Neck Pain Associated with Migraine: What is the Role of Physiotherapy?

Overview

Migraines are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide–and for many patients, neck pain is a frequent and troubling part of the experience. In fact, up to 87% of individuals with chronic migraines report coexisting neck pain, which often results in more severe migraine attacks, reduced responsiveness to acute meds and higher disability. This raises questions of what exactly is the relationship between migraine headaches and neck pain, and how physiotherapists should approach treatment? 

This comprehensive course provides evidence-informed insight into the neurophysiological, musculoskeletal and sensitisation mechanisms that underpin the connection between migraine and neck pain. Although manual therapy and exercise are common tools to address neck pain, the effectiveness varies depending on whether the pain stems from a true musculoskeletal disorder, central sensitisation, or a part of the migraine process itself.

Led by Dr. Zhiqi Liang in collaboration with the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, this course  guides clinicians through differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning, and individualized management strategies of neck pain associated with migraine.

Delving into real case studies and recent research, participants will learn to identify whether or not the neck is the cause, contributor, or a consequence of a migraine, how to use their clinical tools more effectively, and better support patients who experience neck pain as part of their migraine experience. 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this online course, participants will:

1. Understand and identify the potential sources of neck pain in migraine.
2. Understand and identify neck pain sensitization in migraine.
3. Apply the above in clinical reasoning of different patient presentations in physiotherapy management of migraine.

Audience

This online course is ideal for:

• Physiotherapists and rehabilitations professionals treating patients with migraine, neck pain, or headaches.
• Clinicians interested in improving their clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis of neck-related disorders and migraine presentations.
• Health care professionals seeking to integrate a biopsychosocial, neuroscience-informed approach to headache and neck/cervical spine management.

Presenter: Dr. Zhiqi Liang

Dr. Zhiqi Liang is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland. She teaches on the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) Program and her research is on neck pain in headache, especially migraine. In 2024, she was awarded the David Lamb Award by IFOMPT for high quality research that has made an impact to musculoskeletal physiotherapy internationally. Dr. Liang has been a musculoskeletal physiotherapist for more than 15 years. Her clinical expertise is recognised by Fellowship within the Australian College of Physiotherapists, where she has been actively involved as an examiner, facilitator and currently serves on the Board of Censors.