Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41778082›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork2026

Prevalence of Posterior Myofascial Chain Tightness and Presence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Subjects with Cervicogenic Headache.

Aarti Welling, Vijay Kage, Ashwin Patil, Princia Pereira, Nikita Pujari

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Aarti WellingDepartment of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Vijay KageDepartment of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Ashwin PatilDepartment of Radiology, J.N. Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Princia PereiraDepartment of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.
Nikita PujariDepartment of Orthopaedic Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Nehru Nagar, Belagavi, Karnataka, India.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary headache linked to cervical spine disorders and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Recent research suggests that the posterior myofascial chain, extending from the cervical region to the lower limbs, may contribute to CGH. Muscle tightness and trigger points (TrPs) in this chain can exacerbate headache symptoms. However, limited research on the prevalence of tightness and TrPs in the posterior kinetic chain highlights the need for further investigation to inform targeted treatments. Objective: The main aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of tightness and the presence of TrPs in the muscles of the posterior myofascial chain in subjects with CGH. Materials and method: A total of 1,283 participants were screened using the Cervicogenic Headache International Study Group criteria, identifying 188 with CGH. This cross-sectional study assessed muscle tightness and TrPs in the posterior kinetic chain at one point in time. Seventeen TrPs across the upper back, lower back, and lower limbs were examined by examiner 1. Muscle tightness in the trapezius, thoracolumbar fascia, piriformis, hamstrings, and gastrosoleus was evaluated by examiner 2 using a goniometer or measuring tape. Results: Data show that participants with left or right CGH have higher tightness percentages in the trapezius (left: 96.93%, right: 98.88%), thoracolumbar fascia (89.89%), and hamstrings (left: 97.95%, right: 95.55%). TrPs were more in the occipital ridge (left: 84.69%, right: 86.66%), splenius capitis and cervicis (left: 65.30%, right: 61.11%), lower cervical spine (left: 90.81%, right: 96.66%), and rhomboid (left: 55.10%, right: 53.33%). A one-sample Conclusion: The findings indicate that individuals with CGH exhibit a high occurrence of muscle tightness and TrPs on the posterior myofascial chain on the affected side.

Indexed as

cervicogenicfasciaHeadachemuscletightnesstrigger point

Identifiers

PMID41778082
PMCPMC12952955

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.