effect of a history of cervical disc herniation is insignificant in relation to the severity of migraine." "Although it is a disease, it is perceived as a mild disease and tends to be passively treated. Through continuous research, we will be able to improve the quality of life of migraine patients."

This paper was recently published in the SCIE-level journal "Journal of Clinical Medicine".