How does the neck cause headaches?

There are many different diagnoses and therefore causes of headaches. One of the most common diagnosed is a “cervicogenic headache”.  

Cervicogenic headache is defined as a secondary headache which means that it is caused by a disorder of the cervical spine (neck).

This can be caused by different structures in the neck including the joints, disc and/or soft tissue structures such as muscle or ligaments.

These headaches are usually one sided and start at the back of the head or neck and then travel to the front. They can sometimes cause arm discomfort on that side and are usually exacerbated by certain neck positions.

There are several research studies that link neck pain and dysfunction to headaches.

One such study done by Bogduk suggested that cervicogenic headaches are “a final common pathway for pain generating disorders of the neck”. The paper proposed that the pathophysiology of the cervicogenic headache results from sensory inputs of the upper cervical spine coming into a part of the brain.

These inputs can come from the upper cervical joints, the muscles of the upper neck and some of the discs in the upper neck as well as arteries, dura mater and the posterior cranial fossa.

How does adjusting the neck help headaches?

From the above-mentioned study if we know that painful sensory input is coming from the upper neck then what we do as Chiropractors i.e. adjusting the neck, is going to have a positive impact.

By adjusting the spinal joints, we help to switch on mechanoreceptors (receptors that detect movement) which reflexively inhibit pain receptors.

By improving the movement in the upper neck, we are then able to change the sensory input going into the brain. Clearing up this sensory input removes the brains perception of a painful stimuli which helps to ease the headache.

Put in simple terms: By improving motion in the neck we help to improve the signals to the brain so that it isn’t receiving painful stimulus and causing you a headache.

If you need more information regarding whether chiropractic can help with your headaches click here.