Cervicogenic headache and how physiotherapy can help!

What is cervicogenic headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a syndrome characterised by one sided head pain, referred from either bony structures or soft tissues of the neck.

What are the features of cervicogenic headache?
Sufferers usually complain of single sided headache which is side locked (does not change position). It can extend from the neck to the base of the skull and around to the front of the head. The symptoms are generally provoked by neck movements and sustained postures, usually being described as dull or moderate in intensity and worse in the mornings.

On examination, sufferers tend to have reduced neck range of motion, sore and tender neck muscle, reduced joint mobility with poor motor control of the deep neck flexors (stabilising endurance muscles).

How can cervicogenic headache be treated?
A physiotherapist is able to treat cervicogenic headache by addressing the causing factors. Stiff joints with reduced mobility can be gently mobilised, sore and tender muscles can be given a trigger point massage and poor stabilising muscles retrained.