PACT Physio & Rehab
PACT Physio & Rehab / Injuries we treat / Cervicogenic headaches

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

Book an assessment Call (02) 8330 6776
The condition

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

Signs and symptoms

Everyone is different, but these are common with cervicogenic headaches. You may have some and not others.

Pain starting at the base of the skullUsually one sidedSpreads to the forehead or behind the eyeWorse with certain neck positionsReduced neck movementTender upper neck
Treatment

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
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Physiotherapy for Cervicogenic headaches at PACT Physio & Rehab in Miranda, NSW
Treatment options

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 | PACT Physio Miranda

Spinal and joint mobilisation

Gentle, controlled movement to improve a stiff joint and ease the pain that comes with it.

Learn more →

 Trigger point dry needling | PACT Physio Miranda

Trigger point dry needling

Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.

Learn more →

 Soft tissue release | PACT Physio Miranda

Soft tissue release

Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.

Learn more →
Fees and rebates

What you will actually pay

The full fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. Once your cover is applied, here is what you actually pay.

Full fee, no cover
Initial · 60 min $165
Follow up · 40 min $142

Before any rebate. Private paying is welcome, and your fee buys the whole session, never a rushed 20 minutes.

$165
$142
Initial
Follow up
With a Medicare plan
Initial $103.20
Follow up $80.20

A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.

$103.20
$80.20
Initial
Follow up
With private health extras
Initial $60 to $100
Follow up $40 to $80

The usual out of pocket once you claim on the spot, depending on your level of cover.

$60 to $100
$40 to $80
Initial
Follow up
Workers comp & CTP
No out of pocket
Initial $0
Follow up $0

Nothing for you to pay at any visit. Accepted workers compensation and CTP motor accident claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.

$0
$0
Initial
Follow up

The bars compare what an initial and a follow up visit cost you on each pathway.

See full fees and rebates. Telehealth with PACT Virtual Care is charged at the same rates, Australia wide.

Related injuries

Other problems we help with

Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.

Tension headaches Neck pain Suboccipital muscle pain Whiplash Jaw and TMJ pain All injuries we treat →
Frequently asked questions

Good to know before you book

How is this different from a migraine?
Cervicogenic headaches are driven by the neck, so they often change with neck movement and sit on one side. Migraine has different features. We assess to tell them apart and treat the neck component.
How much will it cost?
Initial physiotherapy is $165 for 60 minutes and follow ups are $142 for 40 minutes. Approved workers comp and CTP appointments are billed directly to the insurer.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book privately. Referrals are required for Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans and most claim pathways.
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Many problems can be assessed and guided well by telehealth through PACT Virtual Care, with hands on treatment added at the Miranda clinic when it helps.

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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Get on top of cervicogenic headaches

Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.

Book online Call (02) 8330 6776
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