Most people have headaches from time to time. But if you have a headache more days than not, you may be experiencing a variety of head pain known as chronic daily headaches. The persistent nature of chronic daily headaches makes them disabling and difficult for many individuals. Often it isn’t just a simple matter of buying an over-the-counter headache medication to help deal with the pain.  Because there are many possible causes of chronic headache pain, it makes the diagnosis and treatment of chronic headaches a challenge for healthcare providers and sufferers.  Among the more common of these conditions are cervicogenic headaches. 

Headaches are associated with pain anywhere in the region of the head, upper back, or neck.  Cervicogenic headaches are chronic headaches (occurring at least once weekly for a period of two months or more).  While the general condition of pain is often manifested as headache pain it originates in the cervical spine (neck).   Frequently the pain is aggravated by neck postures or movement, and there is often tenderness in the upper three cervical joints and upper back muscles.  It is common in people who have experienced whiplash or who site for prolonged periods.  It is important to distinguish cervicogenic headaches from other headaches like migraine or tension type headaches.  While the treatment for migraine and tension headaches would not be particularly beneficial for a cervicogenic headache, cervicogenic headaches can be effectively treated by medical professionals including physical therapy. Recent research demonstrates that physical therapy patients receiving both manual therapy and specific exercises had significantly reduced headache frequency and intensity.

Physicians are generally able to diagnose a cervicogenic headache through patient self report of pain.  The symptoms include

• unilateral headache (one side of head) with pain spreading from neck to other areas of the head;
• pain or tenderness in upper cervical spine;
• shoulder pain;
• chronic pain appearing regularly over time;
• aggravated by neck postures or movement.

The treatment for a cervicogenic headache involves an evaluation of the possible causes and contributing factors. Once diagnosed, a physician and a physical therapist are often consulted for treatment.   Recent physical therapy research in the care and treatment of cervicogenic headaches and the chronic pain associated with them suggest that muscle exercise that is intensive enough to improve muscle metabolism is of benefit. Specific strength and endurance exercises, when accompanied by stretching exercise, were also shown to be effective treatment for headache associated with neck pain.  Results of treatment show the benefits extend over time, with patients reporting favorably on their condition a year from treatment.
It is estimated that cervicogenic headaches affect approximately 2.5% of the population and are the leading primary cause of headache in 14% to 18% of those experiencing five or more headaches per month.  If you suspect that you are experiencing cervicogenic headaches, it would be a good idea to contact a physician or physical therapist as soon as possible.  With treatment, you can experience significant relief and return to an active lifestyle.