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Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Helped by Chiropractic

The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published the results of a case study on January 1, 2024, documenting the improvement, as a result of chiropractic care, of a patient who was suffering with pain after failed back surgery. The National Library of Medicine states, “Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as lumbar spinal pain of unknown origin either persisting despite surgical intervention or appearing after surgical intervention for spinal pain originally in the same topographical location.”

The authors of this study speculate on the causes of FBSS by saying, “This condition may be the result of inadequate or poor pre-surgical diagnostics, concomitant conditions such as obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, and osteoporosis which all can contribute to FBSS.” They also point out that there have not been many studies that record chiropractic successes after failed lower back surgery. “FBSS is not widely studied and reports of successful non-surgical treatment of FBSS are extremely rare in the medical literature.”

In this case, a 27-year-old man went to the chiropractor for his lower back pain along with numbness in the left thigh. Five years earlier, the man had gone to a surgeon for his back pain. The surgeon recommended and performed surgery to add an instrument to increase space between the young man’s lower lumbar discs. The history records that the man’s pain got much worse, so a second surgery was performed to remove the instrument. Since then, the man has suffered with worse than his original lower back pain which he rated as between a 6 and 7 out of ten, with 10 being the worst. The study reports that the original records about the man’s surgery were unavailable because the surgeon was incarcerated.

A comprehensive chiropractic examination was performed along with spinal x-rays. As a result of the examination, a specific chiropractic care plan was started which included specific spinal exercises. A re-evaluation of the man’s condition was performed after the first five months of chiropractic care. That examination revealed that the man had experienced a 50% reduction in his back pain. Additionally, a number of the specific spinal tests showed that there was measurable improvement in the man’s spinal condition.

Chiropractic care continued after the first re-examination for a period of time. Six years after the start of chiropractic care, a follow-up assessment was performed to check on the man’s long-term progress. This assessment revealed that the man had seen a 70% improvement in his pain and was no longer experiencing any thigh numbness. There was also a structural improvement seen on x-rays in the man’s lumbar spine. Other tests showed that the man’s quality of life scores had also dramatically improved.

In the conclusion of this study, the authors commented on chiropractic helping patients who had previously received unsuccessful spinal surgery. “This case adds to the growing literature showing the efficacy of non-surgical spinal rehabilitative methods in improving outcomes in patients with spinal deformity and associated disabilities.”

February 13, 2024
Upper Back Pain and Sciatica Helped with Chiropractic Care

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on January 16, 2024, documenting the improvement, under chiropractic care, of a patient with scoliosis who was suffering with upper back pain and sciatica.

Scoliosis is a lateral curvature of the spine when viewed on a front or back x-ray. In many cases, scoliosis was present as an adolescent but went undiagnosed if not accompanied by pain. Common medical treatment for scoliosis where the curvature is not too severe involves addressing any pain. This commonly means pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs. Medical treatment may also involve physical therapy.

In this case, a 30-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic care. The woman stated that she had been suffering with upper back pain and sciatica for more than 10 years. She rated her upper back pain as an 8 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. She also reported that her sciatic pain, which she rated as a 7 out of 10, affected her daily life. She noted that the severe pain interfered with her ability to do regular daily activities such as bending, driving, household chores, lifting, or just standing.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included spinal palpation, range of motion, postural analysis, and some orthopedic testing. Spinal x-rays were also taken. The study reports that the x-rays showed the presence of scoliosis along with spinal subluxations.

Specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started to address the subluxations found on the examination. The author noted, “The aim of this chiropractic care was to decrease vertebral subluxation findings, decrease upper back pain and sciatica as well as to improve the patient’s activities of daily living.”

The study author explains the chiropractic approach to helping people with pain from scoliosis by saying, “The curvature and rotation of the vertebrae in cases of scoliosis can be due in part to vertebral subluxation and can contribute to the symptoms of subluxation. Subluxation is caused by the rotation of a vertebra compared to the segment below. It can cause functional and structural changes that affect neural integrity and may negatively impact overall health. Symptoms such as back pain and sciatica may be associated with the presence of subluxation in a patient.”

