Cervicogenic Headache

POSTED: 25 Feb, 2024

Headache Alert: Could It Be Cervicogenic? Let’s Dive in!

Struggling with a throbbing headache that doesn’t seem to go away? If neck discomfort has become part of your daily battle, it’s time to explore the possibility of cervicogenic headaches. Unilateral pain that can be triggered by specific neck movements might be the culprit.

Did you know that cervicogenic headaches are often misdiagnosed due to symptoms that mimic migraines and tension headaches? As many as 18% of headache sufferers are dealing with this nerve-related neck issue. Don’t overlook the connection between your neck and the pain you’re experiencing.

Getting to the Root of Your Headache

Diagnosis is key – distinguishing cervicogenic headaches from migraines, tension-type headaches, and others ensures that proper treatment can begin. But first, you must identify the signs unique to cervicogenic headaches, like reproducibility through neck movement.

How Physiotherapy Can Lead the Way to Relief

Physiotherapists are at the forefront of managing these stubborn headaches. After a thorough assessment, they can pinpoint the headache source and develop tailored treatments to bring you relief including:

• Manual therapy 
• Soft tissue work
• Targeted exercises 
• Posture improvement
• Dry needling alongside exercises

Contact our Team

Are cervicogenic headaches disrupting your life? Take the first step toward managing your pain by booking a consultation with our expert physiotherapists. Wave goodbye to being ruled by headaches and hello to a life of comfort!

Ready for change? Contact us on 07 3419 4796 now and start your journey to a headache-free life.

References

• Bogduk, N. (1992). The anatomical basis for cervicogenic headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 15(1), 67–70.
• Bogduk, N. (1992). The anatomical basis for cervicogenic headache. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 15(1), 67–70.
• Haldeman, S., & Dagenais, S. (2010). Choosing a treatment for cervicogenic headache: when? what? how much? The Spine Journal, 10(2), 169–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2009.10.013
• Mohammadreza Pourahmadi, Jan Dommerholt, César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, Bart Willem Koes, Mohammad Ali Mohseni-Bandpei, Mohammad Ali Mansournia, Somayeh Delavari, Abbasali Keshtkar, Mehrdad Bahramian, Dry Needling for the Treatment of Tension-Type, Cervicogenic, or Migraine Headaches: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Physical Therapy, Volume 101, Issue 5, May 2021, pzab068, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab068
• Shamsi, S., Al-Shehri, A., Aldaihan, M. M., Abdelkader, S. M., Khan, S., Al Torairi, N. S., & Al-Habib, F. K. S. (2022). Efficacy of Dry Needling with Exercise in Cervicogenic Headache- A Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 14(3), 1494–1501. https://doi.org/10.9756/INT-JECSE/V1413.174