📚Cervicogenic headache describes a form of headache that originates from the upper cervical spine and refers to regions of the head and/or face. Tissues that are thought to contribute to the development of this type of headache include muscles, ligaments, joints and discs in the region between the skull and C1-3 vertebrae.

🔎Symptoms are usually unilateral (on one side) and provoked with movement of the neck and palpation of the upper cervical spine. Other associated findings include weakness of the deep neck flexors and trigger points in the upper trapezius, levator, scalenes and suboccipitals.

✅These are just a few of the exercises that would be prescribed in physical therapy. A comprehensive program that guides you through the stages of healing can be found here in the app. Click the link at the bottom of this post to see this program.

1️⃣Suboccipital Ball Massage: Place a ball just below the base of the skull on any tender spots in the region of the suboccipital region.

2️⃣Upper Cervical Motor Control: The nodding motion shown here results from flexion and extension of the upper cervical spinal joints. This exercise is designed to teach the nervous system how to move this upper region of the neck without moving the lower portion of the neck.

3️⃣Neck Flexor Curls: Because deep neck flexor weakness can be associated with cervicogenic headache symptoms, an exercise that trains these muscles with higher loads may be appropriate. Tuck your chin and lift the head from the floor. Move slowly and perform 2-3 sets of 8-12 reps.

https://membership.rehabscience.com/programs/headache-pain?category_id=260344