Category: Abdominal Problems

Ulcerative colitis is a challenging digestive condition that affects the large intestine and can greatly disrupt daily life. People living with it often experience abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, urgency to defecate, fatigue, sleep disruption, and unintended weight loss. Flare-ups can make it difficult to work, socialize, or even leave home comfortably. Conventional care often focuses on managing symptoms, but many people continue to search for additional ways to support healing and overall well-being.

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study on December 8, 2025, that followed a 48-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and was struggling with worsening digestive symptoms. Over a short period of time, she had experienced significant weight loss, ongoing abdominal discomfort, bloody stools, disrupted sleep, and limited ability to perform everyday tasks. Her quality of life had declined noticeably, and she was looking for supportive care to help her body cope with the stress and inflammation she was experiencing.

When a chiropractic examination was conducted and her spine and nervous system were evaluated, areas of restricted motion and imbalance were found. These types of findings are commonly associated with spinal subluxation, where joint dysfunction may interfere with normal nerve communication between the brain and the body. Because the digestive system is closely regulated by the nervous system, changes in spinal function may influence how well the gut is able to regulate movement, inflammation, and healing.

As care progressed, improvements began to appear gradually and then more consistently. The woman reported reduced abdominal pain, fewer urgent bowel episodes, improved sleep, and a return of her appetite. Over time, she regained weight and felt better able to manage her daily responsibilities. After 26 visits of chiropractic care, she described a dramatic overall improvement in her symptoms and quality of life compared to before she began chiropractic.

One important takeaway from this case is the connection between spinal health, nervous system balance, and organ function. When subluxations are corrected, the nervous system may communicate more efficiently with the digestive tract. This improved communication may help the body regulate inflammation and function more normally, allowing healing processes to occur more effectively.

While this was a single case study and not a large clinical trial, it highlights an important possibility: chiropractic care may play a supportive role in managing complex health conditions beyond back and neck pain. For individuals dealing with chronic digestive challenges, addressing nervous system function through correction of subluxation may offer an additional avenue for improving comfort, resilience, and overall well-being.

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study on May 6, 2024, showing chiropractic care helping relieve the symptoms of a patient with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The Mayo clinic’s website describes IBS by saying, “Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the stomach and intestines, also called the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both.”

The study authors begin by reporting just how common this issue is by reporting that “Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders, a chronic condition with a prevalence of approximately 10% to 20% worldwide.” This condition is more common in women, and accounts for 12-14% of primary physician visits and 28% of referrals to gastroenterologists. IBS is estimated to cost the U.S. economy between 15 and 30 billion dollars annually.

In this case, a 20-year-old woman presented herself to a chiropractic clinic to see if she could get some help with the symptoms she was experiencing from her IBS. Her symptoms included bloating, nausea, painful gas, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, menstrual pain, ulcers, stomach upset, as well as neck and back pain. Her history also revealed that two years before seeking chiropractic, she was struggling with bulimia and anorexia.

A chiropractic examination was performed to determine if vertebral subluxations were present in the woman’s spine. The examination included static and motion palpation, a posture analysis, leg length measurements, orthopedic testing, spinal thermography, and surface electromyography (sEMG).

From the examination, it was determined that multiple areas of subluxation were present. With this information, a care plan of specific chiropractic adjustments was started to address the subluxations. Initially, the woman was seen at the rate of three visits per week. After a month, the care was reduced to one visit per week.

This case study was written based upon the care rendered during the initial corrective portion of the woman’s chiropractic care, which represented the first 12 visits only. A re-evaluation was performed on the 12th visit of her care. On the 12th visit, the woman reported that her IBS symptoms had reduced by 70%. She reported having less abdominal pain, a reduction in diarrhea, and less frequent bowel movements.

In the discussion section of this study, the authors explained how chiropractic care was able to help a patient suffering with IBS. “According to Gray’s Anatomy textbook, the role of the nervous system is to control and coordinate all functions of the body. With this in mind, it can be said that the nervous system must play some role in the pathological process irritable bowel syndrome. The main objective of subluxation-based chiropractic care is to achieve optimal function of the nervous system. Therefore, reduction of vertebral subluxation, thereby improved neurological function, may have a role to play in the co-management of irritable bowel syndrome.”

The title above is from a case study published on February 21, 2023, in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health that documents the correction of ear infections and developmental delays because of chiropractic care.

