The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published the results of a case study in their January 2021 issue that documented the case of a man who was forced to retire from playing ice hockey due to a spinal problem known as spondylolisthesis. After chiropractic care, the man was once again able to resume playing hockey.

This case involves a condition known as spondylolisthesis. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Medline, “Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a bone (vertebra) in the spine moves forward out of the proper position onto the bone below it.” If it places pressure on a nerve, it can cause pain. This condition is most common in the lower portion of the spine.

In this case, a 57-year-old man sought out chiropractic care for his severe lower back pain. The man was an avid ice hockey player. He reported that in the past ten years, he had sustained multiple injuries every year while engaged in his sport. Over time, his lower back pain had continually gotten so severe that he was forced to retire from the sport he had enjoyed for 50 years.

The man also reported that he had been involved in three previous auto accidents. The care he had received for his back problems included massage, medications, and physical therapy, which provided only limited temporary relief. In addition to his lower back pain, the man also suffered with high blood pressure, leg cramping, and ringing in the ears.

A chiropractic examination was performed which revealed a limited range of motion in all directions in the man’s back. Upon attempting to bend backward, his pain would increase. Palpation of the spine showed significant tenderness in the lower back musculature. Spinal x-rays of the man’s lower back showed that the L3 vertebrae had moved backward while the L4 vertebrae had moved forward compared to normal positioning.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started with regular visits over a 7-month period. Follow-up examinations and x-rays were regularly performed to document changes. The x-rays taken over the time of care showed continual improvement in the positioning of the lumbar vertebrae.

During an assessment after three months of care, the man reported that his lower back pain and leg pain were substantially improved. After 7 months of care, the x-rays showed that the vertebrae had returned to their normal position. At this point, the man reported that his back and leg pain was not bothering him at all. As a result of his dramatic improvement, the man was able to resume playing hockey again. In a follow-up done a year and a half later, the man reported that he was feeling fine and had completed a season of injury-free hockey for the first time in ten years.

In the discussion section of the study, the authors noted the importance of this case study by stating, “This case is important as it shows that non-surgical, non-invasive manual therapy approaches may be proven to reliably reduce low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis and represents only the second case reported in the literature showing the reduction of a lumbar spondylolisthesis; the first showing reduction of a double spondylolisthesis.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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The Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research published the results of a case study on January 18, 2021, documenting the improvement under chiropractic care of an elderly woman who was suffering with a lower heart rate that resulted in fatigue and lightheadedness.

The American Heart Association explains low heart rate by saying “Bradycardia is a heart rate that’s too slow. What’s considered too slow can depend on your age and physical condition. Elderly people, for example, are more prone to bradycardia. In general, for adults, a resting heart rate of fewer than 60 beats per minute (BPM) qualifies as bradycardia. But there are exceptions. Your heart rate may fall below 60 BPM during deep sleep. And physically active adults (and athletes) often have a resting heart rate slower than 60 BPM.”

The authors of this study explain the objective of this case study by stating “The purpose of this case report is to report on the positive health outcomes following chiropractic care in a patient presenting with a low heart rate and related symptoms.” They further explain how they use the heart rate as a measurement of health. “Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been determined to be an effective measurement of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). There are two branches of the autonomic nervous system, the parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous system. Heart rate variability analysis has been used to determine the balance between PNS and the SNS and their control over the body.”

In this case, a 74-year-old woman went to the chiropractor because she was having a low resting heart rate. She did not know why her problem started but she did report that she noticed the problem shortly after cataract surgery a few months prior. She often felt fatigued and lightheaded with these symptoms becoming more frequent. She also reported that when she sat down, she often fell asleep. She claims that she did not any of these symptoms prior to her surgery. The woman was on medication for high blood pressure and diabetes. Out of concern for the possibility of congestive heart failure, her MD ordered an angiogram which showed no heart damage.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included both musculoskeletal and neurological tests as well as postural analysis, spinal palpation, ranges of motion, and spinal x-rays. From these tests, it was determined that a subluxation was present at the top bone of her neck called the Atlas. A series of specific chiropractic adjustments were then given over the next month to address the subluxation.

