Vol. 11, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the effects of suboccipital myofascial release technique versus suboccipital muscle energy technique on headache intensity, cervical range of motion and forward head posture in patients with cervicogenic headache at the end of 10 sessions.

Background: Cervicogenic headache is a chronic headache that arises from the atlanto-occipital and upper cervical joints having tightness of suboccipital group of muscles and tenderness of the upper 3 cervical spine joints. Musculoskeletal impairment of the cervical region are seen such as motor control changes in muscle, pain and tenderness, weakness, atrophy or spasm, and movement restriction due to neck pain and headache. Suboccipital Myofascial Release is a therapeutic technique that uses gentle pressure and stretching with the intention of restoring decrease pain, optimizing length, and facilitating the release of fascial restrictions. MET could have considerable positive effects on decreased abnormal muscle tone, normal joint function restoration and pain reduction.

Outcome Measures: Headache Impact test, Cervical ROM, Cranio-vertebral Angle.

Methodology: This study included 40 subjects having Cervicogenic headache with 20 subjects in each group. Group A received Suboccipital Myofascial Release Technique and Group B received Suboccipital Muscle Energy Technique along with conventional exercises for 10 sessions.

Result: Intergroup analysis was done using unpaired t-test which showed significant improvement in Group B (Suboccipital Muscle Energy Technique) in reducing Headache Intensity (p<0.001), reducing Forward Head Posture (p<0.001) and increasing Cervical Range of Motion (p<0.001) post treatment.