The author of this case study begins by noting that “Speech and language development are useful indicators of a child’s overall development and cognitive ability and is related to school success.” She continued, “Speech and language disorders are the most common developmental problems among preschool children.”

One of the reasons noted for language delay can be hearing loss caused by otitis media with effusion (OME). This is a condition where fluid collects in the middle ear without any signs or symptoms of an acute ear infection, and typically develops after there has been an acute ear infection with fever and pain.

In this case, a 12-month-old boy was brought to the chiropractor. The boy’s major issues were altered crawling and developmental delays. The history revealed that the boy was born 5 days early by an emergency cesarean section delivery. Due to lung and blood issues, the baby boy was kept in the hospital in a neonatal intensive care unit for seven days after his birth. During his hospital stay, a series of other medical issues developed which required medications and one surgery.

After his initial problems, it was noticed over the next several months that the child was having problems crawling. As he got older, it was noted that he had significant delays in his speech ability as well as many other developmental benchmarks. His parents attempted to seek help for their son in the form of developmental therapy and speech therapy.

After a chiropractic examination, the boy was diagnosed with vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). Chiropractic care (appropriate to the boy’s age and size) was started to address the subluxations.

The author explains the purpose of subluxation care in cases like this by stating, ” The principles of the vertebral subluxation are as follows: The body is a self-regulating, self-maintaining organism; The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body; The spine and vertebrae house and protect the nervous system; Vertebral subluxations can occur and interfere with the function of the nervous system; Reducing and/or correcting vertebral subluxations allows the nervous system to function better and allows the fullest expression of life.”

The study reports that, over time, the boy’s speech improved and his vocabulary increased. The boy also improved in his motor skills and was able to crawl better. The boy’s sleeping improved and he was more responsive to his mother’s voice. The fluid in his ears cleared and he continued to progress and improve at the writing of this study.

In her conclusion, the author wrote, “This case illustrates how chiropractic can be an option for children not only suffering with OME and are experiencing developmental delays but can help with other childhood issues or diseases. Alternative methods should be researched thoroughly that are low risk like chiropractic before seeking other methods of treatment such as antibiotics or surgery, which would be considered higher risk.”

Many chiropractors and dog lovers have reported that their furry friends were helped by chiropractic. Now, in a recent study published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on December 27. 2021, comes two cases of dogs who had bilateral luxating patellas and were helped by chiropractic.

This case study begins by explaining what a luxated patella is on a dog. “The patella, or ‘kneecap,’ is normally located in a groove on the end of the femur just above the stifle (knee). The term luxating means ‘out of place’ or ‘dislocated’. Therefore, a luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location.” They note that this is a common orthopedic problem for dogs.

In the first case, a 1-year-old male Sheltie/Aussie mix was brought to the chiropractor because the dog had a history of bilateral luxating patellas which was confirmed on x-ray by the veterinarian. The owner said that the dog’s kneecap would get out of place several times a day causing the dog to run on only three legs. The veterinarian recommended surgery for the problem, but the dog owner decided to see if chiropractic could help.

After a spinal examination, it was determined that spinal subluxations were present, and the dog was given specific adjustments. Over the next several visits, the owner reported that the dog’s knees improved to where the dog was eventually not having any knee problems and could jump off the couch without issue.

In the second case, a 5-year-old female Husky was also having veterinarian confirmed bilateral luxating patella problems causing the knee to “pop out” several times a day. As with the first case, an examination revealed the presence of vertebral subluxations in the spine and pelvis of the dog. Specific canine appropriate adjustments were given to address the spinal subluxations.

The dog in this case progressed slower than the first case, but the improvement was steady until eventually the dog no longer had knee problems and was able to play normally without issues. The study reported that the owners of the dog could take her on walks without any problems and the dog could play hard in her yard as well as in doggie day care without any signs of a limp.

In the discussion portion of the study, the authors explain subluxations in dogs by stating, “Chiropractic addresses vertebral subluxations in the spine and skeletal system via the chiropractic adjustment. A subluxation, in terms of animal chiropractic, is defined as a shift in the normal structure of one vertebra compared to those above and below, causing a biomechanical change that can interfere with the proper function of the nervous system.” It is the change in the biomechanics of the dog’s spine, along with restoring proper nerve function to the animal’s legs, that allowed the dogs to heal and return to normal.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, “The demand for complementary and alternative veterinary medicine is increasing among animal owners. This case series provides supporting evidence that the use of conservative chiropractic care to find and adjust subluxations may be beneficial to canines experiencing luxating patellas.”

