Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Brooklyn NY
A cervicogenic headache originates from the neck but radiates upward into the head, often mimicking a migraine or tension headache. It occurs when nerves, muscles, or joints in the cervical spine become irritated or compressed, causing referred pain to the head. Common causes include poor posture, repetitive strain, or injuries from accidents or long hours at a desk, all of which are common for Brooklyn residents managing busy work and family lives.
At Back in Motion, our Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Brooklyn NY addresses the root cause of pain rather than just the symptoms. Through a personalized combination of chiropractic adjustments, targeted physical therapy, and manual techniques, we help reduce tension, restore mobility, and improve quality of life without medication or invasive procedures.
Understanding Cervicogenic Headaches
A cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache that originates in the neck and radiates to the head. It results from dysfunction in the cervical spine, often involving the upper cervical nerves (C1, C2, or C3). When these nerves become irritated or compressed due to muscle tightness or joint misalignment, they can cause pain that spreads from the neck to the back of the head, temples, or behind the eyes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, cervicogenic headaches are often mistaken for migraines or tension headaches, but they are specifically linked to neck dysfunction or injury (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). These headaches typically worsen with certain neck movements, poor posture, or long hours of sitting at a desk.
In Brooklyn NY, cervicogenic headaches have become increasingly common due to modern work habits. People who spend long hours on computers or smartphones often develop forward head posture and neck strain, which can trigger nerve irritation and headaches. Understanding this connection is essential to finding effective, lasting relief.
Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches can mimic migraines, but they have distinct features that make them identifiable. Knowing the signs helps you determine when to seek professional care.
Common symptoms include:
Pain that starts in the neck and radiates to one side of the head
Stiffness or limited range of motion in the neck
Headache triggered by specific neck movements or prolonged sitting
Pain behind one eye or around the temple
Shoulder or arm discomfort on the same side as the headache
These headaches usually start gradually and persist until the underlying cervical issue is addressed. Some patients report that the pain intensifies after sitting for long periods or after physical activity involving the upper body. If these symptoms are interfering with your ability to work or sleep, it may be time to explore Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Brooklyn NY with Back in Motion.
How Cervicogenic Headaches Affect Daily Life in Brooklyn NY
Living in Brooklyn means juggling fast-paced workdays, long commutes, and family responsibilities. Unfortunately, cervicogenic headaches can make all of that harder to manage. The pain can limit focus, reduce productivity, and affect your ability to perform simple daily tasks.
Office workers who spend hours typing or looking down at their screens often notice their headaches worsen throughout the day. Healthcare professionals, drivers, and teachers who stand or bend frequently may also experience increased tension and fatigue. Parents may find it difficult to balance household chores and childcare while dealing with constant neck pain and headaches.
Beyond the physical discomfort, cervicogenic headaches can lead to frustration, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. The pain often feels worse in the evenings or after long hours of repetitive motion. At Back in Motion, we understand how this can impact your daily life. Our in-home treatments in Brooklyn NY are designed to relieve pain and restore function, helping you return to your normal routine comfortably.
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
We combine evidence-based techniques with compassionate care to treat cervicogenic headaches effectively. Our interdisciplinary team provides customized therapy that targets both the symptoms and the underlying cause.
Chiropractic Care
Our chiropractors perform gentle cervical adjustments to correct misalignments and relieve pressure on the nerves in the neck. Proper spinal alignment can restore mobility and reduce tension that contributes to headaches (PubMed, 2022).
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and posture. Specific exercises and manual therapy techniques are used to improve neck stability and reduce muscular tension. Research supports physical therapy as an effective, non-invasive option for treating cervicogenic headaches (PubMed, 2021).
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy addresses the way you perform daily tasks that may strain your neck. Our therapists teach ergonomic positioning, proper desk setup, and safe lifting techniques to prevent recurring pain.
Speech Pathologist Collaboration
Speech pathologists may be involved when muscle coordination or jaw tension affects neck posture. They help improve breathing patterns and muscle balance that indirectly reduce headache frequency.
Spinal Decompression
This non-surgical therapy gently stretches the spine to relieve nerve pressure caused by cervical disc issues. It can benefit patients whose headaches are related to disc degeneration or compression in the neck.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy promotes blood flow and tissue healing in tight neck muscles. Recent studies have shown that it may reduce muscle tension and pain in patients with cervicogenic headaches (PubMed, 2024).
