Headache disorders are one of the most common neurological conditions encountered in clinical practice, and they frequently present within osteopathic and manual therapy settings. Many patients seeking care for headaches also demonstrate cervical dysfunction, muscular tension, and postural contributors that fall directly within the scope of osteopathic assessment and treatment.
This lecture explores the four headache types most commonly encountered in osteopathic practice:
• Tension-type headache
• Migraine
• Cervicogenic headache
• Medication-overuse headache
Participants will learn how to differentiate these headache disorders through careful history taking, physical examination, and clinical reasoning. The lecture also reviews the current research evidence for manual therapy and osteopathic treatment approaches, including systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials investigating headache management.
Special attention is given to red flags and safety considerations, ensuring clinicians are able to identify headache presentations that require referral for medical investigation.
The lecture also integrates osteopathic principles and treatment strategies, including soft tissue techniques, muscle energy techniques, articulatory approaches, and rehabilitative exercise strategies aimed at improving cervical function and reducing headache recurrence.
By the end of this module, participants will have a structured framework for assessing headache presentations and implementing evidence-informed osteopathic treatment plans within safe clinical practice.
This CPD activity includes:
• 35–40 minute lecture
• downloadable lecture notes
• reflection questions
• quiz assessment
• CPD certificate of completion