Cervicogenic headaches
Headaches that start in the neck and refer up into the head, often on one side.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
A cervicogenic headache is a headache driven by the joints, muscles and nerves of the upper neck. The pain often starts at the base of the skull and spreads over one side of the head, and it can be mistaken for migraine.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with cervicogenic headaches. You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
These headaches tend to respond well to treatment aimed at the upper neck. We assess the joints and muscles there, then use gentle mobilisation, soft tissue work and dry needling, plus exercises to restore control, with the aim of easing the pain at its source.
- Upper neck assessment
- Gentle joint mobilisation
- Dry needling and soft tissue release
- Neck control exercises
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Spinal and joint mobilisation
Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.
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Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
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Soft tissue release
Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.
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What you pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
How is this different from a migraine?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Read more on this
Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about cervicogenic headaches, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.