how to tell if a headache is coming from neck tension or a sinus infection
Summary
Headaches caused by neck tension (cervicogenic headaches) and those caused by sinus infections (sinusitis) often feel similar because they both create pressure in the head. The main difference lies in the location of the pain and whether you have symptoms of an active infection, like a fever or congestion.
Most likely causes
- Cervicogenic Headache: Referred pain from the joints, nerves, or muscles in the upper cervical spine (neck).
- Tension Headache: Tightness in the neck and scalp muscles, often due to "tech neck," stress, or poor posture.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities, often following a cold or seasonal allergies.
- Spinal Misalignment: Subluxations in the upper neck that irritate nerves traveling toward the head.
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