Is your headache or migraine one sided?
If yes, is it always on the same side or can it swap sides?
For example, if your headache or migraine is on the right on one occasion, can it be on the left on the next occasion?
If yes, is it always on the same side or can it swap sides?
For example, if your headache or migraine occurs on the right side and then the left on the occasion? Perhaps it even swaps sides within the same headache or migraine episode.
If your headache or migraine swaps sides, a disturbance at the second and third cervical (neck) spinal segment (C2-3) is responsible. This behaviour of head pain confirms your neck as the source of your headache or migraine.
However, even if your headache is one-sided and doesn’t change sides, it doesn’t rule out the C2-3 segment is involved.
Is a Disorder of the Upper Neck Responsible?
Other signs or symptoms indicating that a disorder of upper neck is responsible for your headache or migraine are your:
- headache or migraine is preceded or accompanied by neck stiffness, pain or discomfort
- headache or migraine started soon after head or neck trauma
- headache or migraine has gradually increased in frequency over the years
Furthermore, confirmation that a neck disorder is responsible for your headache or migraine is realised when temporary reproduction and lessening of your head pain is achieved during examination of the upper cervical (neck) joints. This is crucial to diagnosing neck related headache or migraine.
