The effects of music therapy in conjunction with chiropractic management of muscle tension headaches

Abstract

This study proposes to evaluate the combined effects of music therapy and chiropractic treatment in the management of muscle tension headaches, in terms of the patients' response, in order to establish the efficacy of music therapy as an adjunct to chiropractic management of muscle tension headaches. It was hypothesized that music therapy and chiropractic treatment combined have a more beneficial effect, in that it would reduce muscle tension headaches to a greater extent than chiropractic treatment alone, thus reducing the severity, duration and frequency of muscle tension headaches. The diagnostic criteria for muscle tension headache were consistent amongst the majority of authors. The most common cause was attributed to psychological or occupational stress on the posterior neck musculature i .e. an increase in muscle tension. An increase in muscle tension in muscle tension headache sufferers measured with an electromyogram was reported on by various authors. A decrease in electromyogram readings in response to music therapy has also been measured. Certain authors have attributed muscle tension headaches to cervical facet joint dysfunction. The presence of myofascial trigger points occurring concurrently with a muscle tension headache was mentioned. The majority of authors were in agreement as to the most beneficial type of music to be used. The music is to have a