---
title: Does manipulating the lower back joints help with menstrual cramps and PMS?
description: In this small study, yes. Women who received lower back joint mobilization showed improvements in both menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-effects-of-lumbosacral-joint-mobilization-on-dysmenorrhea-premenstrual-2020/
---

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- Does manipulating the lower back joints help with menstrual cramps and PMS?

Survey study, 2020

# Does manipulating the lower back joints help with menstrual cramps and PMS?

In this small study, yes. Women who received lower back joint mobilization showed improvements in both menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

24 women with menstrual cramps

## What they did

24 women with menstrual cramps received lumbosacral joint mobilization (gentle manipulation of lower back joints). Treatment was given 21 days into the menstrual cycle and lasted 20 seconds total, performed in three sets. Pain and PMS symptom scores were measured before and after treatment.

## What they found

Both menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms showed a clear improvement after lower back joint mobilization. A correlation was found between lower back joint angle and how severe the cramps and PMS were.

## What it means for you

Manipulating lower back joints may reduce menstrual pain and PMS symptoms, possibly by improving pelvic alignment. This was a very small study with only 24 women and no control group, so more research is needed to confirm the findings.

24

women

21

days into menstrual cycle when treatment given

20

seconds duration of treatment

## About the study

Original title The Effects of Lumbosacral Joint Mobilization on Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual Syndrom Authors Hyeyun Lee, Yangjin Lee, S.Y. Kim Journal Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy Year 2020 Study design Survey study Participants 24 What was tested Lumbosacral joint mobilization (gentle manipulation of lower back joints) Read the paper [doi.org/10.24332/aospt.2020.16.2.02](https://doi.org/10.24332/aospt.2020.16.2.02)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)

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