Pelvic Disorders / Dysmenorrhea

Speaking at an interdisciplinary research meeting for chiropractors and physicians in London in 1987, John O'Brien an English orthopaedic surgeon, observed that in his experience…

"…thousands of women would be spared hysterectomy operations each year if they first had a chiropractic assessment." John O'Brien, Medical Doctor/Orthopaedic Surgeon

He felt that the true cause of their problem was often referred pain from the lumbar spine that could have been successfully treated with chiropractic care.

A variety of urological, gynaecological, sexual and bowel disorders may be managed successfully under chiropractic care. Interestingly, with respect to dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) researchers have demonstrated a decrease in prostaglandin levels after chiropractic manipulation in women with this condition. This appears to be reason for clinical success with such patients.10

References
1. Fitz-Ritson, D. (1991) Assessment of cervicogenic vertigo. J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 14: 193-198.
2. Bracher, E., Bleggi, C., Almeida, C. et al. (1999) A combined approach for the treatment of cervical vertigo. Proceedings of the 5th Biennial Congress of the World Federation of Chiropractic. P154-155.
3. Lewit, K. (1991) Manipulative therapy and rehabilitation of the locomotor system. 2nd ed. Oxford, England: Butterworth-Heineman. p273.
4. Lewit, K. (1975) Ein fall von auftahrunfall. Manuelle Medizin. 13: 71.
5. Rychlikova, E. (1975) Schmerzenim gallonblazan bereich auf grund vertebragener storungen. Deutsches Gesundheitswesen. 29: 2092.
6. Pikalov, A.A., Vyatcheslav, V.K. (1994) Use of spinal manipulative therapy in the treatment of duodenal ulcer: a pilot study. J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 17: 310-313.
7. Kunert, W. (1965) Functional disorders of internal organs due to vertebral lesions. CIBA Symposium. Bonn: University Medical Polyclinic. 13 (3).
8. Sato, A. & Swenson, R.S. (1984) Sympathetic nervous system response to mechanical stress of the spinal column in rats. J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 7: 141-147.
9. Budgell, B, Hotta, H, Sato, A. (1995) Spinovisceral reflexes evoked by noxious and innocuous stimulation of the lumbar spine. JNMS 3: 122-131.
10. Kokjohn, K., Schmid, D.C. et al. (1992) The effect of spinal manipulation on pain and prostaglandin levels in women with primary dysmenorrhea. J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 15: 279-285.