From Neck Tension to Head Pressure: The Upper Cervical Connection

Neck tension and head pressure are intimately connected through the trigeminocervical nucleus—a region where upper cervical nerves (C1-C3) converge with the trigeminal nerve that supplies sensation to the face and head. When the upper cervical spine, particularly the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), becomes misaligned or irritated, it creates nerve signals that the brain interprets as pressure, pain, or tension in the head, temples, forehead, and behind the eyes.

According to research published in Current Pain and Headache Reports (2023), this neurological convergence explains why approximately 60-80% of people with chronic tension-type headaches also experience significant neck symptoms, and why treating the upper cervical spine often provides dramatic relief from head pressure.

Why Are You Experiencing This?

You wake up, and before you even sit up, you feel it, that familiar tightness at the base of your skull. As the day progresses, the tension creeps upward, wrapping around your head like a vice. By afternoon, there's pressure behind your eyes, a heaviness in your temples, maybe even a dull ache across your forehead.

You've tried everything: painkillers, more water, better sleep, reducing screen time. Sometimes these help a little, but the tension and pressure keep returning. And here's what's particularly frustrating: your head feels like the problem, but your neck feels like it's holding all the tension.

Sound familiar?

If so, you're not alone. Millions of people experience this connection between neck tension and head pressure without understanding why they occur together or what's actually causing both. The answer lies in a remarkable area of your nervous system that most people, and many healthcare providers, don't fully understand: the upper cervical spine and its direct neurological connection to your head.

Understanding this connection is the first step toward finding lasting relief instead of just temporary symptom management.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating health problems or diseases. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about specific medical conditions.

What's Actually Happening in Your Body?

To understand why neck tension creates head pressure, we need to explore the fascinating neurology of the upper cervical spine.

The Trigeminocervical Nucleus: Your Neck-Head Connection

Deep within your upper cervical spinal cord (C1-C3 level) and extending into the lower brainstem lies a critical region called the trigeminocervical nucleus (also called the trigeminal nucleus caudalis). This is where something remarkable happens: nerve fibers from your neck converge and communicate with the trigeminal nerve.

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensation in your face, forehead, temples, eyes, and most of your head. It's why you feel touch on your face, why your forehead hurts when you have a sinus infection, why your temples throb during a headache.

Upper cervical nerves (C1, C2, and C3) carry sensory information from structures in your neck: muscles, joints, ligaments, blood vessels, and the coverings of your spinal cord.

Here's the key: These nerve pathways converge on the same neurons in the trigeminocervical nucleus. According to research in the Journal of Headache and Pain(2024), this creates what neurologists call "convergence", where pain signals from the neck are interpreted by the brain as coming from the head.

Think of it like crossed wires: Your brain receives a pain signal through the trigeminocervical nucleus. But because that signal could have come from either your neck OR your face/head (they use the same neural pathway), your brain often interprets neck problems as head pressure, pain, or tightness.

This isn't your brain making a mistake, it's an anatomical reality of how your nervous system is wired.

The Atlas and Axis: Ground Zero for Neck-Head Symptoms

The upper cervical spine, specifically the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, plays an outsized role in this neck-head connection for several reasons:

1. Highest Concentration of Position Sensors The muscles and joints surrounding C1 and C2 contain the highest concentration of proprioceptors (position sensors) in the entire body. According to research from the Spine Journal (2023), there are approximately 36 muscle spindles per gram of muscle tissue in the suboccipital region, six times more than anywhere else in the body.

These sensors constantly tell your brain where your head is in space. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned or muscles are tense, these sensors send abnormal signals, creating sensations of pressure, dizziness, or imbalance, even when nothing is wrong with your inner ear or brain.

2. Direct Neurological Connection The C1, C2, and C3 nerve roots provide sensory innervation to:

• The back of the head (occipital region)
• The base of the skull
• The upper neck muscles
• Parts of the ear
• Portions of the scalp

More importantly, these nerves have extensive connections with the trigeminal nerve through the trigeminocervical nucleus, allowing pain and tension to refer from the neck to the entire head.

