Headaches and neck pain can be a real pain in the neck - quite literally! While one of these symptoms is bad enough, dealing with both at the same time can be a real bummer. And to make matters worse, these two pesky aches often go hand in hand, leaving you feeling doubly miserable.
Have you ever experienced pain that starts from your neck and radiates up to your temples? If yes, then you know how uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating it can be.
This kind of pain can have various causes, from tension headaches to neck strain or injury. In this article, we'll explore the different reasons why your temple and neck may hurt. We'll give you tips on what you can do to relieve the pain.
Why Does My Temple And Neck Hurt?
There could be various reasons why your temple and neck hurt. Some common causes include:
- Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They are often caused by muscle tension or stress. These headaches typically cause pain in the temples and the back of the neck.
- Migraine headaches are another type of headache that can cause pain in the temples and neck. We talk more about the relationship between migraines and neck pain here.
- Neck strain or injury can also cause pain in the neck and sometimes the temples. This can occur due to poor posture, whiplash from a car accident, or other physical trauma. This is also termed cervicogenic headache.
- Sinusitis is a condition in which the sinuses become inflamed. Sinus infection is one way that could happen. Sinusitis can cause pain and pressure in the temples and may also radiate to the neck. We have an article on sinusitis and neck pain here.
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is any condition that affects the jaw joint. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the temples and neck, as well as the jaw itself.
- Occipital neuralgia is a condition that causes intense pain in the occipital region, the area where the neck muscles attach to the skull. The pain can radiate to the temples, forehead, and behind the eyes. We have an article that talks about occipital neuralgia here.
Can Neck Pain Make My Temples Hurt?
The neck and head are intimately connected through a complex network of nerves and muscles. Any tension in one area can easily spread to the other.
When the muscles and joints in your neck become tight and strained, they can refer pain to the temples and head. This leads to a dull or throbbing headache. Conditions that can cause damage to the tissues of your neck can also cause temple pain.
Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches are perfect examples of this relationship.
A study selected patients who had cervicogenic headaches and felt better after blocking a nerve on the neck (C2 spinal nerve). These patients underwent surgery that involved removing tissue that pressed on the nerve.
Out of 31 patients, 14 were completely pain-free after an average of 16 months of follow-up. 51% experienced some relief from the surgery, while only 11% experienced the headache again.
What Are Tension Headaches?
Tension headaches or tension-type headaches (TTH) are the most common type of headaches. These headaches affect an estimated 20.8% of the population. These headaches are usually caused by muscle tension in the head and neck and are triggered by:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Lack of sleep
- Poor posture
There are two main types of tension headaches, depending on how often you have them. These are:
- Episodic tension headaches
These headaches occur sporadically, usually less than 15 days per month. They can last from a few minutes to several days.
- Chronic tension headaches
These headaches are more frequent and last longer than episodic tension headaches. They occur for at least 15 days per month and can last for several hours or even days.
Genetics may play a role in the development of chronic tension headaches. According to a study, parents, siblings, and children of people with chronic tension headaches were 2.1 to 3.9 times more likely to have the condition too.
How Does A Tension Headache Cause Temple And Neck Pain?
There are many different theories about why you get these headaches. However, the exact reason has yet to be discovered. One theory is that there are certain trigger points in your pericranial muscles that can get sore and cause pain.
Your pericranial muscles are the muscles that surround your head. These muscles include the muscles of your temples and neck. These muscles help you move your head and neck, chew, and make facial expressions. When their trigger points get too tight, they can cause tension headaches. The trigger points also release substances that make the pain even worse.
These trigger points can either be “latent” or “active.” Latent trigger points only hurt when you touch them. Meanwhile, active trigger points hurt all the time. A study shows active trigger points are more common in people with tension-type headaches. The study also found that these trigger points may make you more sensitive to pain.
Studies also suggest that when your upper neck muscles get too tight, they form myodural bridges. These bridges are like little "tug-of-wars" between the muscles and the dura mater, which is the lining of your brain and spine. This can cause pain and discomfort, especially in the head and neck areas.
What Do Tension Headaches Feel Like?
A tension headache may feel like:
- A dull, aching pain that affects both sides of the head
- Can feel like a tight band or pressure around the forehead or temples
- May be described as a "vice-like" or squeezing sensation
- Can be accompanied by tenderness in the scalp, neck, and shoulder muscles
- Not worsened by physical activity
According to a study done in 2015, 88.4% of people with tension headaches complained of neck pain. Neck pain from tension headaches is often described as a dull ache or tightness in the neck. You may also feel like you have a stiff neck.
However, there is a set of criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to be diagnosed with any of the types of tension headaches. Here’s how they go:
| Infrequent Episodic Tension Headache |
| 1. At least 10 episodes of headaches that occurs not more than 1 day a month or less than 12 days a year. |
| 2. Can last for 30 minutes or up to 7 days |
| 3. Must have at least two of the following characteristics: a. occurs on both sides of the head b. Pain that can be described as a pressing or tightening sensation c. Mild to moderate level of pain d. Not worsened by daily physical activities such as walking |
| Must meet both of the following: a. No episodes of nausea or vomiting b. Must only have one of the following: i. Sensitivity to light (photophobia) ii. Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) |
| 5. Cannot be explained by any other diagnosis |
| Frequent Episodic Tension Headache |
| 1. It has the same criteria for infrequent episodic tension headaches except for the following: a. Must have at least 10 episodes of headache that occurs for 1-14 days a month for more than 3 months. Or for 12 days or more per year, but it should not exceed 180 days. |
| Chronic Tension Headache |
| 1. Must have headaches for 15 days or more per month for 3 months or more than 180 days per year. 2. Must last for hours to days or may be persistent. 3. Must meet both of the following: a. Experience only one of the following: i. Photophobia ii. Phonophobia iii. Mild nausea b. No episodes of moderate to severe nausea or vomiting |
What Is A Cervicogenic Headache?
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originate from problems in the neck or cervical spine These headaches are caused by referred pain from the neck to the head. This means that the brain interprets pain signals from the neck as pain in the head.
Cervicogenic headaches are considered secondary headaches. Any of the following can cause them:
- Injuries to the neck, such as whiplash or other trauma.
According to a study, cervicogenic headaches may occur in up to 53% of patients who suffered from a whiplash injury.
- Herniated or bulging discs in the neck
- Inflammation or irritation of the cervical facet joints (small joints between the vertebrae)
- Abnormalities in the blood vessels in the neck or head
Cervicogenic headaches are commonly confused with other types of headaches, including tension headaches. Because of this, there must be medical evidence that the headache is due to a lesion or disorder of the tissues of the neck. This can be obtained from medical imaging or other diagnostic tests.
What Are The Symptoms of a Cervicogenic Headache?
Cervicogenic headaches typically present with symptoms that include:
- Pain on one side of the head or face
- Pain that starts in the neck or base of the skull and radiates to the forehead, temple, or eye
- Pain that is worsened by certain neck movements or positions
- Stiffness or decreased range of motion in the neck
- Tenderness in the neck, shoulder, or upper back muscles
But similar to tension headaches, there is a set of criteria to meet before a diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches can be suspected.
Here’s how the clinical diagnosis process goes:
| Clinical criteria for the diagnosis of cervicogenic headache: |
| 1. Headache that occurs on only one side |
| 2. Signs and symptoms that suggest neck involvement, such as: a. Headache that is triggered by neck movement or after holding an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time. b. Headache that is triggered by pressure on the back of the neck c. Pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm on the same side as the headache d. Limited neck movement |
| 3. Can vary in duration or may be persistent with varying intensity |
| 4. Moderate pain that is not throbbing in nature |
| 5. Pain that starts in the neck and spreads to the front and sides of the head |
| 6. Temporary relief of pain using anesthetic blockade of the neck. Alternatively, you may have a history of an injury to the neck immediately before the onset of headaches |
| 7. Any of the following symptoms: a. Nausea b. Vomiting c. Edema on the same side of the headache d. Flushing in the area surrounding the eyes e. Dizziness f. Blurred vision g. Sensitivity to light (photophobia) h. Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) |
| 1. Meeting criteria 1 and 5 qualifies for a diagnosis of “possible cervicogenic headache.” 2. Meeting criteria 1 and 5 + any of the other three criteria upgrades the diagnosis suspicion to "probable cervicogenic headache." |
How Can I Differentiate Tension Headaches And Cervicogenic Headaches?
Tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches are often confused with each other. This is because a lot of their common symptoms overlap. It’s also possible to have both at the same time.
Cervicogenic headaches and tension headaches can have similar symptoms. But some differences can help distinguish between them:
- Location of the pain
Tension headaches usually cause pain that is felt on both sides of the head. Whereas cervicogenic headaches typically cause pain that is felt on one side of the head or face.
