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The efficacy of spinal manipulation, amitriptyline and the combination of both therapies for prophylaxis of migraine headache.   Nelson CF, Bronfort G, Evans R, et al.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 (Oct); 21 (8): 511-519

  • This study compared the relative effectiveness of treating migraines by with chiropractic care alone, with the antidepressant/antianxiety drug amitriptyline (best known under the brand name Elavil); and with a combination of both the drug therapy and chiropractic care. Patients who received only chiropractic showed significant improvement, on a par with those given the powerful prescription drug (though without the side effects). The headache index, from a diary kept by each patient, showed chiropractic to have reduced the severity and frequency of headaches as well or better than the combined therapy or amitriptyline alone at each stage of the study.


Back pain during pregnancy and labor   Diakow PR, Gadsby TA, Gadsby JB, Gleddie JG, Leprich DJ, Scales AM.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1991 (Feb); 14 (2): 116-118

  • 84% of patients receiving spinal manipulative therapy reported relief of back pain during pregnancy. There was significantly less likelihood of back labor when spinal manipulative therapy was administered during pregnancy.


Infantile colic and chiropractic.   Nilsson N   Eur J Chiro 1985;33 (4) :264-65.

  • In this study (retrospective uncontrolled questionnaire) of 132 infants with colic, 91% of the parents reported an improvement, which occurred after an average of two to three adjustments, and within one week of care.


Infantile colic treated by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases.   Klougart N, Nilsson N and Jacobsen J (1989)   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1989 (Aug);12 (4): 281-288

  • In this study, 73 chiropractors adjusted the spines of 316 infants (median age 5.7 weeks at initial examination) with moderate to severe colic (average 5.2 hours of crying per day). The infant’s mothers were provided a diary and kept track of the baby’s symptoms, intensity and length of the colicky crying as well as how comfortable the infant seemed. 94% of the children within 14 days of chiropractic care (usually three visits) showed a satisfactory response. After four weeks, the improvements were maintained. One fourth of these infants showed great improvement after the very first chiropractic adjustment. The remaining infants all showed improvement within 14 days. Note: 51% of the infants had undergone prior unsuccessful treatment, usually drug therapy.

Comparative efficacy of conservative medical and chiropractic treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.   Davis PT, Hulbert JR, Kassak KM, et al.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1998 (Jun);21 (5): 317-326

  • This study showed that chiropractic was as effective as medical treatment in reducing symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Chiropractic care included spinal adjustments, ultrasound over the carpal tunnel, and the use of nighttime wrist supports. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can affect just about everyone, but particularly people involved in occupations requiring repetitive use of the hands and wrists (i.e., office and skilled labor jobs). Medical doctors commonly prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, which prove ineffective in some patients and cause adverse side effects in others, for patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.


An impairment rating analysis of asthmatic children under chiropractic care.   Graham, RL and Pistolese RA.   Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research 1997: 1 (4): 1-8

  • Eighty one children under chiropractic care took part in this self-reported asthma related impairment study. The children were assessed before and two months after chiropractic care using an asthma impairment questionnaire. Significantly lower impairment rating scores (improvement) were reported for 90.1% of subjects 60 days after chiropractic care in comparison to their pre-chiropractic scores. In addition, 30.9% of the children voluntarily decreased their dosage of medication by an average of 66.5% while under chiropractic care. Twenty four of the patients who reported asthma attacks 30-days prior to the study had significantly decreased attacks by an average of 44.9%.


Preliminary study of blood pressure changes in normotensive subjects undergoing chiropractic care   McKnight ME, DeBoer KF  J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1988 (Aug);11 (4): 261-266

  • Seventy-five people were tested after specific chiropractic cervical adjustments. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the adjusted group. No significant changes occurred in the control group. In those with the highest pre-treatment blood pressures, the treatment effect was greatest, indicating that the effective in hypertensives may be even more significant.