Lucy Payton 
If you’re dealing with chronic headaches after a concussion, you’ve likely been told the problem lies within your brain. While that’s often part of the story, it’s not the whole picture. Many persistent post-concussion headaches don’t originate from inside your skull at all. Instead, the root cause may be found in the muscles of your neck, jaw, and the base of your skull.
When you experience a concussion, the impact that rattles your brain also violently jolts your head and neck. This whiplash-like motion can lead to significant muscle injury, creating tight knots known as myofascial trigger points. These trigger points can press on sensitive nerves, referring pain to your head and mimicking the symptoms of a classic post-concussion headache. Understanding this connection is the first step toward finding real, lasting relief.
This article will explore how these hidden muscle issues contribute to chronic headaches after a concussion. We’ll look at the specific muscles involved, explain what myofascial trigger points are, and discuss how targeted treatment can resolve the true source of your pain. At Guelph’s finest concussion clinic, we specialize in identifying and treating these often-overlooked muscular components of concussion recovery.
Understanding the Neck’s Role in Headaches
The neck is a complex structure of bones, nerves, and muscles designed to support and move your head. The force of a concussion—whether from a sports injury, car accident, or fall—can easily overwhelm this delicate system. The sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head can strain or tear the muscles and ligaments in the neck, leading to inflammation and dysfunction.
This is more than just a stiff neck. The injury can activate a network of pain-sensitive structures that directly refer pain into the head. This is known as cervicogenic headache, meaning a headache that originates from the cervical spine (the neck). Even after the brain itself has healed, these unresolved neck injuries can continue to generate persistent headache symptoms for months or even years.
Many people are surprised to learn that the location of their headache can often be traced back to a specific muscle group in their neck. Pain felt at the temples, behind the eyes, or across the forehead might actually be coming from strained neck muscles. Without addressing these underlying muscular issues, treatments that only focus on the brain may offer little to no relief.
Myofascial Trigger Points: The Hidden Pain Source
A key factor in post-concussion headaches is the development of myofascial trigger points. These are essentially hyper-irritable knots within a tight band of skeletal muscle. Think of them as mini-cramps that don’t release. Trigger points can form as a direct result of the trauma from a concussion, or they can develop over time due to postural changes and muscle imbalances that follow the injury.
So, how do these small knots cause such significant pain?
- Referred Pain: Myofascial trigger points are notorious for causing referred pain, which is pain felt in an area different from its origin. For example, a trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle (the large muscle running from your neck to your shoulder) can refer pain up the side of the neck and into the temple, creating a headache that feels like a tension headache.
- Nerve Compression: Trigger points can become large and dense enough to compress nearby nerves. This pressure can cause a range of symptoms, from sharp, shooting pain to a dull, constant ache.
- Reduced Blood Flow: The tightness of a trigger point restricts blood flow to the muscle tissue. This lack of oxygen and nutrients can perpetuate the pain cycle and prevent the muscle from healing properly.
Because these points don’t show up on standard imaging like X-rays or MRIs, they are frequently missed in a typical medical evaluation for headaches. A skilled practitioner, however, can identify them through careful physical examination.
The Suboccipital Muscles and Concussion
One of the most significant muscle groups involved in post-concussion headaches is the suboccipital muscles. This is a group of four small muscles located at the base of the skull, connecting the top of the neck to the head. Their job is to control the fine movements of your head, like nodding and turning.
Due to their location, the suboccipital muscles are extremely vulnerable during a concussion. The whiplash motion can cause them to become strained and develop stubborn trigger points. The real problem arises because these muscles lie in close proximity to several important nerves, including the greater and lesser occipital nerves.
When myofascial trigger points in the suboccipital muscles compress these nerves, it can lead to occipital neuralgia—a condition characterized by intense, piercing pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates up the back and side of the head. This pain is often described as a throbbing or shooting sensation and can be debilitating. For many people recovering from a concussion, this specific issue is the primary driver of their chronic headaches.
Finding Relief at Guelph’s Best Concussion Clinic
Understanding that your chronic headaches may be a muscle problem, not a brain problem, is a game-changer. It opens up a new avenue for effective treatment that targets the root cause of your pain.
At our clinic, we use a comprehensive approach to diagnose and treat these hidden muscular issues:
- Thorough Assessment: We begin with a detailed physical examination to identify the specific muscles and trigger points contributing to your headaches. We assess your neck’s range of motion, muscle strength, and posture.
- Manual Therapy: Our treatment often includes hands-on techniques like myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue massage to release tension in the affected muscles, including the deep suboccipital muscles.
- Personalized Exercise Programs: We provide targeted exercises to strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight ones, and correct postural imbalances that may be contributing to the problem.
- Education: A crucial part of recovery is understanding your body. We educate you on proper posture, ergonomics, and self-management techniques to prevent headaches from returning.
By focusing on the musculoskeletal system, we can often provide significant relief for patients who have struggled for months or years with persistent post-concussion headaches.
Your Path to a Headache-Free Life
If you’re tired of living with chronic headaches after a concussion and haven’t found relief, it’s time to consider a different approach. The answer may not lie in another brain scan or a stronger painkiller, but in addressing the underlying muscle dysfunction in your neck and jaw.
Don’t let hidden muscle problems hold you back from a full recovery. By treating the source of the pain, you can break the cycle of chronic headaches and get back to living your life. Our team is here to help you identify the true cause of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan that works.
