Blog

Menstrual Cycle Problems and Infertility Helped by Chiropractic

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study in their third-quarter 2023 edition that documented a case of a woman suffering with menstrual cycle problems and infertility who was helped by chiropractic.

The study authors begin by noting that longer menstrual cycles are linked to increased pain and blood loss, low mood, increased anxiety, infertility, and poor sleep. A longer menstrual cycle can have far-reaching effects on a woman’s overall health and quality of life. The Mayo Clinic’s website reports that a normal menstrual cycle is between 21 and 35 days and normally lasts 2 to 7 days.

In this case, a 38-year-old woman went to see a chiropractor for help with multiple health issues. The woman was suffering with irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, as well as tension in her neck, shoulders, and low back. In addition to her main health concerns, the woman also noted that she was suffering from poor sleep, poor circulation, low energy, allergies, constipation, and symptoms relating to stress and anxiety.

The woman received a chiropractic examination which included a health history, spinal thermography, surface EMG, heart rate variability readings, orthopedic and neurological tests, and full spine x-rays. The results of the examination verified the presence of multiple vertebral subluxations.

According to the Sherman College of Chiropractic’s website, “A vertebral subluxation occurs when one or more vertebrae in the spine become misaligned, compressing spinal nerves and disturbing optimal nerve function. Chiropractic’s primary focus involves locating, analyzing and correcting these misalignments.”

Specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started at the rate of two visits per week for the first six weeks. After 12 visits, a re-evaluation was performed to compare the exam findings and the woman’s self-reported symptoms to prior to starting chiropractic care.

The results of the re-examination showed objective improvements in all the tests initially performed. The woman reported improvement in all her symptoms and her overall mood. In addition, the woman’s menstrual cycle had become more regular and decreased from 60-90 days prior to care, to a more normal 43-day cycle. The most profound result of this case, as noted by the study authors, was that the woman finally became pregnant.

The study authors summed up this case by stating, “Infertility is undoubtedly an emotive issue with the potential to contribute to psychological stress. In this case, subluxation-based care was directed at restoring optimal nervous system function, and was concomitant with a reduction in menstrual cycle length and immediately preceded the patient becoming pregnant.”

September 13, 2023
Chiropractic Associated with Opioid Usage Reduction or Discontinued in Patients After Failed Back Surgery

The Journal of the International Academy of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine published the results of a cohort study showing that chiropractic care was associated with a reduction and/or discontinuation of opioid usage in patients suffering from failed back surgery.

According to another study published in Cureus and available on the National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information’s website, 14.97% of all back surgeries suffer from “failed back surgery syndrome” and continue to have chronic pain. They also estimate that there are 900,000 back surgeries performed in the United States each year.

The authors of the study begin by noting that “Continued spinal pain and disability following spine surgery frequently results in continued or increased use of opioid pain medication.” There has been much written about the epidemic of opioid usage in the U.S. with the CDC noting that “The number of people who died from a drug overdose in 2021 was over six times the number in 1999. The number of drug overdose deaths increased more than 16% from 2020 to 2021. Over 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid.”

With the above statistics, any form of care that reduces or eliminates the need for and usage of opioids should be embraced as a positive step forward in the care of failed lower back surgery patients.

In this study, 11 failed back surgery syndrome patients were seen by different chiropractors. All 11 were still using opioids for pain after their back surgery. The results of the care were documented to determine if chiropractic care had an effect on these patients’ usage of opioids. These patients were given initial questionnaires prior to chiropractic care, and follow-up questionnaires three months into their chiropractic care.

The results of the study showed that in 8 of the 11, nearly 73% of these patients reported a reduction or discontinuation of opioid use for pain control related to their back surgery. Three of the patients had no change in their opioid usage. None of the patients reported increasing their opioid usage.

Considering the size and impact of the opioid crisis currently in the U.S., any type of drugless care that can have this large an impact in reducing opioid usage should be embraced. The study authors noted in their conclusion, “Of the 11 patients reporting the use of opioids for FBSS at the onset of care, 8 reported a reduction or discontinuation of opioid use at 3 months of care. The results of this brief descriptive analysis show promise for the potential reduction of opioid use in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome patients, and the need for larger studies.”

September 13, 2023
Sleep Apnea Helped by Chiropractic Care and Nutritional Changes

On June 22, 2023, the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine published the results of a case study showing that chiropractic care, in conjunction with dietary changes, significantly helped a patient who was suffering with severe sleep apnea.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a branch of the National Institute of Health, describes sleep apnea as “Sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing stops and restarts many times while you sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen.”

