Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache that originates from the neck. These headaches can cause pain and discomfort in the head, neck and shoulders and can be very debilitating and impact your life negatively. Common causes of cervicogenic headaches include poor posture, tension of the neck muscles, whiplash injuries, degenerative disc disease and herniated discs. Symptoms of cervicogenic headaches can include pain on one side of the head, pain that starts in the neck and moves up to the head and pain that is triggered by certain neck movements.

Osteopaths are healthcare professionals who specialize in treating musculoskeletal problems, including cervicogenic headaches. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to help manage and treat this condition, including:

• Soft tissue massage: Osteopaths use massage techniques to help relieve tension in the muscles of the neck and shoulders, which can help reduce the severity of cervicogenic headaches.
• Spinal manipulation: Osteopaths use gentle manipulation techniques to help release restricted joints of the vertebrae in the cervical spine, which can help reduce pain and discomfort.
• Exercise therapy: Osteopaths may recommend specific exercises to help strengthen and stretch the muscles in the neck and shoulders, which can help prevent future cervicogenic headaches.
• Postural advice: Osteopaths can provide advice on how to improve posture and ergonomics, which can help reduce the strain on the neck and prevent cervicogenic headaches from occurring.
• Lifestyle modifications: Osteopaths can also provide advice on lifestyle modifications, such as stress reduction techniques and dietary changes, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of cervicogenic headaches.

In addition to osteopathic treatment, there are several things that individuals with cervicogenic headaches can do to help manage their condition. These include:

1. Maintaining good posture: Sitting and standing with good posture can help reduce the strain on the neck and prevent cervicogenic headaches.

2. Using ergonomic equipment: Using ergonomic equipment, such as a supportive chair and a properly positioned computer monitor, can help reduce the strain on the neck and prevent cervicogenic headaches.

3. Practicing stress reduction techniques: Stress can exacerbate cervicogenic headaches, so practicing stress reduction techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.

4. Getting regular exercise: Regular exercise can help strengthen the muscles in the neck and shoulders, which can help prevent cervicogenic headaches from occurring.

If you are experiencing cervicogenic headaches, don’t suffer in silence - seek professional help today. An expert osteopath can help diagnose the cause of your headache and provide effective treatment to alleviate your symptoms. With the right treatment and lifestyle modifications, it is possible to manage and reduce the frequency and severity of cervicogenic headaches, allowing you to live a more comfortable and pain-free life.