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June 2015

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• Type 2 Diabetes Resolved After Chiropractic Care
• Professional Baseball Player Back in the Game with Chiropractic
• Daily Headaches Gone Under Chiropractic Care
• Seizures Gone, Behavior, and Cognitive Development Improved with Chiropractic
• The Growing Role of Doctors of Chiropractic in Corporate On-Site Clinics
• Mood, Posture, and Balance Improved in Older Patient Under Chiropractic Care: A Case Study

From the May 11, 2015, issue of the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research comes a documented case study of a woman with type 2 diabetes being helped with chiropractic care.  According to this study, type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes, can occur at any age, but usually occurs in people over the age of 40.

The study authors point out that it is estimated that 17 million Americans suffer from type 2 diabetes, with only about 11 million having been diagnosed. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is often delayed until other complications occur that lead to a diagnosis.

In this case, a 67-year-old woman went to the chiropractor with a variety of health issues including type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Additionally, she was told by her MD that she would soon need dialysis because her kidneys were failing.  With her variety of health issues, the woman reported that she was taking as many as 92 pills per day. She was experiencing headaches, digestive issues, and musculoskeletal complaints that were affecting every facet of her life. She had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 40 and was taking insulin injections ever since.

A chiropractic examination was performed which showed multiple areas of sensitivity in her spine as well as postural irregularities and restricted ranges of motion. Based on the findings of her chiropractic examination, she was given a diagnosis of vertebral subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and pelvic regions. Chiropractic care was recommended at the rate of 3 visits per week for the first month.

In total, the patient was seen on 33 visits over a three month period of time. Her positive  results were almost immediate.  The study reports that after the fourth chiropractic visit, the patient went to her medical doctor and was able to stop taking insulin for her diabetes. Her glucose levels had improved to within normal limits and stayed within those limits throughout the rest of her chiropractic care.

In addition to her diabetes, the patient reported that she was improving in all other areas of her health. By her sixth visit, she reported that her overall condition had improved by 50 percent. As her chiropractic care continued, she was able to completely stop a number of medications and had reduced her daily medications from 92 to 21 pills per day.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, "This case presented a patient with a long-standing history of type 2 diabetes mellitus that was resolved under conservative chiropractic care. Following a short frequency of visits, the patient was able to stop administering medication for her condition and complete resolution was noted."

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USA Today published a story on May 8, 2015, with the headline, "Nats star Strasburg feels better after visiting chiropractor."  The story starts by reporting that Stephen Strasburg, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals baseball team, was feeling much better and able to play again after he visited a chiropractor.

Stephen Strasburg was an overall number one Major League Baseball draft pick of the Washington Nationals back in 2009. He made the National League all-star team in 2012. Strasburg is known for speed and pitches an average fastball of 94.7 mph. April of 2012 was the best month of his career to date when he was named National League pitcher of the month. In that month, he accumulated an NL-best 34 strikeouts and second-best 1.13 ERA. He totaled 6 walks and did not give up a home run.

The story reports that Strasburg was pitching on the previous Tuesday evening when he left the game due to what his coach called an "alignment issue under his shoulder blade."  Strasburg went to a chiropractor the next day.

Strasburg described the results as immediate. "It was instant," Strasburg said. "After he felt around for a little bit, felt what was different from the other side, just got it all out of there. So, night and day. I feel good right now, so just going to keep trying to improve and get better," he said. "But at the same time, I’m feeling pretty good right now."

The next day in a MashSports.com article, Strasburg further explained, "The issue that I had was corrected within 45 minutes of seeing the chiropractor. Ever since then, it hasn't been an issue."

Two days after seeing the chiropractor, Strasburg was cleared to start practice again. He reported that his practices went well. "I feel good. It feels good playing catch," Strasburg said. "Just going to throw a bullpen tomorrow and go on from there." 

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From the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health comes a study published on May 25, 2015, documenting the case of a young boy with daily headaches being helped by chiropractic. The study begins by noting that between 10-20% of school age children suffer with headaches. This number increases to 27-32% at the age of 13-14 years for a headache within a given month.

The authors report that chronic daily headaches affect 2-4% of adolescent females and 0.8-2% of adolescent males. A diagnosis of chronic daily headaches is made when headaches occur more than 4 hours per day, 15
headache days per month or more, over a period of 3 consecutive months, without an underlying (medical) pathology.

In this case, a 13-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor by his parents for a consultation and possible care.  It was reported that the boy was suffering from headaches every day for several years. There was no history of trauma or any physical injury prior to the onset of the boy's headaches. The boy's mother did report her son's headaches to his MD, who said that they were probably sinus related.  However, he did not recommend any treatment or further tests.

A chiropractic examination of the boy was conducted which included a postural inspection, palpation, and range of motion. Based on the examination findings, it was determined that the boy had multiple vertebral subluxations and chiropractic care was initiated.

The boy was initially seen two times per week for the first two weeks. Care was reduced thereafter as improvement was seen. The study reports that the boy's response was immediate as his headaches stopped as soon as chiropractic care was started. This improvement made an immediate and profound impact on the boy's quality of life and ability to function.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, "This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments characterized as high-velocity, low amplitude thrust to sites of vertebral subluxations. We encourage further research on the use of this type of care in children suffering from CH, (chronic headaches)."

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On May 14, 2015, a study was published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research documenting the case of a toddler suffering from seizures, behavioral disturbances, and developmental delay, being helped by chiropractic.

