Manipulative Physiotherapy and Headaches
Common physical findings of headache patients are:
- forward head posture and/or poke chin posture
- relatively tight neck extensors and upper trapezii (back and side muscles of the neck)
- weak deep neck flexors (front muscles of the neck)
- stiffness at the affected joint
- soft tissue thickening around the affected joint
- general stiffness at the cervico-thoracic and upper thoracic spine (lower neck and upper back)
Gone the days that physiotherapy only involves ultrasound (U/S), interferential (IF), short wave diathermy (SWD), microwave (MW), traction, massage and routine exercises. Diagnosis and treatment for musculoskeletal conditions are a lot more specific nowadays, hence the need for specialization in physiotherapy for such conditions. Manipulative Physiotherapy is the postgraduate qualification specializing in manipulation and manual therapy with advanced skills in pain management for mechanical musculoskeletal conditions. There is considerable scientific evidence to support the benefits of manipulative physiotherapy in the management of musculoskeletal conditions.
Luck LI
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist