That Nagging Headache Might Actually Be Coming From Your Neck!
Millions of Australians put up with headaches every week but not all headaches are the same. Here’s what you need to know, and how your physio can help.
If you’re someone who regularly reaches for the paracetamol and pushes through the day you’re not alone. Headaches are one of the most common complaints we see at PhysioDynamics and here’s the thing: a surprisingly large number of them actually start in the neck, not the head. This is called a cervicogenic headache and the good news is it’s very treatable, often without needing to see a doctor first.
So What Actually Is A Cervicogenic Headache?
The word sounds complicated, but it simply means a headache that comes from the cervical spine – that’s your neck. The upper joints, muscles, and nerves in your neck are closely connected to the nerves that sense pain in your head. When something in the neck gets irritated a stiff joint, tight muscle or poor posture held for too long, those pain signals can travel upward and feel exactly like a headache.
Think of it like a referred pain. Similar to how a heart attack can cause pain in the arm, an irritated neck can produce pain felt in your head, behind your eyes or across your forehead.
Did you know? Research suggests that up to 20% of people who experience recurring headaches are actually dealing with a cervicogenic headache often misdiagnosed as tension headaches or even migraines.
Does This Sound Familiar?
Cervicogenic headaches have some telltale signs that set them apart.
You might notice:
Headache that starts at the back of the neck or base of the skull and spreads forward.
Pain that’s usually on one side and that side tends to stay the same.
Stiffness or limited movement in your neck when the headache comes on.
Headaches triggered by holding your neck in one position driving, looking at screens, or sleeping awkwardly.
Pain that pressing on certain spots in your neck can reproduce or ease.
A dull, aching quality not usually a throbbing or pulsing sensation.
Hold On! How Do I Know It’s Not Something Else?
Great question and an important one. Headaches can have many different causes and getting the right help starts with understanding what type you’re dealing with. Here’s a quick guide to the most common types:
Common headache types at a glance:
Cervicogenic
Comes from the neck. Usually one-sided, linked to neck stiffness, worsens with posture or neck movement. This is where physio shines.
Tension
The classic “band around the head” feeling. Often both sides, related to stress or muscle tightness. Physio can also help significantly here.
Migraine
Often one-sided with throbbing pain, light/sound sensitivity, sometimes nausea. Can be associated with an aura (visual disturbances). Usually needs medical management too.
Cluster
Severe, short, stabbing pain – often around one eye. Relatively rare but extremely intense. Usually needs specialist input.
TMJ-related
Pain linked to jaw tension or grinding teeth. Can radiate into the temples and face. Physio can help with jaw-related headaches too.
Sinus
Pressure and pain around cheeks, forehead and nose, often with congestion. Usually resolves with treatment of the underlying sinus issue.
When to see a doctor straight away: If your headache comes on suddenly and severely (“thunderclap”), is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, vision changes or weakness – please seek urgent medical attention. These are not typical cervicogenic headache symptoms.
What Does A Physio Actually Do For Headaches?
At PhysioDynamics, our first step is always a thorough assessment — because we want to make sure we understand exactly what’s driving your headache before we do anything. Once we’ve identified that your neck is the culprit, there’s a lot we can do.
1) A proper hands-on assessment
We look at how your neck moves, find the joints and muscles that are contributing and piece together the full picture — including your posture, work setup and daily habits.
2) Hands-on treatment
Gentle manual therapy to free up stiff joints and ease tense muscles – often providing noticeable relief quite quickly. Many people feel a difference within their first few sessions.
3) Targeted exercises
We give you simple, specific exercises to build strength and stability in the deep neck muscles — the ones that are often weak in people with chronic headaches.
4) Getting to the root cause
Whether it’s your desk setup, sleeping position, or the way you carry tension – we help you identify and change the habits that keep bringing the headache back.
The bottom line: You don’t need a referral to see a physiotherapist in Australia. You can book directly, and in many cases we can help you feel better before you’d even get a GP appointment – saving you time, money and a lot of discomfort.
Why Come To Us?
At PhysioDynamics we take the time to explain what’s going on in plain English, work with you on a plan that fits your life and make sure you leave each session knowing more about yourself than when you came in.
Headaches can grind you down – affecting your concentration, your mood, your sleep and your ability to enjoy the things you love. You’ve probably been putting up with it for longer than you should. That stops here.
Ready To Get To The Bottom Of Your Headaches?
Our team is ready to help. Book a headache assessment at PhysioDynamics and find out if your neck is the missing piece of the puzzle.