Cervicogenic headache (CH) is an unrecognized yet relatively common chronic headache disorder that is often misdiagnosed as migraine or tension-type headache. It is widely excepted within the literature that CH is a syndrome characterized by chronic unilateral or bilateral pain that is referred to the head from either bony structures or soft tissues of the neck.

There is evidence that CH is disproportionately seen in elders and is comorbid with functional decline of the strength and endurance of the cervical musculature. There has been speculation as to whether the decline in function of the cervical musculature is related to the pathogenesis of the condition or whether it develops as a symptom secondary to another process. Yet, no studies have assessed the macroscopic qualities of the cervical musculature in individuals with CH.