Headaches are one of the most common health complaints, with around 50% of people experiencing at least one every year. For some, headaches are more frequent, persistent, and life-interrupting — especially cervicogenic headaches, which originate in the neck. These can lead to missed work, social withdrawal, and a reduced quality of life.
While headaches can be triggered by dehydration, stress, poor sleep, or diet, they may also be caused by neck dysfunction. If you’ve tried lifestyle remedies but still experience ongoing headaches, physiotherapy may help.
What are Cervicogenic headaches?
A cervicogenic headache is head or facial pain that actually comes from the structures in the neck. These headaches are often one-sided and may be felt in the:
Forehead and temples
Eye region
Jaw
Back of the head or neck
This happens because sensory information from the trigeminal nerve (which supplies the face) converges with signals from the upper cervical spine in the brainstem. As a result, pain from the neck can be “referred” into the head and face — creating what feels like a headache.
Common Causes of Neck Pain and Headaches
Many modern habits place strain on the neck, including:
Poor posture – slouching or forward head posture while working at a desk
Excess screen time – looking down at phones or tablets for long periods
Prolonged sitting – lack of movement breaks during the day
To put this in perspective:
Your head weighs around 4.5kg.
Tilting forward by 15° places 12kg of force through the neck.
Tilting forward by 30° increases this to 18kg.
No wonder the neck becomes sore, stiff, and overworked!
Imagine that your head weighs 4.5kg. If your head is directly over your neck, it puts 4.5kg of force through the spine. If you lean forwards by 15 degrees it then produces 12kg of force, and at 30 degrees it’s 18kg. No wonder our necks are so tired by the end of the day!
How to Improve Neck Pain and Reduce Headaches
- Improve your posture. Ideally your ear should line up with your shoulder.
- Take movement breaks. Try setting an alarm for every 30 minutes. When it rings look up and down, and side to side five times then roll your shoulders back ten times. You could also take a short walk to the toilet or to get a drink.
- Don’t forget to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, do some exercise, reduce stress where possible, and get enough sleep.
How Physiotherapy Helps Cervicogenic Headaches
Physiotherapy for headaches typically involves two key approaches:
Calm it down – manual therapy to mobilise stiff joints in the neck and release tight muscles.
Build it up – tailored exercises to strengthen the neck and improve posture, preventing future headaches.
This combined approach reduces pain in the short term and improves resilience in the long term.
Mobile Physiotherapy for Headache Relief
At GenPhysio, our clinicians provide mobile physiotherapy — meaning we come to your home for assessment and treatment. This makes therapy more accessible and comfortable, especially if headaches make travel difficult.
Our Physiotherapists can:
Assess your posture and movement patterns
Identify the cause of your cervicogenic headaches
Provide hands-on treatment and personalised exercise programs
Support long-term headache prevention strategies
Book a Physiotherapy Appointment
If you or someone you know is suffering from recurring headaches, don’t wait. Early treatment can make a big difference.
Call 1300 755 072 or book a consultation with GenPhysio today. Our friendly mobile team is dedicated to helping you move better and live headache-free.
