Literature Review Shows Chiropractic Beneficial for Patients With Neck Pain

2007-05-11Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

A literature review of existing studies shows that chiropractic care is effective for patients suffering from chronic neck pain. The study, published in the scientific periodical, the March 2007 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, looked at 16 prior studies and put the data from these studies together to get a larger picture of results.

The results of this literature review were also picked up by several news outlets including the May 6, 2007 Medical-News.net and the May 3, 2007 United Press International. This review was very specific and did not look at cases involving whiplash, headaches, or arm pain. The reviewers only looked at scientifically sound cases that involved chronic neck pain.

Howard Vernon, DC, PhD, the review's chief author and his colleagues found what they called "high-quality evidence" that patients with chronic neck pain showed significant pain-level improvements following chiropractic. They also found that in reviewing all these previous studies none of the groups studied remain unchanged, and all of the groups showed positive results in the first 12 weeks. Additionally, they noted that no trial reported any serious adverse effects.

The fact that all these different studies found the same results shows the consistency of chiropractic for these problems. Dr. Vernon commented, "The results of the literature review confirm the common clinical experience of doctors of chiropractic: neck manipulation is beneficial for patients with certain forms of chronic neck pain."

The authors of the review noted that neck pain is a very common problem, second only to low back pain in its frequency in the general population.

Post-Concussion Seizures Resolved with Chiropractic - A Case Study

2011-11-10Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

A November 3, 2011 case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, documents the resolution of seizures in a patient who previously had a concussion.

The authors of the case study start off by reporting that in the United States alone, there are approximately half a million brain injuries per year. Of this number between 5 and 7% develop seizures. Patients who suffer seizures immediately after the accident are more likely to suffer brain damage. The authors also noted that 24% of people with mild traumatic brain injury have reported anxiety and people that sustain mild to moderate injury suffer from major depression in 25-40% of the cases.

In this case a 76-year-old woman was referred to the chiropractor for evaluation by a neurologist. The woman’s problems started 10 years earlier after a slip and fall accident. According to the woman, 10 years prior she had jumped out of the shower and ran to answer the phone when her feet came out from under her causing her to land straight back on her head. Immediately after falling she experienced a seizure and severe migraine which left her unable to talk or walk. She was then rushed to the emergency room and was admitted as a patient. She was then given MRI and CT scans which she was told were unremarkable. She was diagnosed with a concussion and post concussion seizure and remained in the hospital for three months.

During her time in the hospital the woman experienced rapid fluctuations of her blood pressure and continued to suffer from migraines. She also had difficulty talking and experienced a swaying feeling upon standing, and had a wide gait when walking. By the time she had been released three months later her blood pressure had stabilized and her migraines had stopped.

Ten years later her symptoms started to get worse again including suffering from seizures that would leave her unable to walk or talk for several days. She returned for medical care and went through numerous tests, recommendations and medical doctors before being told by a second neurologist to seek chiropractic care.

A chiropractic examination was performed with x-rays. The results of these procedures revealed a neurological problem from subluxation at the first bone in the neck called the "atlas". A specific adjustment was given to the woman and a reevaluation and x-rays were done to verify positive changes. After the first adjustment the woman immediately noticed an improvement in her walking and she no longer had the feeling that a seizure was coming on.

Two months after the initiation of care the woman had not had any seizures since her first chiropractic adjustment. She had also reported pain free neck rotation, normal walking, increased energy, improved clarity and brightness in her vision and improved hearing. Her blood pressure stopped fluctuating and returned to normal. In follow up visits, it seemed that her ten year ordeal had ended.

Study Shows Neck Pain and Dizziness Helped with Chiropractic

2013-01-10Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

A study published in the January 7, 2013 issue of the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies shows that people with neck pain and those with both neck pain and associated dizziness respond equally as well to chiropractic care. The study was designed to see if the added factor of dizziness created a change in the response to chiropractic care.

In this study the authors describe the reason for the study by stating, "The symptom dizziness is common in patients with chronic whiplash related disorders. However, little is known about dizziness in neck pain patients who have not suffered whiplash." The authors also wanted to look at any gender differences with the patients in this study to see if gender played a part in the outcome of care.