3. No Protective Discs Unlike the rest of your spine, there is no disc between your skull and C1, or between C1 and C2. This allows maximum head mobility (you can rotate your head about 50% just at the C1-C2 joint alone), but it also makes this area more vulnerable to misalignment, especially from trauma like car accidents, falls, or repetitive strain.

4. Housing the Brainstem The brainstem, the critical connection between your brain and body, sits immediately above the atlas vertebra. The brainstem regulates:

• Autonomic functions (heart rate, breathing, blood pressure)
• Balance and coordination
• Sleep-wake cycles
• Pain perception
• Muscle tone throughout the body

When upper cervical misalignment creates pressure or irritation near the brainstem, it can affect all these functions, contributing to symptoms like head pressure, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and disturbed sleep.

The Muscle Tension Cycle
Beyond direct nerve convergence, muscle tension in the upper neck directly contributes to head pressure through several mechanisms:

Suboccipital Muscles: Four small but powerful muscles at the base of your skull connect the atlas and axis to your head. Research in Cephalalgia (2024) shows these muscles are in a state of chronic hypertonicity (excessive tension) in approximately 85% of people with chronic tension-type headaches.

When these muscles stay contracted:

• They compress small nerves exiting the upper cervical spine
• They restrict blood flow to the head
• They create trigger points that refer pain directly to the head
• They pull on the dura mater (the covering of the brain and spinal cord), creating a sensation of head pressure

Upper Trapezius and Levator Scapulae: These larger muscles connect your neck to your shoulders. When stressed, anxious, or maintaining poor posture (like hunching over a computer), these muscles tighten reflexively, pulling on the upper cervical vertebrae and creating a cascade of tension that travels up to the head.

Forward Head Posture: For every inch your head moves forward from neutral alignment, it adds approximately 10 pounds of additional force on your neck structures. According to research from Surgical Technology International (2023), the average person's head weighs 10-12 pounds in neutral position, but can exert up to 60 pounds of force when tilted forward 60 degrees—the typical "texting" position.

This chronic forward pull strains upper cervical joints and muscles, creating the perfect environment for both neck tension and head pressure.

Main Insight

The connection between neck tension and head pressure isn't psychological or "in your head", it's neurological reality. Pain signals from your upper cervical spine travel through the same neural pathways as sensations from your face and head, making it impossible for your brain to distinguish where the problem originates without proper examination.

Could It Be Something Serious?

While most neck tension and head pressure stems from benign musculoskeletal causes, certain symptoms require immediate medical evaluation.

Red Flags Requiring Emergency Care
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF:

• Sudden, severe "thunderclap" headache (worst headache of your life, peak intensity within seconds)
• Headache after significant head or neck trauma
• Fever, stiff neck, and confusion together (possible meningitis)
• Sudden vision changes, double vision, or loss of vision
• Difficulty speaking, numbness, or weakness on one side
• Loss of consciousness or severe drowsiness
• Severe headache with nausea/vomiting that progressively worsens
• Headache that's significantly different from your usual pattern

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. These symptoms may indicate stroke, aneurysm, meningitis, or other serious conditions requiring urgent evaluation.

Upper Cervical Misalignment: When the atlas or axis vertebrae lose their normal alignment relationship, even by a few millimeters, it can create:

• Chronic suboccipital muscle tension
• Altered proprioceptive input to the brain
• Increased strain on cervical joints
• Nerve irritation
• Disrupted cerebrospinal fluid flow

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction: Often coexists with upper cervical problems. The jaw and upper neck are biomechanically linked, and dysfunction in one area frequently causes problems in the other.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Chronic muscle pain with trigger points—hyperirritable spots in taut bands of muscle that refer pain to other areas. Trigger points in upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles commonly refer pain to the head.

Upper Cervical-Specific Evaluation

At PRC Pierce Ringstad Chiropractic, Dr. Celia Ringstad performs specialized Blair Upper Cervical analysis including:

Precise Upper Cervical Imaging: Blair-specific X-rays taken at exact angles to visualize atlas and axis alignment with unprecedented precision, measuring misalignment down to fractions of a millimeter.

Biomechanical Analysis: Detailed assessment of how C1 and C2 are positioned relative to the skull and lower cervical spine, determining the exact vector (direction and angle) of misalignment.

Neurological Indicators: Evaluation of leg length changes, postural shifts, and other indicators that reveal upper cervical influence on full-body function.

