What Is Cervicogenic Headache?
Cervicogenic Headache is a headache caused by referred pain from structures in the neck, such as cervical joints, discs, muscles, or nerves. The pain often begins near the back of the head and may spread toward the forehead, temple, or eye. Neck movement can increase symptoms in some people.
Quick Facts About Cervicogenic Headache
Category
Referred neck pain
Used for
Classifying neck-related headache symptoms
Common confusion
Migraine or tension headache
Also called
Neck-Related Headache, Cervical headache
Often discussed with
Headache Treatment, Neck Pain Treatment
Key Takeaways About Cervicogenic Headache
- Neck structures, not the head alone, generate the referred pain.
- Neck motion and posture may influence symptom patterns.
- Migraine and cervicogenic headache are different conditions.
How Cervicogenic Headache Works
Cervicogenic Headache develops when pain-sensitive tissues in the upper neck send signals that the brain interprets as head pain. This process is called referred pain. The source may involve the cervical joints, discs, muscles, or nearby nerves.
Related glossary terms: Cervical Spine, Facet Joint, Forward Head Posture.
A clinical assessment connects the headache pattern with neck findings. The examiner may review posture, neck movement, muscle tension, joint motion, and symptom changes during physical testing. Cervical Spine findings can help distinguish this pattern from migraine, tension headache, or Occipital Neuralgia. A headache may start at the base of the skull and travel toward the forehead or behind the eye. Neck stiffness or reduced movement may occur at the same time.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Savannah team
When we assess a possible cervicogenic headache, we review the symptom pattern alongside neck motion, posture, muscle tension, and joint function. We also consider whether head pain changes with neck-related findings. Our team uses that information to guide care within Headache Treatment and to recognize patterns that may need medical evaluation.
Cervicogenic Headache in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person with prolonged desk work develops pain at the base of the skull that spreads behind one eye. Neck rotation reproduces the familiar pain, which supports a cervicogenic pattern during a Headache Treatment assessment.
Related Services
Related Terms
Cervical Spine
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column located in the neck. It supports…
Facet Joint
A facet joint is a small paired joint at the back of the spine that connects…
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture is a postural alignment pattern in which the head rests ahead of the…
Occipital Neuralgia
Occipital Neuralgia is a nerve pain condition involving the occipital nerves that run from the upper…
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