What Is A Cervicogenic Headache?

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, a Cervicogenic headache is a secondary headache disorder that is classified as a headache with neck pain due to possible dysfunction in joints, muscles, discs, ligaments and neurological structures. The current body of evidence would suggest that cervicogenic headache is largely due to these physiological structures stimulating afferent nerve fibres creating pain pathways into the head that present themselves as a headache.

At the Sydney Headache and Migraine Clinic, we expect significant improvement in 90% of our patients with cervicogenic headaches, within the first 3 weeks of treatment.

Schedule your Cervicogenic Headache Treatment today and start feeling better.

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Cervigongenic Headache Treatment - Sydney Headache & Migraine Clinic

Understanding Your Symptoms

Common symptoms experienced by Cervicogenic Headache patients

Due to the nature of cervicogenic headaches, patients symptoms are predominantly one sided with mild to moderate intensity of pain that is localised to the neck and can refer into the head and face. With Cervicogenic headaches, the pain occurs due to another condition stimulating the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. This condition refers to a dysfunction along the cervical joints of the neck.

Those suffering from cervicogenic headaches may experience:

one sided dull ache, pulsating or sharp pain along the side and forehead

pain along the eye

ringing in ears (tinnitus)

neck stiffness with loss of neck range of motion

discomfort along the neck

lack of concentration

a feeling of dizziness

nausea with or without vomiting

depression

More information about Cervicogenic Headaches

Chronic Daily Headache - Sydney Headache & Migraine Clinic

Better Understand Your Cervicogenic Headaches

What causes Cervicogenic Headaches?

Current evidence would suggest that an acute injury or dysfunction to neck can cause pain to be referred to the head. This may have been a result of a sudden neck injury such as a fall, whiplash from motor vehicle accident, blow or strike to head or similar injury. All injuries are multi faceted, and some may not have an exact incident and may be due to multiple factors. In this case, it may be due to repetitive strain injury (RSI) from either occupation, sport, sleeping in awkward position or prolonged sitting posture.

Prolonged forehead posture can place tremendous strain on neck muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves. A prime example of this is office-type workers adopting a prolonged poor posture without changing their position frequently, or people using their phone, book or computer with their head leaning forwards and adopting a poor posture position. Similarly tradespeople, such as painters, plasterers, builders and electricians, also run the risk of developing cervicogenic headache if they constantly work above their heads or looking down for long periods of time. It should be noted that these activities are not dangerous, however, if done for long periods without changing positions can lead to RSI type injuries. These can all cause repetitive strain injury (RSI) to the neck and, overtime, develop into a cervicogenic headache.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We instigate an in-depth assessment to identify all possible related factors that could be causing your headaches or migraines. The upper cervical spine, in particular, is thoroughly examined to identify possible issues.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

We undertake careful examination of neck ligaments and vertebral arteries, ensuring only the highest standards of patient safety and comfort.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

As a part of the treatment process, we apply gentle and selective stress to the upper cervical spine in order to reproduce headache symptoms, which subside after 20-30 seconds. This helps to identify and treat the cause of your headaches.

More information about Cervicogenic Headache

Neck Injury and Dysfunction

When an injury occurs to the neck it can cause dysfunction to the neck, which will stimulate afferent nerve fibres. This sends a signals to the head which is perceived as pain, this is known as cervicogenic headache. Cervicogenic Headaches patients will exhibit dysfunction in the following upper three cervical spine segments, known as C1, C2, and C3.

* O-C1 Atlanto-Occipital joint

* C1-2 Atlanto-Axial joint

* C2-3 Second and third Cervical spine

Sensitised Brainstem

Research indicates that the epicentre of cervicogenic headaches is believed to come from a sensitised brainstem, more importantly an overactive trigeminal cervical nucleus. A brainstem that is sensitised will perceive non-threatening stimuli such as movement or light touch, and create pain to be felt where the sensory information was originally detected.

Those suffering from cervicogenic headaches will have a dysfunction along the O-C1, C1-2, C2-3 or all of the combined 3 segments of the upper cervical spine. The brainstem and more importantly, the Trigemino-Cervical Nucleus (TCN) is located in the upper three cervical spine.

The heightened brainstem sensitivity causes a ‘hyper-excitability’ of non-painful sensations which causes the trigeminal cervical nucleus to relay the sensory information to the brain. However, due to the heightened sensation, the brain perceives the information as harmful and Cervicogenic Headache sufferes experience headaches and potentially migraine pain.

