Cervicogenic Headache: Causes, Triggers, and What Actually Helps

When you have a headache that starts at the base of your skull and climbs up one side of your head, it might not be a migraine or a tension headache—it could be a cervicogenic headache, a type of headache caused by problems in the neck, especially the upper cervical spine. Also known as cervical headache, it’s often mistaken for other kinds of head pain, but the source is right where your head meets your neck. Unlike migraines, which come with light sensitivity or nausea, cervicogenic headaches are tied directly to neck movement or posture. If turning your head or sitting at a desk for too long makes it worse, that’s a big clue.

This kind of headache cervical spine, the top part of your spine that supports your head and allows neck movement issues like arthritis, disc degeneration, or past injuries. It’s common in people who work at computers, drive long hours, or have poor sleeping positions. The pain doesn’t come from your brain—it’s referred pain. That means the nerves in your neck send signals your brain interprets as coming from your head. That’s why painkillers often don’t help much—you’re treating the symptom, not the cause. neck pain, a frequent companion to cervicogenic headache, often worsens with prolonged poor posture or muscle tightness is usually the first sign. You might also feel stiffness, dizziness, or blurred vision, especially when looking up or down.

What works? Physical therapy that targets neck mobility and posture correction helps more than pills. Heat, gentle stretching, and even targeted massage can reduce the frequency and intensity. Some people find relief with cervical traction or specific exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist. Medications like NSAIDs might ease the pain temporarily, but they won’t fix the root problem. If your headaches keep coming back, it’s worth getting an evaluation that looks at your neck—not just your head.

The posts below cover real-world cases and treatments that connect directly to cervicogenic headaches. You’ll find guides on how certain medications like trazodone can trigger or worsen head pain, how herbal remedies like feverfew and peppermint oil help with various headache types, and how drugs used for other conditions—like calcium channel blockers or anti-inflammatories—might play a role in managing neck-related pain. There’s no one-size-fits-all fix, but understanding the link between your neck and your head is the first step to real relief.