Headache, backache, bloating, cramping, fatigue and mood swings are symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 10-20% of women experience severe or disabling symptoms. Drugs, vitamin supplements and psychotherapy have proven ineffective with many patients reporting unpleasant side effects and only minimal relief of symptoms.
In a nine-month clinical trial involving 25 women with diagnosed PMS, patients received active chiropractic treatment 2-3 times in the week before menses for at least three menstrual cycles; the remaining patients received a placebo in the form of chiropractic “adjustments”. The results showed that PMS symptom scores decreased after chiropractic manipulation, with a significant decrease in scores for the active treatment phase compared to the non-treatment (placebo) phase.