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Chiropractic Care Shown to Correct a Reversed Neck Curvature

The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published the results of a case study on May 1, 2023, documenting chiropractic care causing the correction of a neck curvature in a patient. Loss or reversal of neck curvature has been linked to many health issues.

When seen from the side, a human neck x-ray should show a rounded curvature forward. A reversal of the normal curvature is known as a cervical kyphosis and has been linked to a variety of short and long-term health issues including headaches, neck pain, and radiating pain into the shoulders and arms.

Cervical kyphosis does not always cause symptoms. The authors of this study point out that many people have reversal of the normal neck curve without having any symptoms at all. However, they note that the lack of a proper forward curvature does put unusual load stresses on the neck and spine and can, in time, lead to other neck problems and spinal disc degeneration.

In this case, a 24-year-old woman sought out chiropractic care due to having discomfort in her right shoulder. She reported that she had injured the shoulder years earlier. She rated the pain as only a 1.5 out of a possible 10 in severity.

On examination, the woman had no unusual findings, and her range of neck motion was within normal. A cervical x-ray of the side of the woman’s neck showed a complete reversal of the neck curve. Based on the findings, specific chiropractic procedures were started to work toward correction of the woman neck curvature.

After 17 weeks of care, new neck x-rays were taken that showed the neck was now beginning to curve in the proper direction. This dramatic change was maintained throughout the patient care. Three years after the care was rendered, the woman had another x-ray taken which showed that the correction was still present, but that some loss of the correction was noted.

The authors emphasized that this case demonstrates the value of preventative chiropractic care when it comes to neck curvature. They point out that although this woman had almost no symptoms, problems from her neck curvature were on the horizon. They demonstrated this issue by presenting a series of neck x-rays with similar finding who did not receive chiropractic care. Years later the newer x-rays showed that person now had spinal degeneration due to the incorrect neck curvature.

The authors explained this issue by saying, “It is clear and evident that spine misalignment, particularly gross deviations, set the precedence for biomechanical deterioration over time. Further, it is easier to correct smaller spine deformities than larger deformities. Thus, for these reasons, it is important to diagnose spine misalignments early (e.g. perform posture and spine screening) and to treat spine deformities at the earliest recognition (while a patient is asymptomatic/presymptomatic); as goes the saying, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.”

June 12, 2023
Chiropractic Helps Patient with Wide Variety of Health Issues Including Back Pain and Depression

The second quarter 2023 issue of the Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a case study of a patient helped by chiropractic who was suffering with a wide variety of health issues for a number of years.

This study documents the case of a 42-year-old man who went to the chiropractor primarily to see if chiropractic could help his long-standing back problems. He was a bricklayer and the pain in his lower back, buttocks and legs was so severe that it was limiting his ability to do his job. Prior MRI and CT scans had confirmed the presence of a disc herniation.

Upon further inquiry into his history, it was discovered that the man also suffered from a variety of other traumas and health issues. These issues included neck pain, hip pain, sleep problems and erectile dysfunction. He had been involved in several auto accidents and suffered the stress of seeing a co-worker die due to a work accident. With the additional stressors in his life, as well as recently having experienced the death of his father, the man also had problems with anxiety, alcoholism, and depression.

A chiropractic examination showed several postural and orthopedic positive indicators. Based upon the examination, chiropractic care was started utilizing a variety of specific techniques. Due to the severity of his pain and disability, the man was seen initially five times per week.

At the four-week update of his care, the man reported some improvement in various parts of his body as he stated that he was generally able to move around better. After 8 weeks of care, he reported a decrease in the pain in his legs and back. He was able to decrease his pain medication which resulted in him being able to sleep better.

At the 12-week mark, the man reported that he was breathing easier, moving around better, had a significant reduction in pain and had improved with is erectile dysfunction issues. He noted that his sense of humor had returned, and he was more engaged with the people at his work.

The self-reported improvements noted by the man in this case were also supported by examination findings that showed improvements in posture, neurological testing, x-rays and clinical evaluations.

In the study discussion, the authors wrote, “A degree of pain control was achieved in the context of what was almost certainly going to be a surgical case. However, the return of reproductive function and the reduction in medication intake indicates a system returning to normal. Patient self-reports regarding mood and antidepressant usage, as well as anecdotal (observational) data by the Chiropractor indicate a significant improvement in mental health and coping.”

