Home › Post-Traumatic Headache › NCT07309874

Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling Targeting Rectus Capitus Posterior Major on Individuals With Headaches

Who can join

Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Reports of a headache within the last 6 months (no minimum or maximum frequency or duration)
* Current reports of headache
* Tenderness to palpation of suboccipital muscles with Numeric Pain Rating Scale score ≥ 2/10
* No history of cervical spine surgery or neurological disorders

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of cervical spine trauma or surgery
* Diagnosed bleeding disorder
* Currently using anticoagulant medications
* Currently using anti-platelet medications
* Diagnosed systemic joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
* Active infection
* Diabetes
* Cancer
* Fibromyalgia
* Cervical radiculopathy
* Inability to tolerate prone positioning for the duration of the procedure.

About the study

Headaches such as tension-type, migraine, and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches are among the most common and disabling conditions worldwide. and are often associated with tight or sensitive muscles at the base of the skull, which can contribute to headaches. Dry needling involves inserting a very thin, sterile needle into tight muscle areas known as trigger points to relieve pain and muscle tension. When applied to the deep neck muscles, including those beneath the skull, dry needling may reduce headache symptoms. The suboccipital region contains important structures such as the vertebral artery, greater occipital nerve, and spinal cord, which requires precise needle placement to maintain safety. Many needling techniques used in this region have not been validated for accuracy or safety in living subjects. This study will use real-time ultrasound imaging to guide dry needling of the rectus capitis posterior major muscle and directly visualize nearby structures to minimize risk.

The main goals of this research are to examine the effects of a single session of ultrasound-guided dry needling on headache symptoms and to confirm the safety, accuracy, and consistency of the proposed needling technique using ultrasound imaging.

What is being tested

• Dry needling (other)

Sponsor: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center · Participants: 50 · Started: Mar 1, 2026

Contact the study team

• Gary A Kearns, PT, ScD · Phone: 12142448398
• Jace A Brown, PT, PhD · Phone: 9406897716

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07309874

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Post-Traumatic Headache
• Headache

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.