Osteopathy can help with migraines
Osteopathy is a manual therapy
Researchers compared various therapeutic forms in migraine patients. Medication plus osteopathy were the best cure.
Migraine is a common condition affecting around six percent of men and 18 percent of women. An Italian research team led by Francesco Cerritelli studied whether osteopathy can help relieve pain and prevent seizures. This study has now appeared in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
The study, conducted between March and November 2010, examined 105 patients diagnosed with migraine in the Department of Neurology at Ancona's United Hospitals. The diagnosis met the guidelines of the International Headache Society. The subjects, between 18 and 50 years old, were divided into three groups: the first received osteopathic therapy and medication, the second medication (triptans) only and the third placebo manual treatment.
Headache study
At the beginning of the study, socio-demographic factors, migraine severity and quality of life were consistent within the three groups. All patients were re-examined after six months and interviewed about frequency, intensity, and effects of headache attacks using a Headache Impact Test (HIT 6).
Effective therapy for migraine patients
There were significant differences in treatment success. In the placebo and pure drug groups, headaches decreased by 2.11 points. Patients receiving osteopathy in addition to the triptans were 8.74 points lower than the pure medication group and 6.6 points lower than the group receiving placebo.
Conclusion of the researchers: Osteopathy is a proven therapy for migraine patients.
