Can Neck Pain Cause Headaches? Understanding the Link and What You Can Do
Have you ever found yourself rubbing your neck after a long day on the computer and wondering, “Can neck pain cause headaches?” The short answer is yes, especially tension headaches, which are one of the most common complaints for people working with screens. With the rise of laptops, mobile devices, and remote work, many of us are spending more time than ever in poor postures that strain the neck and trigger headaches.
The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to ease discomfort and prevent those tension headaches before they start. At Beyond Ergo, we focus on a holistic approach through the three pillars of self-care: ergonomics, positive work behaviours, and physical conditioning. Here’s how you can put them into practice:
1) Ergonomics: Get Your Screen Setup Right
Your computer setup plays a huge role in reducing neck pain and headaches. Small changes can make a big difference:
- Adjust screen brightness to around 60% to reduce eye strain. Keep your screen at least 75 cm from your eyes (with adjustments if you use computer glasses).
- Use a laptop stand to bring the screen up to eye level, encouraging a more relaxed posture.
- Set the screen height so that the centre of your screen is level with your shoulders. Find the Actions to Personalise Your Ergonomic Setup
2) Positive Work Behaviours: Small Habits, Big Results
It’s not just your setup—your daily habits matter too. Simple strategies can keep your muscles relaxed and your posture healthy:
- Follow the 20:8:2 rule (20 minutes sitting, 8 minutes standing, 2 minutes moving). Learn more here.
- Stretch at your desk to release tension and refresh your body. See our desk stretches here.
- Practice Roll Reset Relax to release muscle tension and reset into a neutral posture. Find out how here.
3) Physical Conditioning: Build Long-Term Resilience
Improving your overall fitness helps protect you against recurring neck pain and headaches:
- Aerobic exercise boosts circulation, helping muscles recover from long hours at your desk.
- Strengthen your neck and shoulder girdle to build resilience. Explore four effective strategies here.
Final Thought
So, can neck pain cause headaches? Absolutely—and the cycle often continues unless you address the root causes. By combining smart ergonomics, healthy work behaviours, and consistent physical conditioning, you can reduce tension, work more comfortably, and stop those screen-related headaches from holding you back.
👉 Want more practical tips? Explore Beyond Ergo articles for resources to help you feel better at work every day:
- CLICK HERE | Why Computer Work Often Leads to Stiff Necks, Headaches, and Upper Back Pain—And How to Fix It
- CLICK HERE | The Importance of Personalised Screen Height Setting for Laptops | With Coaching Sheet
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