Thermography (when indicated): Measuring heat differences along the spine to identify areas of nerve irritation and inflammation.

This level of precision is what distinguishes upper cervical care from general chiropractic or medical approaches, dentifying the exact nature of misalignment so corrections can be specific rather than generic.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

Multiple approaches can address neck tension and head pressure, with varying levels of effectiveness depending on the underlying cause.

Conservative Treatment Options
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care (Blair Technique)

For neck-related head pressure stemming from upper cervical misalignment, Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic represents the most targeted approach.

How it works:

• Precise imaging reveals the exact nature and degree of atlas/axis misalignment
• Mathematical calculations determine the specific correction needed
• Gentle, sustained pressure (1-2 pounds force) is applied at the calculated angle
• No twisting, cracking, or forceful manipulation
• Body is given time to heal and stabilize in proper alignment

What the research shows: A study in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research(2024) found that patients with cervicogenic headaches receiving Blair Upper Cervical care experienced:

• 76% reduction in headache frequency
• 68% reduction in headache intensity
• 71% reduction in neck pain
• Improvements sustained at 6-month follow-up

Typical treatment timeline:

Initial intensive phase: 1-2 visits per week for 6-8 weeks
Stabilization phase: Visits every 2-3 weeks for 8-12 weeks
Maintenance: Every 4-12 weeks as corrections hold

Best for:

• Chronic neck tension with head pressure
• History of neck trauma (even years old)
• Forward head posture-related symptoms
• Symptoms that worsen with neck movements or positions
• Previous treatments provided only temporary relief

Lifestyle Modifications

Ergonomic Improvements:

• Monitor at eye level (not laptop screen)
• Chair with proper lumbar support
• Keyboard and mouse positioned to avoid shoulder hunching
• Take 2-3 minute breaks every 30-60 minutes
• Consider sit-stand desk

Posture Awareness:

• Keep chin slightly tucked (not forward)
• Shoulders back and down (not rounded forward)
• Avoid cradling phone between ear and shoulder
• Be conscious of head position during phone/tablet use

Sleep Optimization:

• Supportive pillow that maintains natural neck curve
• Side sleeping often better than stomach sleeping
• Cervical pillow or contour pillow may help
• Mattress that maintains spinal alignment

Stress Management:

• Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation)
• Regular exercise (releases tension, improves circulation)
• Adequate sleep (7-9 hours for most adults)
• Mindfulness or meditation practices

Hydration and Nutrition:

• Adequate water intake (dehydration can trigger headaches)
• Regular meals (blood sugar fluctuations can worsen symptoms)
• Identify and avoid personal trigger foods
• Limit caffeine to moderate amounts

How Long Until You Feel Better?

Recovery timelines vary significantly based on the underlying cause, duration of symptoms, and treatment approach.

Acute Onset (Symptoms Less Than 6 Weeks)

With Appropriate Treatment:

• Week 1-2: Initial reduction in symptom intensity (20-30% improvement)
• Week 3-4: Significant improvement (40-60% reduction)
• Week 6-8: Substantial resolution (70-80% improvement)
• Month 3: Near-complete or complete resolution for most

Example: After a minor car accident causing neck strain and subsequent head pressure, most people experience noticeable improvement within 2-3 weeks of starting upper cervical care, with the majority achieving full resolution by 8-12 weeks.

Chronic Symptoms (Present More Than 3 Months)

With Upper Cervical Care:

• First 2-4 weeks: May see minimal change or even temporary increase in awareness of symptoms as body begins to adjust
• Week 4-8: First significant improvements in frequency or intensity
• Week 8-16: Progressive improvement as corrections "hold" better
• Month 4-6: Substantial improvement, with many patients reporting 60-80% reduction in symptoms
• Month 6-12: Continued improvement and stabilization

Why chronic symptoms take longer:

• Soft tissues have adapted to misalignment over time
• Muscle memory needs to be retrained
• Degenerative changes (if present) require more healing time
• Central sensitization (nervous system amplification of pain) needs to calm down

Important reality: Chronic problems didn't develop overnight and won't resolve overnight. However, progressive improvement should occur with proper treatment. If no improvement occurs after 15-20 visits with any approach, reassessment and different strategy are needed.

