Hi,

So I was feeling pretty good the last 3 days, and today as soon as I woke up I knew it was gonna be a rough day because my neck was feeling bad. Over the course of the last few months, I've noticed a correlation between my neck pain and headaches. Whenever I have a "good" neck day, my head feels a lot better. Whenever I have a sore, painful neck, my head feels worse.

Does this happen to anybody else? I wonder if it's a common thing or whether it's a big sign telling me the root cause of my issues is my neck.

This was a problem for me until I took control of sleep postures. I'm much better when I am disciplined.

What sort of steps can I take to get into a sleep posture discipline?

Learn to sleep so you head and neck stay straight throughout the night. I learned to sleep on my back with my head only supported on the sides so it does not roll to the side. Sleeping with the head elevated is a learned behavior. It can be unlearned. I learned that the head tilted forward was the worst position for me.

If your neck gets stiff, there is a reason. Find the reason, correct it and be disciplined so you do not undo the correction made.

I've used chiropractors and a highly skilled Physical Therapist and over an extended period of time, my neck became stabilized and my stiffness and other problems subsided.

Sounds like I need to stop avoiding PT and actually go through with it. For some reason I've felt like it won't be of any help, but my neurologist keeps recommending it too so I guess it's worth a try. I've an atlas orthogonal appointment coming up in 2 weeks, hopefully that helps as well.

For me, my neck feels fine on both good and bad days.

Yes, most definately. Somtimes I wake up with a headache in the middle of the night. I have to take some Tylenol and rearrange my pillows so my neck is supported. If you sleep with your neck acting like a bridge to your head you're going to have a headache. Support your neck. Even if you have to stuff pillows under it after you get comfortable.

At my first neurology appointment, my neuro warned me that I might never find out the cause of my headache/facial pain and if I was lucky enough to find a cause, it could take two or three years. How right he was. There are so many causes of headaches and it's very frustrating because you know that if you knew WHY, then you could fix it.

If you feel that the Sternocleidomastoid could be the cause of your pain, then you should pursue it and see what happens. I have tried many medications and treatments trying to discover the WHY. The way I see it, everything that doesn't work gives me valuable information.

Whatever you try, make sure you give it enough of a chance. As Mark said, you might not get good results with the chiropracter in just 2 or 3 visits. Don't give up without giving it enough time (and don't let the chiropracter give up on you too quickly).

I'm glad to hear the adjustment made you feel better even though it didn't help your headache. I hope your headache isn't too bad today.

Cheryl

Just a suggestion. Do you have any throw pillows you can use on your bed? They make excellent supports so you can get comfortable. If you don't, then get a few.

Make sure they aren't rigid, but soft and bendable.

If a chiro gives up on you 'too quickly,' say good riddance and find one who understand how to help you heal. Not all chiros are of equal skill sets. In my experience, only 2 in 10 are really good. The rest are just using the method they were taught in chiro college and do not have the outside the box diagnostic and treatment skills. I've known chiros who left the profession because they just did not have what it takes to be good chiros.