Manual Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Migraine

Migraine is a primary headache that affects 1 in 10 people worldwide with an upward trend. It is twice as common in women than in men and is the leading cause of disability in the 15-49 year old age group.

It has a significant impact on individual productivity causing work and school absenteeism not only from the symptoms themselves but also from the possible side-effects of the medications which are the main treatment options.

There has been quite a lot of controversy over the years in the research literature and physio forums as to whether or not Manual Therapy is a useful treatment for classic Migraine.

As an experienced manual therapist, my personal viewpoint has been that it’s worth a try.

Over the years, I’ve treated many people with headaches and migraine with and without neck symptoms. In many cases, I've found that there is an improvement in symptoms and symptom management. In addition to ‘hands-on’ Manual Therapy, posture correction and advice, and tailored exercises (where tolerated) consisting of specific stretching and strengthening can all add some improvement margins as well as giving a sense of empowerment that you’re managing your condition rather than it managing you.

A 2021 Spanish research study that I recently came across has now added to the evidence-base to reinforce this view. A team of researchers from the University of Valencia looked at 50 individuals with migraine and found that in comparison with a placebo group, the Manual Therapy group reported significant effects on pain intensity, migraine disability, physical quality of life and overall quality of life as well as a decrease in medication uptake.

This study is especially interesting as the treatment consisted of manual therapy articulatory (specialised joint mobilisation) techniques to the upper cervical spinal joints alone rather than including exercise and other therapies as in some previous studies. These previous studies incidentally had even better results but were not a group of specific migraine sufferers, rather they were a mixed group of primary headache sufferers. This gives hope for help especially to those migraine sufferers that can’t tolerate exercise interventions.

Ref: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2021.102386

Helen Skehan is Practice Principal of Physio Solutions and leads a team of experienced Manual Therapists who have expertise in treating headaches, migraine and spinal pain. If you would like to discuss potential treatment for migraine or have any other musculoskeletal query please feel free to get in touch using our website contact details

Photo Credit: 526614 / Migraine © Fred Goldstein | Dreamstime.com

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