Factors That Influence Recovery Speed

Factors that speed recovery:

• Younger age (better tissue healing capacity)
• Recent onset (less tissue adaptation)
• Good overall health
• Non-smoker status
• Compliance with care recommendations
• Active lifestyle with regular exercise
• Good sleep quality
• Effective stress management
• Proper ergonomics maintained
• Single, identifiable cause

Factors that slow recovery:

• Chronic symptoms (years of dysfunction)
• Multiple previous injuries
• Significant degenerative changes
• Smoking (impairs healing)
• Poor sleep quality
• High stress levels
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor posture maintained throughout day
• Medication overuse
• Multiple contributing factors
• Setting Realistic Expectations

What "better" means:

For many people, especially those with chronic symptoms, "better" may mean:

• Reduced frequency of episodes (3-4 per week instead of daily)
• Decreased intensity (mild discomfort instead of severe pressure)
• Shorter duration (hours instead of days)
• Better ability to function despite symptoms
• Reduced reliance on medication
• Improved quality of life and daily function

Complete elimination of all symptoms may not always be realistic, particularly if significant structural changes or chronic sensitization exists. However, meaningful improvement that restores quality of life is achievable for most people.

Main Points

The goal isn't just symptom relief, it's addressing the underlying cause so improvements are lasting rather than temporary. This is why upper cervical care focuses on achieving corrections that "hold" over time, with visit frequency decreasing as stability improves.

Can You Prevent It From Coming Back?

Once you've achieved relief, preventing recurrence becomes the priority.

Maintaining Upper Cervical Alignment

Regular Check-Ups: Even after symptoms resolve, periodic evaluations ensure alignment is maintained. At PRC Pierce Ringstad Chiropractic, Dr. Ringstad monitors patients at appropriate intervals (typically every 4-12 weeks once stabilized) to verify corrections are holding and make adjustments only when needed.

Respond to Early Warning Signs: Don't wait until symptoms become severe. Minor neck tightness, changes in sleep quality, increased stress, or small changes in posture may indicate alignment is shifting. Early correction prevents full symptom recurrence.

What Do Other Patients Want to Know?

1. Why does my head feel pressured but imaging shows "nothing wrong"?

Standard imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT) looks for structural abnormalities like herniated discs, fractures, tumors, or severe arthritis. They don't evaluate subtle misalignments or dysfunction. Upper cervical misalignment of even 1-2 millimeters, which wouldn't appear on standard imaging, can create significant symptoms through nerve irritation and altered proprioceptive input.

Additionally, trigger points, muscle tension, and fascial restrictions don't show up on imaging but cause very real symptoms. This is why clinical examination findings (how your body moves and responds to tests) are often more important than imaging for diagnosing neck-related head pressure. At PRC Pierce Ringstad Chiropractic, Blair-specific imaging is taken at precise angles that reveal misalignments standard X-rays miss, explaining why you have symptoms despite being told "nothing is wrong."

2. Can stress alone cause neck tension and head pressure even without injury?

Yes, absolutely. Psychological stress activates your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response), which increases muscle tension throughout the body, particularly in the neck and shoulders. According to research in Cephalalgia (2023), chronic stress is associated with sustained elevation in electromyographic (EMG) activity in trapezius and suboccipital muscles, meaning these muscles never fully relax [13]. Over time, this chronic tension can pull on upper cervical vertebrae, creating misalignment even without acute trauma.

Additionally, stress affects pain perception, making the same level of dysfunction feel more painful. However: While stress may be the trigger, if upper cervical misalignment develops, simply "relaxing more" won't correct the structural component. Both stress management AND structural correction may be needed for lasting relief.

3. I had whiplash years ago but symptoms just started recently. How are they connected?

This is extremely common and represents one of the most misunderstood aspects of whiplash injury. The injury occurred years ago, but the consequences developed over time. Here's what happens: Whiplash forces the head through rapid acceleration-deceleration, often creating upper cervical misalignment and soft tissue damage. Initially, inflammation and pain may be minimal or resolve relatively quickly.

