Chiropractic and Manual Therapy for Tension Headache

Manual therapy consisting of spinal manipulation, mobilization, soft-tissue therapy, or exercise is more effective than medication in the short term and as effective as medication long-term for muscle tension-type headaches. One of the most common physical interventions for headache management is manual therapy (MT) including chiropractic adjustments or ‘spinal manipulation’, joint and spinal mobilization, therapeutic massage, and other manipulative and body-based therapies. Chiropractic can help your tension headaches. In addition, spinal manipulation, chiropractic care, some supplements and botanicals, diet alteration, and hydrotherapy may also be beneficial in migraine headache.

References:

1. Multimodal manual therapy vs. pharmacological care for management of tension type headache: A meta-analysis of randomized trials. Mesa-Jiménez JA, Lozano-López C, Angulo-Díaz-Parreño S, Rodríguez-Fernández ÁL, De-la-Hoz-Aizpurua JL, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas C. Cephalalgia. 2015 Dec;35(14):1323-32. doi: 10.1177/0333102415576226. Epub 2015 Mar 6. Review.
A critical review of manual therapy use for headache disorders: prevalence, profiles, motivations, communication and self-reported effectiveness. Moore CS, Sibbritt DW, Adams J. BMC Neurol. 2017 Mar 24;17(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s12883-017-0835-0. Review.

About the Author: Dean Smith, DC, PhD

Dean Smith, DC, PhD, husband, and father of two children, is a highly respected health and wellness authority. He is a chiropractor at Essence of Wellness Chiropractic Center and a researcher and clinical professor at Miami University. Dr. Smith incorporates lifestyle intervention (exercise, nutrition, other non-drug methods) with chiropractic adjustments and other manual methods to encourage optimal wellness. He has helped countless adults and children lead a life of wellness. His research interests lie broadly in the area of human movement and coordination. He is most interested in how chiropractic, exercise and rehabilitation affect human performance. His scientific articles have been published in such journals as Human Movement Science, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Chiropractic Research Journal, Chiropractic and Osteopathy and The Open Neurology Journal. His training includes a Master’s degree in exercise science, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a PhD in brain and cognitive science with a focus on motor control and coordination. The International Federation of Sports Chiropractic has awarded him with the International Chiropractic Sport Science Diploma (ICSSD).

Chiropractic and Manual Therapy for Tension Headache