What is a cervicogenic headache?

Definition or Meaning

“Cervicogenic headache” definition:

A cervicogenic headache is a type of headache that is caused by the joints in the upper neck.

The term cervicogenic comes from "cervical" (neck) and "genic" (producing). The most common causes include arthritis, muscle spasms, injury to the muscles, disc herniation, degenerative discs, cervical facet joint syndrome, compression of nerves between vertebrae near the skull base. This type of headache is also known as a cervical headache.

A cervicogenic headache can be mistakenly diagnosed as tension headaches, migraine headaches, sinusitis, or other types of pain in the head area.