Aligned Integrated Health
Cervicogenic Headache: When Your Headache Starts in Your Neck
A Headache With a Neck Problem Behind It
A cervicogenic headache is a headache caused by a problem in the neck, usually the joints, muscles or nerves of the upper cervical spine. The pain is felt in the head, often starting at the base of the skull and spreading to one side, but its source is in the neck. Neck pain and headache together, especially with a stiff neck, is a common pattern we see as part of headache care in Scottsdale.
Here is how to tell if your headache is from your neck, what usually causes cervicogenic headache, and how treatment approaches it.
- An exam of the upper neck, posture and headache pattern
- Gentle Pro Adjuster care with no cracking or twisting
- Massage and exercises for the neck and upper back
How Do I Know If My Headache Is From My Neck?
Cervicogenic headaches tend to follow a recognizable pattern. No single sign confirms it, but several together point toward the neck.
Key Features:
- Starts at the Base of the Skull: A headache at the base of the skull that spreads forward, often on one side.
- Stiff Neck and Headache: Reduced neck motion, with a headache that worsens with certain neck positions.
- Triggered by Posture: Headaches that build after long periods at a desk or looking down.
Causes and Treatment of Cervicogenic Headache
Here is what drives cervicogenic headache and how care approaches it.
Common Causes
Stiffness or irritation in the upper neck joints, tight muscles at the base of the skull, forward head posture, and past injuries such as whiplash are common contributors. A pinched nerve in the neck can also cause head and neck pain.
How It Differs From Other Headaches
Migraines often come with sensitivity to light or sound and nausea, and tension headaches usually feel like a band of pressure around the head. A cervicogenic headache is typically one-sided, starts in the neck, and changes with neck movement. Some people have more than one type, which is why a careful history matters.
Cervicogenic Headache Treatment
Treatment usually focuses on restoring motion in the upper neck, easing tight muscles, and improving posture. At our clinic, care may include gentle Pro Adjuster adjustments, which deliver precise impulses without twisting the neck, massage therapy for the muscles at the base of the skull, and chiropractic with rehabilitation exercises for deep neck strength. For other headache types, see our headache and migraine page.
Headaches That Need Emergency Care
Get emergency care for a sudden, severe headache, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, confusion, weakness, trouble speaking or vision changes, or a headache after a head injury. These are not cervicogenic headache patterns.
Related Conditions We Treat in Scottsdale
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cervicogenic headache?
A headache caused by a problem in the neck, usually the upper cervical joints or muscles, that is felt in the head.
How do I tell if my headache is from my neck?
Headaches that start at the base of the skull, sit on one side, and change with neck movement or posture often point to the neck.
Is cervicogenic headache dangerous?
Cervicogenic headache itself is not usually dangerous, but sudden severe headaches or headaches with neurological symptoms need emergency care.
Do you treat headaches that start in the neck in Scottsdale?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome. Call (480) 661-1977.
Get Help for Neck Headaches in Scottsdale, AZ
Aligned Integrated Health is at 10752 North 89th Place, Suite C130 in Scottsdale. Dr. Daniel J. Gerwig, D.C. has been practicing since 2001 and sees patients here himself. Most insurances are accepted and walk-ins are welcome.
New Patient Special. Includes the consultation, exam, report of findings and X-rays. See the current offer. Not valid for use with federally sponsored programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.