Headaches come in various forms, each with its own cause. The three primary types are:

Cervicogenic headaches.

Cervicogenic headaches stem from neck pain linked to the upper three neck vertebrae. They arise from conditions like concussion or arthritis, and work strain too, especially in jobs needing prolonged head or neck bending, like hairdressers, truck drivers, chefs, nail technicians, and jewelers.

Musculoskeletal headaches.

Headaches caused by muscle and bone issues, often stem from tightness in the neck. Physical problems, like imbalance or injury, along with stress, usually trigger these headaches. Whiplash, a neck injury, is a typical example. It involves tearing or stretching neck muscles and tissues, which can cause severe pain in the head, face, neck, and shoulders.

Tension headaches.

Tension headaches, the most frequent type, stem from repetitive movements or bad neck/head posture. They arise when the dura mater—a sensitive layer surrounding the brain—gets strained. Nearby tiny skull muscles then spasm, prompting pain signals and resulting in a headache.