Neck Muscles and Migraine

In a recent study by F.K. Cantor the role of cervical muscle disease in the occurrence and treatment of migraines was investigated. Many people who experience migraines complain of neck and/or trapezius pain. In the study, records of 18 patients were reviewed in order to evaluate the supposed link between neck pain and migraines. It was found that acute one-sided neck pain occurred as part of the migraine episode in 6 patients; compression of one-sided neck muscles intensified current migraines or reproduced migraine symptoms in 7 patients; physical therapy and/or trigger point injections improved migraines in 14 patients. This study showed that cervical or trapezius muscle pathology can intensify migraine and treatment of this muscle problem can improve both acute and chronic management of migraine. This supports the idea that neck pain can be an integral part of a migraine episode. This information about the pathomechanism of migraines will hopefully support the development of new migraine treatment techniques which take into account cervical muscle pathology.