{"id":554738,"date":"2026-07-17T17:27:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:27:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/554738\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T17:27:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:27:18","slug":"university-of-queensland-researchers-trial-neck-exercises-to-prevent-debilitating-migraines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/554738\/","title":{"rendered":"University of Queensland researchers trial neck exercises to prevent debilitating migraines"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the millions living with debilitating migraines, relief could soon come from an unexpected place – the back of the neck.<\/p>\n

Australian researchers are trialling a physio program to reduce the frequency and severity of the headaches with moves you can try at home.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Simple fix that could help millions of migraine sufferers<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a lot more than a pain in the neck, but that is exactly what researchers believe should be targeted to treat, perhaps even prevent, migraines.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve identified that working on upper cervical rotation improves symptoms in many people,\u201d University of Queensland\u2019s Peter Farmer said.<\/p>\n

The treatment has already helped people like Ellen Jarrett, who had her first migraine at 18.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll start to get a feeling behind my right eye. Then it is often neck pain,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout 80 to 90 per cent of them actually have neck pain, so we\u2019re targeting people where they\u2019ve got a defined issue with the way their neck is functioning,\u201d Farmer said.<\/p>\n

\"UniversityUniversity of Queensland researchers trial neck exercises to prevent debilitating migraines Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

The exercises involve gentle therapy, turning the upper neck to improve mobility.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re specifically treating that function, so it\u2019s quite a unique way of researching in this area,\u201d Farmer explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m able to use those techniques to manage my disorder and reduce the amount of attacks that I get,\u201d Jarrett said.<\/p>\n

Medication is still the main treatment for the 1.2 billion sufferers around the world, but soon they could try this at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s brilliant. It\u2019s a drug-free treatment,\u201d Jarrett said.<\/p>\n

\"UniversityUniversity of Queensland researchers trial neck exercises to prevent debilitating migraines Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n

A pilot study has already found 8 in 10 participants reported fewer migraines, with some even saying they were able to stop an attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t got any evidence yet because it was a small number, but it\u2019s actually looking really promising,\u201d Farmer said.<\/p>\n

The University of Queensland is now recruiting for its first clinical trial.<\/p>\n

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