Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache
G Bronfort1, N Nilsson, M Haas
1Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, Northwestern Health Sciences University, 2501 W 84th St, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA. gbronfort@nwhealth.edu
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 22, 2004
Summary
Non-invasive physical therapies show promise for chronic headaches, with spinal manipulation effective for migraine and cervicogenic types. Further research is needed to confirm effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Chronic and recurrent headaches are common conditions.
- Non-invasive physical treatments are frequently utilized for headache management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate and compare the short- and long-term efficacy of non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headaches.
- To assess the strength of evidence for various physical therapies across different headache types.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, etc.) up to November 2002.
- Included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing non-invasive physical treatments against any control group.
- Data abstraction and quality scoring were performed by two independent reviewers; outcomes were standardized, and evidence strength was assessed.
Main Results:
- Twenty-two studies involving 2628 patients addressed migraine, tension-type, cervicogenic, and post-traumatic headaches.
- Spinal manipulation showed potential as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, with short-term effects comparable to amitriptyline.
- For cervicogenic headaches, neck exercise and spinal manipulation demonstrated short- and long-term effectiveness compared to no treatment.
Conclusions:
- Certain non-invasive physical treatments may offer effective prophylactic options for chronic headaches with a low risk of adverse effects.
- Further high-quality research is essential to establish clinical and cost-effectiveness due to study heterogeneity.
- The findings suggest potential benefits but highlight the need for rigorous future trials to solidify conclusions.
