Chapter 15 · Head & Neck

Headache Pain protocol

Indexed — full page in progressSource: Rehab Science · Ch 15 · PDF pp. 323–341📖 Rehab ScienceBuild my programme →

AMBER — get assessed before starting rehab

Screen for red flags before starting any protocol (safety check). Progress by symptoms and function, not by the calendar: > 3/10 pain → start phase 1; < 3/10 → phase 2 (PDF p. 205).

Follow this programme to treat

Pain in the front of the head and/or face
Tension headaches stemming from the neck
Cervicogenic headache

Conditions in this protocol

Cervicogenic (neck-related) headache PDF p. 323

Phase 1

Source: Rehab Science · PDF p. 328

Good for

Alleviating upper neck and headache pain
Relieving muscle tension
Warm-up for phase 2 and 3 exercises

Guidelines

Perform every day
Tools: small massage ball, yoga block
Add phase 2 when you have no pain at rest and no more than mild pain (3/10) with the exercises

Soft Tissue Mobilizations

▶ Spend 1–2 minutes on each area · Perform in any order on both sides · Stop on tender points for 10–20 seconds

diagram pending

Suboccipital mobilization

PDF p. 328 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Manual variation 1

PDF p. 329 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Manual variation 2

PDF p. 330 · instructions pending

front view · red = working arm

Upper trapezius mobilisation

Reduce tension across the top of the shoulder.

PDF p. 330

side view · red = working arm

Levator scapulae mobilisation

Ease tension at the top inner corner of the shoulder blade.

PDF p. 331

Phase 2

Source: Rehab Science · PDF p. 333

Good for

Improving neck range of motion
Alleviating headache symptoms
Building neck flexor strength
Warm-up for phase 3 exercises

Guidelines

Perform every day
Tool: foam roller
Add phase 3 when you can do the exercises with no more than mild pain (3/10)

Stretching Exercises

▶ Do 3 reps with 30- to 60-second holds · Don’t stretch into pain

diagram pending

Suboccipital stretch

PDF p. 333 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Thoracic extension stretch

PDF p. 334 · instructions pending

Mobility Exercises

▶ Do 3 sets of 10–15 reps unless otherwise noted · Active range of motion (AROM)—move as far as you can without pain · Pause at end range for 2–3 seconds

front view · red = working arm

Angel (foam roller)

Dynamically stretch the chest and encourage a more upright posture.

PDF p. 335

diagram pending

Wall chin tuck

PDF p. 336 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Cervical protraction and retraction mobility

PDF p. 336 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Scapular protraction and retraction mobility

PDF p. 337 · instructions pending

diagram pending

Cervical flexor isometric hold

PDF p. 337 · instructions pending

Phase 3

Source: Rehab Science · PDF p. 339

Good for

Strengthening the neck and surrounding muscles
Preventing headache pain

Guidelines

Perform every day
Once your symptoms improve and you can do the isometric exercises without causing flare-ups, add phase 3 exercises from the Neck Pain protocol (here–here)