- Type of pain
Tension headaches typically cause a dull, aching pain described as a tight band around the head. Meanwhile, cervicogenic headaches can cause mild to moderate throbbing pain that is felt on one side of the head or face. The pain from cervicogenic headaches may be continuous.
- Aggravating factors
Cervicogenic headaches are usually worsened by neck movements, while tension headaches do not.
- Associated symptoms
Tension headaches are usually only associated with mild nausea or sensitivity to light or sound. Cervicogenic headaches, however, are associated with nausea, vomiting, and even arm or shoulder pain.
While these two types of headaches may be similar, they require different treatment approaches. It's crucial to seek a proper medical diagnosis before attempting any self-treatment. A misdiagnosis could lead to ineffective or even harmful treatments.
How Do I Relieve Tension Headaches?
Feeling the squeeze of tension headaches? The good news is there are ways to get some relief! Don't let tension headaches hold you back – take charge and try these tips.
- Practice good posture
Since tense and strained neck muscles are possible causes of neck pain, it’s important to observe good posture while sitting or standing. If you're stuck in front of your desk the whole day, try making your office space more neck-friendly.
According to one study, posture correction reduced the frequency of tension headaches by 24% and the duration by 27%.
- Stretch and exercise regularly
Regular stretching and exercise can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation. In the study we mentioned above, strength exercises reduced the frequency of tension headaches by 11% and the duration by 10%.
If you want to combine posture correction with strength exercises, we have a great list of neck exercises here.
- Apply heat or cold
Place a heating pad or cold pack on the neck or forehead to reduce pain and muscle tension.
If you’re looking for a great heating pad, then look no further! Our heating pad releases a gentle, calming scent that will help you unwind and ease the tension in no time!
- Massage the affected area
Gentle massage or pressure to the neck, shoulders, and temples can help relieve tension.
- Practice relaxation techniques
Stress and anxiety are considered triggers for tension headaches. With that said, getting a moment of peace and relaxation is important. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and tension. These include:- Deep breathing
- Meditation
- Yoga
- A simple walk outside
- Take over-the-counter pain medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can help alleviate the pain.
How Do I Relieve Cervicogenic Headaches?
Relieving cervicogenic headaches may require a more targeted approach than tension headaches. Here are some tips that can help relieve cervicogenic headaches:
- Physical therapy
A physical therapist can help you identify the specific muscles and joints in the neck that are causing your headaches. They will then help you develop an exercise plan to address the problem.
According to Dr. Emad Estemalik, a headache and pain specialist, “The neck is very complex. That’s why physical therapy is key to treating this type of headache. Your physical therapist can identify which muscles are involved. They can guide you through exercises to strengthen the core muscles that need it. They also help you avoid overusing certain muscles that could cause more pain.”
- Spinal manipulation
A chiropractor can use gentle manipulation techniques to help realign the vertebrae in your neck. This may relieve pressure on the nerves that are causing your headaches. However, this may only provide short-term relief.
According to a meta-analysis, spinal manipulation only provides short-term benefits for cervicogenic headaches.
- Nerve blocks
Injecting medication into specific nerves in the neck can help block pain signals. This may provide long-lasting relief for cervicogenic headaches. We have an in-depth article on nerve blocks for neck pain here.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be a safe alternative treatment option for cervicogenic headaches. So if you’re not squeamish about needles, you can try it out.
- Medications
Over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen can provide temporary relief. However, prescription medications may be more effective for longer-lasting relief.
When Should I Be Concerned About Temple Pain And Neck Pain?
If you're experiencing temple pain and neck pain, especially if you're over 50 years old, you should be concerned about the possibility of temporal arteritis. Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis (GCA), is a condition where the arteries in your head and neck become inflamed. This condition can lead to symptoms such as:
- Temple pain
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Scalp tenderness
- Jaw pain
- Vision problems
Some warning signs of temporal arteritis include:
- Throbbing headache
- Loss of vision or double vision
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain or stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, and hips
In some cases, if left untreated, temporal arteritis can lead to serious complications, such as permanent vision loss or stroke. So if you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention right away.
Takeaway
Temple pain and neck pain can be related. Tight muscles and damaged joints in the neck can refer pain to the temples and head. Understanding the causes and symptoms of this type of pain can help you seek proper treatment and alleviate your discomfort.
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