I have been to numerous health care providers. What makes you different?

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

Many health care provers use blanket treatment options that are outdate and ineffective. Here at Sydney Headache and Migraine Clinic™, we have a special interest in treating migraines and headaches.

We utlise an evidence based approach with up-to-date literature to give the most effective treatment. With the clinic having a special interest in migraines and headaches, we have treated a large number of cervicogenic headache patients with successful results. Our methodology is based on examining your upper cervical spine to determine if you have a sensitised brainstem. If the cause of your cervicogenic headache is due to having a hypersensitive brainstem, we use our approach to de-sensitise your brainstem.

We expect our treatment to significantly reduce your symptoms within the first 3 weeks. If we feel that we cannot help you we will let you know after the initial assessment. Our treatment approach dramatically reduces cervicogenic headaches in 85-90% of sufferers. The best part of our treatment approach is that it is non-invasive, surgery free and drug-free.

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Christina Shrestha

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Very good service

Glen Kaminski

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Helped greatly with cluster headaches.

Roberts Štops

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Professional treatment

Lauren Newby

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Cindy Licastro

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I would recommend to anyone who suffers from migraines to give Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic a go.I have gone... from having in average a migraine a week to less than one every 2-3 months. My migraines are from a neck/ shoulder injury.My first initial appointment with practitioner Mattias McAndrew made me feel he understood my concerns/issues. Which is extremely important and worked out an unusual therapy for me! It given me a renewed interest in life. I am achieving new heights and experiences from the results of my visits.Would highly recommend.read more

Samantha

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Mattias has been fantastic! I have had debilitating migraines for years and this treatment is the only thing that has... ever helped. My migraines have almost halved since the start of treatment!read more

Keryn Masters

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Fantastic expertise and service, highly recommend, they have restored my quality of life and health. Very grateful.

Rohani Mitchell

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I have recommended this clinic to multiple people. I was experiencing daily headaches and migraines when I first came... to see Matthias, and now only get them only once or twice a month, or not at all. Very grateful.read more

Alix Low

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Had migraines almost daily. Have only had 1 migraine since seeing Jenny in October. 10/10 would recommend

Alberto Gomez

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I used to suffer from migraines at least twice a month and thanks to Piumi H. they have receded to only one per... quarter. If you suffer migraines you should try it, they will evaluate if the treatment will work for you and after 3 sessions you can start to see results.read more

Samuel Cox

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I have been seeing Dr. Woo for about 6 months now and he has been helping me manage my migraines fantastically.I used... to get on average 2 migraines a month, now I have gone 4 months with no migraines.The cause of my migraines was very quickly diagnosed and its clear the team here prioritise the goal of self management, not the reliance on medication and continuous appointments.Can recommend to anyone who suffers from Chronic Migraines, it may well be a life changer for you.read more

Rebecca Sheraton

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Very helpful. Compassionate and great at managing my condition of vestibular migraines and vertigo.

Gina Kearney

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Douglas is great. Very caring and helpful.

Rammari

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Megan Rollman

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I have been attending Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for over a year and Mattias has really helped me. The... occurrence and severity of my migraines and aura attacks have greatly reduced. I no longer have to take days off work to recover.read more

Gayle Roberts

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Katy Pearce

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Jenny has been incredibly helpful with my neck pain and headaches.I’ve been to other physios for the same thing with... no result.Highly recommend the team here.read more

Nathan Wrench

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I've had migraines weekly for over 10 years with no real relief from any prescription medication or help from medical... practitioners, until i saw Dr Mattias. He has been an incredible help in finding the reason behind my migraines and is now in the process of fixing them.I would highly recommend giving Brisbane Migraine and Headache Clinic if you are suffering from any sort of mirgaines.read more

Lachlan Chaffey

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I would highly recommend Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic to anyone seeking a life free from headaches and... medication Practitioner Mattias McAndrew and the reception staff are very professional and accommodating to patient needs as I live out of Brisbane right from when I contacted them through www.brisbanemigraine.com.au and most importantly have made a huge difference to my migraines which has also made me feel like getting back into living and enjoying life. Thank you to all the team at Brisbane Headache & Migraine Clinic.read more

