Dealing with headaches is never pleasant, especially when they are cervicogenic headaches originating from the neck. At SpineCentral, we specialise in addressing the root cause of these headaches, providing relief through chiropractic care tailored to the unique needs of our Southwest London community.
What is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that arises from the neck, potentially triggering migraines or cluster headaches when severe. The term ‘cervicogenic’ refers to the perception of pain in the head.
It’s intriguing how pain can manifest in one part of the body, seemingly unrelated to that area. Similar to sciatica leg pain originating from the base of the spine, a cervicogenic headache stems from the neck and can radiate up around the head.
Common Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches:
- Tension in the neck muscles
- Spinal misalignment leading to nerve pressure
- Forward head carriage and poor posture – particularly an exaggerated curve of the mid-back
- Neck arthritis
- Disc prolapse
With any referred pain, it’s crucial to recognise that nerves are the primary players. In the case of a cervicogenic headache, compressed nerves in the neck transmit pain signals around the head and eyes.
The suboccipital muscles around the base of your skull, as well as the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles (which connect the shoulders to the neck), can also form trigger points in response to the demands of poor posture. These trigger points can also contribute towards referred head pain.
As Structural Correction chiropractors at SpineCentral, our mission is to pinpoint the root cause of the issue, identifying precisely where the problem originates and relieving the pressure on affected nerves and muscles. The answer is usually to balance your alignment and to make simple lifestyle changes that will help you avoid stressing your nerves and muscles again in the future.
Recognising the Symptoms:
- Neck pain accompanying the headache
- Referral pattern starts at the base of the head and extends over to behind the eyes (usually on one side)
- Exacerbation of pain during sneezing or coughing
- Static pain, staying localised rather than moving around the head like migraines or cluster headaches
- Stiffness in the neck, with tenderness and exacerbation of the headache upon movement
Home Treatments for Cervicogenic Headaches:
Traditional methods like sitting in a dark room may not be effective for cervicogenic headaches, as they originate from the neck. Here are some home-based treatments that focus on addressing the neck issue:
Posture Correction:
Adopt good posture-protecting habits such as sitting on a seat wedge while working, wearing barefoot shoes while walking or working out, and sleeping with a firm enough mattress and the correct size and type of pillow. We dive deep into the topic of sleeping on this page here. If you are waking up with headaches in the morning, there is a good possibility that your pillow is the wrong type and size.
Desk Set-Up:
Ensure proper posture at your desk; with lower knees than hips, top of computer screen level with your eyes, the desk to the correct height where your elbows are at 90 degrees and your forearms can rest comfortably on the desk.
Spinal Manipulation:
Seek Structural Correction-focused chiropractic care for sprecialised posture correcting spinal manipulations that can change joint positions, and alleviate nerve pressure that results in cervicogenic headaches. At Spinecetral we also offer Endonasal Cranial Correction which is an important treatment method for correcting cranial imbalances that can contribute to headaches.
Structural correction is often the best long-term solution for headaches because it effectively addresses the root cause of the problem. You can learn more about structural correction here.
At SpineCentral, we have successfully helped individuals with cervicogenic headaches through personalised chiropractic care. If you’re in London and experiencing these headaches, reach out to us to learn more about how we can assist you.
