Reviewed by Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist (DDS)
Neck pain and migraine often show up together. For many people, neck pain is part of the migraine process itself, and understanding this connection can help you and your physician plan long-term migraine care.
The Migraine–Neck Connection
The trigeminal nerve, which plays a central role in migraine, is closely connected to the upper cervical nerves in the neck. When a migraine begins, this shared pathway can cause:
➢ Neck stiffness before the migraine headache starts
➢ Pain radiating from the neck into the head
➢ Increased muscle tension during attacks
How People Commonly Manage Neck Discomfort
Many people with migraine use massage therapy, chiropractic care, stretching, or pain medication recommended by their physician to manage neck discomfort, and these can all be part of a care plan.
Because neck pain can be connected to the migraine itself, it can help to look at the whole picture with your physician: your headache pattern, your neck, and your jaw.
What to Expect at a Consultation
➢ We ask about your headaches, neck pain and jaw pain, and when they tend to happen
➢ Dr. Jared Nabeta examines your jaw joints and chewing muscles for signs of TMD and clenching
➢ We review your physician’s migraine diagnosis and the treatments you have already tried
➢ If neuromodulator treatment with botulinum toxin A may be suitable, we explain what it involves, its possible side effects, and how often visits are scheduled, so you can decide
➢ We share findings with your physician and work alongside them
Migraine Care at Nabeta Dentistry
Treating migraine is part of the care we provide. Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist, offers neuromodulator treatment with botulinum toxin A for physician-diagnosed migraine, including chronic migraine, and assesses the jaw pain and TMD that can occur alongside headaches and neck pain. Each plan is made with the patient and coordinated alongside their physician. If you live in or near Burlington and neck pain is part of your migraine pattern, we would be glad to talk it through.
To book a consultation, call Nabeta Dentistry at (905) 639-6701 or request an appointment online at NabetaDentistry.com/appointment-request. Dr. Jared Nabeta, General Dentist, assesses jaw pain and TMD, including headache related to TMD. Treatment for migraine is offered only for migraine diagnosed by a physician, alongside the patient’s physician.