Sinead Prince

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I was suffering from a terrible cluster headache period and upon my very first treatment with Piumi, I haven't had a... single headache reaching the same 10/10 pain again. It's been two weeks and multiple sessions, but I have my life back already and am treating my headaches with either caffeine or aspirin. I go several days without them now and I cannot thank Piumi enough.read more

Leisa Burdette

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When I first met Piumi at the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic I was experiencing a cocktail of god awful symptoms... like constant head pain + pressure, that included feeling dizzy, disconnected and a roaring/static sensations in the head, to the point where it made me tired and often times nauseous. I couldn't focus which made it very difficult for me to work or do day-to-day tasks. By the time I found the clinic I'd had MRI, CT's, seen Neurologists and other specialist.So you can imagine just how RELIEVED I was to find something that worked........ and worked really rather quickly. I'm so grateful to see that all my nasty symptoms have now been kicked to the curb!I'm no longer weighed down, I'm so much happier and back to working full time.And can I say......Piumi listened !! so many of the medical profession only half listened or just presumed things. Piumi just took it all in, heard all the details of MY experience and treated MY situation with individual care.I can't tell you how good it feels to be back to normal.So don't think about it... GO... try it...... you'll be as happy as I am that you did. No more pain, no more despair. Live againread more

Rebecca Agius

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From the get-go I've found the staff at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic to be really understanding and... professional. I flew from Rockhampton in search of answers after nine years of intensive tension headaches, Migraine, and nausea that have been ruling my life. After both a Neurologist and Neurosurgeon reached the end of their skill-sets and gave up on me in the past year I googled and found Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic and decided to give them a go. Piumi was very professional and compassionate for what I've been going through and she believed me when I told her that I think it's all coming from my neck. She was able to very gently recreate the pain to determine that she had found the source of the headaches. She performed a treatment on me in that first appointment and for the first time in nearly a decade, I was headache free for weeks on end, with the occasional day here and there that I needed pain relief in the weeks after that. Since there are no practitioners of the technique needed to treat my neck in my hometown, Piumi has been willing to work closely with a Physio closer to my home in between times when I can make it to Brisbane for treatment with her, for which I am truly grateful! It's no exaggeration to say that meeting Piumi and the team at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic has changed my life infinitely for the better. Thank you so much for everything! Beck Agiusread more

Niecky

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Highly recommend! I have been seeing Piumi to work on the headaches I've been dealing with for a while and she is an... amazing and caring practitioner! It improved within the first few sessions which has helped a lot! It was good to hear the details about what's been causing my headaches and getting the proper treatment and advice.read more

Shalyn Rye

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Could not recommend this clinic or Dr. Piumi enough. For the last few years (about 4) I have suffered from painful,... chronic tension headaches & migraines affecting my vision, causing nausea and if you suffer from them you know how much they take away from your life. I have cried tears of happiness with the appreciation I have for Dr. Piumi & how she has helped me gain my life back after only 4-5 appointments! I now only have one headache maybe once a week or two that quickly finish. Which in comparison to previously, mine would last for hours, days, sometimes even a week. I could even go to sleep & wake up with the same one no matter what I tried. I exhausted all my options before coming here & I wish I went sooner! You will not regret coming here. They will change your life.read more

Mike Rowland

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Migraine suffer since I can remember, haven't had results like I have here. Mattias McAndrew out of Spring Hill has... explained things much clearer than others in the past, and the treatments make total sense and have worked fantastically so far. Massive recommend.read more

Rodney Wallis

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Absolutely astounded with the results of Piumi Herath treatment. I was having migraines on an average of one every... month for about . 20 years. Piumis manipulation treatment really produced the positive results I was looking for. No pharmacy drug has ever matched Piumi's treatment. My last migraine was in mid January. It is now mid June. On a lighter note, I have nicknamed Piumi, ASPRO.Thanks ASPRO for a job well done and relieved me of the debilitating effects of crippling migraines.read more

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Working with Piumi these last few months has been amazing.I have suffered with Migraines and incapacitating headaches... for the last 10+ years. I had started to believe that I would never work a normal week.Through weekly, then fortnightly appointments she has assisted me with learning stretches, desensitisation and minor adjustments.It’s this combo that has taken my migraines from daily, to weekly.It’s been a change that has allowed me to be consistent with my work, and to become more involved in my family.If you are interested in a non- drug relief option, I highly suggest giving this clinic a try!read more

