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Does Short-term Relief From Cervical Epidural Blocks Suggest My Chronic Headaches Are Caused By My Neck?
Posted on
Wed, 20 May 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 20 May 2020
Answered on
Thu, 6 Nov 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : Dr I ask you a question the other day so I’ll need to give you another rating for your help.
If you recall I asked you if my cervical spine could be causing my headaches? Answer is yes possible. My follow up question is as follows: the headache is mild but has lasted most days for 8 months and migraine meds don’t help but Advil takes most of pain away. I also had an occipital block didn’t help but epidural block into back into cervical spine helped alleviate headache for 10-14 days and had second block which again helped for 10 days or so. I understood these blocks helped longer?? But does the fact it helped at all more suggest it’s my neck???? Also, I had brain MRI along with cervical MRI that you reviewed and brain was okay. Thanks Dr
If you recall I asked you if my cervical spine could be causing my headaches? Answer is yes possible. My follow up question is as follows: the headache is mild but has lasted most days for 8 months and migraine meds don’t help but Advil takes most of pain away. I also had an occipital block didn’t help but epidural block into back into cervical spine helped alleviate headache for 10-14 days and had second block which again helped for 10 days or so. I understood these blocks helped longer?? But does the fact it helped at all more suggest it’s my neck???? Also, I had brain MRI along with cervical MRI that you reviewed and brain was okay. Thanks Dr
Brief Answer:
Yes, then it is because of your neck
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the epidural block relieves your headache then it is certainly because of your cervical spine, but you cannot take blocks regularly. Take Advil continuously for 1 month (it is pretty safe) and continue physiotherapy for 1 month.
If it is a mechanical neck muscle spasm, then it will go away. If not, get an endoscopic discectomy done rather than taking blocks regularly.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards
Yes, then it is because of your neck
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If the epidural block relieves your headache then it is certainly because of your cervical spine, but you cannot take blocks regularly. Take Advil continuously for 1 month (it is pretty safe) and continue physiotherapy for 1 month.
If it is a mechanical neck muscle spasm, then it will go away. If not, get an endoscopic discectomy done rather than taking blocks regularly.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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