Is Your Headache Pain the Neck? It might be!
There are different types of headaches you can get, some of which we can treat with
physical therapy. A common type of headache seen in physical therapy is known as a
“cervicogenic” headache. What is that, and how does it differ from other types of headaches?
Cervicogenic headaches are characterized by chronic one sided pain. Pain refers to the
head from areas of the neck due to problems with bony structures or soft tissue such as
muscles being too close to nerves that travel to the face and head. This referral likely comes
from one or more muscular, nerve, bone, or vascular structures within the neck. Common
findings among those with cervicogenic headaches are differences in neck posture, pronounced
levels of muscle tenderness, and the presence of myofascial trigger points (muscle “knots” that
feel like taut bands or bumps as you move your fingers across the muscle.)
It is important to distinguish cervicogenic headaches from other types of headaches (i.e.
migraine and tension headaches) in both presentation and cause to determine the proper
course of treatment.
How can PT help?
Physical therapy can help reduce and/or eliminate symptoms associated with cervicogenic headaches through therapeutic exercise and manual therapy. This is accomplished by stretching stiff/short muscles while strengthening stabilizing muscles of the neck and shoulder, improving posture, and techniques such as joint manipulation or manual cervical traction to reduce stiffness and increase neck mobility. If you or anyone you know is suffering from headaches and neck pain, you can be seen by one of our 5 star therapists at our location in Glendale for physical therapy.
References
1. Biondi,D.(2005).CervicogenicHeadache:AReviewofDiagnosticandTreatment Strategies.JournalofOsteopathicMedicine,105(s4),16-2
2. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2005.20010 (alsoimage2) 2. Biondi,DM."Cervicogenicheadache:mechanisms,evaluation,andtreatmentstrategies" JournalofOsteopathicMedicine,vol.100,no.s9,2000,pp.7-14. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2000.20035 (alsoimage1)
3. Do,T.P.,Heldarskard,G.F.,Kolding,L.T.etal.Myofascialtriggerpointsinmigraineand tension-typeheadache.JHeadachePain19,84(2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-018-0913-8
4. Zito,G.,Jull,G.,&Story,I.(2006).Clinicaltestsofmusculoskeletaldysfunctionin thediagnosisofcervicogenicheadache.ManualTherapy,11(2),118–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2005.04.007
5. https://ichd-3.org/11-headache-or-facial-pain-attributed-to-disorder-of-the-cranium-neckeyes-ears-nose-sinuses-teeth-mouth-or-other-facial-or-cervical-structure/11-2-headacheattributed-to-disorder-of-the-neck/11-2-1-cervicogenic-headache/
