Victor Forge
Migraines are debilitating and affect 39 million people in the US alone. They are more than just a headache, and the symptoms can vary from person to person. Many people experience body aches, neck pain, facial pain, and allodynia (pain from things that don't usually hurt, like a light touch or temperature changes) during a migraine attack. This occurs due to changes in the brain and blood vessels, which can also lead to changes in body temperature and shivering. So, do migraines cause muscle aches? The answer is yes, and this symptom can be very hard to cope with as it can interfere with daily tasks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle aches | Before, during, and after a migraine attack, people may experience muscle aches, neck pain, facial pain, and allodynia. The pain can range from mild to severe and can last from minutes to days. |
| Diagnosis | To diagnose migraine headaches, serious causes and diseases, such as ischemic stroke and hemorrhage, must first be ruled out. |
| Treatment | Treatment planning depends on the frequency and severity of the pain. Treatment options include oral or injectable pain prevention medications, muscle relaxants, paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioid pain relievers. |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle knots and trigger points
Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points, are small, bump-like areas of muscle that can be painful. They are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that present as palpable nodules (or "knots") in the muscle. They can develop almost anywhere on the body where muscle or fascia is present, with common locations including the mid-back, neck, and shoulder blade.
Muscle knots can cause what doctors call referred pain. When a person presses on the trigger point, the pain spreads from the trigger point to nearby muscles. Trigger points can also prevent muscles from extending fully, making them feel weaker than they are.
There are several reasons why trigger points may form. One of the main reasons is when muscles are injured, and fibres do not heal properly, causing fibre segments in muscles to be deprived of oxygen and become knotted. This can happen during any type of exercise activity, especially when performing sports or exercising too hard without proper muscle recovery. Posture asymmetry can also cause trigger points to form, as holding a specific posture can cause tension and aches. Spending a lot of time sitting at work or having poor postural alignment due to cell phone use and improper sleeping and sitting positions can also contribute to the development of muscle knots.
There are various treatments for muscle knots. Home remedies include applying warm or cold pads and self-massage techniques, such as placing a tennis ball or foam roller between the back and the wall or floor, using the pressure from the ball to massage the trigger point. Other treatments include cupping, dry needling, and kinesiotaping, which can be used in conjunction with exercise, education, and other manual therapy interventions. If home remedies do not work, professional treatments are available, such as therapeutic massages, acupuncture, and trigger point injection therapy.
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Allodynia: sensitivity to touch
Migraines are more than just a headache. They can cause a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. One of the lesser-known symptoms of migraines is allodynia, a condition that causes extreme sensitivity to touch.
Allodynia is a type of neuropathic pain that affects people with migraines. It occurs when the body's processing of pain is altered, resulting in pain from things that usually do not hurt. For example, people with allodynia may experience intense pain from a light touch on the skin, brushing their hair, or even temperature changes. This sensitivity can make everyday activities like taking a shower or getting dressed extremely painful.
The occurrence of allodynia during migraine episodes is well-recognized, and it can manifest as cephalic or extracephalic cutaneous allodynia. Cephalic allodynia involves pain in the head and face, while extracephalic allodynia refers to pain in other parts of the body. In both cases, the pain can range from mild to severe and can last from minutes to days. It is worth noting that the changes in the nervous system during a migraine attack that cause allodynia do not typically appear on scans or blood tests.
If you experience allodynia or other symptoms of migraine, it is important to keep a record of your symptoms and consult a doctor. A correct diagnosis is crucial for receiving proper treatment and managing migraine pain effectively. Doctors can help identify your specific set of migraine symptoms and recommend treatments to relieve them and prevent future attacks.
In summary, allodynia is a common but often overlooked symptom of migraines, characterized by extreme sensitivity to touch. It can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making even simple daily tasks challenging. Understanding and recognizing allodynia is essential for proper migraine management and treatment.
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Facial pain and dental issues
Migraines can cause facial pain and dental issues. Tooth pain caused by migraines may feel similar to tooth infections, and it is important to see a dentist to rule out dental issues. If your dentist cannot find any dental issues, they may recommend that you see a neurologist for further investigation.
Dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, or jaw disorders can radiate pain to the head, resulting in headaches or migraines. This is known as "referred pain", where the pain is felt in a different part of the body than where it is originating. For example, you may feel pain in your teeth when the true origin of the pain is elsewhere.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a common cause of referred pain and headaches. These disorders affect the joints connecting the jaw to the skull, leading to pain, clicking sounds, and difficulty moving the jaw. TMJ disorders can strain the surrounding muscles, resulting in tension-type headaches or migraines. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is often associated with TMJ disorders and can also lead to migraines.
Facial pain is common in migraines due to the involvement of the trigeminal nerve, which handles facial movements and sensations, including tooth sensations. When this nerve is stimulated during a migraine, it can feel like a toothache. Additionally, grinding your teeth at night can lead to morning headaches and migraines due to the tension created in the jaw and facial muscles.
If you are experiencing frequent headaches alongside jaw pain or dental discomfort, it is important to consult a dental professional to determine the underlying cause and explore treatment options.
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Neck pain and stiffness
Migraines and neck pain are closely connected. Research has shown that neck pain is a common symptom of migraines, with 69% of migraine sufferers in one survey reporting neck pain when they have migraines. Another study found that neck pain was more common for migraine patients than nausea. Many people report that the neck pain begins before a migraine and lasts through the migraine attack.
The link between migraine and neck pain is not fully understood. An important brain area in migraine is the trigeminocervical complex, a hub for pain nerves of the face and upper neck. Researchers think that this entire complex is activated during a migraine, which would explain why the pain extends into the neck for some patients. Some researchers think that other inputs into the trigeminocervical complex might play a role in aggravating headaches in people with migraines.
Musculoskeletal problems in the neck, like migraines, also activate nerves of the upper neck that are part of the trigeminocervical complex. Musculoskeletal problems of the neck include posture problems, such as the way you hold your shoulders, walk, or stand, or even related to your work or type of work. Individuals who spend hours at a desk may be more likely to develop posture problems that affect the neck. As people get older, they experience changes in the cervical spine, which can cause irritation of the occipital nerve. This can result in cervicogenic headaches, which are secondary headaches caused by an underlying disorder or injury of the neck.
To treat neck pain and migraines, it is important to first get an accurate diagnosis as to the cause. Once the cause of the symptoms is known, a doctor can provide the correct treatment. New technologies are now available that allow for more targeted treatment of pain. Treatment of neck pain and migraines may include trigger point injections, occipital nerve blocks, or medications such as muscle relaxants, paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioid pain relievers, gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, or amitriptyline.
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Muscle relaxants and treatment
Migraines are often associated with muscle aches and pains. The areas of the brain connected to migraines also control muscle movement, meaning changes in the brain during a migraine attack can lead to muscle pain. This pain can range from mild to severe and can affect the face, neck, and body.
Muscle relaxants are not a first-line treatment for migraines. However, doctors may prescribe them to help relieve certain migraine symptoms. These prescriptions are typically off-label use. There is currently a clinical trial investigating whether the muscle relaxant tizanidine could help prevent migraine. Tizanidine is both an antispasmodic and antispastic. It is FDA-approved to manage spasticity and is used off-label to treat chronic migraine, rebound headaches, and chronic neck and lower back pain. Another muscle relaxant, cyclobenzaprine, works on the central nervous system to relax muscles. It is FDA-approved to treat muscle injuries and has off-label uses in treating fibromyalgia and myofascial pain. However, there is little data to support its use in preventing migraines.
Natural remedies and dietary supplements may also help with migraine-related headaches. Peppermint oil is generally safe and well-tolerated, although there is not much evidence to support its use. Butterbur is another natural remedy with potential to treat migraines, but it should be used with caution due to safety concerns.
To avoid medication overuse headaches, it is important to consult a doctor and take medication as directed.
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Frequently asked questions
Migraines are associated with body aches, neck pain, facial pain, and allodynia. This pain can range from mild to severe and can last from minutes to days. Therefore, migraines can cause muscle aches.
Allodynia is a common migraine symptom where people experience pain from things that don't usually hurt, such as a light touch on the skin or brushing hair. It is a type of neuropathic pain that causes extreme and painful sensitivity to touch.
Migraine symptoms can vary but often include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells. Some people may also experience confusion, abdominal pain, or double vision.
