Upper cervical mobility, posture and myofascial trigger points in subjects with episodic migraine: Case-control study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Physical Therapy
• Musculoskeletal Research

Background:

• Episodic migraines are a common neurological condition.
• The role of musculoskeletal factors, such as myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) and cervical joint mobility, in migraines requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between episodic migraines and the prevalence of MTrPs in the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles.
• To assess the relationship between episodic migraines and forward head posture (FHP), neck range of motion (ROM), and cervical facet joint stiffness.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 20 physiotherapy students with episodic migraines and 20 healthy controls.
• Data collection included questionnaires for demographics and headache status, physical examination for active neck ROM, MTrPs, and cervical facet joint mobility, and digital photography for FHP measurement.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in neck ROM or FHP were observed between the migraine and control groups.
• Significant differences in cervical facet joint stiffness were found at the Occiput-C1 and C1-C2 segments.
• A higher prevalence of active and latent MTrPs was found in the right trapezius and right sternocleidomastoid muscles of individuals with migraines.

Conclusions:

• The study supports the hypothesis that MTrPs in neck muscles are associated with migraines.
• Hypomobility in upper cervical facet joints is also linked to the presence of migraines.