Twenty patients with diagnosis of muscle contraction headache were tre
ated for pain relief in a physical therapy clinic once a week for six
visits. The previous 3-week period of no treatment served as a control
period during which patients recorded by diary their headache frequen
cy, duration, and intensity using a numeric pain scale. Activity level
, as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile, and verbal reports of he
adache frequency, duration, and intensity were recorded at four points
during a 1-year period. Measurements were recorded at precontrol, pre
treatment, posttreatment, and 12-month follow-up. Treatment included e
ducation for posture at home and work place, isotonic home exercise, m
assage, and stretching to the cervical spine muscles. Results indicate
d frequency of headaches and Sickness Impact Profile scores were signi
ficantly improved (P<0.001) over the course of treatment. These benefi
ts were maintained after 12 months.