Cervicogenic headache treatment: How physical therapy can help you

Many people believe that every headache is the same, but that’s not true. There are more than half a dozen types of headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. But there is one type of headache that stems from other medical conditions.

A cervicogenic headache is caused by neck and spine issues. Not as common as other headaches, it affects up to 4% of the population that deals with headaches.

Learn about the basics of this type of headache as well as cervicogenic headache treatment options, like physical therapy.

What is a cervicogenic headache?

Cervicogenic headaches may cause pain in your head, but it’s actually coming from your neck. When pain seems like it’s coming from one area of the body as opposed to its actual source, it’s called referred pain. In this case, the pain is referred from soft tissue or bony structures in your neck.

This type of chronic headache is caused by a problem with the cervical vertebrae located at the top of the spine, such as a medical disorder or lesion.

Possible causes of cervicogenic headaches include:

• Whiplash.
• Infections.
• Fractures.
• Tumors.
• Arthritis in the upper spine.

Cervicogenic headache symptoms

Even though all headaches cause pain in your head, the pain from cervicogenic headaches can manifest in different ways, usually after neck movement. The pain can also be coupled with other symptoms, depending on the severity of the headache. 

Symptoms of a cervicogenic headache include:

• Pain on one side of your head or face.
• Pain down one side of your body throughout your neck, shoulder or arm.
• Pain around your eyes.
• Nausea. 
• Blurred vision.
• Increased sensitivity to light and/or noise.

6 ways physical therapy can provide cervicogenic headache treatment 

It’s important to remember that for cervicogenic headache treatment, you have to focus on your neck instead of your head. 

Physical therapy is one of the best treatment options for neck pain that’s causing your headaches. While some of the techniques are hands-on methods to help manage the pain, others help you prevent future cervicogenic headaches through exercises or habit changes. 

A physical therapist will choose the cervicogenic headache treatment techniques that work best for your specific cause. For example, arthritis of the spine often won’t be treated the same way as a fracture.

Six physical therapy methods for cervicogenic headaches treatment are:

1. Myofascial release — This is a common manual therapy technique that involves the therapist using their hands to apply pressure to the tissue around the neck in order to release the tension that can be causing the pain. It focuses on pain from the fascia, which is the tissue that covers our muscles and bones.
2. Joint mobilization — There are three joints located in the neck, one medial joint along with two lateral atlantoaxial joints. The muscles and tendons surrounding the joints can tighten up to cause pain and a reduced range of motion. Joint mobilization involves a physical therapist moving around your neck joints to find the restrictive tissue before loosening it with their hands.
3. Soft tissue mobilization — Neck tension that causes pain is usually stored in the soft tissue. A physical therapist can use massagelike motions on your neck to find the scar tissue and break it up to release the tension.
4. Dry needling — This refers to a method that uses thin needles inserted into the skin to force the muscles to contract in the neck, relieving the tension. Dry needling can also increase blood flow in the area to help your neck recover from neck injuries like a fracture.
5. Exercises — Strengthening your neck muscles is integral to cervicogenic headache treatment. A physical therapist can show you exercises that will strengthen your neck muscles to combat the weakness that can be caused by arthritis or fractures.
6. Posture correction — Poor posture can put a lot of strain on your neck and spine, which can lead to cervicogenic headaches. A physical therapist can give you an assessment to provide small adjustments to your posture. A small daily change like improved posture can go a long way.

Alliance PTP can connect you with the physical therapy practice you need for cervicogenic headaches

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can help you find cervicogenic headache treatment. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!