After a week of care, the study records that the woman’s heart rate had started to increase. Follow-up x-rays also confirmed that the subluxation was improving. After a month of care, it was noted that the woman’s heart rate had improved by 40% over what it was initially before chiropractic care. The woman also reported that she was feeling more alert. After two months of chiropractic, the study reports that the woman’s heart rate had shown a 100% improvement. The woman noted that she was feeling stronger and less nervous overall.

Although many people initially think that chiropractic is just for back and neck problems, this study points out that growing research is showing chiropractic has an impact on overall health and body functions. The authors of the study explain, “Adjustments to the spine have been suggested to have positive effects on musculoskeletal and visceral health. There are few studies to link specific outcomes in autonomic function with certain spinal levels adjusted. Studies suggest change in autonomic function and the adjustment clearly has been associated with changes in heart rate, BP, pupillary diameter, distal skin temperature, endocrine system, and immune system effects.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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Above is the title of a case study published in the January 4, 2021, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. The U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus describes the condition as “Failure to thrive refers to children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age and sex.”

The study explains failure to thrive in more detail by noting, “Failure to thrive is a condition that affects 5-10 percent of US children in the primary care setting. Failure to thrive is a term used to describe inadequate growth or the inability to maintain growth, usually in early childhood, mostly children who are under the 3rd or 5th percentile in weight for consecutive weigh-ins.”

In this case, a 13-day-old male infant was brought to the chiropractor by his parents. His parents were very distressed and reported that their son had lost 27 ounces since his birth. Both parents were losing sleep and were consumed with trying to keep their baby alive. The boy’s mother reported that her infant son seemed uncomfortable all the time. When attempting to nurse her son, the woman reported that the experience was physically painful to her, and her son would detach and quickly fall asleep. She described her infant son as lethargic and with a very weak cry.

A series of medical tests including blood and stool samples, as well as computer tomography, showed no underlying pathology. The parents were advised that if their infant son continued to lose weight, he would need to be hospitalized for tube feeding.

An age-appropriate chiropractic examination was performed on the infant including palpation, ranges of spinal motion, and certain reflex tests. From the examination, it was determined that the infant had subluxations. With the parent’s consent, a course of specific age-appropriate chiropractic adjustments was started. Due to the severity of the problem, and that the child would shortly be admitted to the hospital if there was not a change, the child was seen four days in a row by the chiropractor.

After the first chiropractic adjustment, the mother reported a huge improvement in her son’s ability to latch onto a nipple for feeding. She also noted that her infant son looked more comfortable and was able to feed for a full 45 minutes before detaching. The study records that the mother “cried due to overwhelming emotions when she explained that the pain she had been feeling was gone and she felt hope for the first time since her child was born.”

By the fourth visit, the mother stated that her son was feeling great and had gained one pound. After three months, the study reports that the infant had doubled in weight and now exceeded the normal standard. A long-term follow-up at age 2.5 showed that the boy was growing normally with a normal weight and normal neurological skills.

In their discussion, the authors summed up this case and its importance by stating, “Failure to thrive can be a devastating diagnosis. When the parents sought chiropractic care for their child, they were compromised in their mental and physical health. Medically, no pathology was found to explain the child’s decline in health. After receiving gentle chiropractic adjustments, the parents felt hope for the first time since their child was born. This case demonstrates how beneficial chiropractic care can be for infants.”

To further clarify the chiropractic approach in this case the authors added, “Understanding that chiropractic was not treating the FTT is an important takeaway from this case report. The approach to patient care was to address vertebral subluxations through adjustments to the spine.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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On January 11, 2021, the journal Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study documenting the resolution of dysmenorrhea, shoulder pain and low back pain in a woman under chiropractic care. The authors of this study note that “Dysmenorrhea is divided into two types, primary and secondary. Primary dysmenorrhea is diagnosed when no obvious organic cause can be found. Secondary dysmenorrhea is caused by underlying pelvic disorders.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes dysmenorrhea by stating “Pain associated with menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. More than half of women who menstruate have some pain for 1 to 2 days each month. Usually, the pain is mild. But for some women, the pain is so severe that it keeps them from doing their normal activities for several days a month.”

