Is your headache really from neck pain?

The International Headache Society refers to headaches arising from the neck as cervicogenic headaches. 

They are categorised as a secondary headache in that the pain experienced is a symptom of another disorder, in this case a disorder or lesion of the upper cervical spine (neck).

The actual prevalence of these headaches is as low as 1-4%, rising to 17.5% amongst patients with severe headaches and 53% in patients with headache after whiplash.  

Features of cervicogenic headache are as follows:

• Pain on one side of the head which radiates from the base of the skull toward the face (ram’s horn pattern)

• Pain triggered by neck movement or sustained awkward posture

• Pain elicited by digital pressure applied to the upper neck

• Occurence of sustained neck trauma shortly before onset

Treatment is aimed at restoring pain free range of motion to the neck which in due course should abate the radiating pain. Home-exercise programs typically involve towel assisted SNAG techniques (sustained natural apophyseal glides), spinal traction utilising a pilates block or hammock, and deep spinal muscle training with progressions through a Pilates range of exercises.

Anti-inflammatory therapy and computerised spinal traction may be used as advised by your GP or healthcare professional.

Although this headache originates from the bony, disc and/or soft tissue elements of the upper neck, an Osteopath will assess your overall biomechanics including thoracic spine mobility, scapula and shoulder function, and strength of the deep spinal muscles. Workplace ergonomics, exercise selection, diet and stress levels are also important considerations.

These headaches are often chronic (long-lasting in nature) with intermittent severe episodes. If conservative therapy is not successful in controlling symptoms then an anaesthetic blockade can be administered to confirm whether or not the symptoms are in fact arising from the neck.