The root cause of a cervicogenic headache actually lies within the neck. Typically, this debilitating condition is caused by suboccipital muscle strain.
Understanding the relationship between cervicogenic headaches and suboccipital muscle tension is essential for an accurate diagnosis and for effective treatment.
In this article, we explore the relationship between these two issues and outline how chiropractic care can offer relief.
Cervicogenic headaches can severely impact a sufferer’s quality of life. They can make concentrating difficult, decrease productivity, and reduce sleep quality. They can also cause a reliance on pain medications.
While the origins of cervicogenic headaches are fairly well understood (Cervicogenic Headache), this debilitating condition often goes undiagnosed.
A cervicogenic headache is a referred pain that originates in the cervical spine and neck. The origins of this referred pain are with the C1–C3 cervical nerves (Video Tutorial On Cervical Spinal Nerves), the first three nerves that exit the cervical spine.
These nerves can become activated or irritated by a misalignment or sprain in the cervical spinal region (Cervical Vertebrae).
For example, an injury to (or inflammation of) the joint between the occipital bone (of the skull) and the first cervical vertebra can cause referred pain in the occipital region (at the back of the head).
This occurs because C1, the suboccipital nerve (Suboccipital Nerve), exits the spine at this level, and it subsequently innervates this joint. Likewise, changes at the joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae can irritate the C2 nerve.
The associated pain radiates to several different regions of the head. In a similar manner, changes at the C2–C3 facet joint are another common cause of cervicogenic headache.
As discussed below, a key area of concern is often the suboccipital muscles, four small muscles at the back of your neck (where it meets the skull). When these muscles are strained or tight, they can refer pain to the head (often behind the eyes), causing a cervicogenic headache.
The symptoms of cervicogenic headaches typically emerge in a sufferer’s thirties or early forties. However, sufferers often only seek medical care much later in life, after enduring prolonged discomfort and recurrent headaches.
Many sufferers never receive proper treatment or relief because of misdiagnosis of this debilitating condition.
The suboccipital muscles play a crucial role in supporting the head, moving the head (especially turning the head), and maintaining proper posture.
They are situated on each side of the upper cervical spine, immediately below the base of the skull.
Importantly, all four suboccipital muscle pairs are innervated by the suboccipital nerve.
The pain from cervicogenic headaches stems from irritation or dysfunction of nerves in the cervical spine region (especially C1–C3). When the suboccipital muscles in the neck become tight, they contribute to the development of cervicogenic headaches through:
The resulting pain is referred to the eyes, forehead, and the side of the head. It is often accompanied by tightness and stiffness in the neck and may be aggravated by movement or sustained postures.
A complex relationship exists between cervicogenic headaches, suboccipital muscle strain, and the alignment of the cervical spine. In particular, chronic suboccipital muscle strain often leads to postural decompensation, which can itself cause suboccipital muscle strain.
An understanding of this relationship will help reveal why chiropractic treatment strategies are so successful in treating cervicogenic headaches.
In response to a spinal misalignment, the human body will make compensatory adaptations to posture to help restore alignment and maintain balance (“postural compensation”).
If the original misalignment is left untreated, the compensatory adaptations can themselves create stress on the spine and strain the associated muscles (“postural decompensation”).
Postural compensation is known to accompany suboccipital muscle strain. Over time, these changes may cause chronic neck pain and exacerbate cervicogenic headache symptoms. Addressing these postural imbalances is crucial for effective management and long-term relief of this condition.
Spinal misalignments, muscle tension, and postural issues are not the only causes of cervicogenic headaches. They can also be caused by degenerative conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration) or Trauma (e.g., whiplash) (Cervicogenic Headache Causes).
Recognizing the symptoms of cervicogenic headaches allows for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment (Cervicogenic Headaches). The key symptoms include:
To differentiate cervicogenic headaches from other types of headaches, health practitioners must first confirm the cervical spine as the source of the pain.
Practising good posture, especially while sitting at a desk or using a computer, is critical for preventing cervicogenic headaches.
Targeted exercises and stretches can help maintain muscle flexibility and prevent tightness in the suboccipital muscles.
Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, and ease muscle tension in the neck.
Chiropractic care is generally considered an appropriate first line of therapy for the treatment and management of cervicogenic headaches.
Chiropractors use manual techniques to manipulate the joints and relieve tension in the neck and upper back.
Chiropractors can help design an exercise regimen that strengthens the deep neck flexors, again improving neck function.
Chiropractors can help patients correct their posture, alleviating spinal misalignments and suboccipital muscle strain that can lead to cervicogenic headaches.
Chiropractors can also provide ergonomic advice to help patients set up their workspaces in a way that minimises strain on the neck.
Cervicogenic headaches originate from issues in the cervical spine, often due to tightness in the suboccipital muscles. These four small muscles at the back of your neck (where it meets the skull) can become tight.
The resulting pain is referred to the head and behind the eyes, causing cervicogenic headaches.
Chiropractic care, including manipulations, postural correction, and patient education, is an effective treatment for these headaches.
By understanding the connection between suboccipital muscle strain and cervicogenic headaches, patients can take steps to prevent, manage, and relieve their symptoms, improving their quality of life.