In this case, a 37-year-old woman who was suffering from dysmenorrhea went to a chiropractor to seek help for her problem. The woman was also experiencing shoulder and low back pain, although she considered these less of an issue as the pain was not severe. The woman had no history of surgeries, car accidents or previous medical care for any of the issues for which she was seeking chiropractic. She did previously have a left ankle fracture and a right ankle sprain.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included spinal palpation, surface electromyography (SEMG), and para-spinal thermal scans. Based on the examination, it was determined that subluxations were present and specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started on a regular schedule of care.

The study notes that at the woman’s first reassessment, she reported better sleep, and a reduction in low back and shoulder pain. At her second reassessment, the woman reported that she was no longer experiencing debilitating menstrual cramps. Because of her improvement, the woman no longer had to take days off work due to her cramps. She also stated that her cycle had also reduced from five days down to just three days each month.

In the conclusion of the study, the authors explained the results by saying, “Subluxation-based chiropractic care does not simply treat symptoms but focuses on the function of the body as a whole. The reduction of interference within the nervous system allows for a better quality of life.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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A case study published in the 2020 issue of The Journal of Physical Therapy Science documented the improvement of a patient under chiropractic care who had been suffering with severe and chronic dizziness, neck pain and headaches. Dizziness is a common occurrence that can come from many different problems. When the cause of the dizziness is unknown, it is referred to as idiopathic dizziness.

In this case, a 57-year-old woman sought chiropractic care for help with her chronic dizziness. She was also suffering with recurring lower back and neck pain as well as headaches. At the most severe, the woman rated her neck pain as a 9 out of 10, with 10 being the worst pain possible.

The woman had been getting episodes of dizziness for 30 years. Her dizziness began one year after she was involved in an automobile accident. Using a standardized test that rates the level of disability due to dizziness, the woman’s dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was rated at 56 out of a possible 100, where 100 would be totally disabled. Prior medical tests had ruled out any pathologies or Meniere’s disease as a possible cause of her dizziness.

A chiropractic examination included x-rays which showed a loss of the woman’s neck curve and a forward projection of her head. Based on the findings of her chiropractic examination and x-rays, specific chiropractic care was started. Due to her severe dizziness, special accommodations and adaptations needed to be made to her care.

After three months of care, the study reports that the woman’s lower back and neck pains had reduced significantly down to only 1 out of 10. Follow-up x-rays showed that her neck curvature was starting to return to normal. Additionally, the woman’s dizziness had improved dramatically going from an original dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) score of 56, down to a score of just 12. Her score continued to improve with time decreasing to 10 DHI after ten months.

In their summary of the results, the researchers wrote, “The patient reported significant reduction in neck pains, headache and dizziness frequency and severity. The patient had a 44-point drop on the dizziness handicap inventory; dizziness symptoms were reported to be very rare. A 1.5 year follow-up showed stability of the symptom relief and a negligible score on the dizziness handicap inventory.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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Published in the volume 3 issue of the 2020 Journal of Contemporary Chiropractic are the results of a case study showing the resolution of migraine headaches in a chiropractic patient who had previously had Harrington rods surgically implanted into her spine.

A Harrington rod is a surgical device implanted next to the spine. The study begins by describing “Harrington rods are titanium or stainless steel spinal implants used to treat spinal instabilities or spinal deformities, such as severe scoliotic curves.” Developed in 1953, the Harrington rod was widely used from the 1960s into the 1990s.

This study states that, although there is limited scientific information that would link the implantation of a Harrington rods to migraine headaches, the authors suggested that the change in musculature could create events that may affect the length and severity of a migraine.

In this case, a 20-year-old woman sought chiropractic care in the hopes of getting relief of her migraine headaches. Her history noted that she was diagnosed by her medical physician with migraines at the age of 13. Shortly thereafter, she had received a Harrington rod fusion surgery which fused her spine from the base of her neck down to the bottom of her middle back.

The woman had sought out chiropractic care previously for one visit only. She reported that she did get some relief but decided to pursue other treatments. These other treatments included multiple over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications, which only gave her minimal relief. At the time of her recent visit to the chiropractor, the woman was experiencing migraine headaches daily.

A chiropractic examination did show that the woman had a reduction in her neck range of motion and tight neck muscles. Immediately after her first chiropractic adjustment, the woman did show an increase in her neck range of motion. She reported that she felt relief from the tension she had in her neck and head. She was also given home stretching exercises for her neck.

