Dry Needling for Cervicogenic Headache
Headache, Cervicogenic Headache
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Headache focused on measuring Headache, Dry Needling
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Unilateral headache (HA) without side shift
- H/o pain triggered by neck movement
- Limitation in cervical range of motion
- Ispilateral neck, shoulder or arm pain
- Intermittent pain with episodes varying in duration
- Head and neck pain is non-throbbing in nature
Exclusion Criteria:
- Use of anti-coagulation medicine (except low dose aspirin)
- Pregnancy
- Acute or uncontrolled medical illness
- Opioid use within six months
- Fibromyalgia or diffuse painful syndromes in the UE or LE
- Substance abuse
- Presence of fever, vomiting or visual changes
Sites / Locations
- Emory University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Dry needling and upper extremity stretching program Arm
Dry Needling Arm
Participants will receive a combination of dry needling and upper extremity stretching. Dry needling in regions of the head and cervical spine will be positioned supine, sidelying or prone with the relevant myofascial trigger points treated using a Seirin L- type 30 mm needle (Seirin America, Inc., Weymouth, MA). The needle will be inserted to a depth no greater than three-quarters length of the needle for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 5 minutes. A standard home exercise program consisting of strengthening and stretching exercises for the upper quarter.
Dry needling in regions of the head and cervical spine will be positioned supine, sidelying or prone with the relevant myofascial trigger points treated using a Seirin L- type 30 mm needle (Seirin American, Inc., Weymouth, MA). The needle will be inserted to a depth no greater than three-quarters length of the needle for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 5 minutes.