There are two types of sleep apnea. The less common type, known as “central sleep apnea,” is when the brain fails to send signals needed to breathe properly during sleep. The much more common form of sleep apnea is known as “obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)”.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodes of complete collapse of the airway or partial collapse with an associated decrease in oxygen saturation or arousal from sleep. This disturbance results in fragmented, nonrestorative sleep. OSA has significant implications for cardiovascular health, mental illness, quality of life, and driving safety.” It is estimated that 18 million Americans have sleep apnea.

In this case study, a 42-year-old man presented himself for chiropractic care. At that time, he was suffering with obstructive sleep apnea with snoring. The man was diagnosed over five years earlier with OSA and had been using a CPAP machine, which he disliked using, for the past five years. A CPAP machine is designed to take in room air, filter and pressurize the air, then delivers it through a tube into a mask. The continuous flow of air is supposed to prevent the patient’s tongue, uvula and soft palate from shifting therefore stabilizing breathing and improving overall sleep quality.

Prior to chiropractic care, the man was averaging 55.4 breathing events per hour during his sleep. An examination was performed, and the man was started on chiropractic care in addition to specific mouth exercises and dietary changes designed to help him lose weight. The man was on a regular routine of his care for 90 days, after which a re-evaluation was performed to check his progress.

At the conclusion of the 90 days, the study reports that his OSA events had decreased during his sleep to only 3.4 events per hour. Additionally, the study also reports that the man’s posture had improved and he had lost 40 pounds.

August 14, 2023
Breathing Difficulties Improved in Post-COVID Patients With Chiropractic Care

The Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research published the results of a study on February 9, 2023, that showed that people who previously had COVID-19 and were still suffering from difficulty breathing, called dyspnea, improved while under chiropractic care. The authors of this study begin by explaining “Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection caused by the potentially serious coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, with high transmissibility and global distribution.”

The world is well familiar with the global pandemic that we have lived through. There has been more news generated on this health issue than on any other in modern history. Coupled with the vast amount of information, there has been a lot of disinformation and conspiracy associated with this event. Often it has become difficult to discern what is based in science, from what is logical hypothesis, or from what is false conspiracy stories.

Legitimate discussions on COVID-19 should be encouraged but should be based on science. To this end, this case series study offers a view of helping people who have suffered with COVID and have had lingering breathing issues associated with their infection. People who have continued to suffer have been said to have “post-acute covid-19 syndrome” or “long COVID.”

In this study, three patients suffering with breathing difficulties (dyspnea) after COVID each received four weeks of chiropractic care. To rule out outside factors, all patients were instructed before the beginning of the study not to change their daily routine or medications during the study. Before each chiropractic visit, each patient was tested to measure their blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate and volume. These were then compared to the same tests after each visit as well as after four weeks. To make the test more consistent, all chiropractic adjustments were given using a chiropractic adjusting instrument.

The results of this study showed that each of the measured tests improved for all three patients. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rates all improved due to chiropractic care. Most notably was that the inhalation and exhalation volumes improved showing that breathing had become easier in all the patients after chiropractic care.

In the authors discussion, they summed up the results by saying, “The results of this study with patients in the post-covid phase showed promise. Patients after four weeks of treatment with the manipulation instrumental, eight sessions, reported less dyspnea and consequently less fatigue.” They continued, “All vital signs after four weeks improved, as did maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures. The sleep and quality of life tests and questionnaires obtained a very satisfactory score in comparison with the score obtained before chiropractic instrumental manipulation.”

August 14, 2023
Severe Difficulty Swallowing Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

On May 5, 2023, the Journal of Medicine and Life published the results of a case study documenting the successful resolution of a patient who was suffering with severe difficulty swallowing and had not gotten any help from medical care. When the swallowing difficulty is coming from muscles in the throat and neck, it is known as cervicogenic dysphagia.

The author of this study defines this condition by saying “Cervicogenic dysphagia is characterized by difficulty swallowing caused by musculoskeletal and/or neural dysfunction in the cervical spine.” He notes that about 3% of the general population, and about 20% of people over 50 are affected by dysphasia. He describes two possible mechanisms that can create cervicogenic dysphagia. One mechanism is postural, where the position of the neck creates problems with swallowing. The second mechanism involves the nervous system, where the neck can interfere with nerve system signals that affect swallowing.