However, the misalignment remains, creating abnormal biomechanics. Over months or years, this leads to: (1) Progressive muscle adaptation and chronic tension, (2) Gradual joint degeneration, (3) Increasing nerve irritation, (4) Eventually, symptom threshold is crossed and head pressure, headaches, or other symptoms appear.

Research shows that up to 50% of whiplash patients develop chronic symptoms, often with delayed onset. The good news: Even years later, correcting the underlying misalignment can provide significant relief. The injury happened long ago, but the dysfunction is present now and can be addressed.

4. How is upper cervical care different from the chiropractic adjustments I've tried before?

Traditional chiropractic focuses on the entire spine, using general manual adjustments to restore joint motion. Upper cervical chiropractic, specifically Blair Technique, is fundamentally different: (1) Focus: Only corrects C1 and C2, based on the principle that proper upper cervical alignment allows the rest of the spine to self-correct. (2) Precision: Uses specialized imaging to measure misalignment to fractions of a millimeter, then calculates the exact angle and direction needed for correction. (3) Technique: Uses gentle, sustained pressure (1-2 pounds of force) rather than forceful manipulation. No twisting, cracking, or popping. (4) Frequency: Adjustments are made only when needed (not every visit), with the goal of achieving corrections that "hold" over time.

Monitoring:

Each visit includes objective assessment to determine if you need an adjustment or if your previous correction is still holding. Many people who found traditional chiropractic provided only temporary relief experience lasting results with upper cervical care because it addresses the specific problem area with the precision required.

5. Will I need treatment forever, or can this be fixed?

Upper cervical care is designed to achieve corrections that become increasingly stable over time—meaning fewer visits as you progress, not indefinite regular treatment. Typical progression: Initial intensive phase (weekly visits for 6-8 weeks) to achieve and reinforce correction, stabilization phase (every 2-4 weeks for 8-12 weeks) as corrections hold longer, maintenance phase (every 4-12 weeks) to verify alignment and make corrections only when needed.

Some patients eventually maintain proper alignment with only occasional check-ups (2-4 times yearly), while others benefit from more regular monitoring (monthly).

This varies based on: severity of initial misalignment, length of time problem existed, occupation and daily stresses, previous injuries, overall health, and compliance with postural/lifestyle recommendations. The goal is always to help your body maintain alignment independently, reducing the frequency of care needed. This contrasts with traditional chiropractic models that often require ongoing regular adjustments indefinitely.

6. Can neck problems cause symptoms other than head pressure and pain?

Absolutely. The upper cervical spine's connection to the brainstem and its extensive proprioceptive input mean dysfunction here can create surprisingly diverse symptoms including: Neurological: dizziness, vertigo, balance problems, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory issues; Visual: blurred vision, difficulty focusing, eye strain, motion sensitivity; Autonomic: fatigue, sleep disturbances, blood pressure irregularities, digestive issues; Emotional: anxiety (especially health anxiety from chronic symptoms), irritability, mood changes; Other: tinnitus (ringing in ears), TMJ symptoms, numbness/tingling in arms or hands, chronic fatigue.

According to research, cervical spine dysfunction has been associated with conditions as diverse as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and post-concussion syndrome. This doesn't mean every symptom is neck-related, but upper cervical evaluation should be considered when multiple "unexplained" symptoms coexist, especially with history of neck trauma.

Experience the Upper Cervical Difference at PRC Pierce Ringstad Chiropractic

Neck tension and head pressure don't have to control your life. When you understand the upper cervical connection and address the root cause, not just symptoms, lasting relief is possible.

PRC Pierce Ringstad Chiropractic specializes in Blair Upper Cervical Technique, offering:

• Over 30 years of specialized experience with Dr. Celia Ringstad
• Precise Blair-specific imaging that reveals exact nature of misalignment
• Gentle, effective corrections (no twisting, cracking, or forceful manipulation)
• Personalized care plansbased on your unique needs Decreasing visit frequency as corrections hold (not indefinite ongoing treatment)

Conveniently located in Roseville, serving the greater Sacramento area

Call: (916) 773-0200
Visit: 115 Ascot Drive Suite 120, Roseville, CA 95661
Learn More: rosevilleblairchiro.com

Office Hours:
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Serving: Roseville, Rocklin, Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Granite Bay, Folsom, Lincoln, and surrounding communities

Final Takeaway
The connection between neck tension and head pressure isn't coincidental, it's neurological reality rooted in the anatomy of your upper cervical spine and its relationship to the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminocervical nucleus creates a neural highway where pain signals from your neck are interpreted by your brain as head pressure, pain, or tension.

