The Effect of Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) in Cervicogenic Headache / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is not universally accepted as terminology used to discuss headaches associated with disorders of the cervical spine. Sjaastad was the first to describe CGH that its definition and diagnosis relied entirely on clinical features. Pain is often triggered by irritation of nociceptors from structures in the cervical spine, and so diagnostic criteria of CGH have been established with agreement that these headaches start in the neck or occipital region and are associated with tenderness of cervical paraspinal tissues. Past history and clinical features are important to detect and diagnose the disease because the significance of radiological findings and advanced diagnostic testing is unclear. Gunn's intramuscular stimulation (IMS) is a treatment modality of CGH upon radiculopathic model. We tried IMS for treatment of 3 patients with CGH. After IMS, the patients were well respond the therapy and the results were satisfactory. Therefore we recommend the IMS for the treatment of CGH.