By the time of the patient’s first re-examination, her upper back pain had reduced to 4 out of 10, and her sciatic pain had decreased to just 2 out of 10. As care continued, the woman continued to see improvement. Eventually she reported that she no longer had sciatic pain, and her upper back pain was only present at a level of 2 out of 10.

In addition to pain relief, the improvement the woman experienced had a profound effect on her quality of life. The study reported, “The correction of vertebral subluxation was successful in reducing her current pain level and improving her cervical and lumbar ranges of motion. The patient stated that prior to starting care, she was scared to consider trying to start a family for fear of the physical toll that it would take on her body. Following her care, she felt that she would be able to do so and to continue under care during her future pregnancy as well.”

The study author summed up this case by saying, “Initially, this patient was dealing with daily pain in her upper back as well as daily sciatica down her right leg. Both of these issues had been present for more than 10 years. After having unsuccessful physical therapy, she felt that chiropractic care could be an option for her. She was able to perform her activities of daily living in a pain-free way and felt more optimistic about her family’s future following the delivery of chiropractic care.”

February 13, 2024
Dizziness Helped by Chiropractic According to Study

The Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic published the results of a case series on December 14, 2023, documenting chiropractic care helping to alleviate dizziness in a series of patients. Each of the people in this study had been suffering from significant dizziness for at least three months.

The study begins by noting that dizziness is the most common complaint that brings people aged 75 and above to see their doctor. They also report that medical care for dizziness can vary and commonly relies on several medications for a variety of non-specific diagnoses. The authors point out that one study showed that half of the people medically treated for dizziness still had significant dizziness related impairment ten years later.

This case series reviewed the records of 8 patients who were suffering with severe dizziness for a minimum of three months. Six of these patients had been diagnosed with chronic dizziness by neurologists, one by a general practitioner, and the remaining patient had been to a number of specialists.

Each of the people in this study filled out a “Dizziness Handicap Inventory” (DHI) prior to their initial chiropractic examination. A DHI is a comprehensive objective dizziness form used to measure the self-perceived level of handicap from dizziness. All 8 patients were then again asked to fill out another DHI after 30 days of chiropractic care.

All 8 patients received a physical and chiropractic examination which included neurological testing, spinal palpation, supine leg-length inequality testing, a postural analysis, and neck x-rays. Based upon the examinations, specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were given to address misalignments (subluxations) in the upper necks of the patients in this study. All 8 patients received specific chiropractic care and some form of specific rehabilitative exercise of maneuver.

The results of the care as measured by the 30-day follow-up DHI form showed that all participants had improved with their dizziness. The highest level of improvement after just 30 days of chiropractic care was 92.11% while the lowest level of improvement in 30 days was 28.57%. On average, the group showed a 67.18% level of improvement after only 30 days of chiropractic care.

The authors of the study commented, “The purpose of this retrospective case series is to document the objective improvement in 8 patients with differing forms of dizziness while undergoing chiropractic intervention…” In summing up their results, the authors reported that, “All cases were re-examined at 30 days and found to have subjective and objective improvement with their DHI scores decreasing significantly.”

January 10, 2024
Infant with Cerebral Palsy Helped by Chiropractic

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a long-term case study on December 12, 2023, documenting the positive results of chiropractic care for an infant with Cerebral Palsy. This study followed the status of the child over a five-year period.

The study begins by explaining that “Cerebral palsy (CP) is known as a group of syndromes or symptoms rather than a disease all in itself, resulting from brain damage. It appears most commonly in infants of low birth weight and affects two to four of every 1,000 births.” The authors note that CP is a non-progressive condition, caused by damage to the central nervous system. A variety of symptoms can occur from CP with the most common effects being altered motor function, a change in coordination, and developmental or learning delays.

