Chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment of migraine headache of 40-year duration using Gonstead method: a case study

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to present a case study of chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment (CSMT) using the Gonstead method for a patient with migraines. Clinical Features: The patient was a 52-year-old married woman with a long-term history of chronic migraines, which included nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. The patient had endometriosis, but did not relate the migraines to her menstrual cycles. She also reported not using medication for her migraines due to previous drug-related issues. The average frequency of episodes before treatment was 1 per month, and her migraines often included an aura. The pain was moderate, was located on the right side, was pulsating, and lasted for approximately 15 hours. The numeric pain scale for an average episode was 8 out of a possible 10. The aura involved nausea, photophobia, and visual disturbances including black dots in the visual field lasting for approximately 10 minutes. Intervention and Outcome: The patient reported all episodes being eliminated following CSMT. At 6-month follow-up, the patient had not had a single migraine episode in this period. The patient was certain that there had been no other lifestyle changes that could have contributed to her improvement. Conclusion: This case adds to previous research suggesting that some migraine patients may respond favorably to CSMT. The case also provides information on the Gonstead method. A case study does not represent significant scientific evidence in context with other studies conducted; this study suggests that a trial of CSMT using the Gonstead methods could be considered for chronic, nonresponsive migraines.

The Prevalence of Skeletotopy Variation of the Atlas and Vertebral Arteries Among Lithuanians and Its Significance for Physical Medicine Procedures and Rehabilitation

“…Ponticulus posticus (PP) medicininė reikšmė įdomi dviem aspektais. Pirmiausia anomalija siejama su kaklo ir krūtinės lanko skausmais (Wight et al, 1999;Cakmak et al, 2005;Chitroda et al, 2013), laikysenos ir pusiausvyros (Cakmak et al, 2005), neurosensoriniais klausos sutrikimais (Koutsouraki et al, 2010), galvos skausmais, migrena (Wight et al, 1999;Chaibi, Tuchin, 2011). Šie sutrikimai gali pasireikšti tada, kai susiformavęs kaulinis žiedas riboja arterijos laisvumą jos kelyje nuo atlanto skersinės angos iki užpakalinės atlanto pakaušinės plėvės pervėrimo vietos (Patel et al, 2012).…”

Chiropractic management of a patient with persistent headache

“…6 Several case reports have been published outlining the treatment of migraine and chronic headaches. [7][8][9][10][11]…”

“…1 Chiropractic care of headache also includes modalities and other forms of management in addition to manipulative procedures, such as lifestyle changes, exercises, and physical therapy modalities. [6][7][8][9][10][11] In some jurisdictions in the United States, the practice of chiropractic allows for adjunctive care to include nutriceuticals and electromodalities. The purpose of this case report is to describe chiropractic care of a patient with persistent headache treated using chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT) and other adjunct treatments.…”

Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment on postural balance: a systematic review.

“…(7,8) The osteopathic manipulation (OM) includes direct techniques (on the tissue or joint) in high-speed, low amplitude and muscle power, and also includes indirect techniques such as counterstrain and myofascial release (applied away from the tissue restriction). (9) Randomized controlled trials have evaluated the success of osteopathic and chiropractic manipulations leading to recognized results and findings on various systems: immune (10) , musculoskeletal (11) , nervous and vascular (12) and other outcomes in children. (13) Mainly, OM may influence the proprioceptive system, and through it, postural balance.…”