HEADACHES- Headaches are an extremely common complaint. They vary in pain intensity, pattern and location from individual to individual.  There are several types of common headaches and symptoms as listed below. Often neck pain and headaches go hand in hand.

SYMPTOMS-  

TENSION HEADACHES

Episodic Tension Headaches
• Pain is mild to moderate, constant band-like pain, pressure or throbbing
• Pain affects the front, top or sides of the head.
• Pain usually begins gradually, and often occurs in the middle of the day
• Pain may last from 30 minutes to several days

Chronic Tension Headaches (occurs more than 15 days per month)
• Pain may vary in intensity throughout the day, but the pain is almost always present
• Pain affects the front, top or sides of the head
• Pain comes and goes over a prolonged period of time

MIGRAINES

The symptoms of migraine headaches can occur in various combinations and include:

•Moderate to severe pain (often described as pounding, throbbing pain) that can affect whole head, or can shift from one side of the head to the other
• Sensitivity to light, noise or odors
• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting, stomach upset, abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Sensations of being very warm or cold
• Paleness
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Fever (rare)
• Bright flashing dots or lights, blind spots, wavy or jagged lines (aura)

CLUSTER HEADACHES

•Intense one-sided pain described as having a burning or piercing quality that is throbbing or constant
•Pain is located behind one eye or in the eye region, without changing sides
•Pain lasts a short time, generally 30 to 90 minutes. But, it can last from 15 minutes to three hours. The headache will disappear only to recur later that day (most sufferers get one to three headaches per day during a cluster period).
•Headaches occur very regularly, generally at the same time each day, and they often awaken the person at the same time during the night.

SINUS HEADACHES

•Deep and constant pain in the cheekbones, forehead or bridge of the nose
•The pain usually intensifies with sudden head movement or straining and usually occurs with other sinus symptoms, such as nasal discharge, feeling of fullness in the ears, fever, and facial swelling.

NECK PAIN-   Neck pain can occur anywhere in your neck, from the bottom of your head to the top of your shoulders. It can spread to your upper back or arms. It may limit how much you can move your head and neck.  Most neck pain is caused by activities that strain the neck. Slouching, painting a ceiling, or sleeping with your neck twisted are some things that can cause neck pain. These kinds of activities can lead to neck strain, a spasm of the neck muscles, or swelling of the neck joints.

Neck pain can also be caused by an injury. A fall from a ladder or whiplash from a car accident can cause neck pain. Some less common medical problems can also lead to neck pain, such as:
 
An infection in the neck.
Narrowing of the spinal canal  in the neck (cervical spinal stenosis).
Rheumatoid arthritis.

SYMPTOMS-  You may feel a knot, stiffness, or severe pain in your neck. The pain may spread to your shoulders, upper back, or arms. You may get a headache. You may not be able to move or turn your head and neck easily. If there is pressure on a spinal nerve root, you might have pain that shoots down your arm. You may also have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm.

WHIPLASH-  Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is injury to the neck. Whiplash is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck. In whiplash, the intervertebral joints (located between vertebrae), discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged.  Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, either backward or forward, and often occurs as a result of a car accident.

Headaches

Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades

Low back pain

Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand

Dizziness

Ringing in the ears or blurred vision

Difficulty concentrating or remembering

Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue.

SYMPTOMS- Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury.

• Neck pain and stiffness

• If your neck pain is long-lasting (chronic), you may have trouble coping with daily life. Common side effects of chronic pain include fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

• You can avoid neck pain caused by stress or muscle strain with some new habits. Avoid spending a lot of time in positions that stress your neck. This can include sitting at a computer for a long time.

• If your neck pain is worse at the end of the day, think about how you sit during the day. Sit straight in your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Take short breaks several times an hour.

• If your neck pain is worse in the morning, check your pillow and the position you sleep in. Use a pillow that keeps your neck straight. Avoid sleeping on your stomach with your neck twisted or bent.