Did You Know that Physical Therapy is the First Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches?
One of the unique aspects about Purple Mountain Physical Therapy is that we have close connections to specialized physical therapists internationally who are devoted to providing excellent care to their patients, just as we are. When it comes to cervicogenic headaches, many of our patients ask us what the first treatment should be for their headaches. That’s an easy answer for us, because research, clinical recomendations and our professional experience all confirm that physical therapy should be the first treatment you receive if you have neck pain causing cervicogenic headaches.
This blog post is a collaborative effort with a colleague physiotherapist from Canada, Nadir Mawji, PT, Cert. MDT. Nadir is founder of Muv Therapy Physio & Sports Therapy in Mississauga Ontario and is certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Nadir and his team provide functional movement assessments and specialized therapy techniques to identify the root cause of problems, including for cervicogenic headaches We have become colleagues across these miles due to a shared clinical interest in treating neck and low back pain, in particular cervicogenic headaches. I invited Nadir to collaborate to share about cervicogenic headache physical therapy treatment because many people do not know that physical therapy is the first treatment you should receive for cervicogenic headaches, neck muscle tension and stiffness and postural changes related to this pain.
The PTs at Muv Therapy in Ontario and at our clinic, Purple Mountain PT in Grand Rapids, Michigan, both offer specialized care for cervicogenic headaches and wish it were widely known and understood that physical therapy, per the treatment recommendations, is the first treatment you should undertake for your cervicogenic headaches.
Physical therapy, or physiotherapy as my Canadian friends call it, offers natural, safe and effective treatments for cervicogenic headaches without the risks of harmful pharmaceuticals, invasive testing or injections or dangerous surgeries.
The team at Muv Therapy and here at Purple Mountain Physical Therapy specialize in treating cervicogenic headaches and neck pain. We have many years’ experience and advanced training to provide you treatment for your cervicogenic headaches that corrects the underlying muscle tension and joint issues and gives you a longterm solution for your pain. This is not a temporary solution. There’s nothing worse than having unrelenting headaches, our PT treatment gives you a path out of this pain. Physical therapy provides you with true relief, that is sustainable and durable, because it uses the power of your own joints, muscles and body to heal this problem.
Enjoy this collaborative guest blog post about physical therapy treatment for cervicogenic headaches and if you are reading this from Ontario, be certain to reach out to the team of physiotherapists at
Muv Therapy Physio & Spine. They are particularly skilled at treating spine related conditions, including cervicogenic headaches.
At Purple Mountain PT in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we treat women, men and adolescents who experience TMJ disorders, chronic neck pain, cervicogenic headaches and pelvic health conditions. We offer whole body care as well as a combination of manual therapies, postural correction, corrective exercise and functional movement. In this article you will learn more about the therapies we provide to treat cervicogenic headaches. If you have unrelenting headaches, neck pain or TMJ pain, reach out to us at 616-516-4334 or contact us here.
What are cervicogenic headaches and why should physical therapy be your first treatment to help your headache and neck pain?
Cervicogenic headaches are a type of headache caused by issues in the neck region. These headaches often begin at the base of the skull and radiate up the back of the head, causing a headache that may be extend from the back of the head to the top and towards the front. Physical therapy is the first treatment to seek for cervicogenic headaches because these headaches are are caused by neck joint and muscle dysfunction and the treatment we provide for these problems has been found in research to be the most effective and comprehensive method to allevaite the source of the problem.
Cervicogenic headaches are characterized by pain that radiates from the neck and into the head or face and are due to muscle tension, weakness, myofascial restrictions and joint stiffness.
The pain often occurs unexpectedly with certain head movements or you may find you wake up with a stiff neck and a headache. With females thought to be 4x more affected by cervicogenic headaches than men, we know that we may see more women than men with this condition, but it is not uncommon for men to also experience cervicogenic headaches.
Other common symptoms of cervicogenic headaches include dizziness, nausea, pain that increases in intensity with neck movement, and sensitivity to light or sound.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment. There can be medical treatments that involve pharmaceuticals or injections for cervicogenic headaches, but physical therapy is the first treatment you should undertake for your headaches and neck pain. With proper care, most people can resolve their cervicogenic headaches, improve their posture, reduce their muscle guarding and correct their neck joint mobility. Our patients tell us that their quality of life improves and they are so glad that they found a physiotherapist who specializes in treating cervicogenic pain. Some key features, cited in the literature, about cervicogenic headaches are:
“A cervicogenic headache (CGH) presents as unilateral pain that starts in the neck and is referred from bony structures or soft tissues of the neck. It is a common chronic and recurrent headache that usually starts after neck movement. It usually accompanies a reduced range of motion (ROM) of the neck. It could be confused with a migraine, tension headache, or other primary headache syndromes. Diagnostic criteria must include all the following points:
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The source of the pain must be in the neck and perceived in the head or face.
