Does Spondylitis Cause Headaches? Causes, Neck Pain and Treatment
Yes, some conditions affecting the cervical spine can be associated with headaches, but “spondylitis” is not one single condition and not every headache is caused by the spine. People commonly use the word spondylitis when referring to cervical spondylosis, the age-related changes that affect the discs and joints in the neck.
Cervical spine problems can contribute to a cervicogenic headache, in which pain originating from structures in the neck is felt in the head. However, headaches can also result from migraine, tension-type headaches, infections and many other conditions.
Understanding the type of spinal condition and the pattern of the headache is important.
Can Spondylitis Cause Headaches?
It can, but the answer depends on what is meant by “spondylitis.”
Cervical conditions can cause neck pain and, in some people, contribute to headaches. The upper cervical spine shares connections with pain-sensitive structures in the head and face, which helps explain why pain originating in the neck can sometimes be perceived in the head.
A headache associated with the cervical spine is often called a cervicogenic headache.
However, simply having degenerative changes visible on a neck X-ray or MRI does not prove that those changes are causing a headache.
Spondylitis vs Spondylosis: What Is the Difference?
The terms spondylitis and spondylosis are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but they describe different concepts.
Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis refers to age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine. These can involve:
Intervertebral discs
Facet joints
Vertebral bones
Ligaments
Some people have cervical spondylosis without symptoms. Others develop neck pain, stiffness or neurological symptoms.
Spondylitis
Spondylitis generally refers to inflammation involving the spine.
One example is ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory condition that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints.
The symptoms and treatment of inflammatory spondylitis are different from those of ordinary age-related cervical spondylosis.
This distinction matters when assessing headaches associated with neck symptoms.
What Is a Cervicogenic Headache?
A cervicogenic headache is a headache caused by a disorder or irritation involving structures in the cervical spine or surrounding tissues.
The pain can begin around:
- The upper neck
- The base of the skull
- The back of the head
It can then spread toward the:
- Side of the head
- Forehead
- Temple
- Area behind the eye
The pain is often associated with neck symptoms.
Common features of cervicogenic headache
A person may experience:
- Pain that begins in the neck or back of the head
- Reduced neck movement
- Neck stiffness
- Pain that becomes worse with certain neck movements
- Pain mainly affecting one side of the head
- Tenderness around the neck or upper shoulder
Not everyone with neck pain develops a cervicogenic headache.
How Does a Cervical Problem Cause Headache?
The upper cervical spine and head have interconnected sensory nerve pathways.
Pain signals from structures in the upper neck can interact with pathways involved in sensation from the head. As a result, the brain can perceive pain originating in the neck as pain in the head.
This is known as referred pain.
It is one reason why a person can experience pain at the base of the skull or back of the head even when the source of the symptoms is in the neck.
What Does a Headache From the Neck Feel Like?
There is no single sensation that proves a headache is coming from the cervical spine.
A cervicogenic headache can involve:
- Dull or aching pain
- Pain at the base of the skull
- One-sided head pain
- Neck stiffness
- Reduced neck movement
- Pain aggravated by certain neck movements
The symptoms can overlap with other headache disorders, so diagnosis should not be based on pain location alone.
Can Cervical Spondylosis Cause Headaches?
Cervical spondylosis can be associated with neck pain and headaches in some people, but it does not mean that every headache in someone with cervical spondylosis is caused by the condition.
Cervical spondylosis is common as people age, and imaging can show degenerative changes in people who have no symptoms.
A clinician therefore considers:
- The pattern of neck pain
- Headache characteristics
- Neck movement
- Neurological examination
- Other symptoms
- Imaging when clinically appropriate
This helps determine whether the cervical spine is likely to be contributing to the headache.
You can read more about cervical spondylosis and its symptoms and treatment.
Can Cervical Spondylosis Cause Headaches and Dizziness?
Some people with cervical spine problems report both headache and dizziness, but dizziness has many possible causes.
It should not automatically be assumed that cervical spondylosis is responsible.
Dizziness accompanied by neurological symptoms, fainting, severe headache, vision changes, difficulty speaking or difficulty walking requires medical assessment.
Read our detailed guide to can cervical spondylosis cause dizziness.
How Is a Cervicogenic Headache Different From a Migraine?
Cervicogenic headache and migraine can overlap in their symptoms, but they are different disorders.
