Manual trigger point treatment in migraine management: a scope review

Abstract

Background: Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder that significantly impacts the quality of life of millions worldwide. Traditional pharmacological treatments sometimes fall short due to side effects and inconsistent efficacy, prompting a surge of interest in complementary therapies. Among these, manual trigger point therapy emerges as a promising approach. Methods: This comprehensive scoping review analyzes data from five studies with Pedro scores ranging from 4/11 to 7/11 and RoB 2, each assessing the impact of manual trigger point therapy on migraine management. Results: The review reveals that manual trigger point therapy may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine, enhancing overall patient well-being. Some studies suggest that trigger point therapy alone may suffice as an effective standalone treatment. Notably, this therapeutic approach increases effectiveness of concomitant conventional treatments, offering a potential breakthrough in holistic migraine care. Conclusions: While present evidence supports the integration of manual trigger point therapy into migraine management protocols, the varying quality of the studies highlights an urgent need for additional investigation with standardized methodologies and rigorous blinding to validate these promising early findings.