Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic headaches affect 1-4% of people with headache conditions. These headaches often go misdiagnosed even though they commonly cause chronic head pain. The pain starts in the neck rather than the head, which makes them unique.

These headaches differ from primary headaches because they stem from neck problems. Patients notice pain in their head that actually comes from their neck. People with this condition feel worse pain when they move their neck in certain ways. They also have limited neck movement. The pain can come from several sources like injuries, cervical vertebrae problems, arthritis inflammation, tumours, or infections.

This article helps readers identify specific symptoms that make cervicogenic headaches different from migraines and tension headaches. It also covers ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent them. 

What is Cervicogenic Headache?

A cervicogenic headache develops from problems in the cervical spine or nearby tissues. This differs from primary headaches like migraines or tension headaches because it comes from neck conditions. The condition affects about 1-4% of headache patients. People typically experience their first symptoms in their early 30s, though most seek help around age 49. Men and women face almost equal risk.

Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headache

Patients usually feel pain on one side that starts in their neck and moves up to their head. The pain stays constant and ranges from moderate to severe, without any pulsing sensation. Common cervicogenic headache symptoms include:

• Pain that gets worse when you move your neck
• Limited neck movement
• Pain that spreads to your forehead, temples, or around your eyes
• Sometimes blurry vision on the affected side
• Discomfort in your shoulder or arm on the same side
• Associated with parestnesia over temple and head 

Causes of Cervicogenic Headache 

The pain comes from areas connected to spinal nerves C1-C3. Common triggers include:

• Disc problems or herniation in the neck
• Joint arthritis in the neck
• Muscle strain from bad posture
• Whiplash injuries
• Pinched nerves
• Tumours (rare cases)

Risk of Cervicogenic Headache

Your risk increases with:

• Age (30-44 years)
• Jobs that make you bend your head forward
• Weight training activities
• Bad posture while using phones or computers
• Past neck injuries

Complications of Cervicogenic Headache

These headaches can create serious problems when left untreated:

• Long-term pain conditions
• Substantially reduced neck movement
• Problems with daily tasks
• Trouble sleeping
• Overuse of medications
• Mental health effects like anxiety or depression

Diagnosis for Cervicogenic Headache

Doctors begin with a full clinical evaluation to understand your medical history and headache patterns. The physical exam looks at your neck's mobility, tender areas and nerve-related signs. 

Diagnostic tests:

• The cervical flexion-rotation test accurately identifies these headaches.
• Imaging like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to rule out possible issues.
• Diagnostic nerve blocks confirm the condition.

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment 

Treatment options are:

• Physical therapy remains the primary treatment choice.
• Manual therapy and specific exercises
• Medications (NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants)
• Nerve blocks or steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation for stubborn cases
• Surgery becomes an option only after other treatments fail.

When to See a Doctor

You should get medical help right away if you have:

• A sudden severe headache
• Nerve-related symptoms
• Fever with a stiff neck
• Ongoing pain that doesn't respond to over-the-counter medicines

Prevention

You can stop headaches from coming back by:

• Adjusting your workspace setup
• Building stronger neck muscles
• Keeping good posture
• Choosing the right pillows for sleep
• Taking regular breaks while sitting for long periods 
• Managing stress helps reduce how often headaches occur.

Conclusion

Cervicogenic headaches stand apart from other head pain types because they originate from neck problems rather than brain-related issues. People often struggle with this condition for years before getting the right diagnosis, and doctors sometimes mistake it for migraines or tension headaches. 

Your daily habits make a big difference in preventing these headaches. Most patients respond best to physical therapy as their first treatment option, though medications and nerve blocks can also provide relief. Doctors only consider surgery after other treatments prove unsuccessful.

Persistent or intense head pain requires medical care. Cervicogenic headaches can affect a person's daily life if left untreated. The good news is that most patients see major improvement with proper diagnosis and treatment. This helps them take back control of their daily activities.

FAQs

1. Is a cervicogenic headache serious?

These headaches can become debilitating without proper treatment. They usually aren't life-threatening but might point to neck problems that need attention. Patients who don't get treatment may develop:

• Chronic pain syndromes
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Worsening neck conditions

2. How do you get rid of a cervicogenic headache?

Doctors recommend physical therapy as the first treatment option. Several approaches work well:

• Manual therapy combined with targeted exercises
• Medications 
• Nerve blocks that reduce pain
• Better posture and workspace ergonomics

Patients with stubborn symptoms might find relief through steroid injections or radiofrequency neurotomies.

3. How long will a cervicogenic headache last?

These headaches can last hours, days, or weeks if you don't address the mechanisms behind them. The duration changes based on what triggers them. Temporary compression can improve quickly but degenerative conditions need care over a long time.

4. What is the root cause of cervicogenic headaches?

These headaches start in structures connected to spinal nerves C1-C3. The most common causes include:

• Problems with facet joints (especially C2-C3)
• Whiplash injuries
• Arthritis or disc herniation
• Bad posture or work-related strain

5. What is the difference between a cervicogenic headache vs migraine?

Both conditions cause pain on one side of the head, but they have distinct characteristics. Cervicogenic headaches:

• Begin in the neck and spread upward
• Get worse with neck movements
• Don't have a pulsing feeling
• Rarely causes nausea or light sensitivity

The brain triggers migraines, unlike cervicogenic headaches that come from neck issues.

6. What is the main difference between a tension headache and a cervicogenic headache?

Tension headaches often cause a squeezing pressure on both sides of the head, like a tight band around it. On the other hand, cervicogenic headaches:

• Stay on one side without switching
• Start in the neck
• Feel worse with neck movement
• Limit neck motion
• Link directly to neck problems

Dr. Mandar G Waghralkar

MBBS, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology), FINR, EDSI
Ganga CARE Hospital Limited, Nagpur

To Book an Appointment, call:

+91 40-68106529