Above is the title of a study published on December 6, 2021, in the journal Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research documenting the improvements in balance and coordination of an elderly patient receiving chiropractic care. This study begins by explaining the importance of balance and coordination in the elderly population. “Gait and balance deficits in geriatric patients are common presentations in clinical settings and are a major source of morbidity in the elderly.”

The study author goes on to point out how dangerous a loss of balance or coordination can be for an elderly person. “Senior patients with gait imbalances are at a higher risk of falling, which can lead to injury, physical disability, and a decreased quality of life. In the United States alone, 30% of adults 50 and older experience falls that impact both the personal and social life of the patient and financial burden upon society.”

In addition to the health problems for individuals who fall, the costs for the individual and society in general are extremely high. The study reports that the costs of fall-related injuries in 2011 were estimated to be $3.1 billion. That number grew to about $32 billion by 2020.

In this case, a 65-year-old man presented himself for chiropractic care because he was concerned that he was experiencing unsteadiness on his feet. The man did not recall any specific incidence that started his unsteadiness and commented that it seemed to gradually come on over the past year.

The man had been an avid ballroom dancer. He was engaged in this activity up to five nights per week. One evening, his dance instructor pulled him aside to tell him that she noticed problems with his balance that she had not previously seen. After that episode, the man began to realize that he was also having balance problems with walking in general. The problem continued to get worse affecting all parts of his life. Eventually the man had to give up dancing, and even had to hold onto a shopping cart to go grocery shopping.

A full chiropractic examination was performed including spinal x-rays. From his examination, it was determined that the man had multiple vertebral subluxations that were affecting nerve system function. With this information, and with the man’s consent, chiropractic care was started initially at the rate of two visits per week. As care progressed, the patient was routinely tested for balance and showed steady improvement both in the tests and in his daily activity.

In the study conclusion, the author points out that chiropractic does not directly treat balance or coordination problems, but rather nerve systems problems from subluxations that can create balance issues. “The purpose of this paper is not to conclude that chiropractic adjustments are intended to treat gait disorders but to make a connection between the abnormal physiological and biomechanical functioning of the patient to the presence of subluxation.

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic published the results of a case study on August 16, 2021, documenting chiropractic care causing measurable improvement in balance of a 9-year-old who was having problems with coordination and balance due to having a congenital abnormality known as Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS).

According to the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “Klippel-Feil Syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by the congenital fusion of two or more cervical (neck) vertebrae. It is caused by a failure in the normal segmentation or division of the cervical vertebrae during the early weeks of fetal development.” They continue by explaining, “The most common signs of the disorder are short neck, low hairline at the back of the head, and restricted mobility of the upper spine. The fused vertebrae can cause nerve damage and pain in the head, neck, or back.”

In this case, a nine-year-old boy was brought by his parents to the chiropractor’s office. The boy had been medically diagnosed with KFS at the age of four. Although the boy had met most of his developmental milestones, he was unable to hop on one leg. This inability persisted through his first visit to the chiropractor. It was also reported that the boy had problems coordinating daily activities both at home and in school. These problems had led to additional problems with self-confidence and socialization.

A chiropractic examination and x-rays were performed. The results of the examination documented the presence of subluxations in the boy’s spine. With his age and special spinal structures being taken into account, specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started to address his issues.

After several months of care, an update evaluation was performed to check on the boy’s progress. At that time, the boy’s parents reported observing improvement in their son’s balance and co-ordination in daily activities. They also noted that this led to a positive effect on his self-confidence and social skills.

In the discussion portion of the study, the authors point out the importance of balance in children. “Balance problems are an especially important concern with children. Fall injuries are among the leading causes of death and disability in children.” The author continued in the conclusion by explaining, “This single patient showed measured improvement in postural balance following chiropractic adjustments for subluxation correction, along with. limited prescribed exercise. Chiropractic adjustments of vertebral subluxation for patients with KFS and balance problems may be considered an effective management option.”

A recent study published in BioMed Central Geriatrics on April 23, 2021, looked at how and why older people utilize chiropractic services. In the background of the study the authors state, “…the purpose of this study was to describe the demographic characteristics of older adults seeking chiropractic care, and to report problems diagnosed by chiropractors and the treatment provided to older adults who seek chiropractic care.”

The study begins by pointing out that most older adults seek primary medical care for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Older adults are the highest consumers of health care services overall. This study specifically looked at chiropractic care for the older population.

