What Is a Cervicogenic Headache? (And Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed)

What if your headaches are actually coming from your neck? In this episode of the Headache Doctor Podcast, Dr. Taves breaks down one of the most overlooked—and most important—headache diagnoses: cervicogenic headache. A cervicogenic headache simply means a headache that originates from the neck. Yet despite being incredibly common, it’s often missed, misdiagnosed, or mistaken for migraines, occipital neuralgia, vestibular disorders, and other headache conditions. Dr. Taves explains why traditional imaging often misses the problem, how the upper neck can refer pain into the head and face, and why understanding the source of your symptoms is critical for finding lasting relief. We cover: What a cervicogenic headache actually is Why neck problems are frequently overlooked How neck dysfunction can create migraine-like symptoms Why X-rays and MRIs often miss the root issue The connection between cervicogenic headaches and dizziness How the three-spoke framework helps uncover the real cause of symptoms If you’ve been told your scans are normal but you still have headaches, migraines, dizziness, or pain behind the eye, this episode may change the way you think about your symptoms. 👉 Get your questions about neck-related headaches, cervicogenic headaches, dizziness, and root-cause healing answered inside our FREE Virtual Headache & Migraine Community: https://www.skool.com/headache-freedom/about 👉 Novera: Headache Center