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There is a relationship between headaches and dysfunctions in the upper cervical spine, so joint manipulation in this region can be a useful tool for recovering tissue mobility and improving the related symptoms. Objectives: to evaluate the effect of 3 sessions of manipulation of the upper cervical spine on pain, cervical mobility, neck disability index (NDI) and the MIDAS questionnaire of subjects with headache. Methods: 13 subjects (28.1 ± 6.7 years) with headache participated. Initially, they filled in a pain diary for 4 weeks. After this period, NDI and MIDAS questionnaire were applied. Then, the cervical spine movements were measured with a tape measure, with the subject in the seated position. Subsequently, the intervention was performed (3 sessions with an interval of 7 days between them), with the subject positioned in the supine position and the global manipulation for the upper cervical spine was applied bilaterally. At the end of the intervention, subjects were re-evaluated for cervical mobility and for the NDI and MIDAS questionnaire. After that period, subjects answered the pain diary for another 4 weeks (follow up). The statistical analysis consisted of the KS normality test, followed by ANOVA test (and Tukey post hoc test) or paired Student's t test, with the level of significance set at 5%. Results: MIDAS questionnaire and NDI showed a significant improvement after the cervical mobility intervention. The pain parameters, assessed by the pain diary, were significantly reduced during the intervention and remained so in the follow up evaluation. Conclusion: the intervention was effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of subjects with headache.

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most frequent causes of disability, with several associated etiologies. Osteopathic manipulative treatment is widely used to evaluate and manage musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate and late effects of 3 sessions of myofascial osteopathic techniques on pain intensity, posterior chain flexibility, lumbar mobility and level of disability in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: 60 subjects of both genders, randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: healthy control (HC n = 20), low back pain control group (CG, n = 20) and treated low back pain group (TG, n = 20). Initially, the 3 groups were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry questionnaire, Wells bench and measurement of lateral spine tilt and fingertip-to-floor test. The TG was submitted to 3 sessions of myofascial techniques (lasting 40 minutes), 1x / week. The session consisted of the application of 6 myofascial techniques (thoracolumbar fascia, quadratus lumborum fascia, iliopsoas muscle stretching, quadratus lumborum stretching and iliolumbar ligaments). Subjects were reevaluated immediately after the first session, 7 days after the last session and one month after treatment completion (follow up). Results: There was an improvement in posterior chain flexibility (20.3 ± 7.4 cm pre to 26.3 ± 8 cm after 3 sessions), spinal mobility (fingertip-to-floor: 13.3 ± 11.33 cm pre to 4.8 ± 10.5 cm after 3 sessions), as well as pain intensity reduction (3.3 ± 1.9 cm pre to 1 ± 1.7 after 3 sessions) and reduction in the level of lumbar disability (15.8 ± 7.3 in the pre to 9.2 ± 8.6 after 3 sessions) for TG. In HC and CG there was no change in any of the variables. The results shown for TG remained even one month after the intervention. Conclusion: The osteopathic treatment protocol with myofascial techniques was effective for the treatment of low back pain.

Introdução: A mobilização neural é bastante aplicada na pratica clínica. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da mobilização neural das raízes lombares na força e flexibilidade dos músculos flexores e extensores do joelho. Métodos: Foram selecionados 14 homens (22,4±2,87 anos) saudáveis. A flexibilidade foi avaliada para flexão de joelho (FJD e FJE), extensão de quadril (EQD e EQE) e coluna lombar (FL). A força muscular foi avaliada para flexão e extensão do joelho. As avaliações foram realizadas antes da técnica (PRÉ), imediatamente após (PÓS1) e uma semana após (PÓS2). Resultados: Nas avaliações PÓS1 e PÓS2 foi observado aumento significativo da força muscular na FJE. Para a flexibilidade, na avaliação PÓS1, observou-se aumento significativo na FJE, EQD e EQE. Conclusão: A técnica de mobilização neural promoveu aumento da força dos músculos flexores de joelho esquerdo e da flexibilidade no movimento de flexão de joelho esquerdo, extensão de quadril direito e esquerdo em homens sedentários saudáveis.