Aaron
Member
I've been struggling with intermittent cervicogenic headaches ever since I injured my neck at age 8, causing torticollis, which is a unilateral tightening of the neck muscles. A chiropractor was able to straighten my neck out, but it still feels like I always have a crick in my neck and when it flares up the headaches happen, generating from below the mastoid process and shooting into my forehead. I'm not sure to what degree the headaches are caused by nerve compression vs. cerebrovascular impairment. The stubborn tightness is isolated on the right side of my neck, while the left side feels like it lacks muscle tone.
Right now I'm suffering from another bout, usually lasting at least a few days and subsiding if I stay active and avoid strenuous neck movements, and lifting keeps it at bay. It makes it extremely hard to focus due to the sensation, but it also seems like blood flow through my neck is impaired, as it makes me feel flushed and when I stand up I sometimes become dizzy, which only happens when I'm experiencing the headache.
I have a few theories about why it's been so persistent: long-term competitive gaming (which I've quit) and heavy computer usage with a right-handed mouse; chronic tightness in the lower right back/QL/psoas (although equally likely, the neck issues are the cause of this); defensive shoulder posture related to social anxiety; and nerve damage from childhood causing spasms.
I think my neck tightness has played a major role in my ADHD struggles and I would like to get rid of it forever so I don't have to worry about it impairing me during important projects. If anyone has any insights about cervicogenic headache I would love your help. Thanks.
Right now I'm suffering from another bout, usually lasting at least a few days and subsiding if I stay active and avoid strenuous neck movements, and lifting keeps it at bay. It makes it extremely hard to focus due to the sensation, but it also seems like blood flow through my neck is impaired, as it makes me feel flushed and when I stand up I sometimes become dizzy, which only happens when I'm experiencing the headache.
I have a few theories about why it's been so persistent: long-term competitive gaming (which I've quit) and heavy computer usage with a right-handed mouse; chronic tightness in the lower right back/QL/psoas (although equally likely, the neck issues are the cause of this); defensive shoulder posture related to social anxiety; and nerve damage from childhood causing spasms.
I think my neck tightness has played a major role in my ADHD struggles and I would like to get rid of it forever so I don't have to worry about it impairing me during important projects. If anyone has any insights about cervicogenic headache I would love your help. Thanks.
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