Although there would be some debate defining the profession of chiropractic, the authors of the study describe chiropractic by saying, “Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health.”

The study reported on patient encounters from 94 chiropractors from both Australia and Canada who agreed to participate in the study. The chiropractors were asked to manually record patient encounters on 100 consecutive patient encounters in their facilities. The information was recorded on forms by either fill-in information or check box. Demographic information regarding date, age, sex, height, and weight were recorded, along with up to three reasons the patient came to see the chiropractor on that particular visit.

The chiropractors also provided information as to how the patient was referred for chiropractic, and the patient diagnosis as well as the types of care rendered. The average age of the chiropractor in the study was 43 years, with an average of 16 years in practice. A total of 6781 chiropractic patient encounters were recorded for this study.

The results showed that from all the patient encounters, 16% were patients over the age of 65 years. Of those seniors, 56% went to the chiropractor for back problems, while 10% went for neck problems. It should be noted that the understanding of chiropractic could vary by nation as prior studies in the United States have shown a higher percentage of patients seeking chiropractic care for neck problems than was reported in this study in Canada and Australia.

In the conclusion of the study, the authors gave a summary of the results. “From 6781 chiropractor–adult patient encounters across two countries, one in six chiropractic patients were aged ≥65 years. Among older adult patients, back pain was the most common problem diagnosed by chiropractors (accounting for 82 in every 100 encounters). Neck pain and lower limb problems were the next most common presentation to chiropractors.”

On June 25, 2018, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case study showing the resolution of bedwetting and constipation after chiropractic care. The clinical name for bedwetting is enuresis.

There are two types of enuresis. Nocturnal enuresis is bed-wetting at night and is the more common type of elimination disorder. Daytime wetting is called diurnal enuresis, and can occur by itself or in conjunction with nighttime bedwetting. Clinically, both nocturnal enuresis and diurnal enuresis are only considered to be a diagnosis if there is no other underlying organic disease, and after a child is five years of age.

The study points out that enuresis and constipation are very common conditions for children. Nocturnal enuresis is thought to affect up to 20% of children up to the age of seven. About 15% of the cases seem to correct themselves each year. Daytime, or diurnal enuresis is less common but commonly seen with the nighttime condition as well.

Constipation is defined as two or fewer bowel movements per week. It is the most common digestive symptom of the general population. Approximately 3 to 5% of all pediatric office visits are for child for constipation problems. The study notes that about 28% of adults in the United States suffer from constipation. Children are also commonly affected, with around 9-13% of pediatric cases that suffer from constipation being also associated with bladder symptoms, such as enuresis.

In this case, a 9-year-old girl was brought to a chiropractor for an evaluation and possible care. She was suffering with diurnal enuresis, nocturnal enuresis and chronic constipation. The history revealed that the girl was intolerant to red dye and suffered from digestive issues. She regularly experienced infrequent bowel movements that were difficult to pass.

An examination was performed which included a postural analysis and bilateral weight scales. Range of motion of her spine was evaluated. Additionally, palpation of the spine and adjacent musculature was performed. Thermography studies were also conducted to determine heat differences along the spine. Surface Electromyography (sEMG) studies were used as an assessment tool to measure the electrical activity of the girl’s paraspinal muscles. From these tests, subluxations were determined to be present and specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started.

The results of the chiropractic care were almost immediate. It was reported that after the girl’s first adjustment, she experienced several bowel movements and remained dry for three consecutive nights. Four weeks after starting chiropractic care, the first re-assessment was performed to evaluate the girl’s progress. At that time, she reported having only one wet night in the past week. During the second re-assessment, it was reported that the girl had not had either a daytime or nighttime leakage of urine and was having regular bowel movements about twice per day.

In their discussion, the authors of the study explained how subluxations could have created problems such as enuresis, as well as how correction would allow the body to heal itself. “The nervous system controls and regulates every organ, gland and tissue of the body and controls all bodily functions to maintain a proper bodily homeostasis.31 This regulation is done through direct nerve innervation to all organ systems of the body. When there is malposition of a vertebra in the spinal column there can be negative effects on the neurological signal of the nerve in the involved area, which is called a vertebral subluxation.

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study on March 10, 2018, documenting the case of a man with Crohn’s disease achieving complete resolutions of symptoms from chiropractic care. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases, commonly referred to as IBD.

