Does Neck Pain Have a Relationship with Sinus Health?

Sinuses are like air-filled spaces in your head that do many essential things. They make a slimy liquid that keeps your nose from getting too dry, help shape the way your voice sounds, and act like a protective cushion for your brain and eyes.

Your nose and sinuses also manage nitric oxide in your body and lungs, which suits your immune system.

When the tissue lining your sinuses gets swollen, it can lead to a sinus infection. This swelling can block the sinuses, filling them with liquid instead of air. And even though it’s not super common, some folks with sinus infections might feel neck pain or stiffness.

Keep reading to learn more about how your sinuses could be connected to neck pain.

Do sinus infections lead to pain and stiffness in the neck?

When you have a sinus infection, it can sometimes lead to neck pain and stiffness. There are four main types of sinuses in your head:

1. Maxillary sinuses: These are in your cheeks.

2. Ethmoid sinuses are on each side of your nose, between your eyes.

3. Frontal sinuses: These are on each side of your forehead.

4. Sphenoid sinuses: These are deeper in your skull, behind your eyes.

If the sphenoid sinuses get infected, they can cause neck pain, ear pain, and headaches. However, this doesn’t happen as often as with other sinuses.

People who have experienced neck pain from a sinus infection describe it as feeling like stiff or sore muscles.

It might also be a pain that shoots down into your neck.

Aside from neck pain, other symptoms of a sinus infection include:

Pressure in your face
Headache
Dripping mucus down the back of your throat
Runny nose
Cough
Feeling tired
Fever
Bad breath
Pain in your teeth or ears

Is it possible for a sinus headache to lead to neck pain?

In a study from 2019 that was published in the Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, researchers found that individuals who claimed to have sinus headaches also had neck pain.

In simpler terms, about 84 percent of these people mentioned neck pain and headaches, and approximately 68 percent said the neck pain extended to their heads. Additionally, 74.8 percent reported that their headaches worsened when they moved their neck or adjusted their posture.

Additional sinus issues and discomfort in the neck

In simpler terms, some folks who suffer from seasonal allergies mention experiencing neck pain. This might happen because your muscles get tight or tense when you sneeze or cough.

Another reason could be that the congestion in your sphenoid sinuses puts pressure on the back of your head and neck.

Neck pain can also be linked to catching a cold or the flu.

Relieving Neck Pain Caused by Sinus Issues

If you’re dealing with a sinus infection and your neck hurts, there are ways to make you feel better. The right treatments or a mix of therapies can help. You might need to address the sinus problem, neck pain, or both to find relief. Some treatments can also help with neck pain not directly connected to the sinus issue.

Medical treatment for sinus infection

Sinus infection treatments can involve:

Antibiotics
Decongestants
Allergy medications
Nasal steroid sprays
Sinus irrigation

In more severe situations, surgery might be necessary to fix issues with the sinus structure or to help with sinus drainage.

Medical treatment for neck pain

Various treatments are available for neck pain, including:

Pain relievers
Muscle relaxants
Certain types of antidepressants
Injections with steroids
Physical therapy, which may include massage
Surgical procedures
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a method using electrical impulses to ease pain.
Botox injections

How upper cervical care can help in managing neck pain

Many people worldwide experience neck pain, ranging from slight discomfort to intense pain affecting daily activities. Common reasons for neck pain include strained muscles, lousy posture, degenerative disorders, or injuries.

The upper part of the spine, where the head and neck connect, is crucial and can be easily injured or shifted out of place. When this happens, it may pressure nearby nerves, leading to irritation in the brainstem. The brainstem has a part called the reticular formation, which controls muscle contraction.

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a special treatment that focuses on the upper part of your neck, particularly the top two bones in your

spine. It’s a gentle and precise way of taking care of your spine that aims to fix any misalignments in the upper neck to make your brain and nervous system work better.

Research shows that this type of chiropractic care can help ease neck pain. One study found that people with neck pain who got upper cervical chiropractic care felt much better. They had less pain, stronger neck muscles, and could move their necks more easily.

When your upper neck spine is not aligned correctly, it can bother the brainstem, making your neck muscles tense up. Adjustments for the upper neck can ease the pressure on nearby nerves, which in turn helps relax the irritated muscles and, over time, reduces neck pain.

When should you visit a doctor for a sinus infection?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s advisable to consult a doctor if you experience a sinus infection and notice:

Changes in how you see things or difficulty moving your eyes, especially in children.
Intense symptoms like a severe headache or facial pain.
Your symptoms get worse after initially feeling better.
Symptoms that stick around for more than ten days without improvement.
A fever that lasts more than 3 to 4 days.

Furthermore, seeing a healthcare professional if you’ve had multiple sinus infections in the past year is a good idea.

Takeaway

Sinus infections occur when your sinus cavities get inflamed, leading to various symptoms, including neck pain.

Even though neck pain isn’t a clear indication of a sinus infection, it’s still something to watch out for. If you experience a sinus infection accompanied by intense or persistent neck pain, it’s advisable to consult a doctor. There are several treatments available that can help ease your discomfort. And remember, it’s essential to seek medical advice for severe or lingering symptoms.