As an executive mom, balancing high-stress work days with busy family life can leave you feeling drained, and when headaches strike, they can make everything harder. But not all headaches are the same. If you’re experiencing neck tightness along with your headaches, you might not just be battling a migraine. You could be dealing with a cervicogenic headache, a type of headache caused by issues in the neck and understanding the difference is key to finding real relief. In this blog, lets discuss these headaches and how to tell the difference.
If you’ve been treating every headache like a migraine but aren’t getting relief, it’s time to consider whether your neck and posture are part of the problem. Here are some ways to help you differentiate between migraines and cervicogenic headaches.
Where the Pain Starts Matters:
With cervicogenic headaches, the pain usually starts in the neck or base of the skull and then radiates upward to the head. Migraines typically start in the head itself and often come with throbbing, pulsing sensations.
Signs It Could Be Cervicogenic:
- Neck stiffness or reduced neck movement.
- Pain that worsens with certain neck positions.
- Tenderness around the base of the skull or upper shoulders.
Signs It Could Be a Migraine:
- Throbbing or pounding pain.
- Light or sound sensitivity.
- Nausea or visual disturbances.
Watch this video to learn more about Cervicogenic headaches - Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches: A Guide for Executive Mums
Triggers Are Different:
Cervicogenic headaches are often triggered by poor posture, neck strain, or mental stress - think long hours at your desk, slouching at your laptop, or even sleeping awkwardly.
Migraines, however, are typically triggered by hormonal changes, food sensitivities, weather changes or stress.
Pay attention to your daily posture and neck tension. Gentle posture resets and neck mobility exercises can make a big difference if your headaches are cervicogenic.
Movement vs. Rest:
With cervicogenic headaches, gentle neck movement often provides some relief. With migraines, resting in a dark, quiet room is usually necessary.
If gentle neck stretches ease your headache, it’s a clue that your neck might be the underlying issue.
Understanding the source empowers the solution! If you’ve been treating every headache like a migraine but aren’t getting relief, it’s time to consider whether your neck and posture are part of the problem. By tuning into your body’s signals and making small, intentional changes, you can reduce cervicogenic headaches naturally, giving you the energy and focus you need to thrive as an executive mom.
Get the course on "Simple Solutions to Manage your Cervicogenic Headache" HERE.
This course offers practical, easy-to-implement proven strategies that actually work and have helped countless people to overcome their pain, regain energy, and fully engage with their families and careers.
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