Sport Rehabilitation
Our sport rehab specialists help athletes and active individuals restore strength and flexibility while addressing posture and muscle balance to prevent future neck strain.
Myofascial Cupping
Cupping therapy increases circulation and relaxes tight muscles in the neck and upper back. It’s particularly helpful for patients who develop headaches from chronic muscular tension.
Manipulation and Mobilization
Manual manipulation and mobilization techniques help improve range of motion in the neck joints and release soft tissue restrictions that contribute to cervicogenic pain.
Normatec Compression Therapy
Normatec compression promotes blood flow and reduces inflammation, supporting faster recovery for patients experiencing muscle tightness and fatigue.
Car Accidents and Workers Compensation
If your headaches began after a car accident or repetitive strain at work, our team provides full documentation and tailored treatment under workers’ compensation guidelines.
At Back in Motion, every treatment plan is personalized. We assess your lifestyle, posture, and pain triggers to ensure that therapy is both effective and sustainable for your daily needs.
Our Approach at Back in Motion
At Back in Motion, we believe in holistic, patient-centered care. Our Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Brooklyn NY integrates clinical expertise with personalized therapy to achieve lasting results.
Your care begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes posture assessment, movement analysis, and pain mapping. We identify whether your headaches stem from joint restrictions, muscle imbalances, or nerve compression. Based on these findings, we design a customized plan that may include manual therapy, strengthening exercises, and ergonomic training.
Because we provide in-home care, you can recover in a comfortable environment without disrupting your routine. We also guide you through at-home exercises and prevention strategies to help maintain your results long-term.
Our approach follows current recommendations from leading institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic and multiple PubMed studies, all of which emphasize non-surgical, conservative management as the first line of treatment for cervicogenic headaches (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Why Choose Back in Motion in Brooklyn NY
Patients across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Hoboken, and Jersey City choose Back in Motion for Cervicogenic Headache Treatment because we bring advanced, evidence-based care right to their homes.
In-home convenience with one-on-one therapy sessions
Collaborative team care among chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, and speech pathologists
Personalized treatment plans built for your lifestyle and schedule
Advanced technologies like shockwave and decompression therapy
Flexible hours Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 8 pm
Whether you live near Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, or downtown Brooklyn, our goal is to provide accessible care that helps you recover faster and feel your best again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cervicogenic headaches are caused by irritation or compression of nerves and joints in the neck. Common triggers include poor posture, whiplash, arthritis, or muscle tightness.
A healthcare professional can diagnose cervicogenic headaches by evaluating your posture, range of motion, and response to gentle neck movements. Imaging or nerve tests may be used to confirm the cause.
Yes. Studies show that manual therapy, stretching, and posture correction are among the most effective non-surgical methods for treating cervicogenic headaches (PubMed, 2022).
Most patients notice improvement within a few weeks of consistent therapy. Chronic cases may require longer treatment, especially if poor posture or repetitive strain is involved.
Yes. Back in Motion accepts both car accident and workers’ compensation cases. We provide the necessary documentation and coordinate with your case manager. Visit our contact page to learn more.
You can receive expert, in-home care from Back in Motion, located at 2625 E 14th St #209, Brooklyn, NY 11235. We also serve nearby areas such as Queens, Staten Island, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Visit our book appointment page to schedule your consultation.
Start Your Cervicogenic Headache Recovery Today
If you are struggling with chronic neck-related headaches, you do not have to live in pain. With Cervicogenic Headache Treatment in Brooklyn NY from Back in Motion, you can experience relief, restore your mobility, and return to your daily activities without surgery or medication.
Our licensed therapists and chiropractors provide comprehensive, in-home care that targets the root cause of your pain. By combining manual therapy, rehabilitation, and posture training, we help you achieve lasting comfort and improved quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation in Brooklyn NY and start your path toward recovery. Visit Back in Motion to learn more or to book your appointment.
CERVICOGENIC HEADACHES
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the neck as a result of structural issues in the neck (e.g., joints, muscles, nerves).
These headaches present with a dull pain that is often accompanied by stiffness and soreness in the neck. The pain may also radiate to other areas of the head, including the temples, the back of the head, and the eyes.
Cervicogenic headaches stem from several factors, including poor posture, injury, and degenerative conditions of the neck.
On this page, we will cover the causes and symptoms of cervicogenic headaches, then switch gears to how chiropractic care can help patients with this condition.
What are the causes of cervicogenic headaches?
