It is commonly believed that headaches are the result of irritation to nerves and pain sensitive structures in the head and neck regions. Because of the way our nerves are arranged in the head and neck; pain in one area can travel or "refer" to another part of the head.

For example; pain in the back of the neck can refer up into the back of the head along a nerve which supplies both the back of the head and upper neck areas. Pain messages travel along nerves back to the brain, which interprets the location of the pain according to which 'section' of the brain that nerve sends it's messages to; sometimes however the brain is unable to distinguish between one part of the same nerve and another part of that same nerve; hence a problem in one area of the head or neck can be perceived as pain in another area of the head or neck .

This is made even more complicated when you look at the multiple numbers of inter-connections between the different nerves of the head and neck region. It's a bit like a 'switch board', which receives electricity from a number of rooms in the house; and when a fuse burns out, it is hard to know which appliance, and in which room, the problem began.

It should also be noted that the level of pain is a poor indicator of the severity of the problem, and that recurring, persisting, or sudden onset headaches always need to be properly investigated.

For more information on the actual triggers and causes of headaches, see the head schematic on the front page and click over areas of interest to get more information.

For more information on dealing with headaches, See Treatments Section.