While the effectiveness of manual therapy in managing tension-type headaches (TTH) remains debated, most research has focused on alleviating pain intensity and frequency. However, the potential benefits of manual therapy on patients’ quality of life have not been adequately explored.

In 2016, Espí-López, et. al., conducted study which aimed to evaluate the impact of various manual therapy techniques on the quality of life in patients suffering from TTH over a four-week treatment period. The study was conducted as a factorial, randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial. Research was carried out at a specialized headache treatment center. A total of 76 participants, 62 of whom were women, aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age: 39.9 ± 10.9 years), diagnosed with either episodic or chronic TTH, were enrolled in the study.

The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: suboccipital inhibitory pressure, suboccipital spinal manipulation, a combination of the two treatments, or a control group receiving no manual therapy. Quality of life was assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire, covering both the overall score and individual dimensions, at baseline, post-treatment, and after a one-month follow-up.

The group receiving suboccipital inhibitory pressure demonstrated significant improvement in overall quality of life at the one-month follow-up, particularly in areas related to moderate physical activities and emotional well-being. Across all treatment groups, participants showed notable improvements in physical role, pain management, and social functioning, with no significant changes in the control group. Additionally, the combination therapy group showed enhanced vitality post-treatment and at follow-up, while mental health improvements were observed in groups receiving spinal manipulation.

All three manual therapy techniques contributed to positive changes in quality of life for patients with TTH, with the combined treatment producing the most significant improvements. These findings highlight the efficacy of suboccipital region treatments in improving multiple dimensions of quality of life for TTH patients.

Manual therapy applied to the suboccipital region for as little as four weeks leads to marked improvements in various aspects of quality of life in individuals suffering from TTH. This underscores the potential for manual therapy to be an effective rehabilitation approach for TTH management.

Reference: Espí-López, G. V., Rodriguez-Blanco, C., Oliva-Pascual-Vaca, A., Molina-Martinez, F., & Falla, D. (2016). Do manual therapy techniques have a positive effect on quality of life in people with tension-type headache? A randomized controlled trial. European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 52(4), 447-456.