Effect of Osteopathic Intervention on Migraine: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Migraine is a frequent and disabling neurological pathology, characterised by crises of moderate to severe pain, often unilateral, and accompanied by sensory phenomena such as nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia. Its pathophysiology involves the activation of brainstem nuclei, Cortical Spreading Depression, and subsequent stimulation of the trigeminovascular system. The release of neuropeptides, such as Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Substance P, triggers sterile neuro-inflammation and both peripheral and central sensitisation, contributing to the intensity and persistence of pain.

The connection between superior cervical structures and the trigeminovascular system, particularly at the C2 level, highlights the relevance of the cervicogenic region in modulating symptomatology. The convergence of trigeminal and cervical afferents in the trigeminocervical complex explains the possibility for manual interventions to influence the clinical parameters of migraine.

Osteopathic intervention has demonstrated potential in reducing the intensity, frequency, and duration of migraines. Notable techniques include the inhibition of the suboccipital muscles, which acts upon the high tension of this musculature associated with alterations in vertebrobasilar flow and nociceptive stimuli from the atlanto-occipital region; as well as the structural technique applied to the C2 vertebra, which seeks to normalise segmental mobility and reduce the stimulation of nociceptive pathways involved in migraine pathophysiology. Existing studies suggest symptomatic improvements following the application of these techniques, although gaps in evidence persist.

In light of these elements, investigation into the efficacy of applying an osteopathic protocol to migraine presents clinical and scientific relevance, justifying its application within the context of a clinical trial.