June 12, 2023
Reactive Arthritis Helped by Chiropractic

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on May 16, 2023, documenting chiropractic helping a young girl who was suffering with Reactive Arthritis (ReA) and a host of associated pain issues.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), “Reactive arthritis, as the name suggests, occurs in reaction to something—in this case, an infection. The condition is triggered by a bacterial infection in the digestive or urinary tract or the genitals, but arthritis symptoms typically do not set in until after you have recovered from the infection.” The NIAMS’s website continues by explaining that “The symptoms often clear up on their own within a few weeks or months, but they may become chronic (long-lasting) in some people.”

In this case, a 10-year-old girl was brought to the chiropractor to see if she could get help with her neck and upper back pain. The neck and back pain occurred in episodes and were very restrictive. When she was not in pain, the girl was very active and enjoyed rock climbing two days per week. The girl had been diagnosed with Reactive Arthritis (ReA) at three years old following a high fever due to an upper respiratory infection. After the infection, the girls started suffering with symptoms of chronic arthritis.

Since being diagnosed with ReA, the girls would experience recurring fatigue, neck, back, leg, arm, feet and hand pain, stiffness, and disability every three to four weeks. Occasionally, she would have a severe episode that would cause her to “freeze up” where she would be unable to move. One such severe episode while swimming almost resulted in the girl drowning. When in pain, she would have difficulty walking, putting on her clothes, playing, and would even be forced to crawl up stairs.

A chiropractic examination and x-rays revealed significant vertebral subluxations in the cervical and lumbar spine. With this information, a regime of specific chiropractic care was initiated to correct the subluxations.

The results of the chiropractic care for this girl were life changing. As care progressed, the girl became free of a her ReA symptoms and was able to resume a normal active life. In a follow-up three years later, the study reports that the girl was still free of her ReA pain and was “enjoying her life, able to perform activities of daily living without limitation, free of pain and disability.”

The authors of the study explained how correcting subluxation would help a case such as this as well as others with a wide variety of health issues. “Chiropractic vitalistic philosophy was born of the idea that a vertebral subluxation as a deviation of a vertebra from its normal position with respect to the adjacent vertebrae and that this vertebral misalignment can cause neurological interference, preventing the body from functioning optimally. The goal of chiropractic care is to correct vertebral subluxations, thereby removing neurological interference the allow the body to heal and function without impedance.”

June 12, 2023
Ringing in the Ears Helped by Chiropractic – A Case Study

The title above comes from a case study published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on May 30, 2023. This report describes the case of a patient under chiropractic care and documents the successfull resolution of tinnitus.

The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders described tinnitus on their website by saying, “Tinnitus (pronounced tih-NITE-us or TIN-uh-tus) is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it. Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing sound, but some people hear other types of sounds, such as roaring or buzzing. Tinnitus is common, with surveys estimating that 10 to 25% of adults have it.”

Tinnitus is more common in the population over 55 years where it is estimated that 30% have the condition. Although the medical community lists the cause of tinnitus as unknown, there have been studies that show that it can be associated with certain risk factors. According to some studies, 22% of tinnitus cases were in individuals who had prolonged loud noise exposure. In 17% of cases, the person had some kind of a head or neck injury, and in 10% of the cases, the individuals had suffered a previous ear infection.

In this case, a 55-year-old man presented himself to the chiropractor to see if he could get help with his tinnitus. The man had seen a neurologist who conducted an MRI but could not offer any help. It was the neurologist who referred the patient to a chiropractor.

Six months previously, the man had tripped and fallen, hitting his head on a door frame. The fall caused his neck to bend to the side causing neck pain as well. He stated that the tinnitus was constant, and he rated it as 6 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. Prior to the fall, the man reported that he did have some slight ringing in his ears, which he self-rated as 1 out of 10, but that the fall made it much worse.

A chiropractic examination showed a decrease in the man’s range of neck motion as well as multiple mal-positioned spinal vertebrae. Spinal x-rays were taken and confirmed the presence of subluxations in the man’s spine. Based upon this information, chiropractic care was started.

The study documents that immediately after the man’s first adjustment, he reported an immediate decrease in neck pain and a total elimination of his ringing in the ears which lasted several hours. Upon subsequent adjustments, the man noted a continual decrease in his neck pain and the relief from the ringing would last longer. As chiropractic care continued, the man reported that his neck pain was resolved, and he would only occasionally have some minor ringing which he rated as a 1 out of 10.

