Comparison of Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide and Deep Friction Massage in Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic headache CGH is defined as the headache which arises from lesion occurring in the upper three cervical vertebrae and its associated soft tissue structures. Sleep disturbance has been continuously associated with headaches. CGH is a secondary type of headache as classified by the International Classification of Headache Disorders IHD. Physical and manual modes of therapy are important therapeutic modalities for the acute rehabilitation of cervicogenic headache.

The "mobilization with movement" concept, known as the Mulligan concept, is entirely distinct from other forms of manual therapy. Mulligan described the sustained natural apophyseal glide (SNAG) on the joint with active movement done by the patient in the direction of the symptoms. This glide should be pain-free, with proper force applied by a trained person). Efficacy of SNAG C1-C2 has been proven in patients experiencing acute to subacute CGH for both short and long-term periods. Mulligan recommended that mobilization should be done towards the restricted site or in the direction of symptom reproduction, which is difficult to find in patients experiencing headache and dizziness in only one direction. There is evidence that mobilizing symptomatic and asymptomatic cervical levels result in immediate improvement of pain and segmental mobility at the same level as well as adjacent areas.

James Cyriax proposed a treatment technique, Deep friction massage which has a significant effect in pain relieving. Cyriax friction massage is a widely known and used technique in the field of chronic pain management. It is a type of connective tissue massage applied to the soft tissue structures such as tendon, muscle bellies, musculotendinous junction, ligaments and joint capsules. This approach targets muscles both superficial and deep that can be contributing to headache. Muscles (such as trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, levator scapulae, and deep neck flexors) that contribute in developing CGH can be targeted using this technique.

Mulligan's SNAG is a sustained glide that includes a sustained facet glide and active movement simultaneously; this technique targets the joint as well as muscle's active contraction. This reinforces the cervical lesion thus reducing CGH. Deep friction massage enables the skin, fascia; muscles to be involved in order to improve circulation thus promote healing. These techniques will help relieve cervicogenic headache and a proper comparison will be made which is novel. The effectiveness of these techniques in relieving headache, improving ROM and sleep quality will be investigated.