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Neck related causes of headache
1Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia. jensen@tpg.com.au
Australian Family Physician
|August 23, 2005
Summary
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) often originates from the neck. A simple neck assessment can help general practitioners identify this common headache source, guiding appropriate musculoskeletal treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Musculoskeletal Medicine
Background:
- Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is frequently underdiagnosed by practitioners lacking musculoskeletal training.
- Headaches originating from the cervical spine are more common than typically recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide general practitioners with a basic clinical neck assessment protocol.
- To enable identification of potential cervical spine sources for presenting headaches.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment of the neck focusing on musculoskeletal evaluation.
- Reproducing patient pain during examination to suggest a musculoskeletal origin.
Main Results:
- Musculoskeletal assessment skills are simple and easily acquired.
- Pain reproduction during examination strongly indicates a musculoskeletal cause for headaches.
Conclusions:
- Static diagnostic imaging has no role in diagnosing CGH.
- Spinal manual therapy and myofascial trigger point treatment are effective for CGH.
- Diagnostic injections are necessary for definitive diagnosis, with radiofrequency neurotomy effective for facet joint pain.
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