Migraine related to stiff painful neck and shoulders?

I do not have migraine headaches but have had dizziness and pain during times of extreme stress. I had MRIs to see if something was wrong and they found nothing wrong.

I found that the tightness in the muscles in my neck, shoulders and back were helped when I had a deep massage in the middle of my back muscles. This allowed me to relax and helped tremendously. I have had to do this a couple of times.

The spot they had to reach, for me, was around the shoulder blade area and they had to push really hard to release the tension.

Also, there seems to be a virus or something going around that caused me this pain and headache during the past month.

Hope this helps you or maybe someone else.

Thank you for this insight. Yes, I've had massages; however, have not focused on the area you mention. I'll try that!

Hey, Elaine. So sorry to hear, migraines suck - I've had them for 20+ years. However; I had cervical fusion surgery (C2-6) in May, and I can DEFINITELY tell you that (my) neck / trap pain triggers horrible migraines.

Massage is a fantastic way to relieve tight muscles! If you can afford it, do it as often as you can! Also, ice that shoulder. I have also found that (sometimes - for me) the exercises from post-op help to keep things 'movin'; obviously, check with your doctor to make sure you are ok before doing any 'exercise routine'. - they're easy enough to google.

There's also this really amazing gadget the VA gave me for my migraines that works really well, it's called Nerivo. I was, of course, skeptical at first, but it does help.

Hope you find relief!

I did try the Nerivio but it didn't work for me. I think that I need to be more diligent in scheduling massages as a preventive rather that waiting and being reactive. Thanks for confirming what I have suspected.

@migraineelaine
My neurologist found that I have a very stiff neck during 1st exam. Recommended Physical Therapy Dry Needling. The first session was the first time in 4.5 years that I didn't have headache or migraine and my neck wasn't tense - the relief was for 4 hours. The relief grew as the weekly sessions went on. Due to the success of Dry Needling, neurologist added muscle relaxer 3x/day.

It’s a journey, Best Wishes for Your Journey!
🍀

Thanks. I did try dry needling and it was a disaster. Also tried acupuncture. Nope. Thanks for the reminder re muscle relaxers. I will ask my neuro for an Rx. Best regards, Elaine

One of the triggers for my migraines is any kind of upper body workout. When I mentioned this to one of the teachers at the gym, she said she had the same thing. She explained that weak back muscles and lats can cause muscles around the neck and traps to take on extra tension, ending up causing migraines in my case. Instead of weights, I try to do bodyweight exercises. It's too bad because i have osteoporosis and should be lifting weights, but it's just too risky re: migraines. If a migraine occurs, Nurtec works about 80% of the time. Usually take that plus tylenol. Hope this helps!

@zeroenergyhey I have suffered with occipital neuaglia for 20 ys. I have tired everything.
Howeve, I do agree with not lifting weights, but since I have been stengthing my neck musles
I have not had any flair ups since Dec 2025 (a long time for me) I totally believe my headacks
are all muscle realted starting in my neck. #1 bought towel warmer, (before I start my program I
came up with myself) that heat on my neck and shoulders feel so good. #2- I used elastic bands
(yellow or red) see: SNAG technique by ANNIE (she is clam and helpful) #3-do a few side to side
movement of head (no stretches with this, then head down strraight down 30 sec. Few chin tucks, #4 (S FIT USA u tube) every morning. Self massage #5 (Dr. Mantell explains it very well.) I also
use magnesium Lotion (Life-FLO) $11.00 amazon, it is a little thick I put a little warm water in
in hand, my PT told me about it really helps, #6- Last but improvement for me was never using my
down pillow again!!!!I was awking with a slight Headpain daily, I now use Cervical Log Pillow 17 1/2"x3 1/2". it is a roll type, I wrap a soft down pillow around it, put it under my neck (good
for support) No More Morning Pain!!!!Amazon. Believe me I know how painful these migranes
can be I do hope any of my ideas could be of help to you. This web sight has been so wonderful for me, some of these ideas really helped, first someone else knows how we feel &
undrstands. My last awful flair up was Dec 2025 three weeks with pain, day and night, when I
read one of the first persons statements, they had just finished three weeks on the couch. You can only imagne how wonderful that felt to me to read in black & white their story. I will had
that every 3-4 months I get nerve block shots, and trigger shots. I have doing this for some time but Now that I have started the above I am do so much better. The very best to you, keep us posted.