Abstract
Purpose: Headaches are a major problem, with migraine incidence ranking as the third most prevalent disorder
in the global burden of disease survey. Studies show that migraines affect 6% of men and 18% of women with a
reduction in quality of life more than that caused by osteoarthritis or diabetes. The aim of this study was to
determine if cervical manipulative therapy had any effect on the frequency, intensity and/or duration of
headaches in migraine sufferers.
Method: Twenty participants between the ages of 18 up to and including 40 years were recruited. Participants
required a diagnosis of migraines with aura also known as the classical migraine. Participants were all placed
into one group receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine.
Procedure: The participants completed the treatment phase of the study over one month. Prior to the initiation of
treatment, participants were required to complete a headache diary for one month. Furthermore participants were
required to complete a headache diary during the month of treatment, and for the following two months after
treatment was completed to assess if there were any long term effects from manipulative therapy. Subjective
readings were recorded by completing the MIDAS questionnaire at the end of each of the four months.
Results: Intragroup analysis revealed statistically significant decreases in the level of disability caused by the
headaches and migraines during the month of treatment. This also showed statistically significant decreases in
the number of days participants experienced headaches and the severity of these headaches. Intra-group
analysis tested one month after the treatment was completed revealed no statistical difference in headache and
migraine disability, number of days participants experienced headaches or severity of the headaches. Finally,
Intra-group analysis revealed that at a two month follow up after the treatment was administered, no statistical
significance was found in the degree of disability caused by the headaches and migraines. However, the number
of days with a headache and the severity of the headaches showed a statistical significance and indicated a
further decline.
Conclusion: The findings of this study show that chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine
decreased disability, intensity and frequency of the headaches, including the migraines, experienced by the
participants. This effect was maintained at two months following completion of treatment and the intensity and
frequency of the headaches showed further improvement in the long term.