In this case, a 48-year-old man sought out chiropractic care for help with his swallowing problems. The man’s history revealed that he had a history of some neck pain and tightness for the past 5 years, but his swallowing difficulties only started 8 months prior to seeking chiropractic help. At first, the man reported a “a grabbing sensation” in his throat, but he did not experience any pain associated with this feeling.

Over time, his problem worsened. He later described the feeling as food being stuck in his throat when eating. Eventually, he was unable to swallow any dry food, such as cake or bread. He was medically diagnosed as dysphagia associated with an anxiety disorder by a hospital psychiatry department. Medical treatment was physiotherapy and medications.

After three months of medical care, his condition continued to get worse. Over time, he was only able to eat chopped noodles and oatmeal and was unable to dine out at any restaurant. This problem severely impacted his quality of life and caused him to lose over 20 pounds in 5 months.

Eventually, his dysphasia got so severe that he was unable to consume thick liquids and sometimes even choked on his saliva during swallowing. He was then admitted to the hospital where a battery of tests found no pathologies and he was placed on a diet of oatmeal. After two additional months of seeing no results medically, the man researched online and decided to try chiropractic.

A chiropractic examination with x-rays was performed and chiropractic care was started. By the third week of chiropractic care, the man reported that his symptoms had gradually improved. At this point, he was now able to eat lunch with his colleagues. By the fourth week of care, his breakfast meals could now include eggs and toast. By the eight week of chiropractic care, the man reported that he was able to eat steak for his dinner. He was eventually able to discontinue all medications that he was taking for his problem.

In giving an overview, the author summed up this patient’s case by stating, “This case report describes a 48-year-old man who complained of difficulty swallowing for 8 months. The patient had a history of neck pain and tightness in the upper trapezius region during office work. His symptoms gradually worsened, and he eventually could not swallow any dry food. Despite multiple consultations and treatments, his condition did not improve until he sought chiropractic therapy.”

August 14, 2023
Blood Pressure Values Improved Under Chiropractic Care – A Case Study

The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published the results of a case study on August 4, 2023, documenting the improvement in hypertension of an elderly patient receiving chiropractic care.

The authors of the study begin by noting that “Hypertension is the most common primary diagnosis in the United States and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.” They further note that “Approximately 77.9 million people, or 1 out of every 3 people have high blood pressure in the U.S.”

Under normal function, the human body should be able to control blood pressure using internal mechanisms. The authors explain the situation when the body is no longer controlling blood pressure normally. “Patients experiencing high blood pressure have in one way or another exhausted their natural internal controls. The human body has regulatory mechanisms in place to control blood pressure ensuring proper blood flow to all organs and tissues.”

In this case, a 77-year-old woman decided to go to the chiropractor. The woman had previously been diagnosed with hypertension. She was on medication for five years but was still having difficulty controlling her blood pressure. The woman reported that she was involved in a car accident 25 years earlier but suffered no injuries. She also stated that she had polio and spinal meningitis in 1952.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis, spinal palpation, leg length measurements, weight distribution and cervical spine x-ray. The purpose of the examination was to determine if subluxation was present in the upper cervical spine. Previous research has linked subluxations in the upper neck to blood pressure issues. From this examination and x-ray, it was determined that subluxation was present in the top bone of the neck, known as the atlas.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started to correct the subluxation. On each chiropractic visit, a determination was made about the presence of subluxation and the need for an adjustment. The patient kept a daily journal of her blood pressure, and her blood pressure was monitored on each chiropractic visit. The study reports that as the woman’s care continued, she was able to realize a 12% reduction in systolic blood pressure reading and 13% reduction in diastolic reading. The study notes that the woman continued her chiropractic care and was able to discontinue one of her blood pressure medications while still maintaining a lowered blood pressure.

In the authors’ discussion and conclusions, they stated, “Evidence within the chiropractic literature supports the positive effects of the chiropractic adjustment on hypertension.” They further say, “The 77-year-old patient who experienced such a dramatic decrease in her blood pressure is a powerful example of how hypertensive patients could benefit from chiropractic care.”

August 14, 2023
Infertility Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study in their third quarter 2023 issue that documented the successful resolution of infertility from chiropractic care. The authors of the study explain infertility by saying, “Infertility is broadly described as a condition of the reproductive system in which there is an inability to conceive or an inability to carry a pregnancy to term after one year of unprotected intercourse.”

