Headaches are a
very common problem that can have multiple causes ranging from stress to
trauma. To make matters worse, there are
MANY different types of headaches. One such type is the “cervicogenic headache”
(others include migraines, cluster headaches, etc.). "Cervicogenic" means a headache caused by problems in the neck.
The main
distinction between the symptoms associated with cervicogenic headaches and
those associated with migraine headaches are a lack of nausea, vomiting, aura
(a pre-headache warning that a headache is about to strike), light and noise
sensitivity, increased tearing with red eyes, one-sided head, neck, shoulder,
and/or arm pain, and dizziness. The items listed above are primarily found in
migraine headache sufferers. The
following is a list of clinical characteristics common in those struggling with
cervicogenic headaches:
·
Unilateral (one-sided) head or face pain (rarely is it on
both sides).
·
Pain is localized or stays in one spot, usually the back of
the head, frontal, temporal (side) or orbital (eye) regions.
·
Moderate to severe pain intensity.
·
Intermittent attacks of pain that last hours to days.
·
Pain is usually deep, non-throbbing, unless migraines occur
at the same time.
·
Head pain is triggered by neck movement, sustained awkward
head postures, applying deep pressure to the base of the skull or upper neck
region, and/or taking a deep breath, cough or sneeze can trigger head pain.
·
Limited neck motion with stiffness.
Infrequently, the
cervicogenic headache sufferer can present with migraines at the same time and
have both presentations making it more challenging to diagnose.
The cause of
cervicogenic headaches can be obvious such as trauma (sports injury, whiplash,
slip and fall), or not so obvious, like poor posture. A forward head posture
can increase the relative weight applied to the back of the neck and upper back
as much as 2x-4x normal. Last month, we discussed the intimate relationship
between the upper two cervical vertebra (C1 & C2) and an anatomical
connection to the covering of the spinal cord (the dura) as giving rise to
cervicogenic headaches. In summary, the upper three nerves innervate the head
and any pressure on those upper nerves can result in a cervicogenic headache.
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to examine, identify, and treat these types
of potentially debilitating headaches.
