Women with Chronic Migraines Have Altered Neck Muscle Activity

A recent study investigated neck muscle activity in women with chronic migraines. Researchers used surface electromyography to monitor the neck muscles of 31 subjects with episodic migraines, 21 with chronic migraines, and 31 healthy individuals. The results revealed that women with chronic migraines exhibited greater activity in their superficial neck extensor muscles during neck flexion than the non-headache subjects. The findings demonstrate that cervical dysfunction may play some role in the migraine headache process. Additionally, previous studies have shown treatments that improve cervical function, like chiropractic care, can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines in some patients. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, June 2016