Massage Therapy May Reduce Chronic Tension Headache

According to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health by Dr. Christopher Quinn of Boulder College of Massage Therapy, Colorado, massage therapy directed to the neck and shoulder muscles can reduce the frequency and duration of tension headaches.
“The results of our study support the efficacy of specific manual intervention to decrease the symptomatology associated with non-migraine headache,” asserted Dr. Quinn.

According to Dr. Quinn, specific manipulation like myofascial trigger points, post-isometric stretching techniques, and massage strokes applied to named musculature was critical in the successful outcomes reported.
Dr. Quinn and associates evaluated four patients with chronic tension headache over a 4-week period--recording the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headaches.

Patients received 30 minutes of massage therapy twice a week in the following 4 weeks. Dr. Quinn then compared the results of massage therapy with baseline headache frequency, duration and intensity.
Massage therapy was found to be significantly to reduce the frequency of headaches from the first week of therapy through to the end of the trial (p = 0.009). The mean headache frequency was reduced from 6.8 at baseline to 2.0 during massage therapy.

The duration of the headaches was also recorded to decrease in the study. Although the results were not statistically significant, the mean of headache duration decreased from 8.0 hours at baseline to 4.3 hours during massage treatment. Dr. Quinn and his group did not find headache intensity to be affected by massage therapy.

“Results from a second portion of the study, yet to be submitted for publication, show statistically significant improvements in psychological parameters associated with chronic pain—specifically, depression, anxiety, and somatization,” noted Dr. Quinn.

According to Dr. Quinn, the use of massage therapy and other manual medicine modalities should be a front line consideration once a diagnosis is definitively established. It is should not be the last resort on the treatment continuum.