03 Nov Are Your Headaches Actually Coming From Your Neck? Signs of Cervicogenic Headaches
Many people think headaches always start in the head, but that is not always true. Some headaches actually begin in the neck. These are called cervicogenic headaches, and they can feel very similar to regular headaches, which makes them easy to confuse with migraines or tension headaches.
If you have been dealing with headaches that keep coming back, understanding the connection between your neck and head pain can help you find the relief you have been looking for.
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache starts in the cervical spine, which is the upper part of your neck. When the joints, nerves, or muscles in the neck become irritated, the pain can travel upward and feel like a headache.
Even though the pain shows up in your head, the real source may be your neck.
Common Signs Your Headache Is Neck-Related
Cervicogenic headaches often have symptoms that make them different from other types of headaches. Signs include:
- Pain that begins in the neck and moves to the head
- Head pain on one side of the head or face
- Stiffness or tightness in the neck
- Pain that gets worse when you turn your head
- Headaches that appear after sitting for long periods
- Pain around the eyes or at the base of the skull
- Headaches that start after physical activity or poor posture
If your headache becomes stronger when your neck is irritated, it may be cervicogenic.
What Causes Cervicogenic Headaches?
Several neck problems can lead to this type of headache, including:
- Arthritis in the neck
- Herniated discs in the cervical spine
- Pinched nerves
- Poor posture
- Whiplash or old injuries
- Tight neck or shoulder muscles
These issues can place stress on the upper spine and cause pain that travels to the head.
If you want to learn more about treatments that can help with these conditions, visit our pain management services page.
When to See a Pain Specialist
You should see a specialist if your headaches:
- Keep coming back
- Get worse with certain neck movements
- Do not respond to medication
- Come with neck pain or stiffness
- Affect your sleep or daily activities
Ignoring cervicogenic headaches can cause the pain to become more frequent and harder to manage over time.
How Principal Spine Treats Cervicogenic Headaches
At Principal Spine, we focus on treating the source of your pain so you can experience lasting relief. Your treatment plan may include:
Cervical epidural steroid injections
Reduce inflammation around irritated nerves.
Learn more on our treatments page.
Facet joint injections
Relieve pain caused by arthritis or joint damage in the cervical spine.
More information can be found here: Principal Spine Treatments.
Trigger point injections
Calm painful muscle knots in the neck and shoulders.
Radiofrequency ablation
Helps quiet painful nerve signals for longer-lasting relief.
Explore RFA and related treatments here: treatments page.
Regenerative medicine
Supports healing for certain soft tissue and joint problems.
Posture and movement guidance
Helps reduce strain on the neck and prevent headaches from returning.
Every plan is customized based on your symptoms and the true cause of your pain.
Take the First Step Toward Headache Relief
You do not have to live with constant headaches or neck pain. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can help you feel better and get back to your normal routine.
Schedule a consultation today and let our team find out what is causing your headaches so you can get the relief you deserve.