Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic headache is a relatively common and still controversial form of headache arising from structures in the neck. Such headaches are grouped under the term "cervicogenic headache", indicating that the primary contributing structural source of the headache is the cervical spine. The Cervicogenic feels like a tight band around forehead and eyes. Headaches typically brushed off as a migraine, can in fact be related to the area of the base of the skull. Since this area handles more than 50 percent of the total motion of the entire neck and head region, small, insignificant 'details' like bad posture and fatigue can take a disproportionate toll on the area, which in turn results in pain and cervicogenic headache. Being the most significant, it appears Cervicogenic Headaches (CH) are only one part that make up my constant suffering. Fatigue, postural malalignment, injuries, disc problems, joint degeneration, muscular stress and even prior neck surgeries all can compound the wear and tear on this critical region of the human skeletal anatomy. One may also develop a narrowing of the spinal canal itself, through which runs the spinal cord and all of its exiting nerve roots, leading to a condition termed spinal stenosis, also a possible source of headaches, among other symptoms. At the moment, the only diagnostic test which is recommended by all physicians in this area is the Occipital Nerve Block, which diagnoses as well as treats the problem. This review evaluates use of drug therapy with paracetamol and NSAIDs, infliximab and botulinum toxin type A; manual modalities and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy; local injection of anaesthetic or corticosteroids; and invasive surgical therapies for the treatment of cervicogenic headache.