Effectiveness of cervical manipulation vs. positional release therapy in trigger points for tension type headache

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of cervical manipulation treatment and positional release therapy in patients with tension-type headache. Methods: An experimental, longitudinal, controlled, study was carried out. A total of 82 patients (sampled population) who were diagnosed with tension headache participated in the study. The final sample included 60 subjects (sample), which was randomly divided into three groups: two treatment groups and one control group. Cervical manipulation was performed in bilateral rotation for C1 and C1 in group 1 while positional release therapy was done in group 2. Therapy was performed in two sessions weekly, with assessments before and after treatment. The pain threshold to pressure on trigger points in the upper trapezius and temporalis muscles bilaterally was evaluated. Results: The most significant results were found in POST session 2 with values that showed that there was an increased pain threshold to pressure for TPD (total permanent disability) variables (P = 0.003), TPI (P < 0.001) and TMD (P = 0.029). TPD variable (P = 0.020, 95% CI = 0.470-0.645), TPI (P = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.110-0.668) and TMD (P = 0.047, 95% CI = 0.003-0.511) showed significant differences between the cervical manipulation groups and positional release therapy. Conclusions: Cervical manipulation and positional release therapy treatments are effective in the management of patients with tension type headache, with the cervical manipulation group showing the best results