Cervicogenic headache | Migraine |
Originates from a cervical spine or neck-related source | A neurological headache disorder |
Often associated with neck pain or restricted movement | Can occur with or without neck pain |
May worsen with certain neck movements | Can involve throbbing or pulsating pain |
Often starts around the neck or back of the head | Can occur on one or both sides of the head |
May be associated with reduced neck movement | Nausea and sensitivity to light or sound can occur |
This table is a general guide rather than a diagnostic test. A migraine can involve neck pain, and a cervicogenic headache can resemble other types of headache.
Can Tension Headaches Be Caused by Neck Problems?
Neck and shoulder muscle tension can accompany tension-type headaches.
However, it is important not to assume that muscle tightness is always the underlying cause of a headache.
Tension-type headache is a distinct headache disorder, while cervicogenic headache specifically involves a cervical source.
What Are the Symptoms of Cervical Spondylosis Besides Headaches?
Cervical spondylosis can cause symptoms such as:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Reduced neck movement
- Pain around the shoulder
- Pain travelling into the arm
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness when nerves are compressed
Some people have cervical spondylosis without any symptoms at all.
When the spinal cord becomes significantly compressed, symptoms can be more serious and can include problems with hand function, balance or walking.
Can Cervical Spondylosis Headaches Be Cured?
The answer depends on the underlying cause.
A headache caused by temporary muscle strain or a treatable neck problem can improve when the underlying issue is addressed.
Degenerative changes associated with cervical spondylosis cannot simply be reversed, but symptoms can often be managed.
The objective is to identify what is producing the symptoms rather than assuming that every headache is caused by degeneration seen on an imaging scan.
When Should You See a Doctor About a Headache?
You should seek medical assessment when headaches:
- Keep returning
- Are becoming more frequent or severe
- Occur with persistent neck pain
- Are associated with arm numbness or weakness
- Are interfering with normal activities
- Develop after a significant injury
- Are new and unexplained
When Is a Headache an Emergency?
Some headache symptoms require urgent medical attention.
Seek emergency assessment for a sudden, extremely severe headache, particularly when it is accompanied by:
- Loss of consciousness
- New weakness or numbness
- Difficulty speaking
- New vision problems
- Severe confusion
- Difficulty walking
- Seizure
- Repeated vomiting
- Fever with severe neck stiffness
A new neurological symptom should not automatically be attributed to cervical spondylosis or another neck condition.
Conclusion
Spondylitis does not automatically cause headaches, and the terminology matters. Cervical spondylosis, inflammatory spondylitis and other cervical conditions are different problems.
A cervical spine disorder can contribute to a cervicogenic headache, which may begin around the upper neck or base of the skull and spread into the head. However, migraine, tension-type headache, occipital neuralgia and other conditions can cause similar symptoms.
If headaches are persistent, worsening or accompanied by neurological symptoms, the priority is to determine the underlying cause rather than assuming that the cervical spine is responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cervical spondylosis cause headaches?
Cervical spondylosis can be associated with neck pain and headaches in some people. However, not every headache in a person with cervical spondylosis is caused by the condition.
Where does a cervical headache hurt?
A cervicogenic headache can begin around the upper neck or base of the skull and spread toward the back, side or front of the head. The exact pattern varies.
Can neck pain cause headaches every day?
Persistent neck pain and headaches should be assessed rather than assumed to be caused by posture or cervical spondylosis. Daily headaches have many possible causes.
What is the difference between cervical spondylitis and cervical spondylosis?
Cervical spondylosis refers mainly to age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Spondylitis generally refers to inflammation involving the spine. The terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
Can cervical spondylosis cause headaches and dizziness?
Neck disorders can be associated with headache and some people report dizziness, but dizziness has many causes. Persistent or significant dizziness should be medically assessed.
Can exercises reduce headaches caused by neck problems?
Targeted exercises can be part of treatment when the headache is related to cervical dysfunction. The exercise programme should be appropriate for the underlying condition.
Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause headaches?
A cervical nerve-root problem more commonly causes symptoms travelling into the shoulder, arm or hand. Headache can arise from other cervical structures, particularly those involved in cervicogenic headache.
Does cervical spondylosis require surgery?
No. Most cervical spondylosis does not automatically require surgery. Surgery is considered in selected cases when there is an appropriate structural or neurological indication.
