Primary headache management in a multidisciplinary team - a pilot study.

Tension-type headaches and migraines are bidirectionally related to dysfunctions of the cervical and masticatory muscles and some psychosocial factors. Our pilot study aimed to investigate the connections between primary headaches, bruxism, and psychosocial issues. In addition, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach in decreasing the intensity and frequency of headache episodes and bruxism. Sixty-seven patients previously diagnosed with primary headache and bruxism were divided into two similar groups. One group benefited from manual therapy alone, while the other received manual therapy and counseling sessions for three months. Statistical data analysis was conducted using SPSS, Version 24, using the paired Student's t-tests and McNemar's tests. After the three-month intervention period, we observed substantial improvements across various parameters. Some demonstrated statistically significant differences, while others did not reach statistical significance. When comparing the outcomes, the combined therapy proved more effective than manual therapy alone.

Successful management of chronic migraine through manual therapy. A case report.

Migraine is the second most debilitating condition affecting a significant portion of the general population, particularly young adults under 50. Despite extensive research, the etiology of migraine remains diverse and often multifactorial, with limited clarity on the specific underlying pathogenic processes. Consequently, the treatment of migraine lacks a mechanism-based approach. We present the case of a young female patient suffering for 8 years of chronic migraine and tension-type headaches. The manual therapy techniques successfully released the muscular tensions, considerably improving her quality of life in terms of pain and emotional well-being.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Swallowing Rehabilitation in Patients with Forward Head Posture.

(1) Background and Objectives: The forward head posture (FHP) is characterized by increased extensions of upper cervical vertebrae and flexion of the lower cervical vertebrae and upper thoracic regions, associated with muscle shortening. The compressive loading on the tissues in the cervical spine negatively impacts suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles and generates increased tension of the masticatory muscles. The tongue has relations with the suprahyoid and the infrahyoid muscles. The pattern of swallowing evolves gradually from birth to the age of four. If this developmental transition does not occur, the result is persistent infantile or atypical swallowing-an orofacial myofunctional disorder with the tongue in improper position during swallowing, causing strain and stress on the jaw, face, head and neck. In FHP, muscles crucial to swallowing are biomechanically misaligned. The lengthening of the suprahyoid muscles necessitates stronger contractions to achieve proper hyolaryngeal movement during swallowing. This study assesses the added benefits of physiotherapy to the traditional myofunctional swallowing rehabilitation for patients with FHP. The underlying hypothesis is that without addressing FHP, swallowing rehabilitation remains challenged and potentially incomplete. (2) Materials and Methods: A total of 61 participants (12-26 years) meeting the inclusion criteria (FHP and atypical swallowing) were divided into two similar groups. Group A attended one orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) and one physiotherapy session per week, group B only one OMT session per week, for 20 weeks. Exclusion criteria were as follows: ankyloglossia, neurological impairment affecting tongue and swallowing, cervical osteoarticular pathology, other previous or ongoing treatments for FHP and atypical swallowing. (3) Results: There is a significant improvement in terms of movement and use of the orofacial structures (tongue, lips, cheeks), as well as in breathing and swallowing in both groups. Group A achieved better outcomes as the CVA angle was directly addressed by manual therapy and GPR techniques. (4) Conclusions: The combined therapy proved to be more effective than single OMT therapy.