After the second chiropractic visit, the woman reported that her migraines had decreased in frequency from one per day to only one in a week. By the sixth week of chiropractic care, the woman reported that she had not had a migraine for three weeks.

The authors of the study summed up this case by stating, “This case demonstrates a favorable reduction in migraine frequency following a 6-week episode of chiropractic care in a person with a Harrington rod fusion.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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The Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics published the results of a large-scale survey in their December 2020 issue showing that parents who bring their infants to chiropractors are highly satisfied with the care and results.

This survey study was performed at the AECC University College (Anglo-European College of Chiropractic) in Bournemouth, England. Infants up to the age of 12 months were included in this study. The infants received chiropractic care at either the AECC teaching chiropractic clinic or at selective private chiropractic practices in the UK.

In this study, a 12-question standardized form known as the United Kingdom Infant Questionnaire (UKIQ) was given the parents of infants who were seeing chiropractic care at either the AECC teaching clinic or in the private practices participating in the study. These forms were filled out initially before any chiropractic care was rendered and were then sent to researchers to be compared with forms done later in care.

A 13-question questionnaire was given to the parent at the fourth visit, or at the time of discharge from care, whichever occurred first. This questionnaire had the same first 12 questions with the addition of a 13th question asking what changes the parents had noticed in their infant. This one additional question is known as the Parent’s Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Additionally, information collected included the infant’s age, gender, type of birth, place of birth, feeding type, symptoms, medications, sleeping preferences, and information about any healthcare providers that had previously been seen for the infant’s current problems.

In total, there were 312 follow-up questionnaires that were compared to the initial questionnaires. On average, most infants in the study had two health issues for which their parents were seeking chiropractic care. The average age of infants in this study was between three and eight weeks old. Since almost all of these infants had health issues, many were under medical care. Between 58% and 62% of the children had been given some form of medication.

Overall, 86% of the parents reported that they were satisfied with their chiropractic care and that their babies had improved. Additionally, in the entire study group, there were no recorded incidences of any adverse events due to chiropractic care among the near 500 infants in the survey study.

In their conclusion, the authors of the study survey stated, “In this study of outcomes of chiropractic care for infants presented to a teaching clinic and to private clinics showed very high satisfaction ratings from the parents along with good improvements in the infants’ complaints with no adverse events.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study in the December 10, 2020, issue documenting the improvement in kidney function as well as symptomatic improvement in a patient under chiropractic care who was suffering with neck pain, lower back pain, and hip pain.

The study begins by reporting that, according to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 3 adults are at risk for developing kidney disease. The major job of the kidneys is to filter the blood. One of the things that the kidneys filter is creatinine.

According to the Mayo clinic website, “Creatinine is a chemical waste product that’s produced by your muscle metabolism and to a smaller extent by eating meat. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine and other waste products from your blood. The filtered waste products leave your body in your urine.” The Mayo Clinic continues with, “If your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, an increased level of creatinine may accumulate in your blood. A serum creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in your blood and provides an estimate of how well your kidneys filter.”

In this study, a 42-year-old man sought chiropractic care for help with his pain in his low back, the right-side of his neck, as well as pain in his right pelvis. He reported that he had been suffering with the low back and pelvis pain for almost 30 years ever since he suffered injuries playing high school football. His neck pain had been present for decades after another injury suffered while playing a pick-up game of football.

The man rated his pains as 7 out of 10, with 10 being the worst. He stated that his pain was present about 70% of the time. He also reported some numbness in his right-hand fingers as well as some shoulder pain. The man had sought medical care for his problems with no relief. His history also revealed that he was taking medications for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. Lab tests revealed that the man had an elevated serum creatinine levels with a value of 1.41 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) indicative of kidney problems. The normal range for creatinine in the blood is between 0.84 and 1.21 mg/dL.

A chiropractic examination was performed on the man with the specific intent of locating subluxations. Specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were then given on regular intervals to correct the subluxations.

Following the first adjustment, the man reported that he noticed a 30% reduction in his symptoms. The level of relief increased to 70% within the first month of chiropractic care. After several months of chiropractic care, another serum creatinine analysis was performed. This time his serum creatinine levels had fallen to 1.19 mg/dL, which is well within a normal range for a man at his age. This change documented that there was an increase in kidney function after chiropractic care.

