August 2021


  • Coughing, Croup and Bronchitis Resolved Under Chiropractic Care
  • Scoliosis Surgery Cancelled on Child Due to Chiropractic Intervention
  • Subluxation Associated with a Wide Variety of Spinal Problems According to MRI Review Study
  • Patient with Parkinson’s Disease with Low Back Pain Helped by Chiropractic - A Case Study

Coughing, Croup and Bronchitis Resolved Under Chiropractic Care

Published in the July 2021 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal is the result of a case study showing the resolution of bronchitis, croup and coughing because of the introduction of chiropractic care. This case was documented from a private practice in Australia’s capital city of Canberra.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, "Croup refers to an infection of the upper airway, which obstructs breathing and causes a characteristic barking cough. The cough and other signs and symptoms of croup are the result of swelling around the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and bronchial tubes (bronchi)." From the same website, the Mayo clinic describes bronchitis as, "Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. People who have bronchitis often cough up thickened mucus, which can be discolored. Bronchitis may be either acute or chronic."

This case study is about a young girl who was suffering with bronchitis, croup and coughing that began at 4 months of age. The child had suffered with intermittent coughs, croup, and bronchitis. On one occasion, the croup was severe enough to lead to a trip to the hospital.

The child’s history notes that she was been born via Caesarian section at 38 weeks with no complications. However, they did report that her mother was suffering with gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and bad morning sickness while she was pregnant.

The study reports that the child was brought to a chiropractor after the mother started noticing the child’s illness. The child was chiropractically examined and subluxations were shown to be present. Specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were then rendered. Chiropractic care was continued on a regular basis for this girl through the time of the writing of this case study, at which time the girl was 5 years old.

The study results show that the coughing dramatically reduced with chiropractic care to the point where the girl was able to go for a 3-and-a-half-year period with no cough at all. In addition to her main health issues, the study also noted that other common growing issues and pains were also relieved while under chiropractic care. The research study author noted that the young girl "...was almost always visibly happier and more relaxed post-treatment."

In the study discussion the author wrote, "There is limited literature on paediatric (sp for UK) cough, croup and/or bronchitis but this paper has demonstrated that… (specific forms of) …Chiropractic adjustments over time has led to an almost permanent reduction of coughing symptoms in this patient. The limited literature also suggests that Chiropractic intervention is a good care option to consider if medical intervention is ineffective. Given the excellent results from a number of limited paediatric articles, further studies are needed to see if Chiropractic Care could be a good modality to consider first when symptoms of paediatric cough, croup, bronchitis or asthma arise."


Scoliosis Surgery Cancelled on Child Due to Chiropractic Intervention

The Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case report in their July 2021 issue documenting the improvement of scoliosis in a toddler who underwent chiropractic care. 

According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, "Scoliosis is a sideways curve of the spine. Children and teens with scoliosis have an abnormal S-shaped or C-shaped curve of the spine. The curve can happen on either side of the spine and in different places in the spine."

The John Hopkins Medical Center website notes how common this issue is by saying, "Scoliosis is a common spine condition often found in adolescents. Roughly 3 million new cases of the condition are diagnosed in the United States each year, with a majority of them identified as idiopathic scoliosis — a type of scoliosis that presents in children between 10 to 12 years old."

The history of this case started when a 6-month-old girl was examined by her pediatrician who noticed a curvature in the girl’s spine. An MRI was then performed, and a curvature was confirmed that was caused by two hemi-vertebrae. A hemi-vertebra is a congenital abnormality where half of a vertebrae fails to form during fetal development. This abnormal shape can lead to a spinal curvature or scoliosis.

Over the next year, the girl’s pediatrician noticed that the curvature was getting worse. He then recommended spinal surgery to fuse the involved area. The surgery was scheduled for three months later.

One month prior to the date of the scheduled spinal surgery, the child was taken to a chiropractor by her mother for a chiropractic evaluation. The examination determined that subluxations were present and specific forms of age-appropriate adjustments and procedures were started.

Six weeks after the girl’s initial chiropractic adjustment, she underwent a pre-surgical examination by her orthopedic surgeon. His evaluation determined that there had been a significant reduction in the girl’s scoliosis to the point where the surgery was postponed. The orthopedic surgeon continued to evaluate the girl on a regular basis, but no surgery was ever needed.