The study begins by noting that IBD is a common disorder affecting 1.6 million Americans, out of which 700,000 are classified as Crohn’s disease. This disease strikes both men and women equally, is not more prevalent in any ethnic group, and typically affects those individuals who are either in their early teens or over 50 years of age. It is estimated that there are 30,000 new cases of Crohn’s diagnosed each year with a total of 140,000 of the cases being under the age of 18 years.

According to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation website, some of the more common symptoms of IBD include persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent need to move bowels, abdominal cramps and pain, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and constipation.

The patient in this case study was a 6-foot, 1-inch, 202 pound, 60-year-old male. His chief complaint was symptoms of IBD. He was medically diagnosed with Crohn’s disease three years earlier. The man’s symptoms included abdominal pain and cramping, stiffness all over his body, diarrhea and a generalized feeling of sickness. For several years, he was given a variety of medications which gave him no improvement in his original symptoms, but added a variety of worsening additional side effects. He eventually decided to self-discontinue his medications and seek chiropractic care.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included visual inspection, postural analysis, static and motion palpation, physical exam, and spinal x-rays. Based upon the findings of the examination, it was determined that multiple areas of subluxation were present in the man’s spine, and care was initiated to address these findings.

After two chiropractic visits, the study reports that “…the patient reported a complete reduction in his symptoms, with an overall decrease in severity of symptoms from rare to no longer present. He did not experience any additional flare-ups or symptoms relating to his Crohn’s disease.”

Nine months after the start of chiropractic, the patient went to his endocrinologist for a follow-up visit. The study reported that at that time “…the patient’s doctor reviewed his most recent colonoscopy and declared that the patient had complete medical remission of his initial diagnosis.”

The study authors explain the chiropractic approach by saying, “Chiropractic’s philosophy in health care involves a vitalistic approach emphasizing the removal of interferences to the nervous system while allowing the body to restore itself to health, healing from within and going from a state of dis-ease to that of homeostasis.”

A case study documenting chiropractic helping to improve a patient suffering with idiopathic scoliosis and musculoskeletal complaints was published in the January 25, 2018, issue of the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research. The patient also experienced an improved state of well-being as a result of the chiropractic care.

The word scoliosis comes from the Greek word skolios, which means twisted or crooked. A diagnosis of scoliosis only means that there is an abnormal curvature of the spine from side to side of more than 10 degrees. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal curvature that shows up about the onset of puberty but before maturity.

AIS shows up at a rate of up to 5.2% of the adolescent population with girls having this issue more commonly than boys. Measuring spinal curvature requires a specific procedure that results in a measurement known as the Cobb angle.

The authors of this study also reviewed other studies on scoliosis and chiropractic. These studies also showed improvement of scoliosis with chiropractic as measured using the Cobb angle. In one case, a 15-year-old girl improved from a Cobb angle of 46° to 30° in 18 months, and she was able to avoid a planned surgical intervention. Another case involved an 10-year-old girl whose curve improved from 35° down to 25° as verified by an independent medical radiologist. Overall, in the 12 studies that the authors of this study reviewed, all showed a significant reduction of the Cobb angle after several months of chiropractic care.

In this case, a 21-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic care. She was complaining of low back pain with radiating numbness into legs and feet when lying on her back, as well as daily headaches. She reported that the problems began four years earlier while she was a cheerleader and doing gymnastics in high school. Standing, sitting, bending, and lifting all seemed to make her problems worse. On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the worst, she rated her lower back pain as an 8. When she would lie down for over an hour, she would experience numbness in her legs and feet. Her headaches would occur about three times per week. X-rays she had done a year prior showed a scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 20°.

Based upon a chiropractic examination which included palpation, range of motion, thermal studies and a sEMG of the woman’s spine, it was determined that subluxations were present. Regular specific chiropractic adjustments were started to address the findings.

Five months after chiropractic care was started, follow-up x-rays were taken at the same facility as the original studies were done. The x-rays showed a reduction of the curvature from 20° to 12.5°. Additionally, the patient reported much improvement in all of her pain symptoms.

The authors of the study explained how the correction of subluxations can have a positive effect on the body. “Regardless of the technique used, a majority of chiropractors are focused on detecting and correcting vertebral subluxations to improve function.”

In their conclusion, they wrote, “The results of this case study suggest that chiropractic adjustments … can help reduce the scoliotic curvature of the spine of a female with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, improve other attending or compensatory curves and postural faults, as well as improve state of well-being and musculoskeletal complaints.”