Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. It is based on the idea that misalignments of the spine, known as subluxations, can lead to a variety of health problems.

One of the conditions that some chiropractors claim can be treated with spinal adjustments is nausea. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. One study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2010 looked at the effects of spinal manipulation on nausea caused by pregnancy.

The Study

The study included 60 pregnant women who were experiencing nausea and vomiting. The women were divided into two groups: one group received spinal manipulation, while the other group received sham treatment. The study found that the women who received spinal manipulation experienced a significant reduction in nausea and vomiting compared to the sham group.

Another study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2002, looked at the effects of spinal manipulation on nausea caused by chemotherapy. The study included 30 cancer patients who were experiencing chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Patients were divided into two groups: one group received spinal manipulation, while the other group received a sham treatment. The study found that the patients who received spinal manipulation experienced a significant reduction in nausea compared to the sham group. However, these studies have a small sample size, and the results should be considered preliminary until further research is conducted. Additionally, these studies do not provide a clear mechanism of how the spinal manipulation may be reducing nausea symptoms.

A systematic review published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 2018, evaluated the effectiveness of spinal manipulation for treating nausea. The review included 7 randomized controlled trials, involving a total of 397 participants. The review found that spinal manipulation may be effective for reducing nausea symptoms caused by pregnancy and chemotherapy, but the evidence is not strong enough to support the use of spinal manipulation as a routine treatment for nausea.

The authors of the review concluded that more high-quality research is needed to determine the effectiveness of spinal manipulation for treating nausea.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while there is some evidence to suggest that spinal manipulation may be effective for reducing nausea caused by pregnancy and chemotherapy, the evidence is not strong enough to support the use of spinal manipulation as a routine treatment for nausea. 

There is a need for more quality research of spinal manipulation’s effects on nausea to determine the effectiveness and to understand the mechanism of how it reduces the symptoms of nausea. Also, it is important to note that there may be different causes of nausea so it is always important to consult with your provider to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. 

If you are interested in seeing a licensed professional Chiropractor for nausea treatments you can book an appointment here.

Source: American Pregnancy Association