What Type of Headache Do You Have? – Part 3: Cervicogenic Headaches
If you’ve been following this series, we’ve already covered the two most common types of headaches: migraines and tension-type headaches. Now it’s time for the third most common type of headache: the cervicogenic headache.
The third most common type of headache is the cervicogenic headache. What does that mean? It means the pain in your head is actually caused by structures in your neck — irritated joints, nerves, and muscles there can trigger headaches. In other words, even though you feel the pain in your head, the true source of the problem is sitting just below it, in your cervical spine.
With this type, pain can vary and show up in different areas, but it’s most commonly felt in the occiput — the region right above your neck. Some people also notice the pain radiating toward one side of the head, behind the eye, or into the shoulder. The key to diagnosis: when neck structures are moved or pressed on, head pain results. This is what sets a cervicogenic headache apart from a migraine or tension headache — the trigger is mechanical, not neurological or muscular tension alone.
So what causes the neck irritation in the first place? Common contributors include poor posture (especially forward head posture from long hours at a desk or on a phone), whiplash from a car accident, arthritis in the neck joints, and general wear and tear on the cervical spine over time. Because the neck and head share nerve pathways, irritation in one area is easily perceived as pain in the other.
🎯 Not sure if this is what you're dealing with? A hands-on assessment can confirm whether your neck is the real source of your headache.
Chiropractic treatment of the neck is very effective for cervicogenic headache relief. Treatment typically combines gentle spinal adjustments to restore proper joint motion, soft tissue therapy to release tight surrounding muscles, and posture correction exercises to prevent the irritation from returning. Most people see a significant decrease in symptoms after 2 treatments a week for 3 weeks, making this one of the faster-responding headache types to chiropractic care.
Because cervicogenic headaches are driven by a mechanical issue in the neck, addressing that root cause—rather than just managing the pain—is what leads to lasting relief. This is also why simple lifestyle adjustments, like improving your workstation setup or taking regular breaks from screen time, can make a noticeable difference alongside your treatment plan.
📞 Not sure if chiropractic care can help your headache? Call to book a 15-minute consultation with Dr. Jen.
Key Takeaways
Cervicogenic headaches originate from irritated joints, nerves, or muscles in the neck rather than from the head itself, and are often triggered by poor posture, whiplash, or neck arthritis. Chiropractic care—through spinal adjustments, soft tissue work, and posture correction—is highly effective, often producing noticeable improvement within just 3 weeks.
This wraps up our 3-part series: migraines, tension headaches, and now cervicogenic headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a headache caused by irritated joints, nerves, or muscles in the neck, rather than a problem originating in the head itself.
Most people notice a significant decrease in symptoms after 2 treatments a week for 3 weeks.
A key sign is that pressing on or moving structures in your neck reproduces or worsens the head pain — a chiropractor can confirm this during an assessment.
Common causes include poor posture, whiplash from an accident, arthritis in the neck joints, and general wear and tear on the cervical spine that irritates nearby nerves.
Yes. Improving your posture at work, adjusting your workstation setup, and taking regular breaks from screens can all support your treatment and help prevent the headache from returning.
