Did you know that headaches can originate from irritation or injury to structures in the neck such as vertebrae, cervical discs, muscles, tendons, and ligaments [1]? The American Migraine Foundation and the International Classification of Headache Disorders label such headaches as cervicogenic [1, 2].
Prevalent signs and symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include pain on a single side of the head, pain provoked by applying pressure to the neck, difficulty with neck movements, and headaches that result from awkward neck movements or sustained postures [1]. Cervicogenic headaches may also be accompanied by a runny nose and/or a watery eye on the side of the pain [3].
Chiropractic care is an excellent option for those who suffer from headaches originating from the structures of the neck.
Cervicogenic headaches are merely secondary symptoms of neck dysfunction that can be provoked by common daily activities such as driving, texting, and using a computer. Chronic neck injuries from car accidents and falls can also trigger such headaches. Chiropractic care is an excellent option for those who suffer from headaches originating from the structures of the neck.
Sources:
[1] Dunning, J. R., Butts, R., Mourad, F., Young, I., Peñas, C. F.-D.-L., Hagins, M., … Cleland, J. A. (2016). Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilization and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 17(1). doi: 10.1186/s12891-016-0912-3
[2] Lynge, S., Hartvigsen, J., Christensen, H. W., Vach, W., & Hestbaek, L. (2019). Effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation versus sham manipulation on recurrent headaches in children aged 7–14 years, Protocol for a randomized clinical trial. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 27(1). doi: 10.1186/s12998-019-0262-y
[3] Chaibi, A., Knackstedt, H., Tuchin, P. J., & Russell, M. B. (2017). Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache: a single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial. BMC Research Notes, 10(1). doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2651-4