Another headache. It’s sitting right there at the back of your head, being stubborn and annoying- could this be a cervicogenic headache? You’ve already tried the usual approach – taken some paracetamol, drunk water, maybe even had some coffee, thinking it’s a caffeine issue. But it’s still there.
It keeps happening, and you wonder what’s wrong? You’re not particularly stressed, you sleep reasonable hours, and you’re not dehydrated. So why won’t these headaches just leave you alone?
Here’s something that might surprise you: that headache might not even be starting in your head. I know, it sounds strange, right? But many headaches come from your neck. Your neck! Who would’ve thought?
Wait, My Neck Can Give Me Headaches?
Doesn’t make sense at first. But think about where these headaches usually start – right at the base of your skull, then they kind of crawl up and around. Sometimes they settle behind one eye, sometimes they spread across your temple. And your neck probably feels terrible when this happens, too.
There’s a proper medical term for this – cervicogenic headaches. Means “headaches that your neck is causing.” Your neck muscles and joints get irritated, and they take it out on your head by sending pain signals upward. Not pleasant, but that’s what happens.
The tricky part is that these don’t feel like regular headaches. They’re not the squeeze-your-whole-head kind, and they’re not migraines (thank goodness). They’re more like persistent discomfort that just won’t quit.
Why Your Neck Decides to Be a Problem
Your head weighs about 10-12 pounds. That’s a bowling ball sitting on top of your spine all day. Your poor neck muscles are constantly working to keep that thing balanced and upright. When you think about it that way, it’s pretty amazing they don’t complain more often.
But here’s where we mess things up. We spend hours hunched over laptops, looking down at phones, and slouching on couches. Your neck gets tired of holding your head in awkward positions, the muscles get tight, joints get stiff, and then pain signals start firing off to your head.
It’s like your neck is having a protest, and your head has to deal with the consequences. Not fair, but that’s anatomy for you.
Most of us have terrible setups, too. Kitchen table “offices,” laptops sitting way too low, no proper chair support. Your neck is basically working overtime trying to cope with all the poor ergonomics.
The Usual Suspects
Once you start noticing patterns, it becomes pretty obvious what sets these headaches off:
Spending way too long staring at screens without breaks. Sound familiar? Your neck gets stuck in that forward position for hours.
Stress. When you’re stressed, your shoulders creep up toward your ears, and everything gets tense. Your neck muscles turn into rocks.
Sleeping in awkward positions. Wake up with neck pain? Yeah, that can trigger headaches for days.
Old injuries that you forgot about. That minor car accident from three years ago or the time you hurt your neck playing sports. Sometimes these things have lasting effects.
Weather changes. Sounds like folklore, but some people’s necks do react to barometric pressure changes.
Getting Real Help – The Physiotherapy Approach
Look, you can keep taking painkillers and hoping things magically get better, but that’s just masking the problem. If you’re serious about fixing this, you probably need to see a physiotherapist.
I know what you’re thinking – physios are for sports injuries and elderly people, right? Wrong. They’re actually really good at figuring out why your neck is being problematic.
Here’s the most important part: The first thing a qualified physiotherapist needs to do is rule out the source of your headache. This means differentiating between cervicogenic headaches, migraines, and tension headaches. It’s not just about assuming it’s all neck-related.
Our physiotherapists in ProCure Physio are trained to do this assessment first, then implement the correct treatment approach. This isn’t just about giving you stretches and telling you it’s all because of tight muscles. We go beyond that.
The real treatment involves mobilization of your upper cervical spine (which is often the actual source of cervicogenic headaches) along with targeted soft tissue work. Yes, your desk job or work setup can be part of the reason, but it’s usually multifactorial.
We look at the overall body movements throughout the day, how you’re overloading your neck and upper back, your sleep patterns, and even the right way to use your pillow. It’s about understanding the complete picture, not just one piece of the puzzle.
What Works
Your physiotherapist will give you specific exercises to do. Nothing too intense – mostly movements designed to improve mobility and strengthen the right muscles. They’ll also do hands-on work during sessions to release tight spots and improve joint function.
But the real game-changer is usually fixing your workspace. Your setup is probably contributing to the problem (no offense). The screen is too low, poor chair, no back support. Simple fixes can make a huge difference:
Get your screen up to eye level somehow. Laptop stand, external monitor, stack of books – whatever works.
Add a proper keyboard and mouse if you’re using a laptop. Reaching up to type on a raised screen is just creating new problems.
Find a decent chair that supports your back. Your kitchen chair isn’t cutting it.
Set reminders to move. Every 30 minutes, get up and stretch. Your neck will thank you.
Things You Can Try Right Now
While you’re figuring out the professional help situation, here are some things that help:
Move more often. Just get up and move around every thirty minutes or so. Do those shoulder rolls your mom always told you about, and give your neck a gentle stretch.
Fix your pillow situation. If you’re waking up with headaches, your pillow probably needs replacing. Get one that supports your neck properly.
Heat therapy. Heating pad on your neck for 10-15 minutes when it’s feeling tight. Some people prefer ice. Try both and see what works.
Stress management. Notice when you’re tensing up your shoulders and neck. Consciously relax them throughout the day.
Gentle neck stretches. Tilt your head side to side, and hold for 15-20 seconds. Nothing dramatic, just gentle movements.
The Real Talk
Looking back, most people wish they’d connected the dots sooner. All the signs are usually there – the location of the headaches, the neck stiffness, the connection to work posture. But we just keep treating the symptoms instead of looking for the cause.
You should also know that this is pretty common. People often experience headaches that appear to originate from their neck area, particularly those who spend long hours working on computers or frequently looking down at their phones.
The good news is that these headaches become much more manageable once you identify what’s actually causing them. While you might still experience the occasional headache, they won’t dominate your daily life like before. More importantly, when one does occur, you’ll understand exactly how to address it effectively.
Stop Ignoring Your Neck
If you’re getting those headaches that start right where your neck meets your head, and your neck always feels like a rock, then those two things are related.
You need to treat your neck better. Just think about it – your neck is trying to keep your head from falling forward even when you’re hunched over the screen for hours and feeling stressed.
Maybe try straightening up once in a while. Get up and stretch. If these headaches are significantly impacting your daily life, seeing a physiotherapist could be a worthwhile investment. ProCure Physio in Toongabbie offers specialized treatment for neck-related issues and can provide your neck with the professional care it needs.
Here’s the thing: once you start treating the cause instead of just the symptoms, things get a lot better. Your neck and your head can finally call a truce.
