Cervicogenic headache is a type of headache caused by structures in the neck. It can be associated with neck pain or stiffness, reduced neck movement and headache that is aggravated by particular neck movements or positions.
At Hartwell Physiotherapy in Camberwell, our Physios can assess your neck and headache symptoms to determine whether your cervical spine may be contributing to your headaches.
Symptoms can vary, but cervicogenic headaches may include:
These symptoms can overlap with other headache conditions, including migraine and tension-type headache, so an appropriate assessment is important.
At Hartwell Physiotherapy, your Physio will first take a detailed history of your headaches and neck symptoms.
Your assessment may include:
Importantly, not every headache associated with neck pain is a cervicogenic headache. Migraine and other headache disorders can also cause neck pain.
If your symptoms don’t appear consistent with a musculoskeletal cause, or we identify features requiring further investigation, we will recommend appropriate medical assessment.
Treatment will depend on what we find during your assessment and may include:
Our aim isn’t simply to provide temporary relief. We want to identify the factors contributing to your headaches and give you practical strategies to manage them.
Not usually.
Scans are not routinely required to assess cervicogenic headache. Changes seen on scans of the neck are also common in people who don’t experience headaches, so imaging findings alone don’t necessarily tell us whether the neck is causing your symptoms.
Your Physio can assess whether your presentation is suitable for physiotherapy and recommend further medical assessment if required.
Most headaches are not caused by serious conditions. However, a new or significantly different headache, particularly if it is sudden or severe or accompanied by neurological symptoms such as double vision, slurred speech, pins and needles/numbness in your arm, should be medically assessed.
If we have any concerns during your assessment, we will refer you to your GP or another appropriate health professional.
Cervicogenic headache and migraine can sometimes feel similar, and neck pain can occur with both conditions. A cervicogenic headache originates from the neck and is often associated with reduced neck movement, pain that is aggravated by particular neck movements or positions, and headache that can be reproduced during an assessment of the neck. Migraine is a neurological headache disorder and may be associated with symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes visual or sensory changes. These features aren’t completely exclusive to either condition, which is why a thorough history and assessment are important when determining whether the neck is contributing to your headaches.
At Hartwell Physiotherapy, we assess both your headache symptoms and your neck to determine whether the cervical spine may be contributing to your headaches.
We provide physiotherapy for cervicogenic headaches from our Camberwell clinic, conveniently located for clients from Camberwell, Glen Iris, Hawthorn East and surrounding areas.
Not sure whether your headaches could be coming from your neck?
Book an appointment with one of our Physios for an assessment, or call us on 9889 3903.
Related Blogs:
