A Headache From a Pinched Nerve Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment.
Do you suspect that a pinched nerve in your neck is the culprit behind your headache?
The following written content from Colleen Doherty, MD | Very well
A pinched nerve in the neck—known medically as cervical radiculopathy—occurs when a nerve root in your neck is compressed or irritated. This condition is more common in men and most prevalent in people 50 to 54 years of age and can be recognized by a few symptoms.
Pinched Neck Nerve Symptoms
While often not the first symptom described, many individuals with a pinched nerve in the neck suffer from headaches. When the upper nerve roots are involved, the headache is described as a cervicogenic headache. However, headaches caused by lower nerves in the neck are more common.
Usually, the head pain is located on the same side as the affected nerve root and is described as aching in nature. Often, the headache will move (radiate) from the back of the head to the forehead, and there is tenderness when pressure is applied to the muscles in the neck on the same side as the pinched nerve.
Additional symptoms of a pinched nerve in the neck may include:3
- Muscle spasms
- Pain when moving the neck
- Same-sided shoulder and arm pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Weakness
Symptoms like fever, sudden weight loss, pain that is especially worse at night, or having a history of cancer or a suppressed immune system (along with this new pain) require immediate medical attention.
Medical conditions like cancer, a spinal abscess, or a condition called cervical myelopathy cause symptoms that can mimic those of radicular neck pain. Learn more from Verywell Health
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