One thing that has continued to surprise me over my 47 years in practice is how many people come in for mid or low back pain but never mention that they’re also dealing with recurring headaches.

When I ask about headaches, I often hear, “Oh, I didn’t think they were related.”

Sometimes they are.

One common source of headache pain is irritation of the joints in the upper neck. The pain from these joints is often referred, meaning it’s felt somewhere else, typically up the back and side of the head. What’s interesting is that the joints themselves often aren’t noticeably sore until they’re examined with gentle, direct palpation.

That’s why I believe a thorough examination is so important. Rather than focusing only on the area that hurts, it’s worth looking at how the whole body is working together. Connecting the dots can sometimes reveal the underlying source of symptoms that have been lingering for months or even years.

If you’ve been living with neck or back pain and recurring headaches, don’t assume they’re unrelated. Be sure to mention both to your healthcare provider. It could make all the difference in finding the right approach to care.