Non-specific headaches and neck pain are often caused by muscle tension that occurs when you remain in certain positions for a long time, when working at a computer without taking regular breaks, or when stressed. Other known causes include sleep disorders, frequent repetitive movements and physical injuries. Lifestyle factors such as a lack of exercise, an unbalanced diet or a lack of stress relief can worsen symptoms.

Migraines cause severe, throbbing pain and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise. They can be triggered by hormonal changes, certain foods, everyday stress or various environmental influences. Although migraines do not originate in the neck, manual treatments of neck muscles and joints can reduce the symptoms, particularly when using different treatment techniques in combination [5].

Injuries can cause acute neck pain with headaches. Degenerative diseases of the cervical spine, such as cervical spondylosis or intervertebral disc changes, are also possible contributors to pain radiating from the neck to the head and/or to the shoulders and arms.

Sinus, teeth and temporomandibular joint disorders can also manifest as headaches and neck pain. The list of possible causes is long. An effective treatment strategy therefore depends on an accurate diagnosis and recognizing and understanding the symptoms. 

Everyone experiences pain differently, and various common symptoms can occur in different combinations. The most frequently described head and neck symptoms are as follows:

• Pain in the neck or shoulders
• Restricted neck movement
• Neck pain, accompanied by headaches
• Dizziness
• Pain, numbness or tingling, sometimes extending to the arm, shoulders or upper back
• Difficulty concentrating
• Whistling and other ringing in the ears
• Blurred vision and other eye problems such as photosensitivity
   

It is very important to us to provide patients with comprehensive information about treatment options, self-management and prevention. The gold standard in chiropractic medicine involves a thorough consultation and initial examination to determine your ideal and correct treatment. This is followed by a detailed explanation of the symptoms and manual treatment over an agreed period of time. Depending on the symptoms, this can last a few to several weeks, or, in the case of concomitant therapy, take place over the long term. During this phase, we’ll provide you with further advice and tips on how to stay active and avoid relapses with the help of specific exercises.

If necessary, we will organize additional psychological assistance and support for your successful return to work. In complex and chronic cases, we work closely with other specialist departments at Balgrist University Hospital.

In our treatments and consultations, we adhere to evidence-based recommendations as much as possible, which include that head and neck pain should be treated holistically, among others [2, 3]. Current best practices include: 

• Patient education, including advice on becoming or remaining active, or engaging in exercise.
• Manual therapy, including manipulation and mobilization of the spine and various soft tissue therapies.
• A multidisciplinary treatment approach that takes into account the biopsychosocial aspect of pain management.
• Most pharmacological interventions are unnecessary, although non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are occasionally recommended for short-term use.