Craniocervical Pains

Craniocervical pains can be analyzed in two groups: cranial neuralgias and cervicogenic pains. Cranial neuralgias are with neuropathic character; however, their etiologies might be atypical, idiopathic and psychogenic. Generally, it can be experienced as one-sided lightning strikes, electric shock-like and stabbing pain. The paroxysmal pains originate from nerves with somatic afferent fibers, such as trigeminal, facial, glossopharingeal, vagus, and also sometimes from the C2-3 dorsal roots. Moreover, the most commonly seen are trigeminal neuralgias. Cervicogenic pains are caused by cervical spinal nerves, pathologies of the structure of the cervical intervertebral disc, cervical facet joints and the soft tissue of these areas. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2010;56 Suppl 1:38-45.