Cervical-Cranial Dry Needling vs. Orthopedic Manual Therapy for Cervicogenic Headache

Segmental needling of the neck and needling in the patient's headache distribution. Peripherally sensitized areas of the neck may also be dry needled based on the findings of the clinical evaluation.

Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) that includes either mobilization or manipulation to the cervical spine applied pragmatically to the most symptomatic level.

Thoracic Manipulation (applied pragmatically) to the levels determined to be provocative or hypomobile.

Clinicians select 1 active range of motion exercise for the cervical spine, deep cervical flexion endurance exercise, and 5 upper extremity exercises (from a set of 10). Additionally, patients will be assigned a headache management technique.

Patients will receive education regarding their headache condition, proper performance of their symptom management technique, posture.