Reduction of Seizures & Self-Aggression Following Chiropractic Care
The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published a case study on April 5, 2018, documenting the reduction of epileptic absence seizures and self-aggression behavior in a male toddler following chiropractic care. This type of seizure is more common in children.
Absence
seizures are a type of seizure where the victim can slip into a
state of unaware staring. During this time, they are
unresponsive and can seem to be staring off into space.
According to the Epilepsy Foundation, Absence Seizures "…are a
type of generalized onset seizures, meaning they begin in both
sides of the brain at the same time. An older term is petit mal
seizures. They begin and end abruptly, lasting only a few
seconds. Absence seizures can be so brief they sometimes are
mistaken for daydreaming and may not be detected for months."
In this case, a 3-year-old baby boy was brought to a chiropractic teaching clinic by his parents for consultation and possible care. For the past two years, the boy had been suffering with absence seizures. When the boy was 1-year-old, his parents would find him staring into space. His parents would attempt to talk to him or snap their fingers in front of his face, but he would be non-responsive for 15-20 seconds. Once the seizure ended, the boy would just resume the activity he was doing prior to the event.
By the time the boy was 2-years-old, these seizures became more frequent and were happening about five times per day. After his second birthday, the seizures became more violent being described as, "…he began having clonic seizures where he would stare off and his arms would quickly jerk back and forth, bending at the elbows and going back and forth across his body for approximately 15-20 seconds." At the conclusion of these seizures, the boy would once again resume his prior activity. When he began to talk, the episodes could interrupt him in mid-sentence. Afterward, he would just continue his sentence. It was reported that the boy was never aware of his seizures. As time went on, the boy started hitting himself in his head with his fists between 5 to 10 times per day.
A chiropractic examination was performed which included static and motion palpation of the spine and spinal musculature, as well as spinal thermal scans, and postural leg length checks. Based upon the examination, it was determined that there was a subluxation present at the first cervical vertebrae (C1) located at the top of the neck. With the consent of the parents, a specific chiropractic adjustment was given to the boy to address the C1 subluxation. Following the adjustment, rechecks of the initial exam finding were performed to verify that the adjustment was effective. The boy was scheduled to receive 2 adjustments per week for the following eight weeks.
After the first adjustment, the study records that the boy did not experience any seizures that day. Over the next two weeks, the number of seizures had reduced from five to only two per day. After eight weeks, the boy's parents reported that their son was only having one absence seizure every other day. They also reported that their son was no longer hitting his head with his fists.
The authors of this study also reviewed additional studies on the subject of epileptic seizures and chiropractic care. They noted that numerous other studies also found similar results in patients with seizure problems. They commented that this study adds to the body of evidence supporting chiropractic care for patients suffering from seizures. "This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care in abating the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures in infants."
The
study notes that migraines are a common ailment affecting about
12% of the population. It is three times more prevalent in women
than in men and is most common in people between the ages of 22
and 55 years. There is some familial tendency with about 50% of
those who suffer from migraines having a parent with the same
condition. 
The
study authors begin by noting that the population, in general, is
aging. They point out that the number of people 60 years and
above, will double globally, reaching 21.1% of the total
population, and exceeding 2 billion by the year 2050. They also
explain the aging process clearly by saying, "The ability of
older adults to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
depends on largely physical functioning. When gait, balance or
range of motion (ROM) is impaired, it can have profound and long
lasting effects both physically and mentally. Injury and pain
are commonly accepted by the older population as a fact of
aging. This can result in immobility which may have the
possibility of further injury, therefore resulting in loss of
independence and lowered quality of life."
The
study notes that AS commonly begins in the sacroiliac joints but
can occur in other areas of the spine as well. The condition is
progressive and is commonly treated with anti-inflammatory and
pain drugs, which often come with significant side effects,
especially if used for extensive periods of time. Since this
condition is both chronic and progressive, the authors note that
many people turn to alternative treatments such as chiropractic
in order to avoid long-term drug use. 
According
to an April 18, 2018, article in the US News and World Report,
about 85,000 women undergo in vitro fertilization each year. The
cost of such treatments is high with the article reporting that
the average cost of IVF treatment, including cycle costs and
medication, is $25,000. In most cases, two cycles are needed,
bringing the total bill to near $50,000. With these figures, it is
no wonder that more couples are turning to alternative care such
as chiropractic for a possible solution.
According
to the professional version of the Merck Manual, "Asthma is a
disease of diffuse airway inflammation caused by a variety of
triggering stimuli resulting in partially or completely
reversible bronchoconstriction". The authors of the study
explain asthma by stating, "Asthma is a bronchial tube disorder
that is caused by an immune response to a variety of stimuli
that causes airways to hyper react to its environmental input."
In layman's terms, asthma is when some kind of irritant causes
the tubes leading to the lungs to constrict and reduce airflow.