Chiropractic Care and Headaches/Migraines
Many headaches, including migraines and tension-type headaches, can be linked to dysfunction in the spine, particularly the neck. Chiropractic care focuses on improving spinal health through gentle adjustments, aiming to reduce nerve irritation and improve overall function. Research shows that chiropractic adjustments may help decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of headaches and migraines for many individuals. Below are summaries of studies and case reports exploring the role of chiropractic care in supporting patients with headache and migraine concerns.
Chiropractic Care and Chronic Headaches: A Study Overview
A study published in the September 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics explored the effectiveness of chiropractic care, specifically spinal manipulative therapy (SMT), in treating patients with chronic headaches. This report analyzed data from nine clinical trials involving a total of 683 patients who suffered from chronic headaches.
In the study, chiropractic adjustments (SMT) were compared to massage therapy and medications for short-term headache relief, following a month of treatment. The findings revealed that chiropractic care was more effective than massage therapy in providing relief from chronic headaches. Additionally, while medications also offered some relief, the medication group experienced a significantly higher rate of side effects compared to the chiropractic group. This difference highlighted the advantages of chiropractic care in terms of both effectiveness and safety.
The study also discussed the substantial financial burden of headaches, with billions of dollars spent annually on treatment and lost productivity. It noted that while medical practitioners have traditionally been the primary care providers for headache sufferers, there has been a growing trend toward seeking non-medical or alternative therapies. A Harvard University study, cited in the report, found that chiropractors are among the most commonly sought alternative practitioners for headache treatment.
In conclusion, this study reinforces what many chiropractors and their patients have long known: chiropractic care, specifically spinal manipulation, is one of the most effective and safe treatments for chronic headache sufferers.
Source: "Chiropractic Care for Chronic Headaches." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, September 2001.
Vectored Upper Cervical Manipulation for Chronic Sleep Bruxism, Headache, and Cervical Spine Pain in a Child
A case study published in the Manipulative Physiological Therapy journal (Vol. 26, No. 6, July/August 2003) by Knutson, G.J., presents the results of chiropractic care for a six-year-old child with chronic sleep bruxism, morning headaches, and cervical spine (neck) pain. The child was experiencing abnormal tooth wear due to bruxism, consistent morning headaches, and discomfort in the neck region.
The treatment involved adjustments to the upper cervical spine, specifically targeting the atlas (the first cervical vertebra), using the transverse process as the contact point for the manipulation. After a series of adjustments, the child experienced "complete relief" of the chronic symptoms, which included the elimination of abnormal joint and structural issues associated with the conditions.
This case demonstrates how specific upper cervical adjustments may effectively address a combination of musculoskeletal and neurological issues in pediatric patients, offering a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to managing chronic conditions like bruxism, headaches, and neck pain.
Source: Knutson, G.J. "Vectored Upper Cervical Manipulation for Chronic Sleep Bruxism, Headache, and Cervical Spine Pain in a Child." Manipulative Physiological Therapy, Vol. 26, No. 6, July/August 2003.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Migraine
In a study published in Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (Feb. 2000, Vol. 23, Issue 2, pp. 91-95), Tuchin, Pollard, and Bonello conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine sufferers. The study followed 127 participants over a six-month period, with half of the participants receiving diversified chiropractic adjustments and the other half serving as a control group.
The results showed that the group receiving chiropractic care experienced statistically significant improvements in multiple aspects of migraine symptoms. These improvements included a reduction in the frequency and duration of migraines, decreased disability associated with the headaches, and lower medication usage. Notably, 22% of the participants who received chiropractic care reported more than a 90% reduction in migraine frequency after just two months. Additionally, around 50% of those receiving chiropractic treatment reported significant improvement in the severity of their migraine episodes.
This study supports the potential benefits of chiropractic care in managing migraines, particularly in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches, as well as improving quality of life for sufferers.
Source: Tuchin, PJ, Pollard, H, Bonello, R. "A Randomized Controlled Trial of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Migraine." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 2000, 23(2), pp. 91-95.
Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache
A report from Duke University, authored by McCrocy and Gray (2001), examines the effectiveness of various drug and non-drug therapies for treating cervicogenic headaches, which are among the most common types of headache. The report compares the outcomes of chiropractic care, soft tissue therapies, and drug treatments.
The findings of the report indicate that chiropractic care is more effective than other soft tissue therapies in reducing both the frequency and severity of cervicogenic headaches. Moreover, chiropractic treatments were found to be superior to drug therapies, offering significantly better long-term results. This highlights chiropractic care as an effective and sustainable approach for managing cervicogenic headaches compared to pharmacological interventions.
Source: McCrocy, D. and Gray, R. "Evidence Report: Behavioral and Physical Treatments for Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache." Duke University, 2001.
