What are Cervicogenic Headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches, or secondary headaches, are headaches that have nothing to do with your head.
Amazed. Right? But yes, it's true.
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that is in reality a neck pain but it becomes a headache.
The doctor describes this as you don't feel pain at the source, but you feel pain in different areas and parts of the body, as a result of that.
The cervical vertebrae are located at the top of the spinal cord, and due to some complications in it, resulting in pain, and its effects are seen in other parts of the body and not the source. Cervicogenic Headaches pain can last for hours, or even days. It may get even more terrible depending on its cause.
What are the Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches?
There are various reasons why headaches may occur, so it is hard to identify what kind of headache you have and the reason behind causing it. But, chances are if the pain is related to a problem in the neck, then it may be a Cervicogenic Headache.
Cervicogenic Headaches are also called secondary headaches because it is often the result of health-related concerns in the body.
It occurs mainly because of some kind of pain or problem in the neck muscles, and joints of some body parts. It is seen as common in those who are involved in activities where head usage is less, in occupations like Barber, Hair Stylists, Truck drivers, Carpenters, Driving long hours, and those who are involved in desk activities where head movement is none at all.
Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headaches :
Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headaches include the following -
The pain is caused when you are suddenly moving your neck in any direction.
Pain in the neck area lasts for hours and days.
Stiffness in the neck makes moving the neck difficult.
Frequent eye pain causing double vision or droopy eyelids.
Numbness or weakness in certain areas of the body. Etc.
Feeling sick, and uncomfortable in bright light, loud noise, etc.
Migraine.
Upset stomach, vomiting.
Pain in only one side of the head.
Headache when sneezing or coughing.
What can trigger Cervicogenic Headaches?
Below is the list of all the things you should avoid at any cost if you don't want to deal with Cervicogenic Headaches.
Excessive Smoking and Alcohol consumption.
Lack of sleep, often feeling sleepy.
Bad Posture while walking, standing or sitting.
Not performing neck stretches, after sitting at a desk or chair for long.
Tensed or cold shoulders, often leading from inactiveness.
No breaks from work which demands sitting for long hours.
Not using a soft pillow or mattress while sleeping.
Neck Fractures. Etc.
Complications of Cervicogenic Headaches :
Although the effects of Cervicogenic headaches may last for hours and days, it gets resolved after that.
But it is also dependent on the degree of muscle or nerve injury in the neck. Because of a sedentary lifestyle at times, if the pain is there for longer than a week or If you are feeling sudden pain and dizziness, or double vision that is only getting serious then in these cases it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately to avoid further worse situations.
Treatment of Cervicogenic Headaches :
You can try Massaging your neck area and back area, as massaging relieves the tension in the neck and back muscles that are resulting in the headache.
You can also take the help of a physiotherapist, who can identify any musculoskeletal disorders and can recommend treatments like Postural modifications, upper spine manipulation, and therapeutic exercises with some medications that can solve the issue.
Conclusion :
Cervicogenic Headaches go away on their own after some time, but if it doesn't get away, then surely there is a serious underlying issue behind causing it which needs immediate doctor attention.