Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
Are Your Headaches Coming from Your Neck?
Not all headaches are the same. While migraines have neurological origins, many chronic headaches — particularly tension-type headaches and cervicogenic headaches — arise from musculoskeletal dysfunction in the cervical spine and suboccipital muscles. These headaches respond dramatically to physiotherapy, often eliminating or significantly reducing headache frequency without medication.
Types of Headache Treated by Physiotherapy
Tension-Type Headache (TTH): The most common headache type. Typically bilateral, pressing/squeezing, associated with pericranial muscle tenderness. Strong evidence for physiotherapy. Cervicogenic Headache: Pain originating from the upper cervical spine and referred to the head. Diagnostic features: unilateral head pain, provoked by neck movement or sustained posture, restricted upper cervical range of motion. Migraine with Cervical Involvement: Many migraine patients have cervical dysfunction that reduces their threshold for migraine attacks. Physiotherapy does not cure migraine but can reduce attack frequency and duration.
Physiotherapy Assessment
We assess: upper cervical joint mobility and pain (C0-C1-C2), suboccipital muscle tenderness and trigger points, deep cervical flexor strength, posture (forward head posture is almost universal in chronic headache), and the impact of sustained positions on headache provocation.
Treatment
Upper Cervical Manual Therapy
Joint mobilisation of the upper cervical spine — particularly the C1-C2 segment — provides significant headache relief in cervicogenic headache. Multiple RCTs support this intervention.
Dry Needling
Suboccipital trigger point dry needling provides immediate tension relief and headache reduction for both TTH and cervicogenic headache.
Deep Cervical Flexor Training
The deep neck flexors (longus colli, longus capitis) are consistently weak in headache patients. Progressive strengthening using the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) protocol reduces headache frequency.
Headache Treatment in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we help headache sufferers find lasting relief without medication dependence. Book your headache assessment today.