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Evidence that the pain can be attributed to the neck. It must have one of the following: demonstration of clinical signs that implicate a source of pain in the neck or abolition of a headache following diagnostic blockade of a cervical structure or its nerve supply using a placebo or other adequate controls.
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Pain resolves within three months after successful treatment of the causative disorder or lesion”
-Al Khalili Y, Ly N, Murphy PB. Cervicogenic Headache. 2022 Oct 3. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan.
At Muv Therapy in Ontario, Canada and at Purple Mountain Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we excel at providing comprehensive, whole body corrective manual therapy and exercises to truly resolve chronic neck problems, muscle spasms and tension that is causing cervicogenic headaches. If you are interested in learning more about Purple Mountain Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, call
616-516-4334 or contact us here. If you live in Ontario and are experiencing cervicogenic headaches and need treatment options that truly get to the root cause and resolve your headaches and neck pain, reach out to
Muv Therapy here.
Is Physical Therapy Really the First-Line Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches? Yes it is!
PT is the first treatment you should undertake because it is natural, wholistic and helps ease your muscle tension and neck joint stiffness. If you are experiencing headaches and neck pain, our physical therapy includes a combination of hands-on manual therapies and exercises to improve muscle strength, neck joint motion, muscle tension and headaches.
“Physical therapy is considered the first line of treatment. Manipulative therapy and therapeutic exercise regimen are effective in treating a cervicogenic headache. According to a study by Jull and Richardson, 72% of patients had achieved a reduction of 50% or more in headache frequency at the 12-month follow-up, and 42% of patients reported 80% or higher relief of some sort.”
-Al Khalili Y, Ly N, Murphy PB. Cervicogenic Headache. [Updated 2022 Oct 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-
What is the physical therapy treatment for cervicogenic headaches
The physical therapy treatment for cervicogenic headaches typically involves a combination of exercises and manual therapies to help reduce pain and improve the range of motion in the neck. One approach may involve targeted physical therapy exercises designed to rehabilitate the specific muscles that are causing issues in the neck. We begin therapy for these cervicogenic headaches, neck pain or TMJ pain by conducting an evaluation. In the evaluation our goal is to identify the root causes of your headaches and to begin treatment. You can expect to meet privately with your physical therapist and to receive a comprehensive assessment of your neck, thoracic spine and lower back movement patterns and joint motion. Quite often the neck joints are stiff and lacking ability to move without muscle guarding, stiffness and restrictions. We also find weakness in the upper back, shoulder blade area and deep neck muscles. We will provide you a combination of hands-on manual therapies, postural restoration and corrective exercises that begin treatment at your first appointment.
- If you are interested in learning more about Purple Mountain Physical Therapy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, call 616-516-4334 or contact us here.
- If you live in Ontario and are experiencing cervicogenic headaches and need treatment options that truly get to the root cause and resolve your headaches and neck pain, reach out to Muv Therapy here.
In physical therapy to help your cervicogenic headaches, we will be by your side as you complete corrective exercises for your neck and shoulders. We also teach you what exercises to complete at home to help treat your cervicogenic headaches.
The corrective exercises will be customized to what we find with your posture, neck joints, muscle tension and strength, flexibility or weakness. In physical therapy appointments you will be working one-on-one with your physical therapist by your side, so you are receiving the skilled instructions needed to correctly treat your cervicogenic headaches. We also will provide you with detailed instructions of specific exercises, customized to you, that can be performed at home, depending on your specific needs and goals. Clinical research and our professional experience have both found that a combination of physical therapy cervical (neck) joint mobilizations and manual therapies with strengthening for the neck, shoulder blades and upper back are an effective combination for decreasing pain in people suffering cervicogenic headaches. Because the therapists at Muv Therapy in Ontario and Purple Mountain PT in Michigan specialize in treating cervicogenic headaches, you can be assured of receiving comprehensive treatment that is effective.
An important part of the treatment we offer for cervicogenic headaches is manual therapies.
At
Muv Therapy in Ontario and
Purple Mountain Physical Therapy in Michigan, our PTs offer advanced treatments related to treating complex neck pain and cervicogenic headaches. This is why we are colleagues across two countries, because we have a shared interest in helping patients overcome spine and neck pain, including cervicogenic headaches. The manual therapies we offer may include gentle joint mobilizations to help stiffness in your neck, ribcage, shoulders or lower back. These manual therapies help release tension in the underlying structures of the neck and alleviate pain associated with cervicogenic headaches. By providing you with joint mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point release, deep tissue massage and other hands-on therapies you will leave your appointments with less pain, reduction in muscles tension and feeling looser in your neck. You will notice that you can turn your head, move with better ease and your headaches will improve.
