The sternocleidomastoid muscle, which connects the head, neck and upper spine, has direct neurological relationships with both the trigeminal system and upper cervical nerves. When irritated or tight, this muscle can mimic or drive migraine symptoms – headache, eye redness, drooping eyelids, and restricted neck movement. This case demonstrates how important it is to assess and treat the musculoskeletal system in patients whose migraines don’t respond to conventional care.
David Solin Lee, EdD
Dr. David Solin Lee serves as the academic vice president of Alhambra Medical University. He earned a doctorate in education from UCLA and has served in senior leadership positions at several accredited traditional Asian medicine graduate programs since 1996.