Most people experience a headache now and then. But when they start happening often – or show up just from turning your head – it may be time to look deeper. One common cause is cervicogenic headaches, which can originate from the muscles and joints in your neck and often respond well to physical therapy.
If your headaches are recurring or triggered by movement, physical therapy may help treat the root cause—especially when symptoms stem from the neck or spine.
While it can be difficult to tell cervicogenic headaches apart from other types, here are some common signs:
- Certain neck movements bring on the headache
- Pain is usually on one side of the neck and head
- Pain often starts in the neck and moves upward
- Discomfort is usually dull or non-throbbing
You might also notice that turning your head – especially toward the painful side – makes things worse. That’s a key clue.
<H2> The Role of Neck Muscles
Neck pain[1] and cervicogenic headaches have been linked to weakness in the deep neck flexors – small muscles at the front of the neck that help with stability and alignment. When these muscles don’t work well, other surrounding muscles have to compensate and may become tight or overworked. This muscular imbalance can lead to both neck pain and headaches.
How Is Headache Pain Created?
Head pain can come from different sources, including:
- Muscle tension
- Nerve irritation
- Joint dysfunction
- Vascular changes
In cervicogenic headaches, pain usually starts in the neck and radiates upward. Poor posture, injury, or long-term stress can all contribute to dysfunction in the upper neck, making headaches more frequent.
What Are the Types of Headaches and Treatments?
Understanding your headache type can help you find the right treatment:
- Tension headaches – Often linked to stress or muscle tightness. Respond well to stretching, posture correction, and relaxation.
- Migraines – Neurological in nature. May be triggered by light, sound, or hormonal changes.
- Cervicogenic headaches – Musculoskeletal. Caused by issues in the neck. Often brought on by movement or poor positioning.
- Cluster headaches – Very intense and occur in cycles. Typically require medical intervention.
Treatment varies by type. While medication can help manage migraines and cluster headaches, for cervicogenic and tension headaches, physical therapy is a safe and effective way to reduce symptoms and improve mobility without relying solely on medication.
What Types of Therapy Movements Are Used for Headaches?
Your physical therapist may use a combination of techniques depending on your symptoms and goals. These may include:
- Manual therapy – Hands-on treatment to relieve joint or muscle tension
- Stretching – Targeting tight neck or shoulder muscles
- Shoulder strengthening exercises – Especially the deep neck flexors, which support posture and alignment
- Neuromuscular re-education – To retrain movement patterns and improve stability
How can physical therapy help?
To get started, your physical therapist will take a detailed history and perform a physical exam to determine whether your headaches are connected to the musculoskeletal system. If so, your care plan will be tailored to your specific needs – whether that means reducing muscle tension, improving mobility, or strengthening weak areas.
In some cases, your therapist may perform a cranio-cervical flexion test to check the strength of your deep neck flexors – muscles that help stabilize your neck and reduce strain. If those muscles are underperforming, targeted exercises may be introduced, sometimes using a feedback pressure cuff to guide proper activation.
Hands-on techniques like inhibitive distraction (a gentle pressure applied to the muscles where the neck meets the head) may also be used to help relieve tension and restore balance.
Because no two people experience headaches the same way, physical therapy takes a personalized approach. Your treatment plan will be built around your symptoms, movement patterns, and goals so you can get back to feeling your best.
Personalized Therapy for Lasting Relief
Experience tailored physical therapy programs designed to alleviate pain and restore function.
