Sillevis Rob, Khalaf Nicola, Weiss Valerie, Sanchez Romero Eleuterio A
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA.
Research Group in Nursing and Health Care, Puerta de Hierro Health Research Institute-Segovia de Arana (IDIPHISA), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Aug 17;13(16):2030. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13162030.
Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a prevalent secondary headache disorder associated with upper cervical spine dysfunction, often involving nociceptive convergence at the trigeminocervical complex. While manual therapy and exercise have demonstrated benefit, autonomic dysregulation may contribute to persistent symptoms. This case report explores the integration of external vagus nerve stimulation (eVNS) into a multimodal physical therapy approach targeting both mechanical and neurophysiological contributors to CGH. A 63-year-old female presented with chronic CGH characterized by right-sided suboccipital and supraorbital pain, impaired sleep, and postural dysfunction. Examination revealed a right rotational atlas positional fault, restricted left atlantoaxial (AA) mobility, suboccipital hypertonicity, and reduced deep neck flexor endurance. Initial treatment emphasized manual therapy to restore AA mobility and atlas symmetry, combined with postural correction and neuromuscular training. After initial symptom improvement plateaued, eVNS targeting the auricular branch of the vagus nerve was introduced to modulate autonomic tone. The patient used a handheld eVNS device nightly over three weeks. Substantial improvements were observed in the Neck Disability Index (↓77%), Headache Disability Inventory (↓72%), and pain scores (↓100%). Cervical mobility, atlas symmetry, and deep neck flexor endurance improved markedly. The patient reported reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and sustained headache relief at one-month follow-up. This case highlights the potential synergistic benefits of integrating eVNS within a physiotherapy-led CGH management plan. Further research is warranted to explore its role in targeting autonomic imbalance and enhancing conservative treatment outcomes.
颈源性头痛(CGH)是一种常见的继发性头痛疾病,与上颈椎功能障碍有关,常涉及三叉神经颈复合体的伤害性会聚。虽然手法治疗和运动已显示出益处,但自主神经调节异常可能导致症状持续存在。本病例报告探讨了将体外迷走神经刺激(eVNS)纳入针对CGH的机械和神经生理学因素的多模式物理治疗方法。一名63岁女性出现慢性CGH,其特征为右侧枕下和眶上疼痛、睡眠障碍和姿势功能障碍。检查发现右侧寰椎旋转位置异常、左侧寰枢(AA)关节活动受限、枕下肌肉张力亢进以及颈部深层屈肌耐力下降。初始治疗重点是通过手法治疗恢复AA关节活动度和寰椎对称性,并结合姿势矫正和神经肌肉训练。在初始症状改善趋于平稳后,引入针对迷走神经耳支的eVNS以调节自主神经张力。患者连续三周每晚使用手持式eVNS设备。颈部残疾指数(下降77%)、头痛残疾问卷(下降72%)和疼痛评分(下降100%)均有显著改善。颈椎活动度、寰椎对称性和颈部深层屈肌耐力明显改善。患者报告焦虑减轻、睡眠改善,且在1个月随访时头痛持续缓解。本病例突出了在以物理治疗为主导的CGH管理计划中整合eVNS的潜在协同益处。有必要进一步研究以探索其在针对自主神经失衡和提高保守治疗效果方面的作用。
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