Lisa Bird

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I have Occipital Neuralgia ( chronic pain and headaches daily). It is a very difficult condition to treat and after... multiple treatments, procedures and seeing many physiotherapists, I have finally found a clinic that has given me some relief. Some relief is huge to me. I felt an instant feeling of being in good hands following my first appointment. I saw Mattais, he was thorough, professional, knowledgeable and best of all empathetic. He was also the first professional to explain to me why i have facial pain and how to manage my tense painful jaw.I travel about 4 hrs in total to see him so he must be good. The receptionists are lovely and you are made to feel very welcome at the clinic, it's a great team environment and i am very appreciative of all their help.read more

Heather Dale

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From my first viewing of the BHMC website to my rehabilitation stage, I have been so impressed! With my background as a... Physiotherapist, I knew what I was looking for but my treatment has surpassed expectations. My goal to become migraine free now seems possible. I have been a compliant patient during my treatment program in order to maximize the outcome. From the friendly, competent administration staff using efficient systems to the amazing knowledge & skills of Mattias, this Clinic provides an essential service to migraine sufferers. I highly recommend it!read more

Christine Cansfield-Smith

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I was very impressed with the professionalism of the BHMC. Prior to my visit (and we travelled from Victoria for the... treatment) the staff were helpful and friendly. We recommend the Clinic just for the high level of customer service...even before the treatment! Piumi Herath was wonderful and very efficient. She was a delight to see each visit. I was only able to have 6 treatments over two weeks but I feel so much better already. I do believe that my migraines and headaches are on the way to being cured permanently. Thank you so much to all at BHMC!read more

Chloe White

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My life has turned around since I started to see Ariel. She was quick to located the root of my discomfort and told me... exactly how she could fix it. Flash forward 8 months and I only have to go in for maintenance appointments and have no migraines anymore. I can’t recommend her and the team at Brisbane Migraine Clinics enoughread more

Jenny

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Weekly debilitating migraines were starting to really affect my quality of life. After the very first treatment with... Ariel I felt relief and have continued to improve. Would highly recommend her as a caring, understanding and very experienced practitioner and cannot thank her enough for discovering the cause of my migraines. So grateful for the support of Ariel.read more

Joh Embrey

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Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic has been an absolute life saver for me. When I came in I was suffering from... frequent and debilitating headaches and migraines. The staff are very friendly here and Mattias the head practitioner is very good at what he does. I am now about 3 weeks headache free when previously they were daily. Highly recommend to anyone suffering from headaches. I’d also recommend the pillow as this has helped dramatically. I found it very uncomfortable at first, but now I can’t sleep without and I don’t wake up with a headache or stiff neck anymore.read more

Vicky Bautista

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I've been suffering from chronic headaches for a long time. Then we found this clinic and met Douglas. Usually my... headaches last a week, but when I started my treatments with Douglas my headaches have improved. He found what was causing my headaches and worked towards fixing it the root. I really recommend Douglas and their clinic!read more

susan grech

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Really happy to recommend the Clinic and Piumi to anyone who is experiencing migraines. My condition has really... improved in the 6 weeks I have been attending the Clinic, and Piumi is a very knowledgeable and caring practitioner.read more

Tiffany Morris

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After suffering monthly (sometimes more often) migraines for 15+ years that would keep me from school/work, I saw a... billboard and decided to try Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic.After seeing Ariel for my initial round of treatment and continue to attend once every 4/5 months, I have had 1 migraine in that time (right at the start of the treatment).Ariel is amazing and recommend her and the Brisbane Migraine Clinic very highly!read more

Hyatt Narsh

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Ariel has done wonders for my migraines and I can’t be more happy with the results! So professional and welcoming.... Recommend their services and Ariel to everyone!read more

Cheryl-lee Morgan

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My son was suffering badly with severe migraines causing nausea, vomiting and excessive pain multiple times a week. ... From the very first session he began to notice some relief. After a month of treatment he has been and remains now 4 months down the track migraine free. Can not recommend Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic and Douglas Woo enough to anyone seeking help for a long term medication free solution! Absolutely fantastic!read more

Amy Wallace

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I have had migraines for more than 10 years. Since going to the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic, my migraines... have reduced in frequency, duration, and intensity. The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. In addition to their treatment, they are also able to give you tools to help manage your migraines between appointments.read more

