If you regularly experience headaches alongside neck pain or stiffness, you might be surprised to learn that the problem may not actually start in your head.

At Revive Women's Physio & Wellbeing Clinic in Mosley Common, Worsley, one of the questions I'm asked regularly is:

"Can my neck really be causing my headaches?"

The answer is...

Yes, it can.

For many people, persistent headaches originate from structures within the neck rather than the head itself.

These are known as cervicogenic headaches, and they are often successfully managed with the right physiotherapy treatment.

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What is a cervicogenic headache?

A cervicogenic headache is a headache that originates from the joints, muscles, ligaments or nerves of the neck.

Pain is referred from the neck into the head because the nerves in the upper cervical spine share pathways with the nerves supplying the head and face.

The result?

You feel the headache in your head...

But the source may actually be your neck.

Common symptoms

People often describe:

✔ Pain starting at the base of the skull

✔ Pain travelling into the temple or behind one eye

✔ Neck stiffness

✔ Pain when turning the head

✔ Headaches after desk work

✔ Headaches after driving

✔ Headaches after looking down at a phone

Some people also experience shoulder pain or upper back tightness alongside their headaches.

What causes neck-related headaches?

There isn't one single cause.

Common contributors include:

Poor posture

Long hours at a laptop.

Working from home.

Looking down at a phone.

Driving.

Muscle tension

Stress.

Anxiety.

Reduced movement.

Poor sleep.

Joint stiffness

Reduced movement through the upper neck can contribute to recurring headaches.

Weakness

Many people develop reduced strength in the deep muscles that support the neck.

This means other muscles have to work harder, often becoming tight and painful.

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Can physiotherapy help headaches?

In many cases...

Yes.

Following a detailed assessment, your physiotherapist will determine whether your symptoms are coming from the neck or whether you need onward referral for further medical investigation.

Treatment may include:

✔ Hands-on physiotherapy

✔ Joint mobilisation

✔ Soft tissue massage

✔ Neck mobility exercises

✔ Strengthening exercises

✔ Postural advice

✔ Ergonomic assessment

✔ A personalised rehabilitation programme

Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual.

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A real patient story

Recently, I treated a lady who had lived with neck pain and migraine headaches for years.

Simple everyday activities like driving, walking the dog, working at her laptop and exercising could all trigger a migraine.

Following a detailed assessment, it became clear that her neck was contributing significantly to her symptoms.

After a personalised physiotherapy programme, she experienced:

💜 Significantly fewer headaches

💜 Less neck pain

💜 Improved confidence

💜 A much better quality of life

👉 Read her full success story here:

VICKI'S STORY

When should you see a physiotherapist?

I would always recommend seeking advice if:

Your headaches are becoming more frequent.
They are associated with neck pain.
Pain is affecting your work.
You're avoiding activities because of symptoms.
Over-the-counter medication isn't helping.

Red flags

Although many headaches originate from the neck, not all do.

Seek urgent medical attention if your headache is:

Sudden and severe.
Associated with weakness.
Associated with speech changes.
Associated with vision loss.
Following significant trauma.
Accompanied by fever or confusion.

The takeaway

One of the biggest myths I hear is:

"Headaches always start in the head."

In reality, many headaches begin in the neck.

Understanding the cause is often the first step towards long-term improvement.

If you're struggling with headaches, neck pain or stiffness, I'd be happy to help you understand what's causing your symptoms and discuss whether physiotherapy could help.

About Revive Women's Physio & Wellbeing Clinic

Revive is a specialist women's physiotherapy and wellbeing clinic based in Mosley Common, helping people from Worsley, Walkden, Boothstown, Tyldesley, Astley, Atherton and surrounding areas.

We provide:

💜 Physiotherapy

💜 Sports Massage

💜 Acupuncture

💜 Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Arthritis

💜 Reiki Healing

💜 Menopause Support

Helping you move better, feel stronger and thrive.

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