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A Review on Osteopathic Manipulation in Patients With Headache
H V Sharath1, Pavan Teja Nadipena2, Moh'd Irshad Qureshi3
1Department of Pediatric Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Wardha, IND.
Cureus
|September 9, 2024
Summary
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) shows promise for managing headaches, including tension-type headaches and migraines. This hands-on approach may reduce headache frequency, intensity, and duration, improving patient quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Integrative Medicine
- Osteopathic Medicine
Background:
- Headaches are a prevalent neurological disorder significantly affecting patient quality of life.
- Traditional headache treatments include pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) offers a holistic, hands-on approach to address musculoskeletal dysfunctions for pain relief and functional improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulation in managing various types of headaches.
- To identify specific OMT techniques and reported outcomes in clinical studies.
- To assess OMT's potential as a complementary therapy for headache management.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE.
- Included studies published in the last two decades involving adult patients diagnosed with headaches and treated with OMT.
- Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were considered.
Main Results:
- Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, suggesting OMT benefits for tension-type headaches (TTHs) and migraines.
- Commonly used techniques included myofascial release, cranial osteopathy, and muscle energy techniques.
- Significant improvements in headache frequency, intensity, duration, quality of life, and functional status were reported.
Conclusions:
- Osteopathic manipulation demonstrates potential as a complementary therapy for headaches, offering pain relief and functional benefits.
- Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm findings and establish standardized protocols.
- Integrating OMT into multidisciplinary headache management may enhance patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medication.
