(NaturalHealth365)  Do you recall that pounding headache you endured not long ago?  While you likely reached for pain relief and hydration, you probably didn’t consider your neck the culprit.

Yet, research from the Radiological Society of North America reveals a startling link: those nagging headaches could be rooted in inflammation, particularly in the neck muscles.  It’s time to rethink the source of your pain.

Has the mystery of headaches been solved?

Understanding the root causes of primary headaches, including the notorious migraines and pervasive tension headaches, has long stumped the medical community.  Tension headaches are so prevalent that they afflict over two-thirds of adults nationwide.

A new study, focusing on mainly women aged 20 to 31, dives deep into this mystery.  Within this group, some experienced tension headaches combined with migraines, while others faced pure tension headaches.  To provide a clearer picture, a control group of healthy individuals was also incorporated for comparative analysis.

The study’s spotlight was on the trapezius muscles, which stretch across the thoracic and cervical regions of the body, encompassing much of the neck’s posterior.  Each participant underwent a specialized 3D (three-dimensional) spin-echo turbo MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).  This advanced imaging technique enabled researchers to segment and extract data from the trapezius muscle.  Subsequent analyses honed in on potential correlations between this muscle tissue data and reported neck pain.

Furthermore, the research factored in variables such as the frequency of headache episodes and the prevalence of myofascial trigger points within the trapezius, identified through manual palpation.  All findings were meticulously adjusted to account for factors like body mass index, age, and gender.

In essence, this study brings us one step closer to solving the mystery of primary headaches, potentially pointing towards a previously overlooked connection between the trapezius muscles and these debilitating headaches.

Recognize the importance of your neck muscles

The group that suffered from tension headaches, in addition to migraines, displayed the most significant T2 muscle values.  In medical imaging like MRI, T2 refers to a type of image sequence that highlights certain tissue characteristics.  When associated with muscle, “elevated T2 values” can indicate increased water content, inflammation, or other tissue changes within the muscle being examined.

The study observed that inflammation in the neck muscles is linked to the frequency and intensity of headaches experienced in the cervical region.  These findings allowed researchers to distinguish between individuals with primary headaches and those without.  Interestingly, the researchers also mentioned a shift towards non-invasive treatments that target specific areas of pain in the neck muscles, moving away from relying heavily on Big Pharma drugs.

Embrace a holistic approach to alleviating headaches

Rather than immediately resorting to over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like Tylenol or aspirin, consider natural remedies first.  A good night’s sleep or a refreshing nap might just be the reset your body needs to ward off that throbbing headache.

Additionally (and this is an important point), simple neck and upper body exercises can boost circulation and increase your strength.  This, in turn, will reduce your risk of inflammation-related headaches that come from overdoing daily activities that require upper body strength.  Simply put, a weak upper body puts you at risk to experience inflammed trapezius muscles and headaches.

For immediate relief, a warm compress applied to your temples, forehead, and neck can work wonders.  To increase your chances of relief, massage the neck and shoulder muscles to increase blood flow and relax the area of tension.  Another, seemingly “unrelated,” helpful tip would be to drink more clean water.  Dehydration can often trigger a headache.

In addition, dive into the world of aromatherapy, but proceed with caution.  While scents like eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary are renowned for their headache-relieving properties, some potent fragrances can exacerbate symptoms.  Always test and tailor to what works best for you.

Have a trusted remedy or tip for easing headaches?  Share your experiences and insights below; your advice might be the relief someone else is seeking!

Sources for this article include:

RSNA.org
Studyfinds.org