Encephalgia/Migraine
This case study, reported by Bofshever in the January/February 2000 issue of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Newsletter, discusses the treatment of a 10-year-old girl suffering from chronic, severe migraines. She had been experiencing migraines six times a week for the past three years, which had severely impacted her ability to attend school and live a normal life. Despite being under the care of a neurologist at a Children's Hospital, her condition persisted.
Upon chiropractic examination, vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) at the C1/C2 levels was identified. Following just three chiropractic adjustments over the span of one week, the patient experienced significant improvement, with her headaches reducing in intensity and frequency. By the third week, she had stopped taking her prescribed medication (Periactin™ Syrup) and returned to school. Within five chiropractic visits, she was not only leading a normal, healthy life but also began participating in dance classes for the first time in two years, expressing a newfound sense of joy.
Source: Bofshever, H. "Encephalgia/Migraine." International Chiropractic Pediatric Newsletter, Jan/Feb 2000.
The Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation, Amitriptyline, and the Combination of Both Therapies for Prophylaxis of Migraine Headache
This study, conducted by Nelson et al. and published in the October 1998 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, explored the effectiveness of three treatments for migraine prevention: chiropractic care, the antidepressant/anti-anxiety drug amitriptyline (brand name Elavil), and a combination of both therapies.
The results showed that patients who received only chiropractic adjustments experienced significant improvements in the frequency and severity of their migraines. In fact, chiropractic care was found to be as effective, if not more, than both the combination of chiropractic and amitriptyline, and more effective than amitriptyline alone. Furthermore, patients who received chiropractic care did so without the side effects commonly associated with amitriptyline. These findings suggest that chiropractic care may be a highly effective and side-effect-free alternative to traditional drug therapies for migraine prevention.
Source: Nelson, C.F., Bronfort, G., Evans, R., et al. "The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for prophylaxis of migraine headache." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, October 1998: Vol. 21, No. 8, pp. 511-19.
Chiropractic Care and Migraine: Case Series Summary
This 1997 case series by Tuchin, published in Australasian Chiropractic & Osteopathy, examined four individuals suffering from migraines who underwent chiropractic adjustments.
The results were striking: patients reported a 90% average reduction in the frequency of migraine episodes and a 38% reduction in the length of each headache. Additionally, their use of migraine medication decreased by 94%. Other common migraine-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), were also substantially reduced or eliminated.
This case series highlights the potential benefits of chiropractic care in significantly improving the quality of life for migraine sufferers.
Source: Tuchin, P.J. "A case series of migraine changes following a manipulative therapy trial." Australasian Chiropractic & Osteopathy, Nov. 1997; 66(3), pp. 85-91.
Chiropractic Care and Chronic Pediatric Migraine-Type Headaches: Case Report Summary
This 1993 case report by Haney, presented at the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics, describes the care of an 11-year-old girl with an eight-year history of severe migraine-type headaches. Despite taking 20 mg of Inderol (a medication often prescribed for migraines) daily for four years, she continued to experience incapacitating headaches about twice per week. Her medical history included being a hit-and-run accident victim at 18 months old, with her first known headache occurring around age three.
Chiropractic evaluation revealed cervical hypolordosis, C1/C2 hyperextension subluxation, and pelvic unleveling. Diversified chiropractic adjustments were used to correct these issues. Following chiropractic care, her severe headaches resolved. Follow-up imaging showed improvement in her spinal curvatures, and she was gradually weaned off Inderol and all other pain medications.
Source: Haney, V.L. "Chronic pediatric migraine-type headaches treated by long-term Inderol prior to chiropractic care, a case report." Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics, Oct. 1993, Palm Springs, CA. Published by the International Chiropractors Association, Arlington, VA.
Chiropractic Care and Cervicogenic Headaches: Study Summary
A 1997 randomized controlled trial by Nilsson, Christensen, and Hartvigsen, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, evaluated the effects of chiropractic care on cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches. Conducted at the University of Odense in Denmark, the study included 53 patients with frequent headaches.
Twenty-eight patients received high-velocity, low-amplitude cervical chiropractic adjustments twice a week for three weeks, while the other 25 patients received low-level laser therapy combined with deep friction massage over the same timeframe.
Key findings showed that the chiropractic adjustment group experienced:
A 36% decrease in analgesic (painkiller) use (versus no change in the soft-tissue group),
A 69% reduction in headache hours per day (compared to a 37% reduction in the soft-tissue group),
A 36% decrease in headache intensity per episode (versus a 17% decrease in the soft-tissue group).
All improvements in the chiropractic group were statistically significant compared to the soft-tissue therapy group.
Source: Nilsson N, Christensen HW, Hartvigsen J. "The effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of cervicogenic headache." Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1997; 20:326–330.