The medical term cervicogenic headache refers to be caused by problems in the muscles or bones in the neck, including issues with the joints, ligaments, muscles and other soft tissues. The original issue in the neck may be the result of trauma or it is associated with people who have poor posture or keep their neck unmoving for long periods of time.
How to treat cervicogenic headache
Due to treat CGH include applying the electric current through the skin (TENS), massage, chiropractic manipulation, and physical therapy. Currently, there is no broad consensus on the best practice for non-invasive treatments of cervicogenic headaches. The NIH recently commissioned a meta-analysis of published research on the subject of
The NIH recently commissioned a meta-analysis of published research on the subject of treating cervicogenic headaches using physical therapy management techniques. A number of different physical therapy management techniques were assessed, including mobilization combined with exercise, cervical SNAG mobilization, cervical mobilization and manipulation, and cervical and/or upper thoracic manipulation used on its own. More than 105 different published papers on physical therapy management techniques were selected for the meta-review, although the search was eventually narrowed down to treat headaches and migraines.
The six studies of physical therapy management treatment modalities for cervicogenic headaches involved 457 different patients. All six of the studies included analysis of the physical therapy management strategy of using either manipulation or mobilization on individuals who suffer from cervicogenic headaches. Four of the studies concluded that using manipulation had some positive effects but two studies indicated no benefit toms for CGH sufferers. The study concluded that this technique significantly reduced both the frequency of CGH and how long lasted when they did occur. The same study also measured whether the participants’ levels of using pain relieving medication would drop but discovered no significant decrease. The last study analyzed by NIH measured whether exercise alone could be useful in treating CGH.
The results of the study showed that participants who performed exercises showed a significant decrease in the intensity, frequency, and duration of neck pain was reduced by using exercise but that the duration of their headaches stayed about the same. Although the NIH meta-analysis study looked at the most relevant papers published in medical journals about treating cervicogenic headaches, the authors concluded that only a limited amount of conclusions could be drawn due to treat headaches and migraines.
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed to be a complete tear with muscle contraction under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
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