Cervicogenic Headache

What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A Cervicogenic headache is a headache that is occurring due to an issue with one or more of your neck joints. Hence treating your neck will help alleviate your headache.

Cervicogenic Headache Symptoms

There are many signs that will help you identify a Cervicogenic headache, but the main symptoms are that your headache becomes worse when you move your neck or with certain postures. Other symptoms include:

The intensity of a headache increases when sneezing, coughing
or even inhaling deeply.
A headache on one side of your face.
A steady pain that does not throb.

Pain that is consistently in one location, e.g. around your eye or forehead.
Neck pain or tenderness at the base of the skull.
Difficulty moving your neck fully.

Some symptoms that are shared between a migraine and a Cervigonenic headache can include:

Feel like throwing up

Blurry eyesight

Loud noise can cause nausea

Shoulder or arm pain

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

If you have a Cervicogenic headache, there are different treatment techniques you can use to suppress the pain or completely relieve yourself of the suffering:

Physiotherapy/Chiropractic:

This treatment involves remedial massage, electrotherapy, heat therapy, joint mobilisations, spinal adjustments, cupping, posture correction and exercises to stretch and strengthen specific muscle groups.

Medicine:

Ibuprofen or aspirin are medications that help to ease off the pain. Other medications include muscle relaxers and other muscle pain relievers.

Other options of Cervicogenic headache treatment include pain relieving techniques like acupuncture and yoga.

TIPS & TRICKS TO SPEED UP RECOVERY FOR CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE

Rest your head on the edge of a book

To ease the tension that a Cervicogenic headache is causing, lie on your back with your head on a telephone directory or a book, like a pillow. Adjust the book so the base of your head rests on the edge of the book. Push your chin towards your chest; this may relax the tight muscles and bring relief to your headache. If your headache becomes worse please stop this exercise immediately.

Using nose movements as a pen to write numbers

This Pilates exercise needs you to lie on your back with your knees bent. Place your feet hip apart and parallel to each other. Do a chin tuck and lengthen the back of our neck as your head is in contact with the mat. Breathe in and out into the back and sides of the rib cage. Repeat this 10 times.

Now draw the number eight with your nose, repeat four times and reverse the direction. The next step is to picture the number eight lying on its side. Draw the number eight using your nose and reverse the direction.

Follow the link below for more exercises to help improve your recovery

Tips and tricks for managing daily activities

Maintain good posture while sitting at a desk or while driving. Always remember to keep your ears above your shoulders and to keep all screens (desktop monitor or phones) at eye level.
Make sure you have a comfortable mattress and pillow. We recommend using an ergonomically contoured pillow.
Your neck is designed to rotate, bend from side to side and forward or backwards. Make sure to stretch your neck regularly to prevent the onset of Cervicogenic headaches. Book in with our Physiotherapists or Chiropractors to find out which stretches you specifically need to do!

Treatment options

Relevant Products

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TENS$120.00

To receive treatment for your headache from our Physiotherapists or Chiropractors,

Call Masnad Health Clinic on (02) 9793 8840

Book Now

Cervicogenic Headache