Neck Headaches or Cervicogenic Headache, is when your headache is caused by a neck joint problem. Your neck headache can come from different areas in the neck, including the upper neck joints, upper neck discs and neck muscles. Your neck and shoulder blade muscles that originate from your neck will cause pain if they are overworking, tight or in spasm. Your neck muscles work correctly when they have normal length, strength, power and endurance. Neck headache sufferers may experience tenderness at the top of their neck and base of the skull. They may also suffer from neck stiffness or a mild loss of movement.
Other symptoms include:
- Your headache can radiate from the back of your head to the front.
- Your headache be made worse or eased by a neck movement, a sustained position, stomach sleeping or turning your head to one side.
- Your headache is commonly worse on one sideof your head. The side is usually constant and stays on that side.
- Your headache can be eased temporarily when you apply pressure or you massage your neckor the base of your skull.
Even if your neck isn’t sore or painful, you can still experience neck headaches. It is important to remember that your neck joints may not be sore at rest, but they may be tender to touch or painful on movement.
Your neck headache treatment may include the following techniques:
- Stiff neck joints may need to be loosened or unlocked with joint mobilisations, or joint traction.
- Hypermobile joints may require specific deep neck muscle strengthening exercises to stabilise, control and limit the joint movement available.
- Tight or overactive muscles may require stretching, massage, or dry needling, techniques.
- Weak muscles may require specific strengthening exercises. This may include your shoulder blade and neck muscles.
- Postural correction may be recommended via specific exercises, postural awareness techniques and taping.
- Helpful adviceon how to prevent neck dysfunction in the future eg postures to avoid.
If you suffer from neck headaches, I can assess you and treat your symptoms at Motion Physio Clinic, Prosperous.
