Cervicogenic Headache

Headaches are very prevalent as they affect nearly half of the population, and 15-25% of all headaches are referred from the cervical spine and are classified as "cervicogenic".

The average age for those who get cervicogenic headache is in the 40's, and women get cervicogenic headaches at a rate 4x higher than men. These headaches can be as debilitating as tension or migraine headaches, and a loss of cervical spine is often the root of the problem. Cervicogenic headaches are common in patients who have experienced trauma, especially a motor vehicle accident or an earlier concussion. The condition is also particularly prevalent in weightlifters.

Here at Prairie Life Chiropractic in Sioux Center, IA, we treat cervicogenic headaches using multiple techniques based on the patient’s specific presentation and preferences. The most common treatment combination is using spinal manipulation and therapeutic stretches and exercises. This approach targets the problem spinal segments as well as the associated muscles which may be coming from the patient’s shoulders, upper back, or neck. Other helpful techniques for cervicogenic headaches are acupuncture, dry needling, and myofascial release/manual therapy. These techniques focus on the tightened or shortened soft tissues as well as stimulating the nervous system in that area.