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Summary
Migraine attacks often involve neck symptoms, with pain frequently occurring during the headache phase. This suggests a connection between migraine and neck issues, possibly involving shared nerve pathways.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
- Headache Disorders
Background:
- Migraine is a complex neurological disorder characterized by severe head pain.
- The role of extracranial structures, particularly the neck, in migraine pathophysiology is increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of neck symptoms in patients experiencing migraine.
- To explore the potential of the neck as a trigger for migraine attacks.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted with 50 migraine patients.
- Patients were questioned about neck symptoms (pain, stiffness) during premonitory, headache, and postdromal phases of their migraine attacks.
- Inquiries were made regarding the neck's potential role as a migraine precipitant.
Main Results:
- Out of 50 patients, 32 reported neck pain or stiffness during migraine attacks.
- Neck symptoms were reported during the premonitory phase (10 patients), headache phase (30 patients), and postdromally (10 patients).
- Migraine-related neck pain radiated to the shoulder in 7 patients and the lumbar region in 1 patient.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest significant extracerebral involvement in the migraine process.
- There appears to be an overlap in the distribution pathways of the trigeminal nerve (involved in migraine) and cervical nerves (related to neck structures).
- Neck symptoms are a common feature of migraine and may be linked to the underlying pathophysiology.