M.Tech. / The most common cause of chronic cervicogenic headache is believed to be mechanical pain from the muscles, ligaments and joints of the upper cervical spine (Hubka and Hall, 1994). Much controversy and debate surrounds all aspects of cervicogenic headache, including the aetiology and treatment of these headaches. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation of the upper cervical spine alone as a treatment form for cervicogenic headache, with regards to pain, disability and cervical spine range of motion. Method: This study consisted of a single group of thirty participants between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five, with a half male to female ratio. The potential participants were examined and accepted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The only method of treatment administered to each participant was chiropractic manipulation, delivered to restrictions of the upper cervical spine, from which the objective and subjective findings were based. Procedure: Treatment consisted of seven consultations, with two consultations being performed per week. Objective data and subjective data was taken at the beginning of the first, fourth and seventh consultations. Objective data consisted of cervical range of motion readings taken using a Cervical Range of Motion measuring instrument (CROM). The subjective data collected was in the form of a Vernon-Mior Neck Pain and Disability Index and a Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Spinal manipulative therapy based on restrictions identified during motion palpation was applied at the first six consultations with the seventh consultation consisting of data gathering only. Results: Clinically and statistically, significant improvements in the entire group were noted over the course of the treatment with regards to cervical range of motion, pain and disability. Conclusion: The results show that upper cervical spine manipulation is effective, both clinically and statistically, in decreasing pain and disability and increasing cervical spine vi range of motion in those with cervicogenic headache. As the study consisted of a small group of participants treated as a single group, further study is needed in the form of randomised, controlled clinical trials.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:7132 |
| Date | 22 June 2011 |
| Creators | Workman, Simon John |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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