Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches: Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment Options

Cervicogenic headaches, often called neck headaches, originate in the cervical spine, setting them apart from other headache types like migraines. They are thought to be caused by an issue in the cervical spine or the neck region. Unlike other forms of headaches, including tension headaches or migraines, which may be triggered by various factors, cervicogenic headaches are associated only with neck issues, for example, muscle tension, joint dysfunction, or even structural anomalies. Understanding such a headache is important for the proper management and prevention.

What Are Cervicogenic Headaches?

Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches originating from a primary source in the neck. This type of headache is generally caused by inflammation or damage to the cervical spine structures, which include intervertebral discs, facet joints, ligaments, and muscles, and thus proper diagnosis is essential.

Global Prevalence and Impact

The International Headache Society estimates that cervicogenic headaches affect a significant portion of chronic headache sufferers. Approximately 15-20% of chronic headache sufferers experience cervicogenic headaches. Raising awareness and promoting accurate diagnosis can help reduce the impact of cervicogenic headaches on individuals who may not realize the source of their pain.

Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headaches

Cervicogenic headaches can appear in different ways to various people. Some symptoms include:

• Neck Pain: The most common presenting symptom of cervicogenic headache is neck pain, which may be dull or sharp. It often worsens with neck movement or some postures.
• Radiating Headache: The headache often begins in the neck and radiates to the head, and most of the time, it's unilateral. Patients often describe the pain as a pressure sensation.
• Stiff Neck: Because of the spasm of the neck muscles and its stiffness, it cannot turn or flex. Movement will be painful.
• Tenderness: Tenderness may occur at the sides of the neck near the base of the skull.
• Pain in the Shoulder or Arm: Pain may refer to the shoulder or arm.
• Headache precipitated by movement or a particular posture: Neck movement or posture may activate the headache or make it worse.

Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches

The causes of developing cervicogenic headaches include;

• Poor Posture: Poor positioning and slouching during sitting leads to the strain of neck muscles, leading to headache. This happens especially in the people who sit on desks or on computers for extended periods.
• Muscle tension: Stress and tension in the neck and shoulder regions are from the psychological factors and cause cervicogenic headaches.
• Neck Trauma: The impact of car accidents that involve whiplash leads to the trauma of the neck and muscles and joints injury causing headache.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Wearing away the cervical disc, it leads to stiffness and pain and may lead to headache.
• Cervical Osteoarthritis: Inflammation of the tissues in the cervical spine causes cervicogenic headaches.
• Herniated Discs: Herniated cervical discs compress surrounding nerves, leading to pain that radiates to the head.

Diagnosis of Cervicogenic Headaches

Doctors consider a patient’s symptom history, medical background, and past neck injuries in diagnosing cervicogenic headaches. The healthcare provider may assess neck mobility and tenderness.

• Imaging studies: Healthcare providers may sometimes order imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to rule out other causes, such as tumors or structural abnormalities in the cervical spine
• Diagnostic nerve blocks: Some specialists may use diagnostic nerve blocks to identify the spr causes of hecific nerve root responsible for the headache when the cause is uncertain. These help test whether a particular nerve root may actually be responsible for the patient's headache.

Treatment Plan for Cervicogenic Headaches

Treatment options for cervicogenic headaches include a range of conservative therapies, lifestyle adjustments, and medical management strategies. Every treatment option falls into one of three large categories. 

Conservative Treatment

• Analgesics: Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can provide quick relief from headache pain
• Physical Therapy: A neck mobility and strength and flexibility exercise program can be tailored for a patient under the care of a therapist. Specific exercises may then be utilized to alleviate headaches and prevent them from recurring.
• Massage Therapy: Therapeutic massage relieves tension in muscles, increases blood flow, and diminishes pain in the shoulder and neck areas.
• Chiropractic Care: Chiropractors help improve spinal alignment as this decreases the pressure on the nerve roots and also lowers the rate and severity of headaches.
• Acupuncture: For some, acupuncture—using thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body—can relieve cervicogenic headache pain.

Lifestyle Changes

• Good Posture: Maintaining good posture while sitting and standing helps in reducing strain on neck muscles. Ergonomic changes at the workstation also can help.
• Regular exercise can strengthen neck muscles, often helping to prevent headache pain.To reduce muscular tensions, meditation, yoga, or exercises in deep breathing can help.
• Making ergonomic adjustments to your workspace, like adjusting chair height and monitor position, can prevent neck strain and reduce headaches.

Surgical Interventions

If conservative treatments don’t provide relief, doctor may recommend the following procedures:

• Nerve Blocks: these involve injections of local anesthesia at the specific nerves aimed to inhibit pain for the temporary management of headache.
• Botox Injections: Botox injections help relax muscle spasms, reducing certain types of headaches.

Exercises for Cervicogenic Headache

Engaging in targeted exercises can help manage and even prevent cervicogenic headaches by improving neck strength and flexibility.

• Neck Stretching : Gentle stretches can improve flexibility and relieve muscle tension in the neck. Easy head movements side-to-side as well as forward-backward can be used.
• Chin Tucks: Gently bring the chin towards the chest while keeping shoulders relaxed to strengthen neck muscles and improve posture.
• Shoulder Rolls : Forward and backward rolling of the shoulders, which will ease tension build-up in the upper area of the back and relieve the neck region.
• Strengthening Exercises: Exercises to strengthen the muscles of the upper back and shoulders can be helpful in supporting the neck and can also reduce headaches.

Conclusion

Cervicogenic headaches significantly impact a person’s quality of life, but with effective treatment and lifestyle changes, their effects can be well-managed. First and foremost, awareness of its symptoms, causes, and available treatments help in its prevention and even alleviation. If you feel that headaches reoccur very frequently or attack your body powerfully, visit an appropriate medical doctor to provide accurate diagnosis and suitable prescriptions.

Lifestyle changes, appropriate conservative treatments and precise exercises, these approaches can help patients manage cervicogenic headaches and improve their overall health.

FAQs

Q: My neck hurts like crazy, and now I have a headache on one side of my head. Should I be worried?

A: Cervicogenic headaches typically cause pain on one side (either left or right) of the head, along with neck pain. While it's not usually serious, it can be very uncomfortable. It's best to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

Q: Are there any exercises I can do to help with my cervicogenic headaches?

A: Absolutely! Gentle neck stretches, chin tucks, and shoulder rolls can improve flexibility and ease muscle tension. There are also strengthening exercises for your upper back and shoulders that can help support your neck and reduce headaches. However, it's always best to talk to your doctor or a physical therapist before starting any new exercise program.

Q: I've tried over-the-counter pain relievers, but my headaches keep coming back. What else can I do?

A: Cervicogenic headaches often respond well to physical therapy, massage therapy, or chiropractic care. These therapies can help improve neck mobility and reduce muscle tension. Additionally, making ergonomic changes at your workstation and practicing good posture can go a long way in preventing future headaches.

Q: When should I see a doctor about my headaches?

A: If your headaches are severe, frequent, or don't respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, it's important to see a doctor. They can diagnose the cause of your headaches and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
 

By -Dr Aaksha Shukla | November 09, 2024 | 9 Min Read