Cervicogenic Headache

What Is Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache caused by disorders of the cervical spine and its component structures. Pain is referred from cervical structures (joints, discs, muscles) to the head.¹

Symptoms

• Unilateral headache (side-locked)
• Starts in neck, spreads to head
• Pain triggered by neck movement or posture
• Reduced neck range of motion
• Same-side shoulder or arm pain
• Non-throbbing, non-pulsating quality

Diagnostic Criteria²

• Evidence of cervical source
• Clinical signs of neck involvement
• Pain relieved by diagnostic block
• Headache resolves after treating cervical disorder

Common Causes

• Upper cervical facet joint dysfunction
• C2-3 disc degeneration
• Atlantoaxial joint problems
• Muscle tightness (upper trapezius, suboccipitals)
• Whiplash injury

Treatment³

Physical Therapy

• Cervical spine mobilization
• Postural correction
• Strengthening exercises
• Ergonomic modifications

Interventional

• Greater occipital nerve blocks
• Cervical facet injections
• Radiofrequency ablation

References

1. Bogduk N, Govind J. Cervicogenic headache: an assessment of the evidence on clinical diagnosis, invasive tests, and treatment. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8(10):959-968.
2. Headache Classification Committee. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1-211.
3. Chaibi A, Russell MB. Manual therapies for cervicogenic headache: a systematic review. J Headache Pain. 2012;13(5):351-359.