Typical medical care for CP is to address the disabilities and developmental or learning delays. Some CP patients require braces, walkers, medication for seizures or other devices to help with disabilities. It is estimated that the average cost of caring for a CP patient over their lifetime is $921,000.

In this case, a 3.5-week-old male infant was brought to the chiropractor 10 days after having been released from the hospital. The baby boy was delivered at home 37 weeks into the mother’s pregnancy with the assistance of a midwife. At birth, stained amniotic fluid was noticed, which can be indicative of a baby under stress due to a lack of blood and oxygen flow. The baby appeared to be blue and had a low heart rate. Emergency medical services (EMS) were called and arrived 30 minutes later.

The infant boy arrived at the hospital 70 minutes after birth. He was kept in the hospital for 18 days on 10 different medications. It was determined that the stained amniotic fluid was the cause of the infant’s hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy leading to his cerebral palsy. It was later determined that the boy’s blink reflex was not present, so he was considered legally blind. The parents were told that the prognosis for their son was poor as he might be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life and never able to walk, talk, or feed himself.

A thorough chiropractic examination was performed where it was noticed that many normal reflexes were missing. The examinations of the boy’s spine revealed the presence of subluxations. Age and condition appropriate chiropractic adjustments were started. In addition to the chiropractic care, the boy was also receiving care from occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists.

The initial progress for the boy was slow. However, as his care continued, the boy started to show improvement. At 16 months of age, the boy started walking and his speech started at 24 months of age. Chiropractic care continued for several years before a five-year update was made.

At five years of age, the study reports that the boy had only minor visual signs of cerebral palsy. The boy could walk with some noticeable gait irregularities. His vision was now normal. He was able to speak with a minor impairment. He was also in a pre-school for mentally challenged children because of his developmental delays. He could also run and play with his brother and sisters.

In summing up this case, the authors of this study stated, “Chiropractic care with co-management in this case produced positive outcomes in the development of this patient’s childhood milestones and quality of life.” They also added, “Thankfully this patient’s parents were dedicated to doing everything they could to help him lead as normal a life as possible and he is not wheelchair bound. This child is living a much greater quality of life than he was originally told he would; he was a lively five-year-old, not a wheelchair-bound child.”

January 10, 2024
Severe Chronic Pain and Disability After Car Accident Helped by Chiropractic

Automobile accidents are a common occurrence. The National Law Review ran an article on January 26, 2021, by attorney Richard P. Console, Jr. that stated, “Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of car accidents. They are also very dangerous. These accidents occur most often while one vehicle is stationary and the other is moving at high speed. Due to the nature of these crashes, accident victims rarely have the opportunity to make any evasive maneuvers or brace themselves for the impact.”

Watching TV for any length of time will provide you with a variety of legal firm advertisements on the subject. While the general public sees many ads about the legal side of automobile accidents, there is little written about the human healthcare side of this issue. The following study deals with the human suffering, and healthcare side of this issue.

On December 20, 2023, the results of a case study were published in Cureus by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation documenting the recovery under chiropractic care of a patient in chronic pain who was involved in a rear-impact automobile accident. In this case, a 39-year-old man who was the driver of a large pickup truck was stopped at an intersection. He was suddenly struck from behind by another large pickup truck. The man was totally surprised and reported that he was violently thrown forward against the seat belt and then violently thrown backward into the seat.

Emergency medical services arrived on the scene. The man reported having neck pain and a headache as a result of the accident. Over the next few hours, his symptoms became worse, so he went to the emergency room seeking help. At the ER, the doctors performed an examination, but no x-rays were taken. He was diagnosed as having a “cervical sprain/strain” and was sent home with a prescription for five different medications.

The patient was referred by his general practitioner for chiropractic care and rehabilitation. At the time of his first chiropractic visit, the man was suffering with a near constant migraine headache, significant lower back pain, and severe neck pain that was radiating down into his right shoulder and arm. He also reported numbness, tingling, and weakness in his right arm.

