Did you know that some headaches are caused by problems with your neck? These types of headaches are called cervicogenic headaches and they literally are a pain in the neck! Of course, there are many causes for headaches but this type, in particular, can be treated successfully with physiotherapy and/or acupuncture. Good news! Even better, you should experience immediate relief with these treatments if your headache is stemming from dysfunction in your neck….
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by joint or muscular mechanical dysfunction in the upper three segments of the cervical spine as well as poor posture, ergonomics and stress. Additional causes may be from mechanical dysfunction in the thoracic spine, jaw, trauma and/or degenerative joint problems.
How do I know if my headache is caused by my neck?
Symptoms of a cervical headache
- Pain and tension in the neck
- Headache is usually felt on one side of the head, or at the back or into the eye
- Pain with a certain range of motions of the neck and may radiate into the shoulder
- Headache is felt in the back of the head, or in the temple and jaw area or behind one eye
- Headache gets worse with sustained or repeated postures (i.e. like sleeping on stomach)
- Other symptoms: nausea, light/sound sensitivity, dizziness
What causes cervical headaches?
Several structures in the upper neck can cause headaches. Most commonly they are a result of a mechanical problem in the joints in the upper vertebrae of the cervical spine (C1-3 joints). These joints may become stiff, hypermobile, irritated or inflamed as a result of trauma, posture or tension, and consequently cause pain to be referred to the specific areas of the head as illustrated in the diagram. When there is a mechanical dysfunction occurring in the upper neck area, the nerves that supply the joints and surrounding structures in this area refer to pain in specific distributions into the head, scalp, face and eye that we interpret as headache.
How can physiotherapy and acupuncture help?
- Manual therapy – a physiotherapist trained in manual therapy can use specific techniques to promote normal movement of the affected joints.
- Education – information on proper ergonomic set-up, postural awareness and assessment and exercises to strengthen and increase the flexibility of the neck musculature
- Acupuncture – needles are placed in specific points which are used to ease the pain caused by headache
- Soft tissue techniques – are used to release tension in the surrounding musculature of the neck
Helpful Hints
Check out your work set-up. Make sure it is ergonomically friendly.
- Change your position often while working, reading, and while at the computer.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach as much as possible; this makes one side of the upper neck very tight
- Take breaks often when doing repetitive tasks, like gardening, typing, and computer work
- Make sure you have a good pillow and mattress.
Can’t shake that headache? Get a physiotherapist to check it out!
Judy Fullerton – BScPT, FCAMPT, MCPA
Services Offered:
Acupuncture
Dry Needling
Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS)
Physiotherapy
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