Home > Blog > Cervicogenic Tension Headaches Physiotherapy

Cervicogenic Tension Headaches Physiotherapy



In today's break-neck speed in life, work, societal demands, we notice that there is an increasing trend of people reporting and suffering from headaches.

These patients often report two types (or reasons) for their headaches:

  • The mental, emotional and physical stress from the type of lifestyle they have or want to pursue
  • The nature of work that requires an individual to be in a prolonged static position working on devices such as computers and smart phones

not all headaches are migraine

​Sometimes patients naturally call their headaches as migraine, but it can be inaccurate because there are a few types of headaches.

We recommend that patients who often suffer from headache to understand and identify the type of headache that they have, so it'd help to:

  • identify the specific triggers
  • be able to sense if there is a headache coming soon
  • be able to seek appropriate management

all to pre-empt to reduce the intensity and duration of the headache.

Cervicogenic headache is in fact one of the common type of headaches and good news is that it can be treated with physiotherapy, whereas the main treatment for migraine is medication.

Cervicogenic Headache Versus Migraine

Migraine refers to a neurovascular disorder with signs of

  • mostly one-sided (half) throbbing head pain
  • lasting 4-72 hours and
  • a group of neurological symptoms including increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell, nausea, and a variety of autonomic, cognitive, emotional and motor disturbances.

Triggers of a migraine attack are frequently associated with a wide variety of internal and external triggers such as

  • stress
  • hormonal fluctuations
  • sleep disturbances
  • skipping meals
  • sensory overload.

Cervicogenic headache on the other hand refers specificly to pain referred from a source in the neck that presents itself higher up, in the head. It is caused by another illness or physical issue usually due to a neck disorder or lesion.

In the upper neck area there is a region called the trigeminocervical nucleus which interacts with the sensory fibers from the upper cervical neck.

This allows pain referral between the neck, face and head, explaining why when there is a headache the source of pain may be in the neck instead.

Signs and Symptoms of Cervicogenic Headache

Common signs of people with cervicogenic headache:

  • Altered neck posture
  • Restricted cervical range of motion
  • Upper cervical joint dysfunction assessed by manual examination are

This cervicogenic tension headache can be reproduced or triggered by active and/or passive neck positioning and/or movement, or by pressure application to the affected regions.

Trigger points (tight and sometimes sensitive knots in muscles) are usually found in the

  • suboccipital
  • cervical and
  • shoulder musculature

which can cause headache when manually or physically stimulated.

Physiotherapy Treatment for Cervicogenic Headache

There is a variety of treatments including

  • nerve blocks
  • physiotherapy and exercise
  • Botox injections
  • and medications

The most common treatment for cervicogenic headache should target the neck as it is the cause of the pain and varies from patient to patient.

Physiotherapy interventions depends on the outcomes and conclusions our senior physio reach after assessing your cervicogenic headache, understanding your pain, work and exercise history, before creating a you-specific physio program.

Physiotherapy and an ongoing exercise regimen often produce the best outcomes with low recurrence rate of tension headaches BUT we still recommend that patients have medications or anesthetic injections for temporarily pain reduction especially for days and events that the pains seems very intense.

This will allow:

  • you to get short term pain relief for you to be still functional eg go to work, participate in life events etc
  • be able to participate effectively with physiotherapy for even more positive long term pain relief

Physiotherapy treatment involves three main components:​

Pain relieving physiotherapy treatments

Manual therapy can be done, such as low-velocity cervical joint mobilization techniques (in which the cervical segment is moved passively with rhythmical movements). and high-velocity cervical manipulation techniques (cracking of the joint in a controlled, clinical and safe manner for the relief of tight joints).

Such approach encourages the body to modulate the pain level.

Next we will always work on soft tissue works joint manipulations are quick and effective, but short term, and soft tissue though slower outcomes, are medium to long term in benefits - hence combining these two is ideal.

