The purpose of this study is to see if osteopathic manipulation or light touch can reduce either or both frequency of headaches or use of pain medication. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been shown to help headache symptoms. The investigators like to see if regular OMT sessions can help reduce headache discomfort and also reduce use of pain medication like over-the-counter medications, migraine medications, and opioids. In this randomized controlled trial, a set sequence of OMT will be compared to light touch sham protocol. Investigators will compare participant responses to questionnaires that assess items including pain levels and reported pain medication use for the course of the study period to see if there are any shifts.
18 to 75 years of age
takes opioids or any other pain medication for headaches more than 10 times a month (including over the counter and prescription medications for headaches).
3 months or greater history of headaches or migraines
Patient able to tolerate OMT based on osteopathic physician discretion and with consideration of absolute and relative contraindications to OMT
current diagnosis of neoplasm
history of headache secondary to trauma or concussion
history of brain/cranial surgery, cerebral vascular events/disease (e.g., stroke, Brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), vertebral artery disease)
acute psychiatric diagnosis