The study was done with the cooperation of the Swiss Association for Chiropractic. The study notes that consecutive new patients over the age of 18 with neck pain of any duration who had not undergone chiropractic or manual therapy in the prior 3 months were recruited from 81 different chiropractor's offices who were members of the Swiss Association for Chiropractic. A total of 405 patients in Switzerland, who suffered with neck pain and who had consented to be part of the Chiropractic Outcome Study were included.

Researchers conducted telephone interviews at 1, 3 and 6 months after the initiation of chiropractic care to document the patients' progress. A seven point scale ranging from 'much better', 'better', 'slightly better', 'no change', 'slightly worse', 'worse', and 'much worse' was used to track the results. From the total number of patients, 177 (44%) reported neck pain with related dizziness while 228 reported that they had neck pain without dizziness. A significantly larger number of the patients with dizziness were women. As expected the patients with dizziness suffered more severe pain as well as other complaints.

The study results showed that after only the first month of care 72% of the patients with neck pain and dizziness showed improvement in their neck pain, while 73% of those with only neck pain had improved. Additionally, half (50%) of those with dizziness showed improvement in their dizziness in this same one month time frame.

After 3 months of care 81% of all patients, with neck pain only or with dizziness, showed improvement in both the neck pain and their dizziness. After six months the results remained almost the same being within 2 percentage points for any of the groups and all of the complaints.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, "Although neck pain patients with dizziness undergoing chiropractic treatment reported significantly higher pain and disability scores at baseline (beginning of study) compared to neck pain patients without dizziness, there were no significant differences in any outcome measures between the two groups at 6 months after start of treatment." In other words, the participants in this study all got good results regardless of the presence or lack of dizziness with their neck pain.

Concussion Syndrome, Headache, and Vertigo Helped With Chiropractic - Case Study

2011-01-13Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

From the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, comes a documented case study published on January 6, 2011 reviewing the successful care of a patient suffering from vertigo, headaches, and post concussion syndrome.

In this case study a 23 year old woman went to a chiropractor five months after suffering a slip and fall accident. It was reported that the woman had slipped in her bedroom and hit her head on the floor suffering a concussion. At the time of the accident she was treated at the emergency room and was diagnosed with a concussion.

It was noted that she had previously suffered with headaches for 10 years prior to the fall. After suffering the concussion the woman's headaches had gotten worse, and she was also experiencing vertigo (dizziness), nausea, and a throbbing pain in her neck. After the accident she also reported having fatigue, irritability, insomnia, memory problems, and problems with concentration. Her problems were so severe that it was affecting her daily life.

A chiropractic examination was performed and numerous positive findings were noted indicative of vertebral subluxation in the upper neck. X-rays of the upper neck verified misalignment of the upper neck and a determination of upper cervical (neck) subluxation was made. Based on these findings a course of specific chiropractic care was initiated to correct the problem.

Within one week of starting chiropractic care the patient reported that she had not experienced any headaches or vertigo after receiving her first adjustment. Follow up x-rays and examination procedures showed improvement of the upper neck as well. Two weeks after the start of care she was experiencing some occasional slight mild headaches, but the other symptoms had disappeared. In essence, at the conclusion of this case study the woman was actually healthier than she was prior to the accident she suffered.

Traumatic Brain Injury Case Helped With Chiropractic Care

2008-01-11Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

A case study published in the December 18, 2007 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, documented the improvement of a 55-year-old woman who had suffered two automobile accidents. As a result of these accidents, the woman was reporting symptoms of whiplash, loss of range of motion in her right arm, sacroiliac joint pain, shoulder pain, hand pain, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, and loss of balance. To complicate matters, after her second accident her husband died and she was suffering from depression to the extent that she attempted suicide.

Between the two accidents, some chiropractic care was rendered by a chiropractor other than Andrea B. Ryan, D.C., the author of this case report. That care met with some limited results. After the second accident, the woman's symptoms got worse and she was diagnosed with Post-traumatic stress disorder by her medical doctor.

