Injury and/or surgery to the cervical spine can cause head pain referred from pinched nerves, chronic spasm of neck muscles, Your neurosurgeon can perform some simple manipulations to determine if your headache is cervical in origin, or another type. Determining the underlying cause and type of your headache will be the first step in succesful treatment of the pain, so see the Doctor ASAP.
In the meantime, treat episodes with rest, darkness, and deep breathing. Take an anti-inflammatory, (motrin) and lie with head shoulders and upper back at a 45 degree angle, with a small cervical pillow, or rolled towel under your neck. Move as little as possible, and avoid completely the movements you have noted as aggravating. Breath deeply and slowly. aplly ice then heat in 15 min intervals to cervical spine area. You may try gently massaging temples, neck and the area between thumb and pointer finger gently. You may also consider this method for pain relief as pain is subsiding: Grasp hair in small amounts over areas of pain. Pull taut, and hold, very slightly tugging for 15-20 seconds then releasing. Repeat several times.
Limit salt, and simple sugars, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoke, and drimk 8 glasses of water daily to prevent dehydration.
Good luck to you!
Home treatment options overlap with those of tension headache. For more info go to:
http://bastyrcenter.org/content/view/429/
http://www.cinn.org/pain/headache-cervicogenic.html__________________
I hope my information is helpful. If you have more questions, just ask! I will gladly help, otherwise please click "accept".
Positive feedback and any bonus would be appreciated. Thank you, Christy
