The treatment of migraine patients within chiropractic: Analysis of a nationally representative survey of 1869 chiropractors

Moore, C; Adams, J; Leaver, A; Lauche, R; Sibbritt, D

The treatment of migraine patients within chiropractic: Analysis of a nationally representative survey of 1869 chiropractors

Moore, C

Adams, J

Leaver, A Lauche, R

Sibbritt, D

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 17 (1)
Issue Date:: 2017-12-04

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Moore, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7966-5229	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Leaver, A	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447	en_US
dc.date.available	2017-11-22	en_US
dc.date.issued	2017-12-04	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 17 (1)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/120939
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 The Author(s). Background: While the clinical role of manual therapies in migraine management is unclear, the use of chiropractors for this condition is considerable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of chiropractors who frequently manage patients with migraine. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey of chiropractors collected information on practitioner characteristics, clinical management characteristics and practice settings. A secondary analysis was conducted on 1869 respondents who reported on their migraine caseload to determine the predictors associated with the frequent management of patients with migraine. Results: A large proportion of chiropractors report having a high migraine caseload (HMC) (n = 990; 53.0%). The strongest factors predicting a chiropractor having a HMC include the frequent treatment of patients with axial neck pain (OR = 2.89; 95%CI: 1.18, 7.07), thoracic pain (referred/radicular) (OR = 2.52; 95%CI: 1.58, 3.21) and non-musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 3.06; 95%CI: 2.13, 4.39). Conclusions: Several practice-setting and clinical management characteristics are associated with chiropractors managing a HMC. These findings raise key questions about the therapeutic approach to chiropractic migraine management that deserves further examination. There is a need for more primary research to assess the approach to headache and migraine management provided by chiropractors and to understand the prevalence, burden and comorbidities associated with migraine found within chiropractic patient populations. This information is vital in helping to inform safe, effective and coordinated care for migraine sufferers within the wider health system.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12906-017-2026-3	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Complementary & Alternative Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Manipulation, Chiropractic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prevalence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Migraine Disorders	en_US
dc.title	The treatment of migraine patients within chiropractic: Analysis of a nationally representative survey of 1869 chiropractors	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	17	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	17	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: While the clinical role of manual therapies in migraine management is unclear, the use of chiropractors for this condition is considerable. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of chiropractors who frequently manage patients with migraine. Methods: A national cross-sectional survey of chiropractors collected information on practitioner characteristics, clinical management characteristics and practice settings. A secondary analysis was conducted on 1869 respondents who reported on their migraine caseload to determine the predictors associated with the frequent management of patients with migraine. Results: A large proportion of chiropractors report having a high migraine caseload (HMC) (n = 990; 53.0%). The strongest factors predicting a chiropractor having a HMC include the frequent treatment of patients with axial neck pain (OR = 2.89; 95%CI: 1.18, 7.07), thoracic pain (referred/radicular) (OR = 2.52; 95%CI: 1.58, 3.21) and non-musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 3.06; 95%CI: 2.13, 4.39). Conclusions: Several practice-setting and clinical management characteristics are associated with chiropractors managing a HMC. These findings raise key questions about the therapeutic approach to chiropractic migraine management that deserves further examination. There is a need for more primary research to assess the approach to headache and migraine management provided by chiropractors and to understand the prevalence, burden and comorbidities associated with migraine found within chiropractic patient populations. This information is vital in helping to inform safe, effective and coordinated care for migraine sufferers within the wider health system.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/120939