Cervicogenic headache: the neck is a generator: con
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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Minimally Invasive Surgical Decompression of Occipital Nerves
Published on: September 13, 2024
1Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
Cervicogenic headache (CeH) is a well-recognized headache syndrome, distinguishable from other primary and secondary headaches. Although in some cases a cervical lesion may be detected in connection with the headache, many CeH patients have no demonstrable lesion. Besides, most of the frequent cervical diseases, such as spondylosis and disc herniations, do not present with headache of the cervicogenic type. This suggests that the neck is not an independent headache generator. CeH may depend in addition on a central predisposition counterpart, leading to the activation of the trigeminovascular system and pain generation.
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