Positive Health Online

Abstract

HAMMILL and colleagues, Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa USA used a physical therapy regimen to treat muscle contraction headache.

Background

Methodology

20 people with a diagnosis of muscle contraction headache were treated for pain relief with physical therapy once per week for six visits. The control period was the previous 3-week period of no treatment, during which time the people recorded a diary of their headache frequency, duration and intensity using a numeric pain scale. Activity level, measured by the Sickness Impact Profile, and verbal reports of headache frequency, duration and intensity were recorded 4 times during a one-year period. Measurements were recorded at precontrol, pretreatment, posttreatment and 12-month follow-up. The physical therapy treatment included education for posture at home and work, isotonic home exercise, massage and stretching the cervical spine muscles.

Results

The frequency of headaches and Sickness Impact Profile scores significantly improved over the course of treatment, and these benefits were maintained after 1 year.

Conclusion

References

Hammill JM et al. Effectiveness of a physical therapy regimen in the treatment of tension-type headache. Headache 36(3): 14953. Mar 1996.