Comparison of Kinesiology Taping and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization in Cervicogenic Headache

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a clinical syndrome characterized by primarily unilateral pain that originates in the neck, typically provoked by neck movement or pressure over tender points in the neck, with reduced range of movement of the cervical spine . It is characterized by unilateral headache with signs and symptoms of neck involvement, such as, pain by movement, by external pressure over the upper cervical, and/or sustained awkward head positions . Functional impairments (diminished strength and endurance) in the cervical muscles and poorer muscle control of the deep cervical flexors have been shown in patients with cervicogenic headache . The International Headache Society (IHS) has declared CGH as a secondary type of headache.The main cause of CGH is dysfunction in the upper cervical spine, and the mechanism of headache involves nociceptive structures such as the disks, upper cervical spinal nerves, facet joints, ganglia, muscles, and ligaments , pain most commonly arises from the second and third cervical spine (C2/3) facet joints, followed by C5/6 facet joints This sign and symptoms are described as the pain being unilateral or bilateral, affecting the head or face but has most commonly affected the occipital region, frontal region, or retro-orbital region, commonly associated with suboccipital neck pain, but can also be associated with ipsilateral arm discomfort. Other symptoms associated with CGH include dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness, inability to concentrate, retro-ocular pain, and visual disturbances.