The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Authors: Pamela M Rist, Audrey Hernandez, Carolyn Bernstein, Matthew Kowalski, Kamila Osypiuk, Robert Vining et al.Journal: HeadachePublished: June 22, 2020DOI: 10.1111/head.13501

Q1 JournalSJR: 1.354h-index: 65SCImago

Strong EvidenceSystematic Review

Migraines

In Plain Language: migraines, explained

Researchers reviewed all high-quality studies on whether spinal manipulation (a chiropractic treatment) helps reduce migraine headaches and the disability they cause. They found that spinal manipulation shows promise for reducing migraine pain and improving daily functioning in people with migraines.

Key Findings: what this systematic review found about migraines

✓Spinal manipulation demonstrates effectiveness in reducing migraine pain intensity in treated patients.
✓Spinal manipulation improves daily functioning and reduces disability caused by migraines.
✓High-quality studies provide evidence supporting spinal manipulation as a promising treatment approach for migraine management.

What This Means for You

If you have migraines, spinal manipulation has moderate scientific support, though it works best as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a standalone cure.

What This Means for Practitioners

While this study supports spinal manipulation for migraines, reflexologists should note this research focuses on chiropractic manipulation, not reflexology, and consider referring clients to qualified practitioners for this specific technique.

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Migraines: common questions

What does this study say about migraines?

If you have migraines, spinal manipulation has moderate scientific support, though it works best as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a standalone cure.

What did this study find?

Spinal manipulation demonstrates effectiveness in reducing migraine pain intensity in treated patients. Spinal manipulation improves daily functioning and reduces disability caused by migraines. High-quality studies provide evidence supporting spinal manipulation as a promising treatment approach for migraine management.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a systematic review and we rate its evidence strong. It was published in Headache, a Q1 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.