Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic

This advanced postgraduate lecture examines the diagnosis and management of cervicogenic headache within chiropractic practice. Emphasis is placed on upper cervical anatomy, trigeminocervical convergence, and the clinical features that distinguish cervicogenic headache from migraine, tension-type, and serious secondary causes. Participants will refine their differential diagnosis process, strengthen risk stratification, and integrate evidence-informed chiropractic care to enhance patient safety and clinical outcomes.

• •Identify the anatomical and neurophysiological mechanisms underlying cervicogenic headache, including trigeminocervical convergence and upper cervical nociception
• •Apply evidence-based diagnostic criteria and clinical examination techniques to accurately differentiate cervicogenic headache from migraine, tension-type headache, and serious secondary headache disorders
• •Perform comprehensive risk stratification using validated screening tools and red flag identification to ensure appropriate case selection and patient safety
• •Evaluate the role of cervical spine dysfunction in headache pathogenesis and explain the relationship between mechanical dysfunction and symptom presentation
• •Integrate evidence-informed chiropractic interventions, including manipulation, mobilization, and adjunctive therapies, into a multimodal management approach
• •Develop patient-centered treatment plans that incorporate appropriate referral pathways and interprofessional collaboration when indicated