The causes of cervicogenic headaches are multifactorial but mainly revolve around an injury to the neck and head. Learning more about these causes can help you prevent cervicogenic headaches and improve your management plan.
Injury
Trauma to the neck from a car accident or sports injury can cause cervicogenic headaches. Injuries to the cervical spine can cause damage to the nerves, muscles, and joints in the neck, leading to pain and stiffness.
Cervicogenic headaches may arise immediately after the injury or after a while. They can also present with other symptoms, including neck pain, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Degenerative conditions
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative disc disease can all cause pain and stiffness in the neck, precipitating cervicogenic headaches. These conditions can cause the joints in the neck to become inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness.
Degenerative disc disease is another condition that causes the discs to herniate, compressing the nerves and causing headaches.
Poor posture
Sitting or standing in a fixed position for long periods of time can cause strain on the neck muscles, leading to cervicogenic headaches. This is especially true if the position is not ergonomic and causes muscle tension.
Whiplash
A sudden jerking motion of the head and neck causes injury to the muscles and joints of the neck. Whiplash can also cause strain on the muscles and ligaments of the neck, as well as injury to the joints and discs.
Learn more about this condition by clicking here (insert).
Tension in the neck muscles
Stress and tension in the neck muscles often lead to pain and stiffness in the neck. Consequently, your risk of cervicogenic headaches increases. This can be the result of emotional stress, poor posture, and the overuse of the neck muscles.
Abnormalities in the cervical spine
Herniated discs compress the nerves in the neck and cause headaches. This condition can occur due to degeneration of the spine or injury.
What are the signs and symptoms of cervicogenic headaches?
The signs and symptoms of cervicogenic headaches are diverse and include:
Deep, dull pain – The pain is usually located on one side of the head and may be described as a band-like sensation.
Neck pain and stiffness – Pain and stiffness in the neck are often present. These symptoms may get worse with certain movements or positions.
Radiating pain – The pain may radiate from the neck to other areas of the head, such as the temples, the back of the head, and the eyes.
Limited range of motion – Your articular range of motion will get restricted due to the pain and stiffness.
Tenderness – The neck and surrounding area may be tender to the touch.
Nausea – Some people with cervicogenic headaches may experience nausea or dizziness due to severe pain.
Tingling or numbness – There may be tingling or numbness in the arms or hands.
The complications of cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headaches can lead to numerous complications if left untreated. Here are some of these complications:
Chronic headaches – Cervicogenic headaches can become chronic if the underlying cause is not addressed. This can lead to a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to function.
Medication overuse – Taking pain medication frequently to manage cervicogenic headaches can lead to medication overuse headaches. This may be more difficult to treat compared to cervicogenic headaches.
Sleep disturbances – Cervicogenic headaches can cause sleep disturbances, which can lead to fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Depression and anxiety – Chronic headaches can lead to depression and anxiety as a result of the constant pain and the negative impact on the person’s ability to function.
Secondary headaches – Cervicogenic headaches can be the cause of other types of headaches, such as migraines.
How chiropractic care can help with cervicogenic headaches
Researchers investigated the effectiveness of chiropractic care in treating cervicogenic headaches. This is in an attempt to unveil non-pharmacological treatments that actually help with chronic pain.
Enter – Chiropractic care.
One study enrolled 60 patients with cervicogenic headaches. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic adjustments or a placebo for 8 weeks. The study found that the group receiving chiropractic adjustments experienced a significant reduction in headache frequency, intensity, and disability compared to the placebo group.
Another study published in 2002 enrolled 45 patients with cervicogenic headaches. The patients received chiropractic adjustments for 4 weeks. The results showed that the frequency, intensity, and disability associated with the headaches were significantly lower in the majority of patients.
Finally, a randomized controlled trial included 160 participants with cervicogenic headaches. The study found that chiropractic care was as effective as medical care in reducing the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches and decreasing the use of medication.
Overall, these studies suggest that chiropractic care can be an effective treatment option for individuals with cervicogenic headaches.
Takeaway message
Using chiropractic care to resolve cervicogenic headaches and other types of chronic pain is a powerful tool to avoid using medications. The available research suggests that chiropractic adjustment reduces the severity and frequency of cervicogenic headaches.
We hope that this article managed to highlight the role of chiropractic care in the management of cervicogenic headaches.
If you are ready to relieve your chronic pain and take your health back in control, reach out to us via the contact us page!