Is Your Neck the Hidden Culprit Behind Your Headache?

If you have ever experienced a headache that felt as if it started in the back of your head or neck, what might be hurting you is your neck itself. This type of headache is termed a Cervicogenic Headache and originates from problems in the neck or the cervical spine. Doctors and researchers have been researching for years, how neck problems can cause headaches.

Cervicogenic Headache

The Cervicogenic Headache arises from cervical spine pathology. Patients with cervicogenic headache mostly complain about cervical stiffness or neck pain at the base of the skull which radiates up to the top of the head or the frontal region. The pain tends to be unilateral but may initially change sides or shift sides with time. It worsens on performing any of the movements such as turning or flexing the neck backward.

This form of headache is often mistaken for a migraine or a tension headache; the symptoms are usually the same, but it is caused by irritated nerves in the upper spine, more specifically at the C1, C2, and C3 spinal nerves.

A Brief History of Cervicogenic Headache

‘’Cervicogenic Headache” is a term that was first coined in 1983, but doctors were aware of this long ago when they found that neck troubles may lead to pain elsewhere in the body. The neck was long known to be involved in headaches, though it was hard to understand just how because many different types of headaches look very similar.

To determine where head pain arose, early scientists used a procedure called a nerve block. They would give an anesthetic to some nerves in the neck to check if it decreased the headache. This method enabled them to discover that some headaches resulted from issues with the greater occipital nerve, which runs from the upper neck to the scalp. Nowadays, nerve blocks are still utilized as part of the treatment for people who have headaches, particularly those patients with nerve-related disorders, such as occipital neuralgia.

Generalized Symptoms in Cervical Spine Issues

Neck pains are associated not only with headaches but may also provoke other types of pains. Spinal conditions of the cervical spine, for instance, can lead to arm and shoulder pains, elbow pain, dizziness, imbalance, tinnitus, or pressure behind the eyes. Because of this, cervicogenic headaches usually present undiagnosed because they can manifest as other forms of headaches or nerve damage.

What Triggers Cervicogenic Headaches?

Neck problems can cause headaches, and there can be numerous reasons for it to occur. Another reason could be whiplash from a car accident which can also cause chronic headaches. Some less common causes include unstable neck structures, poor posture, and degenerative changes in the spine. Often, unstable or poor posture exposes tissues and the joints in the neck to irritation which leads to pain.

Most of these chronic headaches from the neck are benign and unrelated to tumors or fractures. Often, persons with chronic headaches are, therefore, referred to a neurologist or to an ear, nose, and throat doctor for some tests, like MRI scans, to eliminate other more serious conditions.

In Summary

Because cervical spine problems might be one of the causes of your headache, you can look for treatments that target this root cause. You can relieve neck stiffness, work out your posture, and seek professional care like physiotherapy or nerve blocks. Therefore, if you frequently experience headaches, your neck might often be diagnosed as a pain trigger. Don’t let the headaches in your life take control of you; understanding how they happen can lead to better management and a clearer path for relief.

How NUCCA Helps with Headaches?

In the rapidly advancing field of chiropractic care, specialized techniques like NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) are making great strides. At NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, we pride ourselves on offering this precise, non-invasive method to help alleviate chronic pain and improve overall well-being.

The NUCCA technique can play a pivotal role in managing chronic headaches, particularly in its early stages. By correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine, NUCCA helps restore balance and symmetry to the spine, which can reduce joint irritation in the cervical spine and alleviate associated symptoms. The NUCCA technique represents a revolutionary approach to chiropractic care, offering a gentle, non-invasive, and effective method for addressing spinal misalignments and ameliorating overall health.

Contact us at (224) 676-1920 today to schedule your consultation and discover the transformative power of the NUCCA technique in Chicago, Illinois.

 

References:

  1. Antonaci F, Bono G, Mauri M, Drottning M, Buscone S. Concepts leading to the definition of the term cervicogenic headache: a historical overview. J Headache Pain. 2005 Dec;6(6):462-6. doi: 10.1007/s10194-005-0250-6. Epub 2005 Dec 15. PMID: 16388342; PMCID: PMC3452304.
  2. Yasir Al Khalili (2022). Cervicogenic Headache. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507862/#:~:text=A%20cervicogenic%20headache%20presents%20as,of%20motion%20of%20the%20neck 
  3. AMF (2016). What Is Cervicogenic Headache? Retrieved from: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/cervicogenic-headache/