Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches: Common Headaches and their link to the Neck
If you’ve ever had a headache that seems to start from the back of your neck and spread to your head, you might be experiencing a cervicogenic headache. These headaches are caused by issues in the neck (the cervical spine) and can be a real nuisance. At Medela Osteopathy, we often see patients struggling with this type of headache, and the good news is that osteopathy may help. This post will explain what cervicogenic headaches are, how they’re linked to tension in specific muscles and nerves, and what you can do about them.
What Are Cervicogenic Headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the neck, specifically the cervical spine (the bones in your neck). Unlike migraines or tension headaches, these headaches are caused by physical issues in the neck, such as tight muscles, stiff joints, or irritated nerves. The pain often starts at the base of the skull and can spread to the forehead, temples, or even behind the eyes. It’s usually felt on one side of the head and may worsen with certain neck movements or poor posture.
For example, if you spend hours hunched over a computer or looking down at your phone, your neck muscles and joints can become strained, potentially triggering a cervicogenic headache.
The Role of Muscles in Cervicogenic Headaches
Several muscles in your neck, face, and jaw can contribute to these headaches when they become tight or tense. Let’s look at the key players:
Suboccipital Muscles: These are small muscles at the base of your skull, connecting your neck to your head. When they get tight—often from poor posture or stress—they can compress nearby nerves and cause pain that radiates into your head.
Temporalis Muscles: These are located on the sides of your head, above your ears, and help you chew. Tension here, often from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, can contribute to temple pain during a headache.
Frontalis Muscle: This muscle covers your forehead and helps raise your eyebrows. When it’s tense, it can add to the forehead pain often felt in cervicogenic headaches.
Jaw Muscles (Masseter and Others): The muscles around your jaw can become tight from stress, teeth grinding, or even chewing gum excessively. This tension can refer pain to the head, making your headache worse.
When these muscles are tight, they can also irritate nearby nerves, which we’ll talk about next.
How Nerves Play a Part
Nerves in your neck and head are like messengers, carrying signals between your brain and body. When muscles or joints in your neck are tense or out of alignment, they can irritate these nerves, leading to pain. For cervicogenic headaches, the most important nerves are:
Greater Occipital Nerve: This nerve runs from the top of your neck to the back of your head. If the suboccipital muscles are tight, they can press on this nerve, causing pain that feels like a headache.
Trigeminal Nerve Connections: This nerve is involved in sensations in your face and head. Irritation in the neck can indirectly affect this nerve, contributing to pain in the temples or forehead.
Think of it like a kink in a garden hose—when the muscles or joints put pressure on the nerves, the pain signal gets “stuck” and spreads to your head.
What Can You Do About It?
Cervicogenic headaches can be frustrating, but there are ways to manage and even prevent them. Here are a few tips:
Osteopathic Treatment: At Medela Osteopathy, we use hands-on techniques to release tight muscles, improve joint mobility in your neck, and reduce nerve irritation. This can help relieve your headaches and prevent them from coming back.
Vary Your Posture and Move: Staying in one position for too long, like hunching over a desk, can strain your neck. Try varying your posture throughout the day—adjust your sitting position, stand up, or walk around. Gentle neck stretches, like tilting your head side to side or rolling your shoulders, can also loosen tight muscles like the suboccipitals.
Manage Stress: Stress can cause you to clench your jaw or tense your shoulders, tightening the muscles we mentioned. Deep breathing or mindfulness exercises can help.
When to Seek Help
If your headaches are frequent, severe, or interfering with your daily life, it’s worth getting them checked out. Cervicogenic headaches can sometimes be confused with migraines or other issues, so a professional assessment is key. At our clinic, we’ll take a detailed history, examine your neck and posture, and create a plan tailored to you. We frequently see immediate results from treatment for cervicogenic headaches with many patients experiencing significant relief during and after our sessions.
Final Thoughts
Cervicogenic headaches can make life uncomfortable, but understanding their link to neck muscles and nerves is the first step to feeling better. By addressing tension in muscles like the suboccipitals, temporalis, frontalis, and jaw, and by easing pressure on nerves, you can reduce or even prevent these headaches. If you’re ready to tackle your headaches, we’re here to help at Medela Osteopathy. Book an appointment online and let’s get you back to feeling your best!
Want to learn more about how your body works? Check out our other articles in the Deep Dive page.
