Chiropractic management of essential tremor and migraine: a case report

Hubbard TA, Kane JD. Associate Professor, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, IA.

J Chiropr Med. 2012 Jun;11(2):121-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2011.10.006. PMID: 23204956 [PubMed] PMCID: PMC3368974

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic management of a 39-year-old woman with essential tremors and migraine headaches.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

A 39-year-old woman presented with essential tremors and migraine headaches, which occurred 2 to 3 times per week. The essential tremor was diagnosed in 2000, and migraine headaches with aura were diagnosed when she was 10. Both diagnoses were made by her general medical practitioner. Previous treatments for migraine included propranolol, isometheptene, dichloralphenazone, acetaminophen, sumatriptan, and over-the-counter pain relievers.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME:

The patient received high-velocity, low-amplitude chiropractic spinal manipulation to her upper cervical spine using the Blair Upper Cervical chiropractic technique protocol. There was improvement in her tremors and migraine headaches following her initial chiropractic treatment, with a sustained improvement after 4 months of care.

CONCLUSION:

This case study demonstrated improvement in a woman with essential tremors and migraine headaches. This suggests the need for more research to examine how upper cervical specific chiropractic care may help mitigate tremors and migraine headaches.