Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull: Headache and the neck: the role of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction: On demand webinar

Professor Gwendolen Jull — Headache and the Neck: Differential Assessment and Physiotherapy Management

Cervicogenic headache remains one of the most clinically relevant and often misunderstood headache disorders seen by physiotherapists. In this advanced webinar, Professor Gwendolen Jull (University of Queensland, Australia) brings over 30 years of pioneering research and clinical insight to the assessment and management of neck-related headache.

Drawing on the latest evidence from the International Headache Society (IHS) and Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group (CHISG), Jull explores the musculoskeletal mechanisms underlying cervicogenic headache, migraine, and tension-type headache, and shows how physiotherapists can differentiate and treat these complex presentations effectively.

Participants will learn how to identify key diagnostic criteria, perform validated tests such as the Flexion-Rotation Test and Craniocervical Flexion Test, and apply evidence-based manual therapy, neuromuscular re-education, and sensorimotor retraining within a biopsychosocial framework.

Clinical reasoning is guided by the latest randomized controlled trials, which demonstrate that a multimodal approach combining manipulative therapy and specific exercise produces significant and lasting reductions in headache intensity and frequency — even at 12-month follow-up.

Key topics:

• Differential diagnosis of cervicogenic, migraine, and tension-type headache
• Role of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in primary headaches
• Validated manual and movement tests for upper cervical dysfunction
• Clinical examination and red flags for differential diagnosis
• Evidence-based multimodal management: education, manual therapy, exercise, and sensorimotor control
• Patient empowerment and self-management strategies

Learning Goals

Critically differentiate headache types

• The participant can critically distinguish cervicogenic headache from migraine and tension-type headache by integrating IHS and CHISG diagnostic criteria with advanced clinical reasoning, symptom patterns, and validated physical tests.

Evaluate cervical musculoskeletal dysfunctions

• The participant can systematically assess cervical joint, muscle, and sensorimotor impairments—using validated tools such as the Flexion-Rotation Test and Craniocervical Flexion Test—and interpret their significance for headache mechanisms.

Integrate evidence-based physiotherapy interventions

• The participant can design, justify, and adapt a multimodal management plan combining manual therapy, neuromuscular retraining, sensorimotor exercises, and education within a biopsychosocial framework supported by current research evidence.

Critically appraise clinical and imaging findings

• The participant can analyse the validity and limitations of imaging and clinical examination techniques in identifying cervical contributions to headache, and apply this insight to optimize diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

Promote patient self-management and long-term outcomes

• The participant can implement patient-centred communication and empowerment strategies to support adherence, behavioural change, and long-term self-management in individuals with recurrent cervicogenic or mixed headache disorders.

This course is designed for physiotherapists, manual therapists, and other MSK professionals seeking to deepen their clinical expertise in managing headache disorders at an advanced, evidence-based level.