Dealing With Headaches & Migraines?
Watch this video to learn how headache pain forms.
Headache Pain Is Far Too Common
Headaches are a widespread and unpleasant issue affecting over half the population.
Many of these headaches stem from problems in the neck, known as cervicogenic headaches. These headaches often occur when limited movement in the joints of your upper cervical spine triggers a painful cycle of stiffness, muscle tightness, and inflammation. This can irritate the nerves leading from your neck to the back of your head, causing discomfort.
Causes of Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches often affect one side of the head but can also occur on both sides. Pain typically starts at the base of the skull and radiates to the top of the head, sometimes extending over the eyes or even into the arms. What does a cervicogenic headache feel like day to day? These headaches can last from hours to days, with pain that fluctuates but is usually described as "deep." Chronic neck stiffness and tenderness often accompany these headaches, which are commonly triggered by awkward postures or movements and may follow trauma like a car accident or concussion.
Symptoms of a Cervicogenic Headache
Cervicogenic headaches show up differently than a typical tension headache or migraine. Common signs include:
- Pain that starts at the base of the skull and radiates to the top of the head, forehead, or around one eye
- Head pain on one side, though both sides can be affected
- A deep, dull ache rather than a throbbing or pulsing pain
- Neck stiffness, tenderness, or a noticeable loss of range of motion
- Pain that gets worse with certain neck movements, positions, or after sitting in one posture too long
- Tenderness when pressing on the muscles at the base of the skull and upper neck
- Headache episodes that can last anywhere from a few hours to several days
How Dr. Will Shiau Treats Headaches at the Root Cause
Dr. Will Shiau, DC, has spent over 10 years helping patients in the Vancouver, WA and Portland metro area get to the source of their pain, not just manage the symptoms. For cervicogenic headaches, that often means Fascial Counterstrain, a specialized soft-tissue technique that addresses the fascia, nerves, and joint restrictions in the upper neck driving the headache cycle. It's a more targeted approach than a standard adjustment alone, and it's a big part of why patients keep coming back to WillPWR Health for lasting relief.
When to Seek Help for Your Headaches
If your headaches are getting progressively worse, changing in character, or you experience new or unfamiliar symptoms, contact us right away so we can reassess your care plan. Seek urgent medical care immediately if you notice a sudden, severe headache unlike anything you've experienced before, neck stiffness paired with fever or confusion, vision changes, slurred speech, difficulty walking or speaking, numbness or weakness on one side of the body, or a headache that follows a head injury or fall. These symptoms can point to a more serious underlying condition and warrant immediate attention.
At-Home Treatments for Headaches
Dehydration can worsen cervicogenic headaches, so be sure to drink 6-8 glasses of water daily, especially in hot weather or after exercise. Because these headaches are often mechanical in nature, medications may be ineffective. Fortunately, our chiropractor in Vancouver, WA offers targeted treatments to address the root cause of your pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cervicogenic headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to several days. Because the pain is tied to restricted movement in the neck rather than a typical headache trigger, it tends to fluctuate rather than resolve on its own, which is why addressing the underlying neck dysfunction matters more than just waiting it out.
Dr. Will Shiau diagnoses cervicogenic headaches through a physical exam that checks neck mobility, posture, and muscle tension, along with a review of your headache pattern and history. No two headaches are exactly alike, so this assessment helps pinpoint whether the neck is the true source.
Migraines typically involve throbbing pain, light sensitivity, and nausea, while cervicogenic headaches usually present as a deep, one-sided ache that starts at the base of the skull and is triggered or worsened by neck movement or posture. Getting the distinction right changes the treatment approach.
Some patients worry about this, which is understandable. At WillPWR Health, treatment is tailored to your specific presentation rather than a one-size-fits-all adjustment, so the goal is always to calm the irritated tissue, not aggravate it.
