Objective: To demonstrate how research findings can inform the management of an individual patient with tension-type headache (TTH).
Clinical Features: A 41-year-old female presented with signs and symptoms consistent with TTH.
Discussion: PubMed was searched for systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulation in treating TTH. One relevant RCT involving 84 participants with TTH was found and appraised for its validity, importance, and applicability to the management of our specific case. Based on the appraised research evidence, we deemed that a combination of manipulation and soft-tissue mobilization would be more effective than manipulation alone at reducing headache frequency, intensity, and pain perception compared to no treatment. In our patient scenario, we would recommend a 4-week trial (of at least 1 session per week) of soft-tissue therapy and manipulation supported by work- and home-based postural and aerobic exercises.
Conclusion: Evidence from a 2014 RCT published in the chiropractic literature was used in combination with our clinical expertise and patient’s values in formulating a management plan for an individual case of TTH.
Author keywords: Evidence-Based Practice; Evidence-Based Case Report; Tension-Type Headache
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