Migraine and the neck

Abstract

Fifty patients with migraine were asked about the occurrence of neck symptoms during different phases of their attacks, and if they felt the neck could act as a precipitant. Of the 32 reporting neck pain or stiffness, 10 noted symptoms during the premonitory phase, 30 during the headache phase, and 10 postdromally. In 7 cases the pain radiated into the shoulder and in 1 case into the lumbar region. These findings indicate extracerebral involvement of the migraine process and an overlap between the trigeminal and cervical distribution.