What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache caused by referred pain from structures in the neck, such as cervical joints, discs, muscles, or nerves. Pain often begins in the neck or back of the head and may spread toward the forehead, temple, or eye. Neck movement can increase symptoms.
Quick Facts About Cervicogenic Headache
Category
Secondary headache
Used for
Describing neck-related head pain
Common confusion
Often confused with migraine
Also called
Neck-related headache, Cervicogenic headache disorder
Often discussed with
Headache Treatment, Neck Pain Treatment
Key Takeaways About Cervicogenic Headache
- Neck structures refer pain into the head.
- Neck movement may affect headache symptoms.
- Migraine and cervicogenic headache are different conditions.
How Cervicogenic Headache Works
Cervicogenic headache develops when pain signals from the neck are felt in the head. Joints, muscles, discs, and nerves in the cervical spine can contribute to these signals. The pain may stay on one side, spread behind the eye, or become more noticeable when the neck moves.
Related glossary terms: Cervical Spine, Referred Pain, Range Of Motion.
Assessment connects the headache pattern with neck findings. A clinician may review symptom history, observe posture, check neck range of motion, and examine areas that reproduce familiar pain. Migraine can also cause head pain, but light sensitivity, nausea, or visual symptoms may point toward a different headache pattern. Referred pain describes pain felt away from its source, which explains why a neck problem can feel like head pain.
From the Arrowhead Clinic Chiropractor Newnan team
When we assess a possible cervicogenic headache, we review the pain pattern alongside neck movement and related findings. We also consider whether the presentation fits a neck-related source or suggests another type of headache that may need different evaluation.
Cervicogenic Headache in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person develops pain that starts near the upper neck after prolonged desk work and travels toward one temple. Neck movement reproduces part of the familiar pain, which supports checking the cervical spine as a possible source.
Related Services
Related Terms
Cervical Spine
The cervical spine is the neck section of the spinal column that supports the head and…
Referred Pain
Referred Pain is discomfort felt in an area that differs from the tissue or structure generating…
Range Of Motion
Range Of Motion is the available movement at a joint or body region, measured by how…
Forward Head Posture
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders…
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