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What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A Cervicogenic Headache is a type of secondary headache that originates from an issue in the neck (cervical spine). Unlike a migraine, which is a primary headache disorder, a cervicogenic headache is caused by pain signals referred from structures in the neck, like the vertebrae, joints, nerves, or muscles, up to the head and face. The pain often starts in the back of the head and feels like it's radiating forward, frequently causing pain around the eye.

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What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?

A Cervicogenic Headache is a type of secondary headache that originates from an issue in the neck (cervical spine). Unlike a migraine, which is a primary headache disorder, a cervicogenic headache is caused by pain signals referred from structures in the neck, like the vertebrae, joints, nerves, or muscles, up to the head and face. The pain often starts in the back of the head and feels like it's radiating forward, frequently causing pain around the eye.

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Identifying Symptoms

Cervicogenic headaches have a few distinct features that help doctors tell them apart from tension headaches or migraines:

  • One-Sided Pain: The pain is usually felt on only one side of the head and face.
  • Triggered by Neck Movement: Specific neck positions or movements, like turning your head, often trigger or worsen the headache.
  • Pain Near the Eye: The pain frequently spreads to the forehead and around the eye on the affected side.
  • Stiff Neck: The neck is often stiff, tender, and has a reduced range of motion.

The Connection Between Neck and Eye Pain

The reason pain can be felt in or behind the eye is due to the shared nerve pathways. Nerves that carry sensation from the upper cervical (neck) region share a common nucleus with the trigeminal nerve, which is the major nerve that relays sensation from the face and head, including the eyes. When the neck is irritated, the brain misinterprets the resulting pain as coming from the eye or temple.

Diagnosis and Targeted Treatment

Diagnosis involves a physical exam focusing on the neck, where a doctor or physical therapist will try to replicate the head pain by pressing on specific points in the neck. The gold standard for diagnosis is a diagnostic nerve block, where an anesthetic is injected into a specific neck nerve. If the headache stops, the diagnosis is confirmed. Treatment focuses on fixing the neck issue, often with physical therapy, posture correction, and specific injections.

When to See a Doctor

At Lens.com, we prioritize eye health. While we solve prescription issues, we know that pain around the eye can signal deeper issues. If your eye pain is consistently accompanied by a stiff neck or triggered by head movement, it is a sign that you need to see a medical professional or physical therapist, not just an eye doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cervicogenic Headache

Can poor posture cause a Cervicogenic Headache?

Yes. Chronic poor posture, especially spending long periods hunched over a phone or computer, strains the neck muscles and joints, making it a very common trigger for this type of headache.

Is a Cervicogenic Headache the same as a tension headache?

No. Tension headaches usually involve pain on both sides of the head and are not triggered by neck movement. A cervicogenic headache is often one-sided and is directly linked to an identifiable structural problem in the neck.

What kind of doctor treats Cervicogenic Headaches?

This condition is often managed by a multidisciplinary team, including a physical therapist, a pain management specialist, and a neurologist.