Headache and neck tightness: Eyes matter to the neck

A couple of weeks ago I shared the importance of performing visual drills. Our eyes are extremely important to our brain regarding the survival mechanism. There are some complex neural wirings between the eyes, the midbrain (brainstem), and the suboccipital muscles, which are the muscles located between the neck and the base of the skull. Eye movement constantly impacts the tone of these muscles.

The coolest part about this connection is that we can feel it.

Use the fingers of both of your hands on the base of your skull covering the suboccipital muscles. While you keep your head still, move your eyes quickly from side to side. Feel the muscles contracting and releasing?

Why is this important to know?

If your eyes are not functioning efficiently, your neck muscles get more activated and tighten up. You will feel pain in your neck. If you have neck issues your vision might be impacted. In either case, start working on some vision and mobility drills.

Drills:

Neck Mobility

Drill: Chicken

Sit/stand tall, move your head back and forth like a chicken. Keep the movement small and focus more on the movement to the back.

Drill: Small Nod

Sit/Stand tall, perform a very small nod by moving the chin down 1/2 - 1 inches.

Vision Drill

Drill: Palming

Sit/stand tall, close your eyes and cover both eyes with your hands, take a good inhale and a long exhale, continue for 6 breaths.

Drill: Near- Far

Sit/stand tall, hold a pen about 6 inches in front of your nose at eye level, look at the pen, and then switch to looking at a target 10 + feet away, switch 10x

These drills are available in video format in the NeuroHP Drill Library. The NeuroHP Drill Library has short videos of 150+ drills with tutorials.

This content is not based on a specific research study. It is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any health concerns. Please read the full Terms and Conditions here.