Headaches These tests can help rule in that migraine is coming from the neck Posted on October 5, 2020September 14, 2023 by admin These tests can help rule in that migraine is coming from your neck Patients ask us all of the time what tests can help rule in that migraine is coming from the neck. Migraines are often described as intense, throbbing headaches that can be accompanied by a range of debilitating symptoms, including nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances. It has been shown that neck pain is a predictor of higher migraine-related disability. This means that if you have neck pain, it could mean you have more pain and dysfunction with your migraines. Women with chronic migraine have shown to exhibit greater reduction on cervical spine mobility, referred pain to the head from symptomatic upper cervical joints, greater joint position error testing and worse head/neck posture than those with episodic migraine or healthy controls. Understanding the source of your migraines is crucial for effective treatment. In this blog post, we’ll explore the tests that can help determine if your migraines are coming from your neck. Tests to Explore the Neck-Migraine Link These tests can provide valuable insights to confirm that the source of your migraine may indeed be originating from your neck. A physical therapist will assess your neck’s range of motion, muscle tension, and any signs of structural issues. If they suspect that your migraines are related to neck problems, they may recommend further testing. 1. Flexion-Rotation Test Upper cervical spine dysfunction as expressed by examining the C1-C2 segments. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> 2. Presence of symptomatic upper cervical spine joints. 3. The presence of referred head pain during manual examination of symptomatic segmental dysfunctions in the upper cervical spine 4. Cervicocephalic kinesthesia is defined as the ability to perceive both movement and position of the head in space related to the trunk, and it is usually measured by the joint position sense error test. Even though not as directly linked with people who have migraines, this could be a test you could have to determine if you have a head on neck orientation dysfunction. 5. Chronic migraine people exhibit altered muscle recruitment strategy to stabilize their head and neck manifested as an increased activity of their superficial neck extensor musculature when acting as antagonists during low-load isometric craniocervical flexion contractions If you’ve been suffering from migraines and suspect that they may be related to issues in your neck, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional. The tests mentioned above can help determine if there is a connection between your neck and your migraines. Finding the source of your migraines is a crucial step toward developing an effective treatment plan that can provide relief and improve your quality of life. Patients presenting with migraines should consider specialized physical therapy. We provide a comprehensive treatment approach through our Headache Relief Program. Don’t hesitate to contact us today so we can help you! admin How do mouth guards work for TMJ Pain? Can Dry Needling help Tinnitus?
