Potentiation of physiotherapy by low-level laser or kinesio taping for treatment of cervicogenic headache: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a referred pain originating from the neck and perceived in the head and/or face. Its morbidity and cost of treatment hugely affect the society. Classical management is by physiotherapy (PT) and analgesics. Patients and methods: A total of 45 patients with CGH were treated either by PT alone or by PT and low-level laser or by PT and kinesio taping (KT). Results: Three outcome measures were obtained: the pain pressure threshold, the neck disability index, and the forward head posture improved significantly in all groups. Compared with PT alone, adding KT gave better results in all three parameters. Adding low-level laser gave better scores in both pain pressure threshold and neck disability index. Adding KT to PT gave better results in all parameters than adding low-level laser. Conclusion: In the short term, KT improves the outcome of PT for CGH to a greater extent compared with the low-level laser therapy.