Nine years after her second accident, she sought chiropractic care from Dr. Ryan, D.C.. She was suffering from a large range of health issues and was on multiple medications. An extensive chiropractic examination was performed and it was concluded that vertebral subluxations were present.

The patient experienced some immediate results. However, most changes occurred over time as care progressed. Overall her dizziness completely resolved, and she was more stable and comfortable when walking, but still required a cane. Her muscle strength in her arms, shoulders, and legs improved and she no longer has pain in her sacroiliac joints.

The author of the study, Andrea B. Ryan, D.C., concluded, "There were three specific goals that the chiropractor and patient set out to achieve before chiropractic care commenced: subluxation reduction, reduction of symptoms, and increased quality of life for the patient. All three goals were accomplished within six months. Based on the results of this case, chiropractic should be considered for patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries."

MRI Shows Subluxation in Whiplash Case Study

2008-01-11Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

In the December 19, 2007 issue of the scientific journal Chiropractic & Osteopathy, is a case study that clearly documented the presence of a subluxation on MRI and showed how chiropractic helped in this case when medical care had previously failed.

This case documented the plight of a 21 year old woman who was involved in an automobile accident. The accident was so severe the woman was unconscious and had to be cut out of her car by rescue teams. She was taken to the emergency room where she suffered a seizure and regained consciousness.

In the hospital, the 21 year old had x-rays and a CT scan. In spite of the severity of the accident, the doctors interpreted these x-ray studies as normal. She was treated for her cuts and released with the advice to return for a neurological evaluation. The neurologists recommended medications for the headaches that the young girl had now developed.

When she finally sought out chiropractic care, she was suffering from chronic neck pain, headaches, and dizziness. Her pain was so severe that she rated it as the worst pain of her life. Her neck range of motion was severely limited and created pain when she moved her head or neck.

Because of the severity of her case, an MRI was ordered. Upon chiropractic evaluation, this study showed that the top bone in the neck (atlas) had shifted to the left. Re-evaluation by the Neuroradiologist concurred with the chiropractor's opinions.

Chiropractic care was initiated utilizing specific adjustments targeted to vertebral subluxations of the upper cervical spine. The care initially was three times per week for six weeks. During this time, the woman showed a 75% reduction of symptoms. In the next four weeks of care, she reported a 100% reduction of her pain.

Multiple Studies Confirm Positive Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Whiplash Injuries

2007-07-07Return to Health & Wellness Article Library

 

The above headline comes from a July 05, 2007 release from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress. This release notes that chiropractic care provides significant, ongoing relief for whiplash. According to the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, "Whiplash is defined as an injury to the cervical spine caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, backward or forward, often occurring from rear on-set automobile accidents and amusement rides or the result of falls, accidents and sporting activities."

Whiplash is a very common occurrence. The director of the Spine Research Institute, San Diego, Arthur C. Croft, D.C. and a member of the foundation notes, "Nearly one out of 15 adult Americans suffers from the annoying and sometimes debilitating long-term effects of whiplash injury, usually in the form of neck stiffness and pain."

Dr. Croft continues by noting that several scientific studies on whiplash have confirmed the benefits of chiropractic care. He states, "While chiropractic care in the acute stage can often stave off this unpleasant outcome, two of the studies have shown that even in the chronic stage, chiropractic intervention can provide up to 90 percent relief for these sufferers."

One of the studies reported in the journal Injury by authors Gargan and Bannister states that, "93 percent of the 28 patients studied retrospectively were found to have a statistically significant improvement following chiropractic care." The Foundation's release also reported that in a follow-up study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine, authors Khan, Cook, Gargan, & Bannister concluded that, "Whiplash injuries are common. Chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment in chronic cases. Our study enables patients to be classified at initial assessment in order to target those patients who will benefit from such treatment."

Gerard W. Clum, D.C. president of Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward, California, and spokesperson for the Foundation commented, "Whether you are driving locally to a convenience store or embarking on a long road trip, careful driving and using the proper restraints and seatbelts can help to prevent whiplash resulting from automobile accidents." He also noted, "Proper safety and head gear can also assist in preventing whiplash in sporting and other activities. Chiropractic care is a well established and effective intervention providing considerable relief."