The authors of this case summed up their conclusions by stating, “In this case study the patient exhibited a positive response that could indicate that there is an association between cervical subluxation and tinnitus. With the presence of trauma induced subluxation, chiropractic care could prove to be beneficial in the reduction of tinnitus in patients. With 20.7% of the general population experiencing tinnitus, it is important to address the possible causes and treatment.”

June 12, 2023
Improvement in Mental Processing and Quality of Life in a 74-year-old under Chiropractic

The Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a case study in April 2023 documenting the self-reported improvement by a 74-year-old patient in a mental processing and a variety of symptoms due to chiropractic.

The authors of this study begin by noting the importance of investigating chiropractic as a possible area of help with the issue of mental health. “Among the many advancements in Chiropractic research in recent years has been the discovery of the link between Chiropractic care and brain function. Not only has this line of research opened up new areas of understanding in terms of the potential applications for Chiropractic care, but it has given more gravitas to the argument that Chiropractic care may be useful far beyond the domain of musculoskeletal complaints, such as back and neck pain.”

In this case, a 74-year-old man sought out chiropractic care because he was suffering with low back pain, headaches, and reflux issues. The man was active and served as a board member of a community organization, as well as engaging in volunteer work that involved a high level of physical activity. He was previously under sporadic chiropractic care as symptoms surfaced.

A detailed examination and spinal x-rays showed a number of spinal subluxations that would require more chiropractic than the man had been receiving in the past. Based on the examination and x-ray findings, specific chiropractic care was started on a regular schedule.

As chiropractic care proceeded, the man reported an improvement in his low back pain, and a decrease in the frequency and severity of both headaches and reflux. In addition to the man seeing improvement in his physical conditions, he also noted that he could see significant cognitive improvements.

The study reported, “…the patient noticed and voluntarily self-reported that the speed at which he was able to mentally process information in high demand meetings also improved significantly. He remarked that his ability to think quickly and strategically increased to a level comparable with those around him who had more education and youth on their side. He remarked that he felt like ‘it was him in his younger days’.” His improvements were also noted by others as the 74-year-old man reported he was being asked to contribute to more meetings with government officials and government departments.

The authors of this study also reviewed a number of other scientific reports documenting that chiropractic care had a positive effect on brain function. Based upon the other studies and their findings, the authors commented, “This case report therefore offers rationale for further research into Chiropractic care and productivity, ageing, and prevention of neurodegeneration, and may offer an insight into how Chiropractic can support individuals as they continue to contribute meaningfully to their communities in their later years.”

May 11, 2023
Improved Mental Health and Quality of Life in a 51-Year-Old Male under Chiropractic Care

The title above comes from a case report published in the April 2023 issue of the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal. This report documents the case of improvement in mental health in a patient while under chiropractic care. The study also highlights the need for more research into mental health outcomes improvement with Chiropractic care.

The month of May has been designated in the U.S. as Mental Health Awareness Month and has been recognized since 1949. The US Department of Health and Human Services issued a release on May 3, 2023, that began with, “Our country is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis. The crisis isn’t just affecting adults, its devastating young people, and people from every background are impacted.”

Mental health issues have been prominent in the news lately and have a profound effect on society. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing, who also observes Mental Health Awareness Month, noted that “One in five adults (57.8 million adults) in the U.S. experienced mental illness in 2021.” The issue of mental health highlights the need to investigate all areas that could help with this crisis. One such avenue is chiropractic care.

The study authors begin by noting, “It is well established in literature that chronic pain including low back pain often appears comorbidly with poor mental health outcomes and that this may have far reaching implications for Quality of Life. Research indicates that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common mental illness co-occurring with chronic pain, and the prevalence of MDD is thought to be as high as 40% in patients with chronic pain requiring treatment.”

In this case, a 51-year-old man sought out chiropractic care to help with his back pain. The man’s health history showed that he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer which had metastasized to the lymph nodes. He was also beginning extensive chemotherapy in an effort to reduce the cancer and possibly lengthen the man’s life. As a result, the man was also struggling with severe depression. The man’s goal for chiropractic was simply to reduce the pain, improve his mental health, and increase the quality of his life for the time he had remaining.

After an examination, chiropractic care was started with specific forms of chiropractic care appropriate for his health situation and condition. Care was focused on correction of subluxations that had been determined were present.

After an early round of chemotherapy, the man commented that the chemo had hit him hard. He received an adjustment shortly thereafter and commented how much the adjustment had helped him bounce back from the chemo. From that point forward, the man continued to receive adjustments as soon as possible after his chemo sessions.

