In this study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (23(4): 225-230. May 2000.), researchers tried to determine if spinal manipulation and ischemic compression could effectively help fibromyalgia patients. The goal was to reduce the sleep disturbance, the intensity of pain, and the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. After 30 treatments, more than 3/4 of the study participants had reduced pain intensity. Sleep quality improved in almost 2/3 of the participants. 3/4 of the participants experienced less fatigue. These improvements were sustained even one month later. The findings suggest that chiropractic can benefit fibromyalgia patients.
Supporting Research Since 2000 (Manual Therapy & Fibromyalgia)
Systematic Review: Manual therapy shows modest but real benefit
Citation:
Castro-Sánchez AM, Matarán-Peñarrocha GA, et al.
“Effects of Manual Therapy on Fatigue, Pain, and Physical Function in Patients with Fibromyalgia.”
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:561753.
Finding: Manual therapy improved pain and fatigue more than standard care.
Chiropractic manipulation is “promising but limited by small studies”
Citation:
“Osteopathic manipulative treatment in conjunction with medication relieves pain associated with fibromyalgia syndrome: results of a randomized clinical pilot project.”
Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. 2002;102(6):321–325. PMID: 12090649.
Finding: OMT plus medication reduced fibromyalgia-related pain more than medication alone in a randomized pilot study.
