PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)


The frequency of positive common spinal clinical examination findings in a sample of premenstrual syndrome sufferers.   Walsh MJ, Polus BI, T.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 May; 22 (4): 216-220

  • Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are more likely to have spinal dysfunction, compared with PMS-free women,. Investigators examined 54 women with PMS and 30 women without PMS. All subjects were evaluated for 12 parameters of spinal dysfunction.  PMS sufferers averaged 5.4 positive indexes. In contrast, control participants averaged 3.0 positive indexes. This dichotomy was statistically significant for back tenderness, low back orthopedic testing, low back muscle weakness, and the neck disability index.



  • The report concluded that, "A relatively high incidence of spinal dysfunction exists in PMS sufferers compared with a comparable group of non-PMS sufferers. This is suggestive that spinal dysfunction could be a causative factor in PMS and that chiropractic manipulative therapy may offer an alternative therapeutic approach for PMS sufferers."


The frequency of positive common spinal clinical examination findings in a sample of premenstrual syndrome sufferers.   Walsh MJ, Polus BI.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 (Nov-Dec); 22 (9): 582-585

  • Within the limitations of the study, the results support the hypothesis that the symptoms associated with PMS can generally be reduced by chiropractic treatment consisting of adjustments and soft-tissue therapy. However, the role of a placebo effect needs further elucidation, given that the group receiving the placebo first, although improving over the baseline, showed no further improvement when they had actual treatment.

    You may also want to review the The Problem with Placebos Page @ Chiro.Org.


The management of symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome.   Stude DE.   J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1991 (Mar-Apr);14 (3): 209-216

  • Management of a single case of PMS revealed alleviation of low back pain, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness and cardiac palpitations. "Patient did report pursuing other medical treatment alternatives in the past, without subjective improvement."


Chiropractic approach to premenstrual syndrome.   Wittler NA.   Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation.1992; (8): 22-29.

  • Eleven women with histories of PMS symptoms that had occurred regularly for more than 4 months were given chiropractic spinal adjustments. The care continued for four menstrual cycles and consisted of 5-7 spinal adjustments per month. The subjects were given questionnaires at the beginning and end of the care. They evaluated changes in irritability and mood swings, tension, ineffectiveness, lack of motor coordination, mental/cognitive functioning, eating habits, variations in sexual drive and activity, overall physical symptoms, and social impairment. The subjects reported improvement in all ten categories with the greatest improvement of symptoms relating to variations in sexual drive (70.7%), social impairment (64.5%), and mood swings (60.8%). The average improvement in all symptom categories was 44.2%.


Premenstrual syndrome: a clinical update for the chiropractor.   Walsh MJ.   Chiropractic Journal of Australia. June 1993; 23(2): 48-53.

  • "A wholistic chiropractic management regime offers the possibility of a safe, effective method of reducing many of the symptoms of PMS."


Vertebral subluxation and premenstrual tension syndrome: a case study.   Hubbs EC.   Research Forum, 1986; Summer: 100 -102.

  • A case of a 28 year-old female with a chronic history of low back pain and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome consisting of intermittent cramping for 24 hours prior and during early menstrual flow, depression, bloating, agitation, and nervous eating. Spinal adjustments to L1. Premenstrual cramping went from 24 hours to 30 minutes, plus lumbar pain ceased.


Review more articles on Menopause at Chiro.Org


References from Koren Publications' brochure: Menstrual Problems and Chiropractic

Pokras, R., Hufnagel, V. Hysterectomies in the United States, 1965-1984, NationalCenter for Health Statistics,

U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Hyattsville, MD, 1987.

"The Doctor's People," A Medical Newsletter for Consumers. October, 1989.

"The Doctor's People," A Medical Newsletter for Consumers. April, 1990

"The People's Doctor," A Medical Newsletter for Consumers by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D. Vol. 5 No. 12.

Radler, M. Dysmenorrhea. The American Chiropractor March/April 1984.

Novotny, T. Functional Disturbances of the Vertebral Column in Gynecological Practice.Manuelle Medizin, Vol2, 1973.

Hubbs, E.C. Dysmenorrhea subluxation and premenstrual tension syndrome; a case study.Res. Forum 1986; 2:100-102.

Liebl, N., and ButlerL.A Chiropractic Approach to the Treatment of Dysmenorrhea. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. February 1990. pp.101-106.