Not every headache starts in your head.
If your headaches seem to begin at the base of your skull, worsen when you move your neck, or show up alongside neck stiffness and shoulder tension, the source of the problem may actually be your neck. This type of headache is often referred to as a cervicogenic headache.
At Mesquite Chiropractic & Injury, we regularly help patients with neck pain, headaches, whiplash, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Our goal is to identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and create a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Our clinic combines chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation with other non-surgical options to help patients improve function and mobility without relying solely on medications or invasive procedures.
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from structures in the neck but is felt in the head.
Problems involving the joints, muscles, or other tissues of the cervical spine can sometimes refer pain upward toward the back of the head, temples, forehead, or area around the eyes.
Because the pain is felt in the head, it can be easy to assume the problem is a migraine or tension headache. However, certain patterns may suggest that the neck is playing a major role.
1. Your Headache Starts at the Base of Your Skull
One of the most common clues is pain that begins around the upper neck or base of the skull and then travels upward.
You may feel the discomfort move toward one side of the head, behind an eye, around the temple, or across the forehead.
Headaches that start at the base of the skull can also occur after neck injuries such as whiplash. Our clinic notes that headaches beginning at the base of the skull are among the symptoms that may develop following a whiplash injury.
2. Neck Movement Makes the Headache Worse
Pay attention to whether turning, tilting, or extending your neck changes your headache.
If looking over your shoulder, sitting with your head turned, or moving your neck in a particular direction causes the headache to intensify, the cervical spine may be contributing to your symptoms.
Restricted neck movement is another important clue. You may notice that your neck simply doesn’t turn as comfortably or as far as it used to.
3. You Have Neck Pain or Stiffness Too
Cervicogenic headaches frequently occur alongside neck discomfort.
You might notice tightness across the upper shoulders, stiffness when waking up, soreness after working at a computer, or pain when checking your blind spot while driving.
Poor posture can also contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort. At our clinic, we recognize posture as one of several factors that can trigger or aggravate painful conditions.
4. The Headache Is Usually on One Side
Cervicogenic headaches commonly affect one side of the head, although individual symptoms can vary.
The pain may begin on one side of the neck and travel upward without switching sides.
This pattern alone doesn’t confirm the cause of a headache, but when it occurs together with neck stiffness, limited range of motion, or pain triggered by neck movement, it’s worth having your neck evaluated.
5. Your Headaches Started After an Injury
If recurring headaches began after a car accident, sports injury, fall, or other trauma involving your head or neck, don’t ignore the connection.
Whiplash can affect the muscles, ligaments, joints, and other structures of the cervical spine. Symptoms may not always appear immediately after an accident, either. Neck pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and headaches can develop within the days following the injury.
That’s one reason we encourage patients to be evaluated after an auto accident even when the initial symptoms seem relatively minor.
How We Evaluate Neck-Related Headaches
Headaches have many possible causes, so we don’t recommend assuming every headache is coming from the neck.
When you visit our office, we perform an evaluation and review your health history and symptoms. Depending on your condition, we may assess factors such as posture, flexibility, mobility, and range of motion to better understand what may be contributing to your discomfort.
That information helps us determine whether a musculoskeletal problem may be playing a role and what type of care may be appropriate.
Can Chiropractic Care Help?
When a headache is associated with dysfunction or restricted movement in the neck, chiropractic care may be included as part of an individualized treatment plan.
Our chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system and spinal function. We use non-invasive techniques based on each patient’s condition and needs.
We may also incorporate physical rehabilitation and corrective exercises when appropriate. These exercises can help improve mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and address movement patterns that may contribute to recurring discomfort.
Our goal is not simply to temporarily cover up your headache. We want to identify and address the factors that may be contributing to the problem.
Stop Assuming Every Headache Is “Just a Headache”
If your headaches keep returning and you’ve also noticed neck pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, or pain that starts around the base of your skull, it may be time to have your neck evaluated.
At Mesquite Chiropractic & Injury, we’ll work with you to understand what’s causing your symptoms and develop a personalized approach to helping you feel and function better.
Call us at (972) 285-6703 to schedule an appointment at our Mesquite office at 1420 N. Galloway Ave. We proudly serve patients from Mesquite, Garland, Sunnyvale, Forney, Terrell, East Dallas, Balch Springs, Lawson, Heartland, and surrounding communities.