Soft tissue release is another essential tool to help relieve tight connective tissues or muscle knots that can be irritating the nerves causing headache.

Physiotherapy modalities such as

  • electrical therapy
  • ultrasound therapy to accelerate soft tissue healing
  • heat therapy to increase circulation as well as joint and soft tissue flexibility
  • cold therapy are also commonly used to complement the hands on techniques in pain relieving and facilitate the body recovery​

Reconditioning of muscular imbalances

Reconditioning of muscular imbalance includes low load endurance exercises to train muscle control of the cervicoscapular region.

The first stage consists of specific exercises to address the impairment in neck flexor synergy found in cervicogenic headache and other neck pain disorders.

Neck flexors have an important supporting function for the cervical region. Shoulder blade muscles, particularly the lower trapezius and serratus anterior, are also trained for a better postural control.

Subsequently, co-contraction of the neck flexors and extensors is performed to increase the general strength at the cervical region. Muscle stretching exercises are also taught as necessary to optimize the loading at the cervicoscapular region.

Postural and ergonomic correction

Postural correction of the daily activities is crucial to optimize loading on the spine and overlaying muscles preventing unnecessary fatigue or stress on the supporting muscles. Use of mirror for visual feedback and tactile feedback such as tape application may be used to aid with posture correction.

Rearrangement of layouts and work process advices are given to minimize undue strain obtained from prolonged posture especially people who have deskbound jobs.



Back to Top

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.



HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

  1. manage and decrease hand pains
  2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
  3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes



REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.



TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

  • Cupping TCM
  • Auricular Therapy TCM
  • Herbal TCM Medicine & Supplementation



DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.



ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.

book an appointment today
(or check your pains / injuries)

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Adele Ang Principal Physiotherapist Singapore

    Jun 29, 22 08:32 AM

    Adele is a registered physiotherapist with over 25 years of experience including treating national athletes as well as recreational athletes having worked in Singapore Sports Council and Singapore Spo…

    Read More

  2. Achilles Tendon Pain Physiotherapy

    Feb 03, 22 04:05 AM

    Achilles tendon pain is very common among recreational and elite sportspeople. But it is also common among sedentary individuals

    Read More

  3. Tendonitis Physiotherapy & Hand Therapy

    Feb 03, 22 12:16 AM

    Tendonitis, tendinopathy and tendinosis are all tendon injuries and treated by physiotherapists and hand therapists

    Read More

  4. Cervical Spondylosis Physiotherapy

    Jan 11, 22 02:01 AM

    Cervical spondylosis is a general term to describe the degenerative condition in the neck which results in pain and other symptoms

    Read More

  5. Tendon Pain Tendinopathy Physiotherapy

    Jan 07, 22 12:28 AM

    Tendinopathy (tendon injuries) can develop in any tendon of the body and has many names such as tendinitis and it can be treated with good tendon physiotherapy

    Read More

  6. The importance of staging and compression in tendinopathy physio

    Dec 15, 21 01:47 AM

    Tendon problems are common in runners and can become a persistent issue if not properly treated.

    Read More

  7. Tendon Pain Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy

    Dec 14, 21 11:23 PM

    Pain and pathology in a tendon, known as tendinopathy, is a common injury in athletes that can be difficult to manage. Physio and hand therapy can help healing

    Read More

  8. Tendon Injuries Physiotherapy, Hand Therapy, TCM & Massage

    Dec 07, 21 01:31 AM

    We use the world’s best tendon recovery programs through cutting edge treatment techniques for all tendon injuries (and tendon injuries differ accordingly)

    Read More

  9. Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Nov 28, 21 12:08 AM

    Phoenix Rehab Physiotherapy and Hand Therapy at Tampines Singapore

    Read More

  10. Mallet Finger Tendon Injury Rupture Hand Therapy

    Nov 17, 21 12:30 AM

    Mallet finger is an injury to the thin tendon that straightens the end joint of a finger or thumb.

    Read More