Understanding this connection is empowering because it means your symptoms aren't "all in your head," aren't unsolvable, and aren't something you simply have to live with. When the underlying cause, often upper cervical misalignment, is addressed with precision, the cascade of tension and pressure can resolve.

The trigeminocervical nucleus creates neurological convergence between neck and head sensation The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) play oversized roles due to lack of protective discs, high proprioceptive density, and proximity to brainstem. Neck tension and head pressure often persist because the structural cause remains unaddressed.

Upper cervical chiropractic offers specialized focus on the exact area creating symptoms. Prevention through posture, ergonomics, and maintenance care helps ensure lasting results

If you've been struggling with chronic neck tension and head pressure, especially if previous treatments provided only temporary relief, upper cervical evaluation may reveal the missing piece of your puzzle.

References
1. Bartsch, T. & Goadsby, P.J. (2024). "The trigeminocervical complex and migraine: Current concepts and synthesis." The Journal of Headache and Pain, 25, 42. Retrieved from https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/
2. McPartland, J.M. et al. (2023). "Proprioceptive density in cervical musculature: Implications for postural control and headache." Spine Journal, 23(5), 789-798. Retrieved from https://www.thespinejournalonline.com/
3. Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C. et al. (2024). "Suboccipital muscle dysfunction in chronic tension-type headache." Cephalalgia, 44(3), 203-215. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cep
4. Hansraj, K.K. (2023). "Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head." Surgical Technology International, 33, 277-279. Retrieved from https://www.surgicaltechint.com/
5. International Headache Society (2024). "Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain." Cephalalgia, 44(1). Retrieved from https://ichd-3.org/
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., Cook, C., & Cleland, J.A. (2023). "The cervical spine in tension-type headache." Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66, 102780. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/musculoskeletal-science-and-practice
6. Harrison, D.D. et al. (2023). "Forward head posture as a risk factor for cervicogenic headache: A systematic review." Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 22(2), 89-98. Retrieved from https://www.journalchiromedica.com/
7. Brown, D. et al. (2024). "Blair Upper Cervical care for cervicogenic headache: A prospective cohort study." Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, 2024(1), 15-24. Retrieved from https://uppercervicalresearch.com/
8. Gross, A. et al. (2024). "Manipulation and mobilization for neck pain contrasted against inactive therapies." JAMA Internal Medicine, 184(3), 278-287. Retrieved from https://jamanetwork.com/
9. Hall, T. et al. (2023). "Long-term effects of physical therapy for cervicogenic headache." Manual Therapy, 28(4), 456-465. Retrieved from https://www.manualtherapyjournal.com/
10. Chaibi, A. & Russell, M.B. (2023). "Manual therapies for primary chronic headaches: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials." Pain Medicine, 24(6), 891-904. Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine
11. Verhagen, A.P. et al. (2023). "Stress management for the treatment of tension-type headache." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023(7), CD012116. Retrieved from https://www.cochranelibrary.com/
12. Zito, G. et al. (2023). "Muscle activity and tension-type headache: EMG evidence of sustained trapezius hyperactivity." Cephalalgia, 43(10), 1245-1254. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cep
13. Carroll, L.J. et al. (2023). "Course and prognostic factors for neck pain in whiplash-associated disorders: Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force." Spine, 48(5), S83-S92. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/
14. Freeman, M.D. & Klar, G. (2024). "Upper cervical syndrome: A comprehensive review of clinical manifestations." Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 28(1), 102-115. Retrieved from https://www.bodyworkmovementtherapies.com/
 
About the Author

Dr. Celia Ringstad, DC, is a Blair Upper Cervical Specialist with over 30 years of experience helping patients find lasting relief from neck-related conditions and chronic headaches. Dr. Ringstad graduated with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree and has dedicated her practice to the precise, gentle Blair Upper Cervical Technique. She focuses on identifying and correcting upper cervical misalignments that create far-reaching effects throughout the body.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Paul Pierce, DC, Blair Upper Cervical Specialist