Cervicogenic Headache: Diagnostic Evaluation and Outcomes of Various Physiotherapy Modes

Author(s):

Amna Shahid, Tayyaba Shahzad, Maha Zaheer, Maryum Khan, Samra Nadeem, Naveed Anwar* and Samrood Akram

Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) refers to any headache that arises from the cervical spine dysfunction. It is not a single disease; basically, it is a syndrome that characterized by chronic unilateral pain resulting from any disorder may be related to bony structure, soft tissue or any other structures that lie within or surround the joints. Cervicogenic headache is a type of referred pain that triggered by fatigue, bad posture or any other previous or current injury to cervical spine. Common patients are young, active and females are affected more than males. Objectives: To determine the Diagnostic evaluation of cervicogenic headache using a series of cases and compare the outcomes of treatment with various physiotherapy modalities/techniques. Methodology: Samples of 200 patients of cervicogenic headache were taken from physiotherapy department of fatima memorial hospital Lahore, using convenience non-probability sampling technique of data collection using clinical criteria; unilateral headache without side-shift, neck pain spreading to the fronto-ocular area and flexion-rotation test was performed. For pain severity NPRS was used. Results: All the 200 patients with an average age of 40 years (range 20 years-60 years) were diagnosed with cervicogenic headache and were managed with different modalities and therapeutic exercises. The clinical examination at the end of total treatment session (4 weeks) revealed; maximum patients (85%) had been improved after the physiotherapy treatment. Conclusions: Cervicogenic headache is a pathology arising from cervical spine at C2-C4 level as a result of biomechanical or pathophysiological factors and commonly affect the young active adults. Therapist relief the patient symptom by using different modalities, gentle motion and therapeutics exercises. A period of 4 weeks is usually adequate for resolution of symptoms. Successful long-term outcomes can be achieved with a comprehensive exercise program.