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Check if it's cervical spondylosis. Symptoms of cervical spondylosis include: neck and shoulder pain or stiffness that can come and go. headaches that often start at the back of the neck. Cervical spondylosis is a normal part of ageing and many people do not have any symptoms.
- Neck Pain
What can cause neck pain. The most common causes of neck...
- Neck Pain
NHS information and advice about tension headaches. Find out about symptoms, causes, treatments, prevention and when to get medical help.
What can cause neck pain. The most common causes of neck pain are: the neck becoming locked in an awkward position while sleeping. bad posture – for example, when sitting at a desk for a long time. a pinched nerve. an injury – for example, whiplash from a traffic accident or fall.
Apr 20, 2024 · Symptoms. Headache Guide. What Your Headache Location Means. By Colleen Doherty, MD. Updated on April 20, 2024. Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD. Print. View All. Headaches All Over Head. Headaches on One Side of Head. Headaches at the Front of the Head. Headaches on the Top of the Head. Headaches on the Back of the Head.
- Colleen Doherty, MD
- Overview
- Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches
- What causes cervicogenic headaches?
- Diagnosing cervicogenic headache
- Treatment for cervicogenic headache
- Complications from cervicogenic headache
- When to contact a doctor
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
A cervicogenic headache is a pain that develops in the neck and is felt in the head. It is a headache that results from another condition, such as a neck trauma or infection.
People may confuse cervicogenic headaches with migraine and tension headaches, both of which can cause neck pain.
Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches. Secondary headaches result from an underlying condition, such as neck injuries, infections, or severe high blood pressure. This sets them apart from primary headaches, such as migraine and cluster headaches.
In this article, we discuss some symptoms, causes, and treatments for cervicogenic headaches.
Typically, people who have cervicogenic headaches experience a headache accompanied by neck pain and stiffness. Certain neck movements can provoke cervicogenic headaches.
In most cases, cervicogenic headaches develop on one side of the head, starting from the back of the head and neck and radiating toward the front.
Some other symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include:
•pain around the eyes
•pain in the neck, shoulder, or arm on one side
•head pain from certain neck movements or positions
Cervicogenic headaches result from structural problems in the neck and are often due to problems with vertebrae at the top of the spine, called the cervical vertebrae. The C1-3 vertebrae are the most common site of problems resulting in these headaches.
Some people develop cervicogenic headaches due to straining their necks. People can also develop cervicogenic headaches after an injury to the neck. This is better known as whiplash.
Some medical conditions that can cause cervicogenic headaches include:
•tumors
•fractures
•infections
Cervicogenic headaches can be difficult to diagnose, and doctors will typically focus on excluding other causes of primary headaches and migraine.
After assessing a person’s symptoms and medical history, doctors may order tests to confirm a cervicogenic headache.
•Physical assessment: If physical manipulation of the head and spine alters or resolves symptoms, it may indicate a cervicogenic headache.
•Nerve blocks: A doctor may administer a nerve block to the neck if they suspect a cervicogenic headache. If this pain-numbing injection stops symptoms, it can confirm the neck as the root of the headache.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is often the first line of treatment for cervicogenic headaches. People can work with a physical therapist to develop specialized treatment programs. At the first appointment, a physical therapist will identify the source of the pain. From there, they may stimulate the soft tissue and move the joints around to relieve painful symptoms. Learn more about physical therapy here.
Medications
A healthcare professional may recommend prescription or over-the-counter pain medications to relieve painful or uncomfortable symptoms. Medications that treat cervicogenic headaches include: •nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen •muscle relaxers •antiseizure medications •antidepressants
Nerve blocks
A doctor can inject pain-numbing medication into nerves and joints in the head and neck. These often provide pain relief and can help determine the source of the pain.
A cervicogenic headache can become debilitating without diagnosis and treatment.
Some people can also experience chronic or recurring cervicogenic headaches. If this happens to someone, they should contact their healthcare professional to discuss treatment options.
People should contact their healthcare professional if they experience a headache along with:
•severe pain
•fever
•rash
•nausea or vomiting
•confusion
What does a cervicogenic headache feel like?
A cervicogenic headache can often be confused with other types of headaches, but the main symptom is a feeling of pain and stiffness around the neck area.
What is the red flag for cervicogenic headaches?
Aside from neck pain and stiffness, a red flag that a person is experiencing a cervicogenic headache is any of the following symptoms: •fever •weight loss •confusion •sudden onset •having a previous history of headaches or changes in how a person experiences them
What mimics cervicogenic headache?
Occipital neuralgia is a type of headache that starts in the upper neck or back of the head and can radiate behind the eyes and over the scalp. It shares identical symptoms to a cervicogenic headache. Other conditions that can mimic a cervicogenic headache include: •tension headaches and migraine •internal carotid or vertebral artery dissection •Chiari malformation •herniated intervertebral disc •intramedullary or extramedullary spinal tumor •spinal nerve compression or tumor •arteriovenous malformation •neck-tongue syndrome
A cervicogenic headache is a type of secondary headache that results from problems in the neck. Causes of a cervicogenic headache include malformations of the cervical vertebrae, injuries to the neck, inflammation, and other medical conditions.
Without treatment, a cervicogenic headache can worsen and become debilitating. People can experience chronic or recurrent headaches that do not respond to medication.
At the ENT and Maxillofacial Surgery clinic located on the second floor of the Spaziani Hospital in Frosinone, from 18 to 21 September (8.30-13.30 am), specialist screening visits will be carried out for the early diagnosis of tumours or suspicious lesions of the head-neck district.
Jul 18, 2024 · General Causes. Symptoms and Types. Coping. When to See a Healthcare Provider. A wide range of issues can cause you to feel numbness, the sensation of pins and needles, tingling, or a cold feeling in your head and face. Clinically referred to as paresthesia, this condition is a sign of neuropathy, which is damage or dysfunction of the nerves.
