Neck Mobility and Forward Head Posture are not Related to Headache Parameters in Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
C Alonso-Blanco ◽  
ML Cuadrado ◽  
JA Pareja
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Headache Intensity ◽  
Headache Diary ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Neck Mobility

The relationship between the changes in forward head posture (FHP), neck mobility and headache parameters was analysed in 25 patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) undergoing a physical therapy programme. Side-view pictures were taken to measure the cranio-vertebral angle in the sitting and standing positions. A cervical goniometer was employed to measure the range of all cervical motions. A headache diary was kept to assess headache intensity, frequency and duration. All patients received six sessions of physical therapy over 3 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after treatment and 1 month later. Neck mobility and headache parameters showed a significant improvement after the intervention, whereas posture changes did not reach statistical significance. No correlations were found between FHP, neck mobility and headache parameters at any stage. Changes in these outcomes throughout the study were not correlated either. FHP and neck mobility appear not to be related to headache intensity, duration or frequency in patients suffering from CTTH. Although patients showed a reduction in the range of motion in the neck, it is uncertain whether this is consistent with TTH.

Forward Head Posture and Neck Mobility in Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
C Alonso-Blanco ◽  
ML Cuadrado ◽  
JA Pareja
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Forward Head Posture ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Group A ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Craniovertebral Angle ◽  
Neck Mobility

Forward head posture (FHP) and neck mobility were objectively assessed in 25 patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and 25 healthy controls. Side-view pictures were taken in a sitting position to measure the craniovertebral angle. A cervical goniometer was employed to measure the range of all cervical motions. Patients with CTTH showed a smaller cranio-vertebral angle (45.3° ± 7.6°) than controls (54.1° ± 6.3°), thus presenting a greater FHP ( P < 0.001). Patients also had lesser neck mobility for all cervical movements, except for right lateral flexion ( P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the craniovertebral angle and neck mobility. Within the CTTH group, a negative correlation was found between the cranio-vertebral angle and headache frequency, but neck mobility did not correlate with headache parameters. Further research is needed to define a potential role of FHP and restricted neck mobility in the origin or maintenance of TTH.

Differences in cervical musculoskeletal impairment between episodic and chronic tension-type headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1514-1523 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-H Sohn ◽  
H-C Choi ◽  
S-M Lee ◽  
A-Y Jun
Keyword(s):  
Trigger Points ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Head Posture ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Musculoskeletal Impairments ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Neck Mobility

Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is a headache in which musculoskeletal impairments of the craniocervical region may play an important role in its pathogenesis. We investigated the presence of myofascial, postural and mechanical abnormalities in patients with frequent episodic and chronic tension-type headache (ETTH and CTTH, respectively). Methods: The study population consisted of 36 patients with ETTH, 23 with CTTH and 42 control subjects. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) were identified in the upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, temporalis and suboccipital muscles. Sagittal C7-tragus angle was measured to evaluate flexor head posture (FHP), and neck mobility was assessed using an inclinometer. Results: Only active MTrPs were significantly different between the ETTH and CTTH groups ( p < .001). Patients with CTTH showed a larger sagittal C7-tragus angle ( p = .011), that is, greater FHP and restricted neck mobility for both rotations compared to controls ( p < .001). Although active MTrPs were correlated with the frequency and duration of headache, no correlations were observed for FHP or neck mobility. Conclusion: Active MTrPs in the craniocervical region contribute to triggering or maintenance of TTH and posture or neck mobility may be a result of chronic headache.

Chronic Tension-Type Headache Treated with Acupuncture, Physical Training and Relaxation Training. Between-Group Differences

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1320-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Söderberg ◽  
J Carlsson ◽  
E Stener-Victorin
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Period ◽  
Physical Training ◽  
Relaxation Training ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Headache Diary ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Time Point

The aim of this study was to compare acupuncture, relaxation training and physical training in the treatment of chronic tension-type headache (CTTH). The study comprised 90 consecutive patients with CTTH who were randomly allocated to acupuncture, relaxation training or physical training. Headache intensity, headache-free days and headache-free periods were registered using a visual analogue scale and a headache diary. The measurements were made 4 weeks before, immediately after, and 3 and 6 months after the treatment period. Immediately after the last treatment, the number of headache-free periods and of headache-free days was higher in the relaxation group compared with the acupuncture group. There were no other significant differences between the groups at any time point. The clinical implications of our findings are that relaxation training induced the most pronounced effects directly after the treatment period, compared with acupuncture and physical training.

Leukocyte Subsets and Cortisol Serum Levels in Patients With Migraine Without Aura and Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Cephalalgia ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Leone ◽  
M Biffi ◽  
F Leoni ◽  
G Bussone
Keyword(s):  
B Lymphocytes ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Serum Cortisol ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Immunoglobulin Production ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Headache Patients

Leukocyte subsets, serum cortisol and immunoglobulin production were investigated in a group of 12 migraine without aura patients, 12 chronic tension-type headache patients and compared with findings in 12 healthy controls. Chronic tension-type headache patients had statistically significant increased levels of B-lymphocytes (CD19 + cells) ( p < 0.05), while migraine sufferers had a similarly significant decrease in CD8 + T-lymphocytes ( p < 0.05). Migraine patients also had an increased percentage of B-lymphocytes although this failed to reach statistical significance. Immunoglobulin production and cortisol serum levels did not differ in the two headache groups. We conclude that the observed abnormalities in tension-type headache and migraine are unlikely to be a consequence of pain or of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction.

scholarly journals Restricted neck mobility in children with chronic tension type headache: a blinded, controlled study

2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Fernández-Mayoralas ◽  
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas ◽  
Domingo Palacios-Ceña ◽  
Irene Cantarero-Villanueva ◽  
Carolina Fernández-Lao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Neck Mobility

scholarly journals Pain Sensitivity Mediates The Relationship between Stress and Headache Intensity in Chronic Tension-Type Headache

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 377-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Cathcart ◽  
Navjot Bhullar ◽  
Maarten Immink ◽  
Chris Della Vedova ◽  
John Hayball
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Pain Sensitivity ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Nonparametric Bootstrap ◽  
Bootstrap Analysis ◽  
Chronic Tension Type Headache ◽  
Headache Intensity ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: A central model for chronic tension-type headache (CTH) posits that stress contributes to headache, in part, by aggravating existing hyperalgesia in CTH sufferers. The prediction from this model that pain sensitivity mediates the relationship between stress and headache activity has not yet been examined.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether pain sensitivity mediates the relationship between stress and prospective headache activity in CTH sufferers.METHOD: Self-reported stress, pain sensitivity and prospective headache activity were measured in 53 CTH sufferers recruited from the general population. Pain sensitivity was modelled as a mediator between stress and headache activity, and tested using a nonparametric bootstrap analysis.RESULTS: Pain sensitivity significantly mediated the relationship between stress and headache intensity.CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the central model for CTH, which posits that stress contributes to headache, in part, by aggravating existing hyperalgesia in CTH sufferers. Implications for the mechanisms and treatment of CTH are discussed.

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