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Oct 5, 2020 · Slipped disks. Strained or sprained neck muscles. 2. It doesn’t feel like other headaches. Cervicogenic headaches have some unique traits that may clue you in. “Cervicogenic headaches usually ...
- Cervicogenic Headache: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
The symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include: One-sided...
- Cervicogenic Headache: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment
- 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.
Mar 8, 2019 · pain on one side of your head or face. a stiff neck. pain around the eyes. pain while coughing or sneezing. a headache with certain neck postures or movement. Cervicogenic headaches can also cause ...
- Valencia Higuera
Cervicogenic headaches cause neck stiffness and restricted range of motion. CGH pain starts in the neck and is commonly felt as a steady dull ache that may be aggravated by certain activities or postures. While CGH is typically a one-sided pain, both sides of the neck may be painful depending on the severity.
Jul 11, 2024 · The symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include: One-sided head pain. It may start at the bottom of your head and radiate up one side or start at the back of your head and radiate to the front, behind your eyes. Limited movement or range of motion in your neck. Your headache may get worse with neck movement.
Occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache are causes of posterior-predominant headache treated in the outpatient setting. The clinical presentations of these 2 conditions have similar features because of converging anatomic pain pathways involving the nociceptive afferents of C1, C2, and C3 spinal nerves and the trigeminocervical complex.
People also ask
What are the symptoms of a cervicogenic headache?
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Where do cervicogenic headaches start?
Aug 9, 2024 · In the case of a cervicogenic headache (CH), your pain may be due to a pinched nerve in your neck, even though you feel the pain in your head. But other causes can trigger this type of headache ...
