TO EVALUATE THE ROLE OF POSITIONAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE ON PAIN AND HEADACHE DISABILITY IN CERVICOGENIC HEADACHE PATIENTS IN MIDDLE- AGED POPULATION. A PILOT STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Headaches are a typical condition influencing 47% of the worldwide population, with Cervicogenic Headaches representing 15-20% of all chronic and recurrent headaches. Patients with CGH showed decreases in the quality of life similar to Migraine and Tension-type headache patients, with even lower scores for physical functioning.

Methods: Total of 20 patients was taken based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, who were divided into two groups i.e. PRT Group (GROUP A) and CONTROL Group (GROUP B). Group A received PRT and Group B received conventional treatment with ergonomic care 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Baseline measurement was taken on day one of the study for which pain was measured by the Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Headache disability was measured by Headache disability index (HDI). All measurements were repeated after 4 weeks.

Results: Significant decrease of Pain and Headache disability were found in the group who received PRT along with ergonomic care.

Conclusion: Positional release technique is an effective approach to reduce the pain and headache disability thus improving the patients physical functioning.

Key Words: Cervicogenic headache (CGH), Positional release technique (PRT), neck pain, headache.