The efficacy of chiropractic manipulation on headaches in migraine sufferers

Abstract: Purpose: Headaches are a major problem, with migraine incidence ranking as the third most prevalent disorder in the global burden of disease survey. Studies show that migraines affect 6% of men and 18% of women with a reduction in quality of life more than that caused by osteoarthritis or diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine if cervical manipulative therapy had any effect on the frequency, intensity and/or duration of headaches in migraine sufferers. Method: Twenty participants between the ages of 18 up to and including 40 years were recruited. Participants required a diagnosis of migraines with aura also known as the classical migraine. Participants were all placed into one group receiving chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine. Procedure: The participants completed the treatment phase of the study over one month. Prior to the initiation of treatment, participants were required to complete a headache diary for one month. Furthermore participants were required to complete a headache diary during the month of treatment, and for the following two months after treatment was completed to assess if there were any long term effects from manipulative therapy. Subjective readings were recorded by completing the MIDAS questionnaire at the end of each of the four months. Results: Intragroup analysis revealed statistically significant decreases in the level of disability caused by the headaches and migraines during the month of treatment. This also showed statistically significant decreases in the number of days participants experienced headaches and the severity of these headaches. Intra-group analysis tested one month after the treatment was completed revealed no statistical difference in headache and migraine disability, number of days participants experienced headaches or severity of the headaches. Finally, Intra-group analysis revealed that at a two month follow up after the treatment was administered, no statistical significance was found in the degree of disability caused by the headaches and migraines. However, the number of days with a headache and the severity of the headaches showed a statistical significance and indicated a further decline. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that chiropractic manipulative therapy to the cervical spine decreased disability, intensity and frequency of the headaches, including the migraines, experienced by the participants. This effect was maintained at two months following completion of treatment and the intensity and frequency of the headaches showed further improvement in the long term

The efficacy of Crataegus oxyacantha θ on refractory hypertension in males

M.Tech.Hypertension or elevated blood pressure is an initiator and promoter of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage. Primary or essential hypertension is an elevated blood pressure due to an unknown or unidentifiable pathology. Secondary hypertension may be caused by underlying pathology or certain medication. Although a number of allopathic drugs are available, hypertension may remain uncontrolled despite lifestyle changes combined with adequate allopathic treatment. This is termed as refractory hypertension. Poor patient compliance, inadequate diuretic therapy, inappropriate drug combinations, and obesity are the leading causes of uncontrolled or refractory hypertension. Crataegus oxyacantha θ is a homoeopathically prepared mother tincture (θ) that has been clinically used to treat hypertension and cardiovascular complaints. However there is insufficient research to confirm its efficacy in the treatment of hypertension. The aim of this study is to ascertain the efficiency of Crataegus oxyacantha θ in the treatment of refractory hypertension in adult males aged between thirty-five and sixty-five years, currently taking allopathic treatment, namely Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitors combined with a diuretic, and to evaluate the effect of Crataegus oxyacantha Ө on associated symptoms of hypertension. These include headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus. The study was a placebo controlled double-blinded trial that extended over a period of 12 weeks. Thirty male participants between the ages of thirty-five to sixty-five, that were pre-diagnosed with refractory hypertension for a minimum of two years with a fluctuating blood pressure reading above 150/95 mmHg and currently on allopathic medication i.e. ACE-inhibitor with a combined diuretic were recruited for the study by means of advertisements placed at the University of Johannesburg health clinic, pharmacies and community clinics. Participants were randomly placed in either the experimental or the control group. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria underwent a physical examination and consented to the study (Appendix A). The participants blood pressure was measured on both arms as advised by Milne in the South African hypertensive guidelines 2003 (Annexure A), at the first visit and for two consecutive mornings in order to obtain a baseline reading. He was randomly assigned in either the experimental or the control group. The control group received a 50ml bottle of the 20% alcohol placebo and the experimental group received a 50ml bottle of the homoeopathic remedy, Crataegus oxyacantha θ. He was instructed to take 10 drops in 125ml water twice daily after meals. During the trial period the participant’s blood pressure was assessed every 2 weeks against the measured baseline readings for a period of 12 weeks. The severity of the following symptoms was assessed every 2 weeks, headaches; palpitations; vertigo; blurred vision and tinnitus and other symptoms that he may have experienced. These results were graded and recorded on the progress form (Appendix C). The data obtained from the participants was analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). The blood pressure of the experimental group was compared to the control group as obtained at the first consultation and each of the six follow-up visits. Groups were compared using the Chi-Square test and the Non Parametric Mann Whitney U test. Statistical analysis showed significant differences, P <0.05 for the systolic blood pressure between the experimental and control group. There was a significant decline in the diastolic blood pressure of the experimental and the control group. The diastolic pressure of the control showed a significant decline between day one and week six, however remained constant from week six to week twelve. This implies that the placebo may have provided some benefit towards the lowering of diastolic blood pressure in adult males. The associated symptoms were investigated and the results obtained indicate that headaches and blurred vision remained a constant mild symptom that was experienced throughout the twelve week trial period. Due to the statistical difference between the experimental and the control group in favour of the experimental group, the null hypothesis was rejected. Preliminary findings suggest that Crataegus oxyacantha Ө, is effective in reducing elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adult males with refractory hypertension, however more research over a longer period of time is needed to confirm theses findings

The efficacy of chiropractic manipulation on headaches in migraine sufferers

Abstract: Headaches are a major problem, with migraine incidence ranking as the third most prevalent disorder in the global burden of disease survey. Studies show that migraines affect 6% of men and 18% of women with a reduction in quality of life more than that caused by osteoarthritis or diabetes. The aim of this study was to determine if cervical manipulative therapy has any effect on the frequency, intensity and/or duration of headaches in migraine sufferers...M. Tech. (Chiropractic

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

The accumulation of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract is a common feature of numerous disorders, such as drug reactions, helminth infections, hypereosinophilic syndromes, allergic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrooesophageal reflux disease

Navigating the labyrinth of cholestatic liver disease

No Abstrac

Stable D-xylose ditriflate in divergent syntheses of dihydroxy prolines, pyrrolidines, tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acids, and cyclic sugar -amino acids

Double nucleophilic displacement of a sugar D-xylose ditriflate derived from diacetone-D-glucose by amines, water and alkyl cyanoacetates gave a series of bicyclic divergent intermediates for the synthesis of a wide range of highly functionalized targets, including hydroxylated prolines, pyrrolidines, THF carboxylic acids, and cyclopentane