Effect of Postural Correction and Orthopedic Massage Therapy on the Frequency of Headaches and Tenderness of Muscles in Migraine Patients

Background: Due to controversial information about the effect of different physiotherapy methods used in the treatment of migraine patients, the aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of postural correction and orthopedic massage as interventions against headache, and neck and shoulder area muscles tenderness, on improving active range of cervical motion and upper body posture in episodic migraine patients (n = 10) before, after five-week therapy program and 6 months after the therapy. Methods: Effectiveness of interventions against headache was measured by the Headache Under-Response to Treatment (HURT) Questionnaire. Neck and shoulder area muscles tenderness was assessed using Total Tenderness Score (TTS) and active range of cervical motion (caAROM) by cervical goniometry. Upper body alignment from lateral and posterior view was assessed by observation. Results: HURT-3 score was significantly lower both after five-week therapy program (P < 0.05, g = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.06, 1.91) and 6 months after the therapy (P < 0.05, g = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.14, 2.02) as compared to the respective characteristics before the therapy. TTS was significantly lower after five-week therapy program (P < 0.01, g = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.42, 2.38), increasing during half a year, but not significantly (P > 0.05, g = 0.51, 95% CI = -0.38, 1.40). Six different directions of caAROM increased after five-week therapy, but significant increase was registered only in lateral flexion to the right 6 months after the therapy (P < 0.05, g = -1.17, 95% CI = -2.12, -0.22). Upper body posture from lateral view was significantly improved after five-week therapy (P < 0.05, g = -1.25, 95% CI = -2.21, -0.29) and 6 months after the therapy (P < 0.05, g = -1.22, 95% CI = -2.18, -0.27). From posterior view significant postural correction was registered only after five-week therapy program (P < 0.05, g = -1.37, 95% CI = -2.34, -0.39). Conclusions: Half a year after the postural correction and orthopedic massage therapy the frequency of headaches is lowered, but neck and shoulder area muscles tenderness has increased. Significant positive effect on the frequency of headaches and correct upper body posture from lateral view is maintained 6 months after the therapy. Characteristics of cervical motions are comparable to standard values both after five-week therapy program and 6 months after the therapy. Postural correction and orthopedic massage are effective in reducing frequency of headaches in episodic migraine patients.