This study researches the effectiveness of two
manual therapy treatments focused on the suboccipital region for
tension-type headache. A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted over a period of four weeks with a follow-up at one month. Eighty-four patients with a mean age of 39.7 years (SD 11.4) with
tension-type headache were assigned to 4 groups which included the following
manual therapy treatment: suboccipital soft tissue inhibition; occiput-atlas-axis global manipulation; combination of both techniques; and a control group. The primary assessment consisted of collecting socio-demographic data and
headache characteristics in a one-month base period, data such as age, gender, severity of
pain, intensity and frequency of
headache, among other. Outcome secondary assessment were: impact of
headache, disability, ranges of motion of the craniocervical junction, frequency and intensity of
headache, and pericranial tenderness. In the month prior to the study, average
pain intensity, was rated at 6.49 (SD 1.69), and 66.7% subjects suffered
headaches of moderate intensity. After 8 weeks, statistically significant improvements were noted. OAA manipulative treatment and combined
therapy treatments proved to be more effective than suboccipital soft tissue inhibition for
tension-type headache. The treatment with suboccipital soft tissue inhibition, despite producing less significant results, also has positive effects on different aspects of
headache.