TL;DR
Research suggests chiropractic care may reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of migraines, tension headaches, and cervicogenic headaches, especially when combined with standard care. Studies are small but consistently show supportive benefits.
Educational purposes only. Not medical advice.
Chiropractic care has long been used to help people who suffer from chronic headaches, including migraine, tension, and cervicogenic headaches. Although the research base is modest in size, several studies suggest that chiropractic spinal manipulation may reduce headache frequency, duration, and related disability for some individuals.
Preliminary Studies Show Improvement in Migraine Frequency and Duration
One early six-month study published in Australian Chiropractic and Osteopathy followed 32 patients with migraine headaches who experienced at least one migraine with aura per month.[1] Participants completed detailed questionnaires throughout the trial. Those receiving chiropractic care experienced statistically significant reductions in the frequency and duration of their migraines compared to their baseline levels.
A follow-up prospective study in the same journal, also involving 32 participants, reported similar improvements.
Randomized Controlled Trial: Reduced Migraine Severity and Medication Use
A larger randomized, controlled study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics examined 127 patients aged 10 to 70 over a six-month period.[2]
Findings included:
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Significant improvement in migraine frequency
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Reduced duration and disability
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Decreased medication use
Among those receiving chiropractic care:
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22% reported greater than 90% reduction in migraine frequency
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50% reported significant improvement in migraine severity
These results highlight chiropractic care as a potentially valuable supportive therapy for migraine sufferers.
Tension Headaches and Combination Therapy
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in 2009 evaluated chiropractic care for the prevention of tension headaches.[3] Although the sample size was small, the study found that chiropractic care plus standard headache medication provided better results than either approach alone.
Cervicogenic Headaches: Single-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
A study published in BMC Research Notes evaluated chiropractic care for cervicogenic headaches, a type of headache originating from the cervical spine.[4] The 17-month trial included 12 subjects who completed the study. Participants receiving chiropractic care experienced improvements in both headache frequency and severity.
What These Studies Suggest
Although the available studies are small and more research is needed, they consistently show that chiropractic care:
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May reduce headache frequency
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May lessen headache duration and intensity
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May decrease disability and medication use
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May enhance outcomes when combined with conventional therapies
For many people, these findings simply confirm what chiropractors and their patients have observed for decades: chiropractic care may be a useful supportive therapy for certain types of headaches, especially when part of a comprehensive natural-health approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does chiropractic care help with migraines?
Research suggests chiropractic spinal manipulation may reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of migraines in some people. Studies have found improvements in migraine-related disability and, in some cases, a reduction in medication use. These findings are preliminary but encouraging as supportive care options.
Can chiropractic care help tension headaches?
A small randomized study found that combining chiropractic care with standard headache medication was more effective than medication alone for tension-type headaches. Results varied by individual, but overall showed complementary benefits.
What types of headaches respond best to chiropractic care?
Research has examined chiropractic care for migraine, tension, and cervicogenic headaches (headaches originating from the neck). Improvements have been noted across all three categories, though sample sizes are small and more research is needed.
Is chiropractic care safe for headaches?
Most studies report chiropractic care as generally well-tolerated. As with any form of manual therapy, individuals should consult doctors trained in natural healthcare to determine whether chiropractic care fits their personal health needs.
How long does it take to see improvement?
In the studies conducted, improvements were often seen over weeks to months. Frequency and duration of care vary by the practitioner, the type of headache, and the individual’s underlying factors such as posture, muscle tension, and stress levels.
References:
- Australian Chiropractic and Osteopathy (1997 Jul;6(2):41-7) The efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in the treatment of migraine. A pilot study
- J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2000 Feb;23(2):91-5. A randomized controlled trial of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for migraine
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiologic Therapeutics. 2009 Jun;32(5):344–351.
- BMC Research Notes (2017 Jul 24;10(1):310) Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy for cervicogenic headache: a single-blinded, placebo, randomized controlled trial
