Cervicogenic headache


There is widespread support in the literature that headaches are often multifactorial in their origins.

If your assessment reveals poor posture, limited range of cervical spine movement, palpatory tightness or a reproduction of symptoms on cervical palpation you may consider referring to physiotherapy.

Even a short trial period of treatment is often useful to help with differential diagnosis provided medical review is arranged if symptoms remain unchanged.

Physiotherapy treatment

Treatment is guided by signs and symptoms but the literature supports a 2 phase program:

  1. Mobilisation of the upper cervical spine – improvement in symptoms of cervicogenic headache have been shown with attention to pain provoking structures (Edeling 1994, Jull 1994b, Schoensee 1995). However, whilst improvements were gained in the short term there was a plateau after mobilization.
  2. Muscle re-training
  3. Specific exercises isolating the deep flexors and addressing postural dysfunction – in a study by Beeton and Jull (1994) it was found by incorporating these into a more comprehensive programme that improvements were maintained six weeks after treatment had ceased.

References:

Lifecare physiotherapists are involved in a comprehensive ongoing education program including the management of acute and chronic headaches.

For more information, see your local Lifecare practitioner.
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