In the study conclusion, the authors wrote, "Fusion surgery for scoliosis is permanent and irreversible in nature and if conventional chiropractic care can be offered without any serious risk to the patient’s health then chiropractic care should be explored in the subset of patient that responds to care. During those periods of time when the medical physician is only monitoring the patient or preparing."


Subluxation Associated with a Wide Variety of Spinal Problems According to MRI Review Study

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a retrospective study on August 1, 2021, showing that vertebral subluxations are associated with a wide variety of spinal issues according to MRI studies. A retrospective study is when a large number of previous cases and studies of similar content are reviewed and published in one overview paper. 

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of abnormal findings associated with subluxations according to MRI studies. Many people do not understand that subluxations are actually a variety of spinal issues that have several components in common. One component is that the subluxated vertebrae is malpositioned. Another component is that there is some form of interference to the nervous system from this malposition.

In addition to these two factors, many other changes can be occurring to the vertebrae and surrounding tissue due to the subluxations. In many cases, these additional changes are called component parts. This study was designed to see the frequency and variety of changes associated with subluxations as confirmed by MRI studies.

In this study, 737 cases were referred for review of chiropractic patients who had also had MRI studies of their spines. The reports on these cases consisted of 325 cervical, 11 thoracic, 361 lumbar, and 40 extremity MRI reports.

The results showed that of the 325 neck (cervical spine) MRIs associated with subluxations, 91% showed spinal abnormalities. Only 28 of the 325 had no abnormalities observed. Included in the 91% were 174 cases of alterations of spinal curvatures. Additionally,113 (35%) showed disc degeneration with 21 (17%) showing boney growth called osteophytes.

Although the sample size of cases with MRI in the mid-back (thoracic) was much smaller, there was a lower but still significant prevalence of abnormalities present in this area of the spine as seen on MRI studies. 

Cases involving MRI in the lower back (lumbar) showed that of the 361 case reports, 89% showed spinal abnormalities. Disc degeneration was the largest number of abnormalities seen the lumbar spine with 251 of the 361 showing this condition. Although a fair number showed curvature changes, the researchers pointed out that subjects in this study were lying down on their backs which would cause changes to spinal curvatures.

In the study conclusion the authors noted that "Degenerative and other changes in the spine may be associated with vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxations are changes in the position or motion of a vertebra, which result in the interference of nerve function." They also stated, "There was a high prevalence of abnormalities disclosed by MRI in this cohort. Clinically significant abnormalities may exist regardless of the presence or absence of pain."


Patient with Parkinson’s Disease with Low Back Pain Helped by Chiropractic - A Case Study

The results of a case study were published on June 9, 2021, in AME Case Reports documenting the improvement in lower back pain and quality of life of a Parkinson's patient after receiving chiropractic care. The Mayo Clinic gives an overview of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) by saying, "Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement."

Pain is common with Parkinson’s Disease because the disease causes stiffness and changes in gait and movement. The study reports that Parkinson’s patients with tremors, rigidity, gait difficulty, and postural instability have a higher frequency and severity of musculoskeletal pain.

In this case, a 59-year-old man presented himself for chiropractic care. The man was a taxi driver and was suffering with lower back pain that he said was radiating to his right leg causing walking difficulty for the previous two months. His back pain had been present but more manageable for the prior 3 years with his self-rating the pain at most times as a 2 out of 10. Occasionally, after heavy lifting or driving for long periods, the pain would increase to a 4 out of 10. Because of his pain, he was having difficulty sleeping.

The man was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease 18 months before seeking chiropractic care. His Parkinson’s caused an increase in his back pain which he then rated as an 8 out of 10. He was taking medications for his Parkinson’s, but he reported that his condition and pain were only getting worse. MRI studies of his spine showed degenerative changes in his neck and lower back along with disc problems.

After an examination, chiropractic care was started with the man being seen on a daily basis. After five days, the man reported improvement in his back and leg pain, his walking ability, and he noted that he could sleep better. After 11 weeks of chiropractic care, the man reported a complete resolution of his back and leg pain. Additionally, the report documents that after weeks of chiropractic care, the man was more stable and his posture had improved. His overall attitude was improved and he reported an improvement in his general well-being.

The authors of the study summed up this case by saying. "Presented is a case of PD in a patient exhibiting characteristic posture of PD, gait difficulty and low back pain, which were improved by 11 weeks of chiropractic manipulation. The current study may serve as an example of spinal manipulation showing the potential to address gait and posture problems associated with pain in a patient with PD."