In this case, a 2-year-old boy suffering from seizures was brought to the chiropractor. The history noted that 1 year and 4 months prior, the boy fell about three feet hitting the back of his head on a wooden deck. The boy immediately started having a seizure and his parents took him to the emergency room. His head was treated for the laceration with 4 staples. X-rays were taken and no fracture was found.  No neurological tests were performed at that time and the child was prescribed pain medication for his pain.

After a few days, the child's seizures got worse. Because of this, his parents brought him in for a further medical evaluation where electroencephalogram (EEG) studies were performed both while he was sleeping and awake. The boy's sleeping EEG did not show any problems but the one done while he was awake showed activity consistent with seizures. Next, an MRI and CT scan were performed, but neither of these found any medically detectable abnormality.

The boy was prescribed anti-seizure medication, which was ineffective.  The child’s seizures continued to worsen over time. He worsened to the point where he was experiencing an average of 3 seizures per week and occasionally up to 3 seizures per day.  As a result of his problems, his parents noticed that their son became overly aggressive, combative, angry and generally uncooperative.  They  also noticed developmental delays in their son's language, including his ability to form sentences.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included palpation, thermal scans of the neck, and specific spinal x-rays. The authors stated that the purpose of the chiropractic examination was to see if a subluxation was present at the level of the first cervical vertebrae. Based on the examination, it was determined that a subluxation was present at the top of the boy's neck and specific chiropractic adjustments were begun.

After the first adjustment, the boy's parents reported an increase in their son's seizures.  However, after subsequent visits, the seizures began to decrease in frequency.  The number of seizures continued to decrease until they were completely gone by 51 days after the initial chiropractic adjustment. At approximately 2.5 months after the beginning of care, the boy was taken off all anti-seizure medication.

The boy had one minor seizure three months later, but with continued chiropractic check-ups, the child remained seizure free thereafter.  His parents also reported that his behavioral issues and other problems were also resolved.

In their conclusion, the authors wrote, "This case is one example of how chiropractic care may be helpful in bringing balance back to a child’s nervous system. Though this is only one example, it adds to the ever growing number of case studies that have shown chiropractic care to be effective in helping to control seizures in children and in other non-musculoskeletal conditions."

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The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress issued a release on May 21, 2015, with the headline, Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Publishes Landmark Position Paper, Highlights the Growing Role of Doctors of Chiropractic in On-site Corporate Health Clinics.

According to F4CP release, this paper, "...reviews current industry trends, and articulates the role of chiropractic care to optimize clinical and financial management of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions among workforce populations."

The paper discussed the benefits corporations gain by having on-site chiropractic care available for their employees. Co-author Dr. William Updyke explains, "For many companies, neuro-musculoskeletal complaints are the top reason employees consult a health care provider. Evidence confirms that chiropractic care is an obvious primary treatment approach that is ideal within on-site corporate health clinics. Furthermore, chiropractic offers hands-on treatment and healthy lifestyle advice to help employees stay well, a growing interest of employers."

One such company, Cisco, already has found the benefits of chiropractic care in their corporate health clinic. "At Cisco's LifeConnections' Health Center, having doctors of chiropractic working closely with the medical team has helped reduce our musculoskeletal spend, and patients consistently give high patient satisfaction scores," says  Katelyn Johnson, Integrated Health manager for Cisco. "The integrated care team of chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists is critical to achieve our Patient Centered Medical Home model."

The paper notes that corporate health clinics are growing at a rate of 15-20 percent per year. Laura Carabello, F4CP advisor, and paper co-author, added, "Employers are wise to hire the right mix of providers – those who provide cost-effective, quality care. As the sector gains sophistication, I expect chiropractic will become a well-respected service offered at most on-site clinics."

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization is dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care. The F4CP  informs and educates the general public about the many benefits associated with chiropractic care. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit www.yes2chiropractic.org or call 866-901-F4CP (3427).

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A case study published on May 21, 2015, in the the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research documented chiropractic helping an elderly man suffering from severe postural issues, mild depression, low back pain, balance problems, and constant fatigue. This case study was reported from a chiropractic practice in Auckland, New Zealand.

The authors begin by explaining that, "Posture is the relative position of the body at any one moment, and the position of every joint in the spine has an effect on the position of every other joint." They further explain that normal posture requires the least amount of energy to remain upright. Abnormal posture requires more energy from the muscles and places more stress on the joints supporting the posture.

As noted in the study, postural abnormalities can not only cause biomechanical stress on the spine, but can have a negative effect on the nervous system. This is known as subluxation. To further explain subluxation, the authors include the Association of Chiropractic Colleges' definition of subluxation,  "A complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health."

This case involved a 72-year-old man who went to a chiropractor in a private practice in Auckland, New Zealand.  The study notes that he suffered with difficulty in walking due to balance disturbances, low back pain radiating down into the hips and thighs, perpetual tiredness, and a mildly depressed mood and state of mind. He was also taking heart and blood pressure medication for the past 10 years.

A case history and chiropractic examination was performed which included surface electromyography (sEMG) scans, and a postural analysis. Then, chiropractic care was started with the goal of reducing the man's subluxations.

The study notes that the man noticed the biggest initial changes during the second and third weeks of his care. He reported that he had increased energy, felt steadier with increased balance, and was feeling happier overall with a more positive outlook on life.  By the 6th week of care, the man reported that he could  stand straighter, and had decreased pain levels with activity. He stated that he wanted to go out for longer walks with his wife, and felt more social with a general positive increase in his mood.

The authors summed up this case in their conclusion by stating, "While under chiropractic care, improvements in both self-reported subjective and objective measures were noted in a patient with severe postural alterations, low back pain, balance disturbances, perpetual tiredness and a mildly depressive state of mind. These improvements include overall physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the patient."

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