J.A. Montgomery

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David Appleby has a caring, gentle manner yet is knowledgeable, competent and open minded. He has a wholistic approach... in that he looks at your whole life and habits – stress, sleeping habits and position, posture, fitness, everything and I think having this multi-pronged approach to tackle serious issues like migraines and vertigo is crucial. There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding the whole vertigo/migraine biso. I don’t get full-blown debilitating headaches but have had the weird zigzaggy visual aura that often goes hand in hand with migraines. And I have experienced the frightening vertigo that really stopped me in my tracks. I learned from David how important one’s neck and brainstem are and several bad habits (hunching over computer, phone, and while reading) over many years can trigger or exacerbate serious issues like vertigo. He helped me to change several of my bad habits and to protect my neck at all times with a simple exercise that I now do faithfully. The first time I had a full-blown bout of vertigo I was so scared and worried it might be something I’d have to live with and part of getting old, and now I have my mojo back and know I can stay on top of my balance and health by ensuring I continue with a few basic things that David taught me. I am starting a new chapter in my life now that I am retired and I still have a lot of living to do so I am thrilled to be feeling confident that I will be able to travel, cycle, kayak, ski, dance, play pickleball, try jiujitsu and anything else that takes my fancy. Instead of slowing down and having my world become smaller and allowing fear to stop me, I know now there is a lot I can do to control and steer my own future. Thank you, David, for helping me to work out what I need to do! Every client reading this … listen to David, do your homework religiously, and be confident you can get your life back again.read more

Lori Cousland

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David is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and approachable.I had been suffering with shoulder, neck, skull,... head pain, and headaches constantly for years.Eventually I ended up in an emergency ward with vomiting, unable to communicate and walk and no vision. I spent the night in hospital with a tick from the Drs that I had suffered a migraine and good luck in the future.Pain medication hadn’t worked for years. I was exhausted physically and mentally from the daily battle of pain.Within a couple of visits of seeing David my brain-fog and daily pain dramatically decreased whilst my memory, speech, and general daily tasks and mood improved.I’ve tried many other therapies over many years.This is, by far, the only one that has worked for me.I can not recommend David any more highly.On top of that he’s just an all round nice guy.Thank you for giving me my life back.read more

Jann Osborne

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After years of trying chiropractors, acupuncture and normal physio to get rid of my headaches and fatigue, I was... finally recommended to the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. I have been seeing Matthias at Spring Hill who has done marvels! I am off the heavy medications, my fatigue has gone and any headaches are manageable and the number significantly reduced. I would highly recommend the team at BHMC.read more

amandeep Kaur

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Before I started going to this migraine clinic , I had a incredibly painful migraine. I tried so many medicines but... nothing helped . One day , I saw this migraine clinic and then I started going to there to get a treatment from Dr Douglas Woo. After some time of treatment , my migraine is reduced by a lot. I have gotten the best results from this clinic.read more

Phoebe Worth

1662551701

So glad I found this clinic - since I started seeing Mattias a couple of months ago my headaches have noticeably... reduced in both frequency and severity. Definitely recommend giving it a goread more

Travis Brousseau

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I can honestly say Mattias and the Team were great to deal with and really helped reduced the frequency and intensity... of my headaches. It was refreshing to deal with a clinic that specialises in this condition opposed to doing many other concentrations. Highly recommended.read more

Katja Charters

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Effective, personalised and caring treatment. Recommended.

Katja Charters

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Efficient, personalised and caring service!

jessica torrens

1659598498

Been seeing David for the past 4 months, going from frequent migraines and constant headaches to absolutely nothing... anymore. Highly recommend !read more

Abbi Deane

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Mattias has done wonders! After countless specialist appointments and no luck I came to see Mattias. I was having daily... migraines and headaches. He did an examination of my neck and then gave me an outline on how the treatments will progress and started treatment right away. I now have less headaches and migraines and I am so relieved to have found a personable and reliable clinician to help me. I couldn’t recommend Brisbane Headache and Migraine clinic enough.read more

Anna Ilic

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I’m very happy with the treatment I have received from Ariel and the team at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic.... Pain free and feeling good!👍read more

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

Common symptoms experienced by Cervicogenic Headache patients

Those suffering from cervicogenic headaches may experience:

What causes Cervicogenic Headaches?

What To Expect During The Assessment

More information about Cervicogenic Headache

Neck Injury and Dysfunction

Sensitised Brainstem

Cervicogenic Headache Treatment

Book in your initial appointment to see an expert today