The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of Logan Basic Technique on
symptoms of dysmenorrhea.

Logan Basic and Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual Distress (Dysmenorrhea)

Dysmenorrhea, also known in the public realm as the dreaded painful period, is a common
condition plaguing millions of women. The familiar symptoms of dysmenorrhea include but
are not limited to muscle cramping of the lower abdominal muscles, mood swings, breast
tenderness, and heavy flow just to name a few. These common complaints can range from a
minor annoyance to debilitating. The allopathic model of medicine has offered up several
solutions to this problem most women face during their reproductive phase of life.
However, even with these options for menstrual discomfort relief, the problem still
remains in overwhelming numbers. The rationale of this study is to possibly provide
another safer and more effective treatment using protocols of chiropractic medicine.

According to Merck, dysmenorrhea is simplified as pelvic pain during menses. This
condition can also be broken down into two forms-primary dysmenorrhea and secondary
dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea tends to begin in adolescence with the onset of
menses. This form is attributed to histological and hormonal changes to the female
reproductive system. The symptoms tend to subside with age and pregnancy. Secondary
dysmenorrhea is seen to develop in the adult female and is linked to structural anomalies
of the pelvic region. Although both of these cause discomfort to several women, the main
focus of this study is on treatment of primary dysmenorrhea as treatment of the secondary
form involves addressing the underlying structural dysfunction causing the symptoms. This
is out of the scope of this study.

Medical treatment of dysmenorrhea involves a few different facets. The first approach is
to treat the symptoms of dysmenorrhea with the use of analgesics which is usually the
most popular and convenient option. These medications are over-the-counter and are often
effective treatment in mild cases. Another option commonly pursued in the medical realm
is addressing the hormonal imbalances involved in symptomatology. This is done by
prescribing the use of low dose oral contraceptives. This treatment is popular as it
provides a convenient preventative measure for pregnancy in addition to symptom relief in
some cases. Surgery, an extreme and last resort, involves anywhere from partial to a
complete hysterectomy. With partial hysterectomies, there is a higher risk that symptoms
will still be present following surgery. However, following a full hysterectomy the
patient is subject to the adverse effects of post menopause including but not limited to
increased bone loss.

Although effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, the medical options can produce
adverse effects on the body. Chiropractic treatment offers a mode of care with limited
risks and many benefits to the patient. It is the goal of this study to aid in the
support of this statement. It has been documented that spinal manipulation using
Flexion-Distraction technique combined with Manual Trigger Point therapy has positive
results with short-term relief of symptomatology and disability related to chronic pelvic
pain syndrome, which is defined as noncyclic pain in the pelvis lasting longer than three
months. Although this condition is separate from dysmenorrhea it can provide some insight
into symptomatology affecting this region. The Toftness system has also demonstrated
significant improvement in subjects suffering from primary dysmenorrhea when compared to
those subjects receiving sham adjustments. Gauntt demonstrated the benefits of Logan
Basic Technique and Soft Tissue Manipulation in decreasing the symptoms of painful
periods. The combination of these treatments establishes "great promise" in intervention
of dysmenorrhea. The goal of this new study is to build on Gauntt's work by possibly
duplicating these results. This study also aims to explore the efficacy of utilizing
auxiliary abdominal contacts in addition to the Logan Basic Protocols.

Logan Basic Methods of adjusting addresses the correction of the base of the spine, the
sacrum. By contacting the sacrotuberous ligament on the side of the anteriorly and
inferiorly misaligned sacrum, the doctor corrects the said misalignment to help restore
proper function to the affected sacroiliac joint. Furthermore, correction of the
foundation of the spine, according to Logan Basic Methods, restores optimum function to
the entire spine. To increase the efficacy of this procedure, known as the apex contact,
one can also utilize auxiliary contacts. Auxiliary contacts are administered during the
apex contact. Specifically, auxiliary abdominal contacts address hollow organ spasms.
This may be beneficial in addressing the uterine muscle spasms commonly associated with
menses.

Logan Basic encompasses a low force adjusting protocol which can be helpful in treatment
of all types of patients. This technique is essentially safe for everyone with no known
contraindications. However, with any adjusting technique there are adverse reactions to
treatment, although usually minor. Patients can experience increased perspiration with
their first few adjustments. Following adjustments, the patient can experience pain
associated with muscle soreness, which can be treated with the use of cold compresses for
twenty minutes on then twenty minutes off for the first 48 hours after treatment. Muscle
soreness usually subsides within a day or two and its occurrence decreases with
subsequent treatments. Some patients may experience a toxic reaction to treatment that is
described as nausea and/or vomiting. This occurs in individuals with increased exposure
to drugs and/or a poor diet. However, it is believed that though this reaction has
occurred, these patients were in need of this intervention to eliminate toxins from the
body.

For this study, a menstrual distress questionnaire will be utilized to objectively
analyze subjective complaints of subjects in this study. This method of analyzing
symptoms has been used in past studies including Snyder's study on the Toftness system
and dysmenorrhea as well as in Gauntt's study on Logan Basic, Soft Tissue Manipulation,
and dysmenorrhea. Moos provides an overview of the utilization of this questionnaire. It
has been shown to be quite useful in studies with menstrual distress.

Through the exploration of Logan Basic Methods and auxiliary abdominal contacts in the
treatment of dysmenorrhea, it is the hope of the investigators to provide some insight
into this common condition affecting and disabling women. This investigation aims to
build on previous studies showing the efficacy of chiropractic care in the treatment of
menstrual distress. Through investigation of primary dysmenorrhea, this study can
hopefully assist in opening the scientific community as well as the females of the
current society to safer options in treatment of this common condition.

No Intervention

Sham Logan Basic Adjustment

Logan Basic adjustment

A Pilot Study: Logan Basic Technique and Auxiliary Abdominal Contacts for Reducing Symptomatology of Primary Dysmenorrhea

The patient will lay prone on the adjustment table 5 minutes, the approximate equivalency
of a Logan Basic adjustment. Table will be in proper position according to Logan Basic
protocol.

A thumb contact will be used against the sacrotuberous ligament as opposed to underneath
the ligament. Auxiliary contacts will also be sham adjustments; the spine will be
contacted but no force applied.

Logan Basic adjustment, as well as auxiliary and abdominal contacts, based on the Logan
Basic protocol.

Logan Basic and Dysmenorrhea

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Not accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?

Locations

Location

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