Overall, physical therapy is an effective treatment option for those struggling with this type of headache, as it allows patients to take an active role in managing their condition and works to correct the underlying causes of the cervicogenic headaches, such as joint stiffness, muscle spasm, postural changes, weakness and myofascial restrictions.
How does physical therapy help relieve cervicogenic headache pain?
Physical therapy is an incredibly effective treatment for cervicogenic headaches, which is why it is the first treatment you should undertake for your neck pain and headaches. By combining therapeutic manual therapies, postural restoration and stretching with corrective exercises designed to improve strength and mobility in the neck and shoulders, you will experience relief. By targeting these contributions to your pain, physical therapy can help to eliminate much of the tension and soreness associated with cervicogenic headaches, reducing both the intensity and frequency of pain. Additionally, by restoring proper biomechanics to these areas, physical therapy can prevent future issues or flare-ups, allowing patients to experience long-lasting relief from their headaches. Overall, when it comes to treating cervicogenic headache pain, physical therapy is one of the most effective solutions available and the first treatment you should undertake. It is also natural and does not involve the side effects and temporary results of drugs and injections or the dangers of surgery.
How quickly should I see a physical therapist for my headaches?
When it comes to headaches, prompt treatment is the best option, but it is never too late to begin care with your physical therapist. As most people know, headaches can vary in severity and type, ranging from mild, occasional pains to debilitating episodes that can interfere with work and daily activities. If you are experiencing regular headaches, the best course of action is to seek help from a physical therapist as quickly as possible. Physical therapists can assess your general health and identify the underlying causes of your headaches and develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Whether you need more gentle exercise or more intensive physical therapy sessions, at Muv Therapy in Ontario and Purple Mountain Physical Therapy in Michigan, our physical therapists will be able to provide the right treatment at the right time. Additionally, if further workup is required, your physical therapist can refer you to your family doctor. So if you are dealing with chronic headaches, don’t hesitate to seek professional help—the faster you get started on the path to pain relief and healing, the better!
How long will it take for me to see results from physical therapy treatment for cervicogenic headaches?
While there is no one definitive timeline for physical therapy treatment for cervicogenic headaches, it is generally believed that most people will start to see results after just a few sessions. In general, the key to success with this type of treatment is consistency and commitment. During each treatment session, your therapist will focus on specific exercises or stretches designed to address your particular symptoms and help relieve pain and tension in the affected areas. Over time, these targeted exercises and stretches can gradually improve your range of motion and help restore proper alignment at the neck and spine, reducing your overall levels of pain and discomfort. As such, it is essential to follow through on your physical therapy routine and continue making progress even after you initially start seeing results. With patience and perseverance, you should be able to achieve long-lasting relief from cervicogenic headaches with the help of physical therapy.
How do I maintain the improvements in my headaches after physical therapy?
Many factors can affect how your headaches progress after undergoing physical therapy. In general, it is important to focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating balanced meals, and getting plenty of rest. Additionally, you may want to take special care in managing any factors that potentially contribute to your headaches, such as stress levels, repetitive movements and poor postures. This may involve lifestyle modifications such as using a special pillow when you sleep or using a back support when you are sitting at your desk. Ultimately, the key is staying consistent with your physical therapy treatment plan, which will help you achieve longer-lasting results and bring greater improvement in your headache symptoms over time. So remember to stay focused on these improvements and work hard to keep track of any setbacks so that you can address them quickly. With time and dedication, you can maintain the positive changes brought about by physical therapy and enjoy a better quality of life free from headaches.
Cervicogenic headaches can be painful and debilitating, but there is relief. Through physical therapy treatment, many patients have seen significant reductions in pain and fewer headaches overall.
If you are considering physical therapy for your cervicogenic headache, please reach out to our physical therapists at Muv Therapy in Ontario, Canada or the PTs at Purple Mountain PT in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Both clinic specialize in offering comprehensive treatment to resolve your cervicogenic headaches. Our teams of specialized therapists will develop a custom treatment plan based on your individual needs that will help relieve your symptoms. With regular physical therapy treatments, most patients see results within 6-8 weeks; however, some may need ongoing care to maintain their results.
Al Khalili Y, Ly N, Murphy PB. Cervicogenic Headache. [Updated 2022 Oct 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan.
Hall T, Chan HT, Christensen L, Odenthal B, Wells C, Robinson K. Efficacy of a C1-C2 self-sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) in the management of cervicogenic headache. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007 Mar;37(3):100-7.
Racicki S, Gerwin S, Diclaudio S, Reinmann S, Donaldson M. Conservative physical therapy management for the treatment of cervicogenic headache: a systematic review. J Man Manip Ther. 2013 May;21(2):113-24.
