Check Your Neck if You Got One-sided Headache

Many people start experiencing headaches when they are under a lot of stress and pressure. The entire upper body can feel tense and unable to relax. Some of these headaches are actually related to the upper cervical spine. When the blood supply to the brain is insufficient, or certain surface nerves are under pressure, it can cause headaches. This is known as cervicogenic headache.

What is a cervicogenic headache?

There are different types of headaches, such as tension-type headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, secondary headaches due to brain issues, and cervicogenic headaches.

Symptoms of cervicogenic headache include:

Unilateral (one-sided) headache
Stiffness in the neck and neck muscles
Increased headache with neck movement
Generally no sensitivity to light or sound

Common causes of cervicogenic headaches

Cervicogenic headaches are often influenced by posture and work habits:

Prolonged computer work
Poor posture with slouching or “turtle neck”
Prolonged muscle tension in the neck
Lack of exercise

Self-help methods for cervicogenic headaches

To manage cervicogenic headaches, you can target different structures:

Cervical joints: Use your left middle and ring fingers to gently press the same-side posterior cervical vertebrae, turn your head to the right, and repeat 20 times, 3 sets.
Neck small muscles: Gently massage the muscles at the base of the skull (wind pool acupoint, marked in red) for 2-3 minutes.
Neck large muscles: Massage the sternocleidomastoid muscle (marked in yellow) and the trapezius muscle (marked in blue) for 2-3 minutes, then do 20-second neck stretches, 3 sets.

Start with improving your sitting posture

Maintaining proper sitting posture can greatly reduce the load on the cervical spine and muscles, minimizing injury and muscle tension. The ideal posture is to keep your back and waist straight, eyes level, and chin slightly tucked in.

If the problem persists despite self-care, it’s recommended to see a professional therapist for a thorough assessment, postural analysis, and targeted treatment.

MANA Core Values

Integration of Eastern and Western Medicine, Multidimensional Therapy
Reshaping Structural Integrity to Achieve Inner and Outer Balance
Guiding Body Perception to Think & Foster a Healthy Lifestyle
Conducted by Registered TCM Practitioners and Physiotherapists for Examination and Treatment

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