Researchers at the Technical University of Munich in Germany conducted a study linking tension headaches and migraines with tight, inflamed neck muscles. The team proposes that inflammation in these neck muscles may be a driving factor behind many headaches. Their findings are published in the Journal of Headache and Pain.
While earlier work hinted at a connection between neck stiffness and headaches, those conclusions often relied on patient reports or evaluations by physical therapists rather than direct, objective measurements of neck muscle activity. In this study, scientists employed a new MRI technique known as T2 mapping. This imaging approach can reveal tension and fluid buildup within the neck muscles, offering a tangible sign of inflammation that accompanies headaches.
The study enrolled 50 adults: 28 individuals experiencing tension-type headaches or migraines and 22 healthy controls. Participants maintained a headache diary for 30 days before undergoing T2 mapping. The researchers observed that those with headaches showed a slightly slower relaxation response in neck muscles, which correlated with higher fluid levels in these muscles on imaging. This pattern suggests a biomechanical and biochemical environment in the neck that may sustain or amplify headache pain.
These results open the door to non-drug interventions aimed at reducing neck muscle inflammation and improving neck function. Among the potential approaches discussed by the authors are physical therapies such as targeted massage, manual therapy, and other nonpharmacologic strategies that could help ease neck tension and, in turn, lessen headache frequency or severity.
In clinical discussions, questions about the sources of headaches are common, including whether dental problems could play a role. Clinicians emphasize a holistic assessment, considering dental alignment, bite issues, and other craniofacial factors as part of a comprehensive headache evaluation.