Headache Relief with Manual Therapy

Up to 20% of headaches are caused by problems in the neck.

A 2016 study examined 110 people with chronic headaches and neck pain. Half the participants were treated with exercise and joint mobilization, while the other half received spinal manipulation techniques performed by a physical therapist.

After 8 sessions with their physical therapists, both groups reported large improvements in headache intensity and neck pain. The exercise and mobilization group reported a 37% decrease in headache intensity, and the manipulation group reported a 67% decrease in headache intensity. Similarly, large improvements in neck pain were achieved in both groups.

This study proves that 2 different forms of manual therapy are effective for relieving headaches: mobilization and manipulation techniques.  However, participants receiving spinal manipulation reported almost twice the improvement.