A chiropractic examination and x-rays were performed. Based upon the results of the examination, specific forms of chiropractic care were started. A re-assessment and examination were performed after 24 chiropractic visits and compared to his initial visit.

The man reported to be very pleased with the results of his chiropractic care. It was recorded that his migraine headaches were improved by 80%. His neck pain, and stiffness were improved by 80%. Additionally, he reported that his shoulder and right arm pain, numbness, and tingling were 70% improved. At that time the man also noted that his anxiety and irritability were also 80% improved from before he started chiropractic.

The positive results the man reported were also backed up by positive objective improvements found during his follow-up examination and on his improved spinal x-rays.

January 10, 2024
Resolution of Chronic Constipation with Chiropractic Care

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on January 2, 2024, that documented the resolution of chronic constipation under chiropractic care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases describes this condition on their website as, “Constipation is a condition in which you may have fewer than three bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; stools that are difficult or painful to pass; or a feeling that not all stool has passed.”

The study authors report that in western civilizations constipation may affect up to 30% of the general population. They also note that the problem is more common in older populations. Older people in nursing homes can have the highest rates of constipation with numbers as high as 81%, according to one study.

In this case, a 54-year-old woman with a chief complaint of constipation went to the chiropractor. The woman reported that her bowel movements had become infrequent and hard to pass. She reported that she was having less than three bowel movements per week, and she felt a constant sense of bloating in her stomach. She did not have any associated pain from this problem. She had been suffering with these symptoms for the past 8 months. Her stools were hard and would only pass after prolonged straining. She had tried multiple over-the-counter medications and laxatives to limited effect.

A chiropractic examination was performed with the focus of locating the presence of any vertebral subluxations. Subluxations were located, and a course of chiropractic adjustments was started along with recommendations for dietary changes.

After one month of chiropractic care, the woman reported a complete resolution of her constipation. She reported that the frequency of her bowel movements had improved from less than three per week to at least once per day.

In summing up this case, the authors wrote, “Initially, the patient reported to have difficulty with bowel movements with a frequency of less than three per week. After the first month of care, the patient was able to regain bowel function; with a frequency of at least once per day.” They continued in their conclusion by saying, “This case study demonstrated a reduction of symptoms pertaining to constipation after receiving chiropractic care. This case suggests the importance of conducting further research to demonstrate the effectiveness of chiropractic in co-managing patients suffering from constipation.”

January 10, 2024
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? – To Get to the Chiropractor!

An unusual study was published by the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on November 21, 2023, showing that chickens that were under chiropractic care were more likely to survive, be larger and taste better when harvested and cooked.

The reason for this study is actually very important. The study begins by pointing out that only 1.3% of the workforce in the United States produces the food for remaining 98.7% of the population. Additionally, they note that the amount of land utilized for farming is decreasing even thought the population, and demand for food, is increasing.

The researchers explain their reasoning by saying, “This research team is exploring the effects of animal chiropractic on livestock overall health, rate of gain, reproductive efficiency, and palatability of meat across multiple species. They will utilize animal chiropractic in production settings to offset challenges the American livestock producer faces while maintaining sustainability of our food supply.”

Animal chiropractic and human chiropractic share the same basic premise. Chiropractic is based upon correction of interference to the nerve system created by vertebral subluxations. The researchers further explain, “A subluxation is defined as a shift in the normal structure of one vertebrae in reference to the vertebrae on either side of it. This shift can cause a biomechanical change that can interfere with the nervous system.”

This study involved 50 broiler chickens that were obtained shortly after being hatched. The chickens were randomly assigned to either a group that got chiropractic adjustments, or a control group that did not get adjusted. The adjusted chickens all got purple leg bands and the control group got pink leg bands. Both groups of chickens were raised in the same place under the exact same conditions.

