#65 - Differential diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches & dizziness with Dr Julia Treleaven
Feb 22, 2023
17:57
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Quick takeaways
Differential diagnosis crucial for cervicogenic headaches involves integrating patient interviews with skilled examinations to differentiate between musculoskeletal conditions and referred pain.
Treating cervicogenic dizziness involves normalizing afferent input through motor control exercises and manual therapy, aiming to reduce symptoms and improve sensory motor control for better symptom management.
Deep dives
Diagnosing Cervical, Genetic, Headache, or Dizziness
In diagnosing cervical, genetic, headache, or dizziness, it is crucial to integrate patient interviews with skilled examinations to differentiate between true musculoskeletal conditions and referred pain. Recognizing patterns of dysfunction, joint signs, abnormal muscle function, and range of motion restrictions helps identify genuine conditions. Matching patient-reported symptoms with physical findings is essential, ensuring that the level of dysfunction aligns with the reported intensity of symptoms.
Normalizing Afferent Input for Dizziness Relief
To address dizziness related to abnormal cervical afferent input, normalizing afferent input through treatments like motor control exercises and manual therapy can reduce dizziness symptoms. Aligning muscle function, reducing pain, improving fatigue levels, and addressing range of motion issues help normalize afferent signals to the brain, potentially decreasing dizziness. Tailored sensory motor control training can enhance balance, proprioception, and head-eye coordination, contributing to improved symptom management.
Role of Sensorimotor Training in Neck Pain and Disability
Research indicates that incorporating sensorimotor training alongside traditional therapies like manual therapy and exercise can lead to sustained improvements in neck pain and disability. Patients with deficits in sensorimotor control benefit from tailored training, addressing joint position errors, balance issues, eye-head coordination, and movement sense. Studies demonstrate that comprehensive sensorimotor training enhances long-term pain and disability recovery, suggesting its importance in holistic treatment approaches.
In this episode, Dr Julia Treleaven covers how we might differentiate between cervicogenic headaches and dizziness. We then cover how to treat cervicogenic pain, headaches and dizziness using sensorimotor tasks that go beyond traditional physiotherapy.
Julia is a Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Queensland. She has been researching neck pain since 2000 and in 2004 completed her PhD focusing on the influence of the neck on sensorimotor control. She works part-time as a physiotherapist in a private practice managing patients with whiplash, cervicogenic dizziness and post concussion syndrome.
Do you want to dive deeper into this topic? Julia recently did a brilliant Masterclass with us on Assessment and Treatment of Cervicogenic Dizziness. You can watch her whole class now with our 7-day free trial: bit.ly/juliatreleavenpodcast
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