The headache that starts in your neck
Some headaches don’t come from your head at all. A cervicogenic headache is driven by the upper joints and muscles of your neck, referring pain forward into the skull through shared nerve pathways. Treat the neck properly and the headache often settles, which is exactly why it gets missed, people keep chasing the head.
How to recognise it
- It tends to stick to one side rather than switching sides like a migraine
- It starts at the base of the skull or the neck and radiates forward
- It’s brought on or worsened by neck movement or holding a position for a while
- It usually comes with neck stiffness and reduced rotation
- It typically lacks the visual aura, nausea and light sensitivity of a migraine
What’s driving it
Usually a combination of stiff upper neck joints, tight muscles at the base of the skull, deep neck stabilisers that have lost their endurance, and long hours in sustained positions (desk, driving).
What actually helps
Hands-on mobilisation of the stiff upper-neck joints and release of the tight suboccipital muscles settles things early, but the fix that lasts is rebuilding the deep neck flexors and restoring mid-back mobility so your neck isn’t compensating. Most people notice a real difference within a few weeks and can self-manage by 6-8.
When to get it checked urgently
A sudden severe “thunderclap” headache, headache with fever and a stiff neck, new visual or neurological changes, headache that’s progressively worsening over weeks, or a headache after a head or neck injury all need prompt medical assessment.