Why Neck Pain Matters in Migraine — And What To Do About It
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Key Questions
- How can individuals determine whether neck pain is a cause or an effect of migraine?
- What are the benefits of a comprehensive physical assessment in determining the interplay of neck pain and migraine?
- What is a cervicogenic headache? How is it related to neck pain and migraine?
- How is occipital neuralgia different from cervicogenic headache? Can the two disorders coexist?
- How does neck pain relate to central sensitization in someone with migraine disease?
- What are the differences between the neurophysiological and musculoskeletal mechanisms of neck pain?
- Can hypermobility cause or contribute to neck pain, and how can it be managed effectively?
- What is the trigeminal-cervical complex? How does it relate to neck pain and migraine?
- How do degenerative or ruptured discs contribute to neck and migraine pain?
- What are the risks of cervical manipulation?
- What are some of the treatment options or interventions for managing migraine-related neck pain?
Interview Notes
Treatments Mentioned
- Chiropractic care
- Diet
- Ergonomics
- Exercise
- Hydration
- Occipital nerve blocks
- Physical therapy/physiotherapy
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Sleep
- Stress reduction/relaxation
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- Trigger point injection
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Disclaimer: The Migraine World Summit aims to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, free from bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan. Captions are auto-generated and may contain errors.
Zhiqi Liang, PhD, MPhty, BAppSci, FACP
Lecturer, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Queensland
Zhiqi Liang is a specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapist and lecturer in physiotherapy at the University of Queensland. She teaches in the master of Physiotherapy (musculoskeletal) program and also practices clinically at the university’s headache clinic.
Her research focuses on neck pain and headache, especially migraine — exploring how neck pain contributes to headache and identifying treatment directions, including patient preferences, for more individualized management.
In 2024, Zhiqi received the prestigious David Lamb Memorial Award from the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) for high-quality research that has influenced musculoskeletal physiotherapy worldwide.
With more than 15 years of experience, she is a fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, where her expertise is recognized through roles as examiner, facilitator in the Specialisation Training Program, and current service on the Board of Censors.
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Miles for Migraine is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the lives of people with migraine and other headache disorders, and their families, by raising public awareness about this disease, and helping to find a cure. Miles for Migraine produces fun walk/run events, typically a 2-mile walk and 5K and 10K races to raise money for migraine research. We also host adult education days, and a youth program for kids and teens impacted by migraine and other headache disorders.
Lundbeck is a global pharmaceutical company focused exclusively on transformative treatments in neuroscience for people with high unmet need. Every day, we strive for improved treatment anda better life for people living with brain disease. We are committed to supporting the migraine community and helping to eliminate barriers that prevent people from being their best.
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