What is a Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic headache is referred pain perceived in the head from a source in the neck. Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache, which means that it is caused by another illness or physical issue. In the case of cervicogenic headache, the cause is a neck disorder or lesion.

What are symptoms of a cervicogenic headache?

In addition to a throbbing head pain, symptoms of a cervicogenic headache may include:

• pain on one side of your head or face
• a stiff neck
• pain around the eyes
• pain while coughing or sneezing
• a headache with certain neck postures or movement

Cervicogenic headaches can also cause symptoms similar to migraine headaches, such as light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, blurry vision, and an upset stomach.

Diagnostic Criteria

• Pain, referred from a source in the neck and perceived in one or more regions of the head and/or face, fulfilling criteria C and D.
• Clinical, laboratory and/or imaging evidence of a disorder or lesion within the cervical spine or soft tissues of the neck known to be, or generally accepted as, a valid cause of headache1
• Evidence that the pain can be attributed to the neck disorder or lesion based on at least one of the following:
  • demonstration of clinical signs that implicate a source of pain in the neck
  • abolition of a headache following diagnostic blockade of a cervical structure or its nerve supply using placebo- or other adequate controls.
• Pain resolves within 3 months after successful treatment of the causative disorder or lesion