Did you know there is a type of headache linked to neck pain? It is more common than you think and is called a cervicogenic headache (meaning neck related headache). Individuals with this type of headache will often report both neck pain and headaches. However, there is a subset of people who only have the headache but not associated neck pain.

In some cases, though, these cervicogenic headaches get misdiagnosed as another type of headache and then is not treated appropriately. Either that or a person is living with two types of headaches and will be only partially responsive to treatment.

Cervicogenic headaches often will be found starting at the base of the skull on either (or both) sides. They then wrap up around the temporal aspect of the head (above ear) and may even reach to just behind the eye. This is called a “Ram’s Horn” pattern. 

When this pattern is found, it signals a treating provider to look at the neck for the source of the headache. Often these headaches appear due to stiffness found in the upper neck region. The stiffness can lead to compression of the suboccipital nerve, which follows this Ram’s Horn pattern. The good news is specific stretching and range of motion exercises are highly effective at reducing and keeping this type of headache away.

An exercise to attempt to see if it makes any difference regarding these headaches can be found (HERE). If this does not work, it would be wise to seek professional guidance to root out the cause and get you doing the best exercise for you.

If you think you are dealing with what you think is a cervicogenic headache that you just cannot get rid of and would like some more information, please click HERE