Are my HeadAches related to my neck?

Written By M L

Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the cervical spine, which is the area of the neck. These headaches are believed to result from structural or functional problems in the neck, such as joint irritation in the upper cervical vertebrae, muscle tension and/ or nerve compression.

Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches often include:

  1. Pain on one side of the head or face, which may extend to the forehead, temple, or behind the eye.

  2. Neck pain or stiffness, typically on the same side as the headache.

  3. Pain triggered or worsened by certain neck movements or positions.

  4. Limited range of motion in the neck.

  5. Pain that can radiate from the neck to the shoulder or arm.

Cervicogenic headaches can be challenging to diagnose, as the symptoms may overlap with other types of headaches, such as migraines or tension headaches. However, certain features can help distinguish cervicogenic headaches from other types, such as the presence of neck pain and a clear relationship between neck movement and headache onset.

Treatment for cervicogenic headaches usually involves a combination of approaches aimed at relieving pain and addressing the underlying causes. Some common treatment options include:

  1. Physical therapy: Stretching exercises, posture correction, and strengthening exercises for the neck muscles can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.

  2. Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, or other pain medications may be prescribed to manage pain and inflammation.

  3. Manual therapy: Techniques like adjustments, mobilization, or massage may help improve muscle tension and pain temporarily.

  4. Lifestyle modifications: Strategies such as stress management, ergonomic adjustments, and avoiding prolonged postures can help prevent or minimize cervicogenic headaches.

  5. Nerve blocks: In severe cases, injections of local anesthetics or corticosteroids into specific nerves in the neck can provide temporary relief. This will need to be assessed but a medical professional such as a GP or Sports Physician.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional, for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

What does the evidence say?

Cervicogenic Headaches are a common headache disorder. Manipulation can be considered an effective treatment modality, with this review suggesting it providing superior, small, short-term effects for pain intensity, frequency and disability when compared with other manual therapies (Fernandez et al, 2020)

Manipulative therapy and exercise can reduce the symptoms of cervicogenic headache, and the effects are maintained (Jull et al, 2002)

Manual therapy short term and neck exercise long term may be efficacious to treat adults with cervicogenic headache (Demont et al, 2022)

Dry needling has a positive effect on pain and disability reduction, cervical range of motion, and deep cervical flexor muscle performance in patients with cervicogenic headache and active trigger points, although the clinical relevance of the results was small (Mousavi-Khatir et al. 2022)

References:

Demont, A., Lafrance, S., Gaska, C., Kechichian, A., Bourmaud, A., & Desmeules, F. (2022). Efficacy of physiotherapy interventions for the management of adults with cervicogenic headache: A systematic review and meta‐analyses. PM&R, 15(5), 613–628. doi:10.1002/pmrj.12856 
Fernandez, M., Moore, C., Tan, J., Lian, D., Nguyen, J., Bacon, A.,  Bussières, A. (2020). Spinal manipulation for the management of Cervicogenic Headache: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. European Journal of Pain, 24(9), 1687–1702. doi:10.1002/ejp.1632 
Jull, G., Trott, P., Potter, H., Zito, G., Niere, K., Shirley, D., … Richardson, C. (2002). A randomized controlled trial of exercise and manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache. Spine, 27(17), 1835–1843. doi:10.1097/00007632-200209010-00004 
Mousavi-Khatir, S. R., Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., Saadat, P., Javanshir, K., & Zohrevand, A. (2022). The Effect of Adding Dry Needling to Physical Therapy in the Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 23(3), 579–589. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnab312 Copy Download .nbib
M L
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