Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

Cervicogenic headaches are headaches that originate from dysfunction in the cervical spine — the joints, muscles, and nerves in your neck. Unlike migraines or tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches have a clear musculoskeletal source, which is why they respond so well to physical therapy.

These headaches typically present as one-sided pain that starts at the base of the skull or in the neck and radiates toward the forehead, temple, or behind the eye. They are often triggered or worsened by sustained neck positions, certain head movements, or pressure on specific points in the upper cervical area.

If you have been dealing with chronic headaches that have not responded well to medication, there is a good chance the neck is involved — and physical therapy may be the missing piece.

At The Back Clinic, our therapists are trained in the specific assessment and treatment techniques needed to address cervicogenic headaches effectively. Your treatment plan may include:

• Upper cervical mobilization — Precise, gentle techniques targeting the C1-C3 joints where most cervicogenic headaches originate
• Suboccipital release — Soft tissue work on the small muscles at the base of the skull that refer pain into the head
• Deep neck flexor training — Strengthening the muscles that stabilize the upper cervical spine and reduce joint stress
• Thoracic spine mobility — Improving mid-back movement to reduce compensatory strain on the cervical spine
• Postural retraining — Correcting the forward head posture that commonly contributes to cervicogenic headaches

Your evaluation will include specific tests to confirm whether your headaches are cervicogenic in origin. Your therapist will assess upper cervical joint mobility, reproduce your headache symptoms with specific movements or sustained positions, and check for trigger points in the cervical and suboccipital muscles.

Many patients notice a reduction in headache frequency and intensity within the first few weeks of treatment. Research consistently shows that physical therapy is one of the most effective treatments for cervicogenic headaches, often outperforming medication alone.

A typical course of care involves six to ten sessions with a strong emphasis on building a home program you can use to maintain your improvements long-term.