Headaches from the Neck? Yes, It’s a Thing

A Hidden Trigger for Headaches

Many people don’t realise that some headaches actually start in the neck. These are called cervicogenic headaches, and they’re more common than you might think. They often affect office workers, manual labourers, and anyone who holds their head in awkward positions for long periods — like driving, scrolling on phones, or looking at screens. Cervicogenic headaches make up around 15–20% of all headaches, and they lead to lost productivity, increased stress, and frequent use of pain medications — adding to both personal and community healthcare costs.

What’s Going On in Your Neck?

Cervicogenic headaches are caused by problems in the upper neck joints, muscles, or nerves. When these areas become stiff, irritated, or overloaded, the pain can refer upward into the head, often around the eyes, temples, or back of the skull. You may also feel tightness in the neck, pain on one side of the head, or notice that turning your head makes it worse. These headaches are not migraines (which are often more severe and may include nausea or vision changes), but they can feel just as disruptive.

Proven Treatments That Help

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective ways to treat cervicogenic headaches. Your physiotherapist may use:

• Joint mobilisation or manipulation to improve movement
• Soft tissue release or massage to reduce muscle tension
• Postural retraining
• Neck and shoulder strengthening
• Education about healthy habits and triggers

Many people notice improvement within 4–6 sessions, and long-term relief is best achieved through consistent movement and posture awareness.

What Doesn’t Work So Well

Relying on painkillers alone may dull the discomfort temporarily, but doesn’t address the source. Neck braces are not recommended — they weaken muscles and worsen posture over time. Passive treatments like TENS, acupuncture, or laser therapy offer mixed results unless combined with active rehab.

Scans (like MRI or CT) are not usually needed unless there are warning signs (like sudden severe pain or neurological symptoms), and often don’t show anything useful in these cases.

The Future of Headache Treatment

New research is focusing on how to better identify neck-related headaches using movement screening and sensor technology. Digital posture trackers, mobile apps, and telehealth check-ins are helping patients improve habits at home and reduce flare-ups. There’s also growing awareness of how stress, sleep, and screen time contribute to headache patterns, which allows for more holistic management plans.

Preventing Cervicogenic Headaches

• Take regular breaks from screens and driving
• Keep your screens at eye level
• Strengthen your neck, shoulders, and upper back
• Stretch your neck and chest daily
• Avoid sleeping on high or multiple pillows
• Stay hydrated and manage stress