Dear SigMIk and Philip101

Lmao...stalking is such a strong word, far from it, on the contrary I am enjoying your comments as i find them logical and make sense. Philip101's headaches seem to have a vascular component to it, I only say this cos I saw a gentleman (elderly man) who also presented with something similar. He was presenting with two forms of headaches, one that occurred after a meal with an aura (which i put down to a migrane), the second that occurred when he bent his neck sometimes hitting him whilst he is walking, this headache was strong enough to cause temporary blindness and unstaediness (this I put down to a vascular reason probably due to his cervical Wikipedia reference-linkspondylosis).

It is perhaps best to have an accepted definition of what a cervicogenic headache is, in lay mans terms headache that starts from the neck or Headaches that results from problems with the neck. Philip101, do you have neck pains?


I would relate headaches with disturbances to vision to a vascular element or a migraine only because cervicogenic headaches, while they can make around the eyes, they usually dont cause visual disturbances (unless degenerative like our man above) however they are related somewhat to certain cervical movements. This I have seen many times. Why it doesnt fit the pattern of a true cervicogenic headache is sleep is the main aggravator and rising up in the morning relieves it (with a cervicogenic headache it will still be there even when you wake up). Cervicogenic headaches often do not to cover the entire head (with the cases I have seen).

There might be some element of a cervicogenic pattern to it as you have rightly said predominantly because neck muscles will alway tense up, I find that in cervicogenic headaches the distribution of the nerves in question always seem tender (the mandibles, the eyebrows, scalp) especially when you roll the skin underneath your fingers. Is this the case with you Philip101? This not a full on diagnostic criteria, I only say this from what I have noticed clinically. If a headache were truly cervicogenic, interventions focus on the cervical spine to normalize the tension and improve range should make the difference, however it doesnt seem like this is the case for you (i dont know what treatments you've had from the osteopath or physio).

When we get up from lying to sitting or standing, our blood pressure usually goes up primarily as the heart takes command of the demand placed on it against gravity...it gives preference to our vital organs particularly the brain because its above...

In theory, these would be the advantages of carrying out deep flexor exercises...less strain on the abnormal recruitment of neck stabilizers...possibly a reduction in the cervicogenic component of your headache if it is the problem...
secondly better posture will indirectly mean better cervical spine movement, more room for blood flow to the brain

Like SigMik has suggested perhaps your blood pressure drops too low when you are in the recumbent position? Low blood pressure and headaches most likely would have other symptoms as well, dizziness as you rise up from sleep (likely), some nausea (likely)...

Exploring your day to day activities activities should be your own form of investigation...i would start of with what Im eating, when im eating, what Im eating before exercise or if i have eaten prior to exercise or not...


However, all headaches can present during sleep periods. Not having the right amount of sugar in the system before sleeping can cause night headaches, Also after exercising, if you become hypoglycemic, this can present as a headache (it is sensible to think that there would be an increase in bloodflow if you get hypoglycemic which might explain your feeling of blood rushing, however this does not explain why you get this feeling when your head is bent almost everytime, and your age does not support the possibility of a degenerative spine...cant say, dont have x-ray eyes as this might suggest a cervicogenic origin).

having a stressful day can present with night headaches, being a guy who occassionally has a pint or two with friends I always have night time headaches after this. One thing is definite, you headache is unlikely to be cervicogenic in its entirety if it is at all....

The advice to see a neurologist is a sensible one, Do you feel your headaches are getting worse?

Cheers