Effects of Osteopathic Treatment in Patients With Tension Type Headache

Effects of Osteopathic Treatment in Patients With Tension Type Headache

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the suboccipital muscles inhibition technique on patients suffering from tension-type headaches.

The tension-type headache is a recurrent condition with a high financial repercussion in Portugal. Their side effects often impact daily activities, reducing the quality of life of the patients.

In several studies, the excessive tension of the suboccipital muscles are usually referred as a cause of tension-type headache, since they can exert tension on the dura mater through the myodural bridge.

Inclusion Criteria:

They must have tension-type headache, that is, a headache with:

• a duration of at least 30 min to days, with or without an break;

• must have at least two of the following four characteristics:

  1. bilateral location
  2. pressure or squeezing quality (non throbbing)
  3. weak or moderate intensity
  4. not aggravated by routine physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs;

• must have both of the following criteria:

  1. only one of the following: photophobia, phonophobia, or mild nausea
  2. absence of moderate or severe nausea or vomiting.

Exclusion Criteria:

• They can't be on antibiotics, antivirals, or antidepressants;
• They can't have neurological problems;
• They shouldn't have any absolute contraindication for the osteopathic maneuvers;
• They can't have acute pathologies (ex: infection) or serious (ex: cancer);
• They can't have fractures in the skull, cervical spine or high dorsal spine (up to D4);
• They can't be pregnant.