Cervicogenic headaches
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What is it?
Cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that originates in the cervical spine. Statistics show that it is the third most common type of headache after migraine and tension-type headache. The pain is felt from the neck to the top of the head, usually on one side, and its severity varies to the extent that it can partially or completely affect the quality of life of the person experiencing it.
Causes
Cervicogenic headache may be caused by the osteoarthritis of the upper cervical joints and the arthritis. However, the main reason is the disorder of the cervical spine in the soft tissue and bone. If the cervical vertebrae are out of alignment, they can pinch the spinal nerves, causing a severe headache.
Furthermore, in certain cases, this type of headache is caused by whiplash or a recent or past head injury. It may also be due to acute pressure in the occipital region.
External factors include sudden or forced movements e even holding the same posture for a long time.
As this condition mainly affects the neck and the surrounding area, the pain causes stiffness and difficulty in performing certain movements, such as turning the head towards the affected side. In some cases, earache may also occur. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, loss of balance or difficulty swallowing.
Prevention
There are steps that everyone can take to prevent cervicogenic headaches. As they are often caused by poor posture, it is important to maintain good postural habits to avoid straining the neck or putting pressure on it. However, if a headache has already set in, the best course of action is to seek specialist care.
For this reason, medical history is crucial, which is why the chiropractor will ask the patient a series of questions during the consultation. With this type of headache, the patient experiences constant pain on one or both sides of the head and in the neck.
Diagnostic tests such as CT scans or MRI scans are rarely carried out, as the condition affecting the patient is almost certainly identified during the preliminary assessments.
Treatments
With this type of condition, it is best to identify the cause and address it. Many people turn to painkillers and anti-inflammatories; however, these will only provide short-term relief from headaches and neck pain, without eliminating the problem. Therefore, one of the main approaches to consider is chiropractic care, which acts directly on the structural cause.
Risk factors
As cervicogenic headache mainly affects the neck, there are many activities and jobs that increase the likelihood of experiencing it. For example, the type of work carried out plays a role, as keeping the neck in the same position for hours on end can strain the neck muscles.
Complications
In severe cases, patients may experience sharp pains in the neck and on one side of the head, due to a neuromuscular imbalance that causes tenderness in the cervical and cranial regions. If appropriate measures are not taken, recovery becomes more difficult and may result in a loss of muscle coordination accompanied by constant pain.
Further information on cervicogenic headaches
Statistics: Studies show that headache is the most common type of pain across the general population; approximately 96% of people have experienced it or will experience it. Of all types of headache, cervicogenic headache is the third most common.
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36€
There is now scientific evidence to support the effectiveness and benefits of chiropractic care.
We have extensive experience in supporting people with chiropractic-related complaints, thanks to the day-to-day work of our professionals.
Our approach is geared towards helping each individual improve from the very first session, thereby achieving a high level of satisfaction.
