Cervicogenic headaches are classified as secondary headaches, meaning they are caused by another issue—in this case, dysfunction in the cervical spine (the neck). When joints, muscles, or nerves in the neck are irritated, they can refer pain to the head, often mimicking a tension headache or even a migraine.
Common symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include:
Your cervical spine supports your head, allows for a wide range of motion, and protects vital nerves. When posture is poor, repetitive strain occurs, or past injuries go unaddressed, the joints and soft tissues in your neck can become restricted or inflamed.
In Roanoke, we see this often in people who spend hours on computers, active individuals with poor mobility, or those recovering from whiplash injuries. Even something as simple as sleeping in an awkward position can trigger this type of headache.
At Highland Spine and Sport, we take a comprehensive, movement-based approach to care. That means identifying the true source of your pain and creating a plan to get you feeling and functioning better—long-term.
For cervicogenic headaches, we typically use:
Our goal is to help you feel better, move better, and live better—without relying on medication to mask the pain.