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Neck pain and associated head pain: persistent neck complaint with subsequent, transient, posterior headache
O Sjaastad1, H Wang, L S Bakketeig
1Department of Neurology, St Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. tora.rui@ntnu.no
Background:
During the Vågå headache epidemiology study, there were indications that various types of work, such as carpentry and hairdressing, frequently seemed to be linked to a combination of neckache and headache.
Objectives:
A post hoc study was conducted among 1838, 18- to 65-year-old Vågå citizens, looking for patients with combined neck/headache.
Design:
Face-to-face interview was conducted.
Results:
Combined neckache and headache were detected in 121 (6.6%) individuals. The bilateral headache originated in the neck; it was mild/moderate, symptom-poor, and frequently provoked by awkward neck positions. No such headache occurred without a neckache. Headache in this group of patients resembles tractor drivers' headache, except for the provoking factor itself.
Conclusions:
This headache is not listed in headache classification systems/textbooks on headache. This headache must be distinguished from the unilateral cervicogenic headache proper because of the different treatment perspectives.
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