Overall, the man’s symptoms of pain and depression significantly improved. Due to the nature of his terminal cancer diagnosis, he was grateful that his quality of life was improved under chiropractic care for the time he had remaining.

The authors commented on this case by noting, “While the stated goals of care were focused on health-related outcomes, the true benefit of this course of care for a terminal patient was the maintenance of meaningful Quality of Life and the ability to be a better father to his young children as his disease progressed. His goal is to form as many great memories for his family for as long as possible. At the time of writing, this goal was being achieved.”

May 11, 2023
Patient Suffering from Asthma, Headaches, Insomnia, and Low Back Pain Improved with Chiropractic

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on May 5, 2023, documenting the improvement, under chiropractic, of a patient suffering with multiple health issues including asthma, headaches, low back pain, and insomnia.

The focus of the chiropractic care, in this case, was the correction of subluxations. Subluxations are physical misalignments or deviations in the spine’s structure that result in changes to the function of the nervous system. Since it is the job of the nervous system to control and coordinate all the functions in the human body, any alteration in the nerve system can result in a profound, and wide-ranging effect on health.

The authors reviewed and reported on numerous other studies that demonstrated chiropractic’s effectiveness for patients with asthma. However, as they noted, most of these cases were children. “There are many studies which look into the use of chiropractic for the asthmatic pediatric patient; however, there have not been as many studies performed concerning adult asthma. This is an area of research which would be highly beneficial given the large amount of the population who are asthma sufferers.”

In this case, a 45-year-old woman went to the chiropractor seeking help for her asthma, headaches, lower back pain, insomnia, and sinus problems. The dominant health issue that the woman was concerned about was her asthma. She had been treated medically for the previous two years but had had no real results for her complaints.

An examination of the woman revealed multiple areas of subluxation. A chiropractic care plan of regular chiropractic adjustments was started to address the subluxations. Periodically during the care, a reassessment was performed to objectively measure any improvement as well as record any changes noted by the woman.

During the first reassessment, the woman reported that her headaches and low back pain had improved by 75%. She also reported “moderate improvement” with her asthma symptoms. She had not noticed at that time any change in her insomnia.

At the time of her second assessment, the woman reported that she had noticed a “mild improvement” in her insomnia, while also reporting “much improvement” in all her other symptoms.

The purpose of chiropractic care is not the treatment of individual symptoms or diseases such as asthma or headaches. The purpose of chiropractic is to locate and remove interference to the nervous system and allow the body’s own innate healing abilities to function properly. The authors of the study reinforced this idea when they commented in their conclusion, “Through the use of chiropractic care, it is evident that the proper alignment of the spine results in optimal functioning in the body.”

May 11, 2023
Autistic Spectrum Disorder Improved with Chiropractic Care

On April 10, 2023, the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic published the results of a case study documenting the improvement of a young chiropractic patient with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

According to the CDC website, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.”

The CDC also notes that “About 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.” Additionally, “ASD is nearly 4 times more common among boys than among girls.”

In this case, a 7-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor by his parents. The boy had been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at the age of three. At the age of two, his parents noticed unusual behaviors including that their son preferred to be alone and would not walk up to them. Instead of playing with toys, he would line them up in a row, and the boy would not let his parents know when he was hungry.

Chiropractic care was started for the correction of subluxations at the rate of two visits per week for the first four months. A variety of specific chiropractic adjustments were used starting with the gentlest ones, as sometimes autistic children do not tolerate receiving adjustments well.

After three months of chiropractic care, the study reports that there were multiple areas of improvement in the boy. It was recorded that his eye tracking had improved, and he was able to make eye contact. The boy’s mother reported that her son showed multiple areas of improvement with his autistic behaviors. It was noted that on one visit to the chiropractor the boy, “…was very talkative and explained all the Star Wars characters in an animated way.”

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, “This case study demonstrates the relationship between chiropractic care and decrease in autistic symptoms.” They also concluded, “This report supports the possible link between reduction of vertebral subluxation and improvement in the behavioral patterns of ASD.”

May 11, 2023
TMJ Pain Helped with Chiropractic

On March 19, 2023, the results of a case study were published in Cureus, by the Department of Chiropractic, New York Medical Group, EC Healthcare, in Kowloon, Hong Kong, of severe TMJ pain being completely eliminated under chiropractic care.

