Menstrual Health & PMS

The female sex organs all need a healthy nerve supply from the spinal cord to function properly. Is Chiropractic able to help me with PMS?

Yes! Many women who have suffered from a wide variety of pain, PMS, bladder, bowel cramps; sexual dysfunctions, including infertility, have all discovered the natural benefits of chiropractic. The spine protects the nerve system that controls the reproductive system and endocrine system (hormones), which is vital for optimal function. If there is subluxation (nerve interference) affecting the relationship between the spine and nerve system, this may impact on the function of the organs. Chiropractors remove nerve interference which restores the optimal function to the reproductive system.

Thompson, P.R.,Fisher, B.L., Carpenter, P.A. et al. Effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy in a treatment of primary dysmenorrheal: A pilot study. JMPT, 1979, 2,pp.140-145

Liebel, N.A. & Butler, L.M. A chiropractic approach to the treatment of dysmenorrhea. JMPT 1990,13 pp. 101-106

Stude, D.E. The management of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. JMPT, 1991, 14, pp.209-216

Premenstrual Syndrome and Chiropractic

A positive report was published in the November / December 1999 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics concerning the effects of chiropractic on the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.

The study was completed on 25 women. Estimates of the prevalence of this condition vary depending on criteria. This study estimated that between 10% and 20% of reproductive age women have severe symptoms associated with this condition. The study included chiropractic adjustments for a ten-day period prior to the beginning of the subjects’ cycle.

The women were asked to monitor their symptoms and rate them with a score using “0″ = none to “3″ = severe. The results showed a reduction in symptoms from between 42% and 32% for the group that received chiropractic for only a short time. These findings are encouraging the researchers concluded, “results support the hypothesis that the symptoms associated with PMS can be reduced by chiropractic.

The efficacy of chiropractic therapy on premenstrual syndrome: a case series study. Walsh, MJ, Chandaraj S, Pulos BI Chiropractic Journal of Australia 24:122-6.

This study demonstrated significant improvement of symptoms in women suffering from pre-menstrual syndrome. To compare a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of chiropractic therapy on premenstrual syndrome was undertaken.

Walsh MJ, Polus BI Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1999;22(9):582-585.

This is a study of 25 subjects suffering from PMS. Sixteen of the patients received chiropractic care and nine received ‘placebo treatment.

A little over half the women in the study reported “significant” improvement in symptom levels after chiropractic care.

The frequency of positive common spinal clinical examination findings in a sample of premenstrual syndrome sufferers. Walsh, M, Polus B. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics Vol. 22, number 4. May 1999.

This was a study of 54 subjects with diagnosed premenstrual syndrome (PMS) who were compared with non-PMS controls carried out at RMIT teaching clinics in Australia.

The PMS group showed a higher incidence of spinal dysfunction as compared to the control group. The PMS group had more cervical, thoracic and low back tenderness, scored higher in Neck Disability Index, low back testing weakness and low back orthopedic testing.

Premenstrual syndrome: a clinical update for the chiropractor. Walsh MJ. Chiropractic Journal of Australia. June 1993; 23(2): 48-53.

From the paper:

A holistic chiropractic management regime offers the possibility of a safe, effective method of reducing many of the symptoms of PMS.

Chiropractic approach to premenstrual syndrome. Wittler NA. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. 1992; (8): 22-29.

Eleven women with histories of PMS symptoms that had occurred regularly for more than 4 months were given chiropractic spinal adjustments. The care continued through four menstrual cycles and consisted of 5-7 spinal adjustments per month.

The subjects were given questionnaires at the beginning and end of the care. They evaluated changes in irritability and mood swings, tension, ineffectiveness, lack of motor coordination, mental/cognitive functioning, eating habits, variations in sexual drive and activity, overall physical symptoms, and social impairment.

The subjects reported improvement in all ten categories with the greatest improvement of symptoms relating to variations in sexual drive (70.7%), social impairment (64.5%), and mood swings (60.8%). The overall average improvement in all symptom categories was 44.2%.

The management of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Stude DE. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 1991; 14:209-216.

Management of a single case of PMS revealed alleviation of low back pain, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness and cardiac palpitations. “Patient did report pursuing other medical treatment alternatives in the past, without subjective improvement.”

Vertebral subluxation and premenstrual tension syndrome: a case study. Hubbs EC. Research Forum, 1986; Summer: 100 -102.

This is the case of a 28 year-old female with a chronic history of low back pain and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome consisting of intermittent cramping for 24 hours prior to and during early menstrual flow, depression, bloating, agitation, and nervous eating.

After chiropractic spinal adjustments to L1 her premenstrual cramping went from 24 hours to 30 minutes. In addition, her lumbar pain ceased.