Infertility is a common problem. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, “In the United States, among married women aged 15 to 49 years with no prior births, about 1 in 5 (19%) are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying (infertility). Also, about 1 in 4 (26%) women in this group have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term.”

In this case, a 28-year-old woman went to a chiropractor to see if she could get help for her infertility. She reported that she had a history of chronic stress, a poor metabolism with weight control issues, and difficulty sleeping which would cause her to wake up stiff and tired. The woman owned a salon and was having issues with anxiety, neck stiffness, shoulder pain and lower back pain. Her medical history noted that both her and her husband had undergone fertility testing, but she was still unable to conceive.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis, spinal palpation, digital thermography, surface EMG, Heart Rate Variability and spinal x-rays. From this examination, it was determined that spinal subluxations were present.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started at the rate of two visits per week with the goal of correction of subluxation. As the study authors stated, “Clinical care aims were targeted at improving neuro-spinal function through the reduction and correction of vertebral subluxations.”

A re-evaluation was performed after 12 visits. At that time, the patient reported that she had pain relief, improved stamina, energy, and attitude. She also noted that she had an improved appetite control, as well as clearer skin. Most importantly, the woman reported that as of the time of her re-evaluation, she and her partner were now expecting a baby.

In explaining how chiropractic care can help with fertility, the authors stated, “Fertility is a process that requires the proper function of the female reproductive system as well as hormonal regulation, all of which may be impacted by stress and subluxation. Given that the autonomic nervous system governs organ function, and the parasympathetic/sympathetic balance impacts hormones, it is feasible that chiropractic care and the reduction of subluxations may have contributed to an improvement in function that allowed a viable pregnancy to be achieved and maintained.”

July 13, 2023
Veteran with Myofascial Pain Helped by Chiropractic – A Case Study

The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association published the results of a case study in their April 2023 issue that documented the improvement of a patient suffering with myofascial pain who had been diagnosed with Hirayama disease.

As described on the National Library of Medicine’s website, “Hirayama disease, a rare neurological disease, is characterized by insidious unilateral or bilateral muscular atrophy and weakness of the forearms…” This condition is also known as distal bimelic amyotrophy, and is rare but occurs more frequently in males. This condition typically causes muscular atrophy and weakness of the forearms and hands.

In this case, a 30-year-old U.S. veteran was referred by a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physical medicine and rehabilitation physician to a VHA chiropractic clinic for neck pain and upper back tension. His history revealed that ten years ago, he began suffering with neck pain and hand weakness that limited his ability to complete his service duties. His condition got worse over the next two years until he finally had to be medically discharged from military. A neurosurgeon determined that the man was not a candidate for surgery and recommended conservative care. For the next eight years the veteran’s care consisted of physical medicine, a rehabilitation physician, psychologists, and occupational therapists.

Upon his first visit to the chiropractor, the man’s symptoms included neck and upper back pain which he rated as a 4 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. He also reported bilateral upper extremity weakness, atrophy, and muscle fatigue which was made worse by aerobic activity and cold weather. He also reported that he had a “clumsiness of his hands” and would commonly drop things and had a loss of dexterity.

After an examination, chiropractic care and specific exercises were started. After several weeks of care, the man reported that he had felt moderate improvement. He reported that his pain had gone from a 4 out of 10 down to zero. Additionally, his neck disability had improved from a 28% disability, down to just 10% as measured by the numeric pain rating scale. The study reports that the man experienced an improvement in his quality of life and there were no adverse reactions or events from his chiropractic care.

In response to this study, Dr. Robert Braile, a chiropractor for over 45 years and past president of the International Chiropractors Association, commented, “People with rare and serious conditions should be encouraged to seek chiropractic care.” Dr. Braile further explains, “It’s not that chiropractic treats those types of conditions, but rather that chiropractic removed interference from the body’s nervous system thus allowing the patient own amazing healing abilities to address a wide variety of health problems.”

July 13, 2023
Pigeon Toe Walking Resolved Under Chiropractic

The third-quarter issue of the 2023 Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a study that documented a case of pigeon toe walking being corrected under chiropractic care. Pigeon toe walking, also known as in-toeing, is when a person’s feet point inward instead of straight forward or slightly outward.

