What Is Cervicogenic Headache?
Cervicogenic Headache is a headache caused by dysfunction or irritation in the neck, especially the upper cervical joints, muscles, or nerves. Pain often begins in the neck and spreads toward the back, side, or front of the head. Neck movement, posture, or pressure around the neck may influence the symptoms.
Quick Facts About Cervicogenic Headache
Category
Neck-related headache
Used for
Describing a cervical source of head pain
Common confusion
Often confused with migraine
Also called
Neck-Related Headache
Often discussed with
Headache Treatment, Neck Pain Treatment
Key Takeaways About Cervicogenic Headache
- Pain usually starts in the neck or upper back of the head.
- Neck movement and posture may change symptom intensity.
- Migraine and cervicogenic headache are different conditions.
How Cervicogenic Headache Works
Cervicogenic Headache works through pain signals that begin in the upper neck and are felt in the head. The brain can interpret signals from nearby neck structures as head pain because those areas share nerve pathways. Symptoms may stay on one side, and neck movement can increase or reduce the discomfort.
Related glossary terms: Cervical Spine, Forward Head Posture, Referred Pain.
A clinical assessment looks at the connection between the cervical spine and the headache pattern. The clinician may review posture, neck motion, muscle tension, and the location of tenderness. A migraine can include nausea or sensitivity to light, while a cervicogenic pattern more often follows neck strain or restricted neck movement. Similar symptoms can overlap, so the full pattern matters.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Garden City team
When we assess Cervicogenic Headache, we review the neck, posture, movement, and symptom pattern together. Our team looks for findings that connect head pain with the cervical spine and considers whether the presentation fits Headache Treatment. We document changes in movement and symptoms across care.
Cervicogenic Headache in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person may develop pain at the base of the skull after prolonged desk work with the head held forward. Neck stiffness and reduced motion may accompany the headache, which can guide the focus of Headache Treatment.
Related Services
Related Terms
Cervical Spine
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column that supports the head and protects…
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture is a postural alignment pattern in which the head rests in front of…
Referred Pain
Referred Pain is discomfort felt in an area that differs from the tissue or structure producing…
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital Neuralgia is a nerve pain condition involving the occipital nerves, which travel from the upper…
Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Garden City
Have Questions About Cervicogenic Headache?
Contact Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Garden City for practical guidance on Cervicogenic Headache and related chiropractor work in Garden City.