Randomised trial, 1999
Do women with PMS have more spinal problems than women without PMS?
Yes. Women with PMS had significantly more spinal problems on 6 of 12 measures tested, with an average of 5.4 positive indexes compared to 3.0 in women without PMS.
What they did
Researchers compared 54 women with PMS diagnosed by questionnaire and daily symptom tracking to 30 women without PMS. Both groups had full chiropractic exams checking 12 spinal measures by two experienced chiropractors.
What they found
Women with PMS had significantly more positive results on 6 of 12 spinal measures: cervical, thoracic, and low back tenderness, low back orthopedic testing, low back muscle weakness, and neck disability index. An average of 5.4 indexes were positive in the PMS group compared with 3.0 in the non-PMS group.
What it means for you
The study suggests that spinal problems may be related to PMS and that chiropractic care might help. However, the study only shows an association and cannot prove that spinal problems cause PMS. This was also a small study with no comparison of whether treatment actually helps.
54
women with PMS
30
women without PMS
5.4 vs 3.0
average positive spinal dysfunction measures
About the study
- Original title
- The frequency of positive common spinal clinical examination findings in a sample of premenstrual syndrome sufferers
- Authors
- Walsh MJ, Polus BI
- Journal
- Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics
- Year
- 1999
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Chiropractic examination
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0161-4754(99)70047-3