A cervicogenic headache is a syndrome characterised by one sided head pain, referred from either bony structures or soft tissues of the neck.



Did you know that only 8% of all headache episodes in people around the world are caused by migraine? You may wonder, what is the cause of the majority of throbbing headaches?

Sinusitis and dental surgical procedures can cause headache episodes, but they still are not the top major cause of most headaches. So you may wonder, what is it? The answer - a majority of headaches are categorized as cervicogenic headaches. Cervicogenic headaches usually originate from inside the structures of your neck. Many people are surprised how the neck can become a source of severely painful episodes of headaches.

Cervicogenic headaches are not easily diagnosed, No medical test or x-ray could definitely detect the presence of such types of headaches. It is thus important that the patient carefully determine the sources of the pain.

Features of cervicogenic headache?

Sufferers usually complain of single sided headache which is side locked (meaning it does not change position between sides of the head). It can extend from the neck to the base of the skull and around to the front of the head. The symptoms are generally provoked by neck movements and sustained postures, usually being described as dull or moderate in intensity and worse in the mornings.

Head and Neck Pain And Cervicogenic Headaches

Head and neck pain, whether, throbbing or stabbing, is known as headache. Sometimes it is not only confined to the head but also includes pain from the neck that is why it was termed as head and neck pain.

Tension headache is also considered as a muscular headache that can result to head and neck pain. These are caused by muscles which stiffened or become taut especially those found in the neck or the face. The pain though is not isolated in the head itself but it also affects the neck area. Head and neck pain oftentimes begins in the area around the eye unto the

neck and other muscle groups.

Cervicogenic headache on the other hand usually starts within the neck structures. The pain is then felt in the neck and the head. The neck, which one of the weaker parts of the body, can cause a brutal pain headache. Neck movements that go on for an extended period of time or sudden shift or motion of the neck can result to a cervicogenic headache or a head and neck pain.