In their conclusion, the authors of the study wrote, “Improvements in the patient’s subjective complaints, as well as objective thermography, and blood analysis were seen while receiving chiropractic care.” They went on to say, “In this case, chiropractic care may have played a role in the physiological changes that resulted in the reduction of serum creatinine levels, by restoring balance to the autonomic nervous system.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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On December 3, 2020, the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published a case study documenting the improvement of a patient under chiropractic care who had significant lower spine degeneration with spondylolisthesis.

The study authors define the condition by saying, “Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra is displaced anteriorly or posteriorly in respect to the vertebra below.” In essence, this condition is when a vertebrae, typically in the lower spine, shifts significantly forward over the vertebrae below. The degenerative form of spondylolisthesis commonly occurs in people in their upper 60s or more, with studies showing that upwards of 42% of those age 60 to 69 will have degenerative spondylolisthesis.

There are several types of spondylolisthesis and the major concern of this condition is that, if severe enough, it can narrow the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord causing neurological problems. Spondylolisthesis is measured by drawing a line along the edge of the vertebrae on a side view of the x-ray.

In this case, a 63-year old female bodybuilder sought chiropractic care for severe lower back pain. The woman rated her lower back pain as 10 out of 10 on the scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most severe. The woman had a history of having had treatment for her pain with multiple injections, medications, and over the counter pain pills. She had also previously had right hip replacement.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included thermographic heat reading along the spine, a surface EMG scan, and spinal x-rays. Based upon the findings, the woman was given a chiropractic care plan of three visits per week for a ten-week period.

Follow-up x-rays were taken after 10 weeks that showed a 67.2-74.2% improvement in several vertebrae, and a 136.8% improvement in the position of another. The woman reported that her pain had improved dramatically, going from 10 out of 10, down to just 2 out of 10. She also reported an improvement in her weight training noting being able to leg press 60 more pounds, up from 200 lb. to 260 pounds, since starting chiropractic care.

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on November 2, 2020, documenting the recovery of an elderly man who was suffering with hyper frequent nightly bowel movements being helped by chiropractic.

The study begins by noting that there are many different types of bowel issues that all fall under the general category of “functional gastrointestinal disorders” (FGID). These include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diverticulitis. In many of these conditions, no real pathology can be medically found. For this reason, the variety of problems in this group are often chalked up to lifestyle issues or stress.

In this case, a 98-year-old man presented himself to a chiropractic office for help with his frequent nighttime bowel movements. He reported that he would have to get out of bed 8-9 times each night to have a bowel movement. The problem would begin about an hour after he retired to his bed. This problem seemed to be progressively getting worse over the past two years. He reports, however, that he does not have this issue during the day. He also noted that he has not had any falls or injuries associated with this problem. He felt he was under moderate stress.

A chiropractic examination was performed that involved a spinal and postural analysis, thermal scans, as well as spinal x-rays. The findings showed multiple postural anomalies and spinal degeneration was seen on the x-rays. From these findings, a plan for specific chiropractic care that was age appropriate was started.

The study recorded that after one month of care, the elderly man reported resolution of his abnormally occurring nighttime frequent bowel movements. After a year of care, a re-examination was performed with x-rays. Most of the objective findings had improved including the thermal scans. The neck x-rays, however, showed a continued progression of spinal disc degeneration in the man’s neck. This one x-ray finding did not negatively detract from the other improved finding of the examination, or from the man’s symptomatic improvement.

In the study discussion area, the authors describe in detail how the nervous system has an effect on the digestive tract and bowels. They cite numerous studies and research that show the connection of how chiropractic’s positive effect on the nerve system could have a positive effect on bowel function.

In their conclusion the authors note, “In conclusion, this case study shows improvement in reducing the frequency of a patients IBD with chiropractic care.” They recommend a larger study be done to help understand the effect of chiropractic on this issue. “A larger sample size, with random control trials with subsequent systematic reviews would be the optimal model for future research studies in order to determine if chiropractic management would be an effective treatment for a condition such as nocturnal overactive bowel movements.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from less interference within their nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson, Chiropractor in Austin, TX.

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