Temporomandibular Disorder, more commonly known as “TMJ”, is best described medically by the Cleveland Clinic as “Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. It can be caused by trauma, an improper bite, arthritis or wear and tear. Common symptoms include jaw tenderness, headaches, earaches and facial pain.”

The study in Cureus begins by explaining, “Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) constitute pathological symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding musculoskeletal tissues.” The study authors further explain, “Annually, TMD occurs in 4% of the adult population in the USA. TMD is primarily characterized by musculoskeletal pain syndromes which comprise myofascial pain, myalgia, and arthralgia.”

In this case, a 39-year-old woman sought chiropractic care for help for worsening bilateral TMJ pain and dysfunction. The woman described the pain as an ache that was made worse by chewing, yawning, and talking. She rated the pain as a 6 out of 10, and also had reported frequent jaw locking in an open-mouth position.

Four weeks before seeking chiropractic help the woman started experiencing headaches, earaches, and neck pain, which she believed was associated with her TMJ problem. The headaches were occurring 3-4 times per week and were rated as a 6 out of 10 on a pain scale. Her problems were severe enough to affect her daily life including her ability to eat, speak, and sleep. Her dentist eventually suggested she try chiropractic care.

A chiropractic examination showed a reduction in movement of the TMJ as well as her neck. Multiple areas in her neck and jaw were sensitive to the touch. Neck x-rays showed multiple areas of spinal misalignment and a significant reversal of what should have been a normal forward neck curvature.

Specific chiropractic care, along with jaw exercises were started. Within two weeks, the patient reported a 70% reduction of her symptoms including her jaw pain, clicking, and popping, as well as reduced headache and neck pain. After four weeks of chiropractic care, the patient was reported to be fully recovered with no pain and normal motion.

Chiropractic care was continued at a reduced frequency for six months at which time an evaluation was performed. At the time, it was noted that the woman had no symptoms at all. She was able to open her mouth and chew comfortably without pain or clicking sounds, and was rated as having a significantly improved quality of life index.

In their conclusion, the study authors wrote, “Our case study provides substantial evidence that chiropractic therapy is an effective treatment option for TMD and highlights the importance of imaging (photographs and cervical radiographs) to document changes in biomechanics to symptom alleviation.”

April 13, 2023
Severe Pelvic Pain in Pregnant Woman Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published the results of a case study on March 7, 2023, documenting the elimination of severe pelvic pain with chiropractic in a woman who was 26 weeks pregnant. The study was titled, “Resolution of Symphysis Pubis Pain & Dysfunction in a Pregnant Patient Following Chiropractic Care to Reduce Subluxation.”

The symphysis pubis is where the two bones of the front of the pelvic come together to form a strong fibrous stabilizing joint. During pregnancy, certain hormones are released to create a laxity of pelvic ligaments in order to make childbirth somewhat easier. If there are more of the hormones than needed, the pelvic joints can become too lax and create pain or other issues. Specifically, the symphysis pubis can separate too far and become extremely painful. The study reported that it is estimated that 31.7% of pregnant women will suffer some form of symphysis pubis pain.

In this case, a woman, who was 26.4 weeks into her pregnancy, sought chiropractic care for help for severe pelvic pain in her symphysis pubis region. The woman reported that the pain started at about the 10th week of her pregnancy. She rated her pain as a 10 out of 10 (worst possible) and characterized it as a constant, sharp, throbbing, burning, and aching pain. Movement, especially walking, made her pain even worse. The woman reported that in addition to her pelvic pain, she was also experiencing secondary symptoms of lower back and neck pain, but she said that these were not as severe as her pelvic pain.

The woman’s obstetrician diagnosed her with symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and told that her pain was normal for pregnancy. The obstetrician offered no treatment for her issues. The woman noted that swimming provided her with some relief, but as soon as she left the water, her pain would return.

During the woman’s chiropractic examination, she became very emotional and started crying while describing how severe her pain was. She stated that the pain was so bad that she did not want to be pregnant, or ever get pregnant again. The woman had pain during the entire exam process and multiple areas of her pelvis and spine were very sensitive to the touch.

Based upon the finding of her examination, it was determined that chiropractic care would be appropriate and was started. Specific forms of chiropractic care were started including a procedure known as the “Webster Technique.”

The patient reported that she immediately felt some relief following her first adjustment. She was scheduled to return in a week; however, she went into labor and had her baby. Upon returning to the chiropractor after her delivery, the woman reported that she no longer had any of the pelvic pain she was previously suffering with from the time of her first adjustment through her delivery.

April 13, 2023

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