If your headaches start at the base of your skull or in your neck, feels worse when you turn your head, or shows up after long periods of sitting, driving, or screen use, there’s a strong chance your neck is involved.
Many people are told these headaches are “stress,” “tension,” or migraines, especially when scans come back normal. But research recognizes a specific category of headache that originates in the cervical spine and is felt in the head. These are called cervicogenic headaches, and they have a clear neurological explanation.
More importantly for patients, chiropractic care directly addresses the spinal dysfunction associated with these headaches, and peer-reviewed research supports its use.
A cervicogenic headache is defined as a headache caused by a disorder of the cervical spine or its associated structures, with pain referred to the head.
Unlike migraines or tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches, meaning the pain source is outside the head, most commonly in the joints, discs, or soft tissues of the upper cervical spine.
According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches, meaning the pain is referred from another anatomical source, most commonly the upper cervical joints, discs, or soft tissues.
This matters because treating the head alone will never resolve a problem that originates in the neck.
Research has identified a key structure called the trigeminocervical nucleus, where sensory input from the upper cervical spine (C1–C3) converges with sensory input from the trigeminal nerve, the primary pain pathway of the head.
This convergence explains why:
This mechanism is well-documented in neurological and headache literature and is not speculative.
Because these signals converge, irritation in the neck can be experienced as pain in the head. This phenomenon is known as referred pain and is well documented in neurological research.
People with cervicogenic headaches often report:
These patterns help distinguish cervicogenic headaches from migraines or tension-type headaches.
Standard imaging, such as MRI, CT scans and Medical X-rays are designed to detect fractures, tumors, or advanced degeneration, not functional spinal problems.
Cervicogenic headaches are often driven by:
These do not always appear on MRI or CT, which is why many patients are told nothing is wrong despite persistent symptoms.
Peer-reviewed research supports chiropractic spinal manipulation as an effective treatment option for cervicogenic headache and certain migraine presentations. This is where chiropractic care becomes central, not optional.
Evidence-based guidelines published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics conclude that chiropractic care improves headache frequency, intensity, and disability, particularly for cervicogenic headache.
Randomized controlled trials demonstrate that spinal manipulation directed at the cervical spine:
Haas et al. demonstrated a dose-response relationship, meaning more appropriately delivered chiropractic adjustments resulted in greater clinical improvement for cervicogenic headache.
While migraines are neurologically distinct, research shows a significant subset of migraine sufferers experience neck-related triggers.
Clinical trials have shown chiropractic care can:
This is particularly relevant for patients whose migraines are accompanied by neck pain, stiffness, or postural strain.
Beyond symptom reduction, studies show high patient satisfaction with chiropractic care for headache conditions.
Patients consistently report:
This aligns with chiropractic’s focus on cause-based care, not symptom suppression.
Chiropractic care focuses on:
When headaches originate in the neck, this approach addresses the source, not just the symptom.
You should consider a chiropractic evaluation if:
If your headaches start in the neck, worsen with movement, or haven’t responded to typical approaches, it’s time to look at the spine, not just the pain.
Schedule a chiropractic evaluation to determine whether cervical spinal dysfunction is contributing to your headaches. Understanding the cause is the first step toward lasting relief.
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