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What is Cervical Headache?

There are many unfortunate cases of suffering from unknown headaches. There are many cases where it is difficult to lead a normal daily life due to headaches that do not heal easily even if you take medicine or take a rest. If the headache does not improve, cervical headache due to musculoskeletal abnormalities may be suspected.


The causes of headaches are very diverse, and ophthalmic problems such as excessive stress, anemia, decreased thyroid function, glaucoma, and otolaryngological problems such as rhinitis and sinusitis are typical. What should not be overlooked here is the musculoskeletal problem. This is because if the cervical balance is broken by maintaining the wrong posture for a long time, it can cause cervical headache.


The characteristic of cervical headache is that it is accompanied by general headache symptoms and stiff neck symptoms. In addition, if you press the larynx, the pain is noticeable. In addition, the range of neck movement decreases to some extent. The same is true when the head is turned, when the eyeball fatigue is severe, or when congestion is accompanied.


Cervical headache can be caused by weakening of the muscles and ligaments around the cervical spine and hypertension. In particular, if the shrunken posture is maintained for a long time in cold weather like these days, it is highly likely that the muscles and ligaments around the cervical spine will be excessively tense, causing cervical headache. In addition, office workers who use computers for a long time and students who use smartphones for a long time should be wary of developing cervical headaches.


It is said that abnormalities in the skull and upper cervical vertebrae, that is, cervical vertebrae 1 and 2, are related to cervical headache. Therefore, it is important to find the cause through an accurate and systematic examination before treatment for cervical headache. To this end, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, ultrasound tests, and the like may be performed.


If cervical headache is diagnosed early, improvement can be expected with non-surgical therapy, and it is essential to conduct a thorough examination because clinical aspects are diverse. Above all, it is important to remember that efforts should be made to maintain the right posture in daily life along with treatment. For office workers and students, it is desirable to practice stretching and exercise habits.


Writer: Yeyoung Jeon


(Picture from Unsplash)

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