Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Postconcussive Symptoms: A Case Report

Concussions are a common form of mild traumatic brain injury characterized by a transient alteration of cerebral function leading to a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. Postconcussive symptoms (PCSs) usually resolve in about a week but can persist in 10% to 15% of patients. If left untreated, PCS can profoundly affect a patient's life. The authors present a case of a previously healthy patient who dealt with residual headaches and anxiety for 10 months after a head injury. She was treated with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), which helped resolve her headaches and her anxiety. The OMT techniques applied during treatment included balanced ligamentous tension, myofascial release, and osteopathy in the cranial field techniques. OMT is a nonpharmacological, noninvasive treatment that can benefit patients suffering with PCS. The authors would like to increase the awareness of clinicians and researchers for OMT's potential positive outcomes for PCS, as part of a multifactorial approach to care.