Areas of Headache

Headache can be one of the most debilitating symptoms associated with a Neck Disorder. "Cervicogenic Headache" means a headache caused by dysfunction in the joints, soft tissues or nerves associated with the Cervical Spine.

The headache may present in different areas in different people, or in the same individual at different times.

For example, the picture below shows the pain area for:

• a frontal headache (red)
• a temporal headache (yellow)
• an occipital headache (green)

The type of discomfort experienced may differ also. Symptoms such as aching, throbbing, crushing or blinding are often described. The headache may be present for hours, days or even months at a time.

Causes

It is theorised that Cervicogenic Headaches are associated with an aggravation of the Cervical Nerves as they wind through the joints and muscles of the spine. These nerves supply the skin covering the skull and part of the face, and any aggravation of these nerves may create abnormal sensations in the specific regions supplied by each nerve. The causes of the aggravation must be determined before the appropriate treatment may be applied. Traumatic events such as a Whiplash injury or sporting injury to the neck may set up a Cervical Headache situation. Repetitive actions or postures (e.g. sitting at a computer all day, poor running technique) may also aggravate the nerves over time. A typical posture includes rounded shoulders and a "poke chin". These specific causative factors must be resolved to ensure ongoing relief from pain. For short-term relief of pain, a number of treatments may be used. These include medications (anti-inflammatories or analgesics), electrotherapy, acupuncture, massage, ice or heat.

The location of the Headache must be defined in order to determine where the pain may be originating from. In addition to this, you must identify what aggravates your Headaches. Things like working on a computer, driving or heavy lifting may indicate a Cervical component to your Headache. However aggravating factors such as eating certain foods or not drinking enough water will point to non-Cervical causes.

Treatment

Staff members at the Melbourne Whiplash Centre have attended a course presented by Mr Dean Watson, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, on the assessment and treatment of the neck in relation to Headache and Migraine.

Contact Us for an appointment, or make an Online Enquiry.