Neck headache
Neck or cervicogenic headache is a headache caused by irritation of the neck structure. It is a headache associated with neck pain and stiffness that worsens with certain positions or movements of the neck.
Most often, it is a one-sided, constant, moderate to severe headache, which starts at the back of the neck and occiput and can radiate forward to the forehead, temple or ear. There is also a bilateral neck headache with the same characteristics.
During the examination, it is easy to find painful points on the neck that provoke or intensify the headache. Nausea, phonophobia, and photophobia occur less often.
A variety of causes can lead to a neck headache. Injuries such as whiplash in a traffic accident, a blow to the head or a fall, then carrying loads or working with loads, poor posture, muscle imbalances as well as poor breathing patterns can lead to irritation, inflammation and hypersensitivity of muscles, intervertebral joints, ligaments, nerves and nerve roots of the neck and consequently can cause a headache.
Neck pain can be associated with other headaches such as migraines and tension headaches and often remains hidden and undiagnosed for this reason.