By: Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Many Americans living with chronic headaches are not aware that the origin of their pain may be in the neck rather than the head itself. Cervicogenic headache, pain that originates in the cervical spine and refers into the head, has been estimated to account for approximately 15 to 20 percent of chronic headaches in some clinical populations and is recognized as significantly underdiagnosed in the literature. For patients in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, and across Broward County who have cycled through migraine medications and neurological referrals without lasting relief, evaluation of a cervical source can be a meaningful step in updating their care plan.
Cervicogenic headaches are generally understood not to respond reliably to migraine-specific medications because the underlying mechanism is different. They are commonly described as originating from structural dysfunction in the cervical spine, including facet joint inflammation, disc-related changes, and suboccipital muscle tension. Clinical care for cervicogenic headache typically focuses on these musculoskeletal sources alongside symptom management.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I evaluate chronic headache patients with specific attention to the cervical spine, integrating laser therapy, Graston Technique, and chiropractic care in a combined approach to addressing both the neck pain and the associated headache pattern.
What Is Cervicogenic Headache and How Is It Different From Migraine?
The upper cervical spine has neurological connections that extend into territories traditionally associated with headache. The C1, C2, and C3 nerve roots converge with the trigeminal nucleus caudalis, the brainstem structure that processes pain from the face, scalp, and head. This anatomical convergence is the recognized basis for how irritation of upper cervical structures can generate pain that patients and clinicians experience as headache.
Cervicogenic headache is typically one-sided, often begins in the neck and radiates forward, may be provoked or worsened by neck movement or sustained cervical postures, and is frequently accompanied by restricted cervical mobility and tenderness at the base of the skull. The musculoskeletal origin is one reason cervicogenic headache may not respond to migraine-specific medications in the same way migraine does.
Research published in Pain Research and Management, including a 2019 systematic review, has examined photobiomodulation therapy for cervical pain and disability and reported favorable outcomes across multiple studies. Cervical pain is one of the structural factors associated with cervicogenic headache.
How Does the Modern Screen Environment Contribute to Cervical Strain?
Research on forward head posture, including work by Hansraj published in Surgical Technology International in 2014, has used biomechanical modeling to estimate that the effective compressive load on the cervical spine increases substantially as the head tilts forward. Modeled forces range from approximately 27 pounds at 15 degrees of flexion to approximately 60 pounds at 60 degrees, compared with a head weight of approximately 10 to 12 pounds in a neutral position. Forward head posture is now widely associated with smartphone and desk use, and additional research has documented changes in cervical lordosis in adult screen-using populations. These structural patterns are part of the broader clinical conversation about cervical pain and cervicogenic headache in screen-using populations.
How Is the Regenerative Medical Laser™ Protocol Used for Cervicogenic Headache at Hollywood Laser Pain Center?
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, the Regenerative Medical Laser™ protocol uses near-infrared laser energy directed at the upper cervical region, the suboccipital musculature, and the posterior cervical facet joints as part of a non-pharmacological care plan. Photobiomodulation has been studied for its potential influence on local inflammatory processes in cervical structures and on the soft tissue environment around chronically irritated joints and muscles.
Research published in the Journal of Pain Research has examined photobiomodulation in patients with cervicogenic and tension-type headache patterns, reporting improvements in headache frequency and intensity measures across multiple studies. Treatment plans at Hollywood Laser Pain Center are developed on an individual basis following clinical evaluation.
What Does Graston Technique Add for Headache Patients?
The suboccipital muscles, the small, dense muscles at the base of the skull, are neurologically important structures that are commonly involved in cervicogenic and tension-type headache patterns. Modern screen use can contribute to chronic tension and fascial restriction in these muscles, with referred pain patterns into the posterior head, temporal region, and area behind the eyes well documented in the clinical literature.
Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization method. Applied to the suboccipital musculature, cervical paraspinals, and upper thoracic region, it is designed to address fascial restrictions and trigger points at a different level than laser therapy alone. It is often used in combination with other modalities as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for chronic headache patients with a cervical component.
Visit reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/ to learn more. Patient education content is available at youtube.com/@ReliefNowNation. Contact Hollywood Laser Pain Center at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333 | reliefnowlaser.com/providers/hollywood/
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