All the chickens in both groups were harvested at 65 days of age. All the chickens were then weighed, and the meat from the chickens was frozen. After 88 days, they were thawed, breaded, and fried for a taste test at a local fair. All preparations and cooking for the chickens was the same for all chickens in both groups. Additionally, all participants at the fair did not know which group the chicken they were tasting came from. Only the researchers knew what meat came from which group of chickens.

The results were clearly different between the two groups of chickens. First, the control group of chickens who did not get adjusted suffered an over 12% death rate prior to harvest, while the adjusted group had no deaths among their group. In addition, the adjusted group chickens were heavier on average than the non-adjusted group.

Of the 32 people participating in the blind taste test, 75% preferred the meat from the chickens who had been adjusted. Only 16% preferred the fried chicken from the control group, and 9% did not notice a difference. The participants in the taste test who preferred the chickens that had been adjusted, said that they thought that the chicken was juicer, more tender, and had better flavor.

December 12, 2023
Neck and Shoulder Pain After Vaccination Helped with Chiropractic

The December issue of the Journal of Physical Therapy Science releases a study on December 1, 2023, documenting the case of chiropractic helping a patient who suffered neck and shoulder pain associated with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The study authors begin by explaining the problem of vaccinations related to arm pain. “Each year, billions of deltoid intramuscular (IM) injections are given to administer multiple vaccines globally. In some instances, this shoulder injection causes pain and dysfunction long after the normal soreness should persist. In many of those cases where the pain does not resolve, the patient will experience disability and reduction in quality of life.”

In this case a 54-year-old man, who was suffering with left shoulder pain, went to see a chiropractor. The man described the pain as a dull ache that made his shoulder feel like it was “rigging out”. He noted that the pain was severe and rated it as 8 or 9 out of 10, with 10 being the worst pain ever. He reported that this started after a COVID-19 vaccination and was steadily getting worse over the three weeks since his injection.

In addition to the left arm pain, the man also reported having mild-to-severe throbbing neck pain. His problems were continuing to get worse to the point where he could not sleep over the prior four nights before starting chiropractic. He noted that he did not have any of these issues prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

A chiropractic examination was performed with spinal x-rays. It was recorded that the range of motion of his neck was restricted in all directions. When any pressure was placed on the man’s head, it caused an immediate severe increase in his shoulder pain. He was unable to lift his arm above his shoulder, not due to stiffness, but because lifting his arm caused severe pain. His x-rays showed that he had a loss of his normal neck curve and an increase in his mid-back curvature causing a hunch-back appearance.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started with the man receiving multiple visits per week. The study records that after just one month, the man reported significant relief and commented that he was “feeling great.” As chiropractic care continued, the man continued to improve and eventually reported no shoulder or neck pain and no restriction in his movements. Follow-up x-rays also showed an improvement in the man’s neck and mid-back curvatures. Two years later, a follow-up was done, and the man remained pain free and continued to show spinal and postural improvements.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, “This case demonstrates immediate and long-term improvement in a patient suffering from COVID-19 vaccine SIRVA, concomitant with neck pain and disability as well as significant radiographic postural/spinal deformity. These conditions all improved and were maintained at a 2 year follow-up without further treatment.”

December 12, 2023
Woman Regains Will to Live Under Chiropractic Care

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a report in their 2023 fourth quarter issue documenting the case of a woman who, prior to receiving chiropractic care, was in severe neuropathic pain for so long that she considered ending her life. Neuropathic pain is nerve pain that is not the direct result of injury or tissue damage such as a cut or sprain.

WebMD describes this condition by stating, “Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting and severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It often is the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The impact of nerve damage is a change in nerve function both at the site of the injury and areas around it.”

Chronic neuropathic pain has a profound effect on all aspects of a person’s life. Typical medical treatment for neuropathic pain is by the use of medications. However, in the absence of a healable wound or injury, medication can only temporarily mask the pain and does not address the underlying cause of the pain. In many cases, continually stronger medications are needed in order to be effective. This sets up a dangerous spiral of drug dependency.

