Cervicogenic headaches are a very specific type of head which are caused by some sort of neck injury, or disorder. This can be following a car accident and getting a whiplash injury, following a concussion, or be due to poor posture, such as a forward head position.
Your head is connected and supported by the muscles and bones of the neck and upper back. These include many larger muscles, such as the upper trapezius, and also many smaller muscles, such as the splenius capitus. These all help to support and move the head.
If the head is in a forward position, it pulls and strains on the muscles of the neck and creates unnatural tension. A cervicogenic headache can be the result of this. This is termed referred pain, which is pain felt in a part of the body other than its true source.
With a cervicogenic headache, pain is felt in the head even though it originates from the neck. These headaches often occur on just one side of the head. It is common for pain to be felt around the eyes, across the forehead, and in the temples.
Fortunately, Physical Therapy can help ease headaches by teaching you to correct your posture. You will learn hands-on techniques to reduce pain and tension provided with stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce the change of headaches in the future.