The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Manipulation in the Treatment of Headache: An Exploration in the Literature

Vernon HJournal of Manipulative and Physiolgical Therapeutic 1995 ;18(9): 611-7

Objective: To review the literature on outcome studies of chiropractic/manipulation for tension-type migraine headaches.

Design: Qualitative literature review.

Conclusions: A modest body of clinical studies exists dealing with the effect of manipulation and headache. The overall results are encouraging, even if not quite supportive in the case of tension-type headache. Further studies in this area are definitely warranted, particularly well-controlled studies in migraine.

Purpose: To study whether a 3-wk series of spinal manipulation has any lasting effect on passive cervical range of motion. Design: Randomized, controlled trial with a blind observer.

Setting: Ambulatory outpatient facility in an independent National Health Service funded chiropractic research institution. Participants: Thirty-nine headache sufferers who, on entering the study, displayed objectively decreased passive cervical range of motion. These subjects were recruited from 400 headache sufferers who responded to newspaper advertisements.

Intervention: Half of the group received high-velocity, low-amplitude cervical manipulation twice a week for 3 wk. The other half received low-level laser in the upper cervical region and deep friction massage in the lower cervical/upper thoracic region, also twice a week for 3 wk.

Main outcome measures: Goniometrically assessed passive range of motion of the cervical spine.

Conclusions: It seems that any changes in passive range of motion after spinal manipulation are of a temporary nature.

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