When Neck Pain, Headaches, and Falls May Be Signs of Vision Loss

/ Adaptability for Life LLC /

When Neck Pain, Headaches, and Falls May Be Signs of Vision Loss

As healthcare professionals, we are trained to look for the obvious causes of neck pain, headaches, poor posture, and recurrent falls. But what if the underlying issue is not musculoskeletal at all?

A growing body of research suggests that visual impairment can contribute significantly to neck and shoulder strain. In the 2019 study, “Visual System Disorders and Musculoskeletal Neck Complaints: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” researchers found significant associations between visual dysfunction and neck musculoskeletal complaints. Individuals with vision loss often adopt altered head positions and increase visual effort to compensate for reduced visual information, leading to chronic strain and discomfort.

This topic is deeply personal to me.

By age 35, I had sustained three fractures in two years. During physical therapy, I was repeatedly corrected for my posture and asked why I leaned forward when walking. The answer was simple: my peripheral visual field was rapidly disappearing.

No one suggested a visual field evaluation. Instead, I was told I was too young to have serious eye problems.

In reality, I was already legally blind, with less than 20 degrees of visual field remaining in both eyes.

For individuals with conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa or Usher syndrome, a common pattern emerges: narrowing visual fields, increased scanning and head turning, leaning forward to maximize residual vision, chronic neck and shoulder tension, headaches, and a higher risk of falls and injuries.

Many people also delay using a long white cane because they do not feel “blind enough” or fear being identified as blind. As a result, they rely heavily on their remaining vision, often increasing physical strain and injury risk.

When patients present with unexplained falls, persistent neck pain, headaches, unusual posture, or mobility challenges, consider whether vision loss may be contributing to the problem. A simple visual field assessment could reveal an important piece of the clinical picture.

Awareness can prevent years of unnecessary pain, injuries, and missed opportunities for intervention.

Update: Oregon Medical Board (OMB) is now accepting OHA( Oregon Health Authority) approved cultural competence courses for credits for their license holders, including LaT, MD, PA, NP, DO, DMD, and many others.

Continuing the Mission of Access and Understanding

Adaptability for Life’s cultural competence - ethics continuing education courses focus on helping doctors, acupuncturists, physicians assistants, psychologist, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals and families better serve individuals with vision or hearing loss, blindness, deafness and combinations of sensor loss through culturally competent, practical, and engaging continuing education. These are approved by Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

For those seeking to enhance their skills in communicating with those who have vision or hearing loss, consider enrolling.

2-Hour Cultural Competence CE: Effective Communication with Clients Who Are Hard of Hearing
4-Hour Cultural Competence and Ethics CE: Understanding the Diversity of Legal Blindness, Impacts & Solutions
6-Hour Cultural Competence and Ethics CE: Providing Culturally Competent Healthcare for Those Aging with Dual Sensory Impairments

Each course blends over 25 years of experience in rehabilitation counseling and disability services with lived insight and real-world examples. You’ll walk away with tools that help prevent social isolation, improve connection and communication, and foster hope—even in the face of progressive sensory loss.

What You’ll Gain

  • Strategies to prevent social isolation and despair

  • Tools to support clients experiencing progressive loss

  • Skills to improve communication and connection

  • Easy, low- or no-cost accessibility techniques

  • Real-world examples you can apply immediately

About the Instructor

Deb Marinos, MS, CRC, LPC, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor, and CMBM Mind-Body Skills Group Facilitator. She brings decades of teaching experience with health care professionals and other working with individuals navigating sensory loss and disability. Her courses are designed to be interactive, helpful, and will give you more comfort in your work.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to strengthen your skills, deepen your empathy, and make your practice more inclusive—join Deb and Olaf on this journey.

👉 Explore the Cultural Competence & Ethics accredited continuing education courses and sign up today at Adaptability for Life


Adaptability for Life LLC
21887 SW Sherwood Blvd. STE C
Sherwood, OR 97140
deb@adaptabilityforlife.com