Why Your Neck Might Be to Blame
Persistent headaches aren’t always about tension or stress—sometimes, they start in your neck. These are known as cervicogenic headaches, where pain in the cervical spine (neck) is felt in the head. Common sources include joint irritation, herniated discs, arthritis, or muscle strain.
Key symptoms include:
- One-sided head pain that begins at the base of the skull and travels upward, possibly affecting the forehead, temple, or area around the eye
- Pain triggered or worsened by neck movement or sustained positions
- Limited neck mobility, tenderness at neck joints, or stiffness
You might also notice shoulder or arm discomfort on the same side. Although symptoms can overlap with migraines, cervicogenic headaches are rooted in musculoskeletal issues—meaning treatment must address the neck, not just the head.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Some typical drivers of cervicogenic headaches include:
- Poor posture, especially “tech neck” from constantly leaning forward at devices
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash from car accidents or sports strains
- Degenerative changes like arthritis or disc wear in the upper cervical spine
How to Get Lasting Relief at My Center for Health
At My Center for Health, our multidisciplinary team offers holistic, evidence-based care tailored to cervicogenic headaches.
- Comprehensive Evaluation
Our Headache and Rehab Specialists assess neck structure, movement, posture, and history to pinpoint the headache source accurately.
- Physical Therapy & Manual Techniques
Skilled hands-on interventions—joint mobilization, targeted stretches, and exercises—help restore neck mobility and strength.
- Postural Correction & Ergonomic Guidance
We coach you in posture improvements, office setups, and habits to reduce strain and prevent recurrence. - Targeted Exercises
Benefit from exercises proven to ease symptoms—for example, craniocervical flexion against resistance, neck stretches, and scapular stabilization. - Complementary Therapies When Needed
For stubborn cases, we may introduce nerve block injections, massage therapy, or chiropractic care—always in coordination with your overall treatment. - Home Strategies & Lifestyle Support
We’ll help you integrate simple, effective self-care, including:- Applying heat to tense neck muscles
- Mindful posture and regular movement breaks
- Relaxation techniques like deep breathing to ease muscle tension
When to Seek Professional Help
If headaches are frequent, worsening, resisted by usual remedies, or accompanied by symptoms like fever, numbness, or vision changes, a full evaluation is essential to rule out more serious conditions.
