Cervicogenic headache

• Unilateral (one-sided) headache
• Headache increased or initiated by neck posture and movement
• Tenderness of the upper neck
• Association with neck pain or stiffness

When headaches appear to be coming from the neck, physiotherapy can be a powerful tool for treatment, as multiple physiotherapy treatment options can help.

• Excessive strain
• Poor work posture (awkward neck posture)
• Prolong sitting
• Trauma to neck or shoulder muscle

It can sometimes be confusing to know if you have a cervicogenic headache, as the symptoms of different types of headaches are often quite similar. Neck pain and tenderness are common 

symptoms of migraine, tension-type and cervicogenic headache

In migraine and tension-type headache

• Neck pain is often a spread of the headache into the neck.

 In cervicogenic headache, (it is the opposite).

• The neck pain starts and then spreads into the head.
• This headache is from a local cause in the neck.
• Neck movements are stiff and painful in cervicogenic headache.

Examination

• Might indicate that the headache is coming from the neck (cervicogenic headache), and physiotherapy treatment is the best management.

• The examination might suggest the headache is another type (eg, migraine or tension-type headache)—that is, the neck joints and muscles were found to be normal. 

Manual therapy

• Release tissue restrictions around neck, head and back.

• Cervical movement dysfunctions and safely apply advanced “hands on” therapy techniques
• Include mobilization and manipulation of tight structures or areas around the neck. 

Exercise

The exercises are prescribed depending on your requirements, and are designed to:

• Ease pain
• Improve posture and postural habits
• Improve movement and flexibility of the neck
• Train the supporting muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle
• Train strength and endurance of the neck muscles
• Train balance, movement accuracy, as well as head and eye movement control when light-headedness or unsteadiness are symptoms of the headache disorder.

Advice

• To develop best work, activity and lifestyle habits to relieve unnecessary strain on the neck. 

Stretching 

Twisting from side to side 

(reduce stiffness in back )

Bending neck from side to side 

(reduce tension on neck )

• Manual release techniques around the joint to improve mobility and pain relieve.
• Stretching and rom exercises
• strengthening exercises for head and neck.