Cervicogenic Headache
HeadacheNothing can be quite as debilitating as a headache brought on at the wrong time. Most of us have experienced a headache at some point or another. What most people don't realize is that there are different types of headaches, and furthermore many different causative factors.
When discussing headache, the first distinction that we make is whether it's of a primary or secondary classification. Primary headaches are those that are not due to a secondary disease state or disorder. Some common examples of a primary headache are tension headaches, migraine headaches and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are those related to another disease process. Examples of a secondary headache include those resulting from stroke, infection, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, neck or head trauma, inflammation, or seizure, to name a few.
For the purposes of this article we will be discussing cervicogenic headaches, which are of the secondary classification. Cervicogenic headache refers to a headache that is an outcome of stressed or irritated structures in or around the cervical spine. Common tissues causing the cervicogenic headache are the scalenes, the sterno-cleido-mastoid, and the sub occipital musculature.
The afore-mentioned tissues have very specific referral patterns in the head and neck. We will start with the sterno-cleido- mastoid, or SCM for short. Sterno-cleido-mastoid refers to the 3 attachment points for this particular tissue. The name refers to sterno for sternum, cleido for clavicle, and mastoid for the mastoid process or conical-shaped section of the temporal bone just behind the ear. The SCM is commonly injured in whiplash injuries. It can also become tight or irritated for those that are consistent stomach sleepers. The standard referral pattern for headaches generated from irritation of this tissue is into the jaw, around the eye and into the forehead.
The sub occipital musculature refers to a grouping of four particular tissues: the obliqus capitus inferior, the obliqus capitus inferior, the rectus capitus major, and the rectus capitus minor. These tissues are roughly in the area where the head meets the neck, or more specifically just under the occipital bone. The sub occipital musculature can be injured in whiplash injuries, repetitive strain injuries or can even become irritated from postural dysfunction. Common referral headaches from this tissue generally affect the posterior skull and vertex of the head. These types of headaches can at times illicit visual changes as well.
The trapezius muscle is a large muscle that extends from the occiput to the mid thoracic spine. It also extends laterally out to the scapulae. For the purposes of this discussion we will be talking about the upper portion of the trapezius, or upper trap for short. Referral pain from damage or irritation of the upper trap usually affects the postero-lateral neck, the jaw or mandible, and/or the temple.
Cervicogenic headaches can be a result of trauma to the neck and head, whiplash injuries, postural anomalies, structural malformations of the body or even the way that we sleep. While cervicogenic headaches are very treatable from a chiropractic standpoint, headaches can also be an indication of more serious pathology. When in doubt, it's always best to be evaluated by you local health professional.
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