ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the concept of headache secondary to cervical spine problems — cervicogenic headache. It is interesting to note that some headache specialists will deny the existence of cervicogenic headache. Many of these same clinicians will even deny the reality of muscle-related headache problems, including the existence of trigger points. The International Headache Society has specific diagnostic criteria for headache secondary to disorders of cranial bone. The International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for headaches associated with disorders of the cervical spine include the presence of pain localized to neck and occipital regions, which may project to the forehead, orbital region, temples, vertex, or ears or pain precipitated or aggravated by special neck movements or sustained neck posture. The International Headache Society has described cervicogenic headache as being pain felt primarily in the neck and occiput which may radiate anteriorly. Manual medicine is much better accepted in European countries than it is in the United States.