In this case, a 49-year-old woman went to a chiropractor because she was suffering with severe chronic neuropathic pain in her head, neck, face, and shoulders. She rated the pain between a 5 and 10 with 10 being the worst. She reported that she was suffering with this pain for seven years. She noted that she had been to 14 health professionals and had not gotten any relief.

The woman reported that her situation led her to have suicidal thoughts, suffer with depression, and have insomnia. Because of the severity and longevity of the pain, the woman commented that she could no longer tolerate the pain, had lost the will to live, and was contemplating ending her life if she could not get relief.

A chiropractic examination was performed, and spinal x-rays were taken. Based on the results of the examination, specific forms of chiropractic care were started with the woman being initially seen multiple times per week.

At the time of her first re-evaluation, the woman reported feeling decreased pain in her low back and knees as well as reduced neuropathic pain. Considering that she had not gotten help from the previous 14 health professionals prior to getting chiropractic care, she considered this improvement to be substantial.

The woman also reported that she was suffering from fewer headaches, had greater mobility which allowed her to be more active, and had a more regular menstrual cycle. Additionally, she noted that she could handle stress better, noticed more self-positive thinking, and stated that her will to live had been restored.

As part of the study discussion, the authors commented, “It should be noted that while no extra care apart from Chiropractic was introduced at this time, the Chiropractor did not offer mental health support to have done so is beyond the scope of practice in this jurisdiction. The only care offered was nervous system support through checking and adjusting subluxations. It is likely that it was the reduction of pain and increase in movement and improved sleep leading to a better Quality of Life that allowed the patient to regain hope for a different future.”

December 12, 2023
Autism and Attention-Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder Helped with Chiropractic

The fourth quarter issue of the Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study documenting the improvement under chiropractic care of a young boy who was suffering with the issues of his Autism and Attention-Deficit-Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

The study authors make it clear that chiropractic does not treat autism or ADHD. What chiropractic does is seek to correct interference in the nerve system from vertebral subluxations. In correcting subluxations, the patient’s nerve system is allowed to return to a more normal function and address health issues better.

In this case, a 6-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor. The boy had been diagnosed with both autism and ADHD. His mother reported that her son had difficulty focusing and staying on task, would not respond to his name, and was non-verbal. His mother also noted that her son used little to no eye contact, had difficulties sitting in the same spot for more than ten seconds, and had difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. The boy also engaged in some destructive behavior such as tearing up books instead of reading them.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included palpation of the spine and thermal scans. The results of his examination revealed that the boy had multiple areas of vertebral subluxations. Based on the results of the examination, the researcher created a care plan and stated, “Aims of care were established as removing interference from the nervous system by correcting subluxations so that the body would be better able to regulate itself. Additional clinical aims of seeing improvements in sleep, focus, attention, and less stress in the nervous system were established and the upper cervical spine was determined to be an area of focus for care.”

Immediately after the boy’s very first adjustment, it was recorded that the boy was able to take a big breath and relax. He instantly became more calm and started sitting in a chair instead of jumping on it. On the second visit, his mother reported that after returning home from her son’s first adjustment, he fell asleep only 30 minutes after his bath and dinner, a process that usually took over two hours.

Both the boy’s mother and chiropractor noticed that the boy was more focused and attentive when his mom and the chiropractor were speaking to him. Over the next few weeks, the boy became more verbal and was trying to speak more. Eventually, the boy was moved from a special day classroom setting to a general education setting. He was becoming more responsive and making eye contact. He also stopped tearing books up and was able to turn pages and follow along as he and his mother read books.

In their conclusion, the authors stated, “Chiropractors make no claim of ‘cure’ with autism or ADHD. In this case there were no other notable changes made in the child’s routine, and significant changes in his well-being were noted over the course of care. Therefore we can state there is a relationship between Chiropractic care and the function of this child’s nervous system tone and sympathetic arousal, and that a restored state of calm had been noted.”

December 12, 2023

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