According to the researchers in this study, “Pigeon-toe or in-towing is a relatively common condition in childhood causing the toes to point inward or feet to excessively internally rotate when standing or walking. While this condition usually resolves as the child ages it does appear to affect a child’s gait, causing repetitive falls. Sometimes a child’s self-esteem may also be adversely affected by this condition.”

Common medical care for in-toe walking is watchful waiting. No care is usually medically rendered in the anticipation that the child will grow out of the condition in a few years. Some more severe cases are sometimes referred to an orthopedist for bracing. In many cases, parents choose not to just wait and turn to alternative forms of care such as chiropractic.

In this case, a 2½-year-old girl was brought to the chiropractor by her mother in the hopes that the child could receive help with her in-toeing walking. Her mother was concerned because she reported that her daughter would often trip over her own feet and fall.

Other than the in-toe walking, the little girl was very healthy. She would normally eat healthy organic food and snacks given to her by her mother. The girl’s history showed no serious illness or history of surgeries. She was not on any medications and had not had any serious traumatic events or accidents other than the multiple minor falls from tripping.

A chiropractic examination was performed as best as could be because the child was a bit apprehensive and uncooperative. The examination did verify the inward turned feet and showed the presence of subluxations in the spine. Age and size appropriate specific chiropractic adjustments were started to address the subluxations.

The study reports that by the third chiropractic visit, the girl was walking with one foot straight. By the fourth visit, it was observed that both feet mostly straight when the girl was walking, and her problem was mainly resolved.

In the conclusion of this study the authors commented, “This case may demonstrate a conservative, effective treatment for a subset of children presenting with in-toeing ~ particularly when watching and waiting is not preferred and the child’s gait, repetitive falls, and self-esteem are being adversely affected by this condition.”

July 13, 2023
Blackouts, Daily Vomiting and Headaches Helped by Chiropractic

The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published the results of a case study on July 3, 2023, that documented the successful chiropractic care of a patient who was suffering with blackouts, daily vomiting and headaches. Black-outs are sometimes called “drop attacks”. These can be caused by many factors including a headache that surges to an extreme pain causing a loss of consciousness.

In this case, a 23-year-old man went to the chiropractor seeking help with a variety of issues. The young man, a cook, had chief complaints of headaches and back pain which had both been present for the past 5 years. He rated his lower back pain as a 4 out of 10, with ten being the worst. The back pain would occasionally rise to an 8 out of 10 level.

The man described his headaches as “stabbing pain” with an average pain severity of 5 out of 10. His headaches would cause daily nausea and vomiting. However, he reported that weekly, his headaches would surge to 10 out of 10 causing him to vomit and black out.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis and leg length measurements, along with spinal x-rays of the man’s neck. The x-rays showed that the top bone in the man’s neck, known as the “atlas”, was malpositioned. The determination was made the the atlas vertebrae was subluxated.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started to correct the atlas subluxation. After the first adjustment, the man reported that he began to feel symptomatic relief. After each subsequent adjustment, he reported continued improvement.

After a month of chiropractic care, the man reported that he was no longer having blackouts and his headache frequency at that point had decreased by 2/3rds. He was no longer vomiting from his headaches and reported a 90% reduction in back pain, an 80% decrease in body pain, and a 50% decrease in dizziness at that point.

The researchers suggested that the subluxation was causing a change in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. Motion MRI studies have shown that many people who had had some sort of accident have a reduction or interuption in the normal CSF flow. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, shown in blue) is made by tissue that lines the ventricles (hollow spaces) in the brain. It flows in and around the brain and spinal cord to help cushion them from injury and provide nutrients.”

This study’s researchers explained this case by explaining that a subluxation of the atlas can alter the flow of CSF. This alteration has been show to be linked with a variety of significant health challenges. They further explain, “…it has been demonstrated that a different patient with almost the same amount of atlas misalignment had CSF flow impairment in the posterior portion of the spinal cord, which resulted in increased intracranial pressure.”

July 13, 2023

► Necessary Cookies Always Active

Necessary cookies enable essential site features like secure log-ins and consent preference adjustments. They do not store personal data.

► Functional Cookies Remark

Functional cookies support features like content sharing on social media, collecting feedback, and enabling third-party tools.

► Analytical Cookies Remark

Analytical cookies track visitor interactions, providing insights on metrics like visitor count, bounce rate, and traffic sources.

► Advertisement Cookies Remark

Advertisement cookies deliver personalized ads based on your previous visits and analyze the effectiveness of ad campaigns.