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Neck Pain and Upper Neck Instability Helped by Chiropractic According to Study

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What is Atlantoaxial Instability? Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Effective?

A study published on October 30, 2016, in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IJCEM) showed that patients with neck pain and instability in the upper neck are helped with chiropractic. The two upper bones in the neck are clinically known as the atlantoaxial joint.

neck-pain-and-upper-neck-instability-helped-by-chiropractic-according-to-study-austin-tx-chiropractor-car-truck-injury-accident-help-lop-attorneyThe study points out that problems, such as instability of the atlantoaxial joint, are considered serious due to their high risk of neurological problems. A variety of physical approaches have been used in the treatment of atlantoaxial instability. This study was designed to see how a chiropractic procedure would affect this issue.

In this study, 128 patients diagnosed with atlantoaxial instability were divided into two groups of 64. For the participants to be included, they had to have atlantoaxial instability confirmed by x-rays, as well as be suffering from a variety of health issues, including pain in the upper neck, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, difficult in rotating the head, or being anxious. Patients with serious conditions such as heart, liver, or kidney disease were excluded.

One of the groups of 64 was the control group and only treated with a form of traction, while the other group of 64 received a chiropractic procedure. The chiropractic care and the control group care in this study was rendered for only less than a month. A follow-up evaluation was performed one year later to evaluate the effectiveness of the care in the two groups.

The results of the study were evaluated on all participants using a scale that included the following:

  • Cure: The patient’s chief complaints and painful palpation are disappearing. Cervical plain film radiograph confirm normal atlanto-axial joint.
  • Marked effective: The patient’s chief complaints are disappearing.
  • Effective: The patient’s chief complaints are partially relieved.
  • No Effect: The patient’s chief complaints are not alleviated and the cervical plain film radiograph shows no change.

The results showed that the group receiving chiropractic care were significantly more improved than the control group. In the chiropractic group, the results showed that 28 cases (43.7%) were cured, 20 cases (31.3%) were marked effective, 13 cases (20.3%) were effective, and 3 cases (4.7%) showed no effect.

In the control group, the numbers were not nearly as effective with only 16 cases (25.0%) claiming to be cured, 18 cases (28.1%) were marked effective, 16 cases (25.0%) listed as effective, and 14 cases (21.9%) had no effect.

The authors of the study concluded, “These results suggested that this chiropractic techniques were better than the control in the treatment of atlantoaxial instability with higher therapeutic effective rate and lower reoccurrence rate at the end of 1-year follow-up.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

Now You Know, Inc.

Woman with Vertigo Helped by Chiropractic

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What is BPPV? Can Chiropractic Help Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo?

On August 25, 2016, a study was published in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research documenting the case of a woman suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo being helped by chiropractic. The term vertigo is often interchanged with dizziness. However, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is more exactly described as a spinning sensation perceived with changes of head position and movement.

woman-with-vertigo-helped-by-chiropractic-austin-tx-chiropractor-for-dizziness-balance-brain-and-cerebellumBPPV is fairly common. The Vestibular Disorders Association reports that this problem occurs in 107 out of 100,000 people per year. Over a lifetime, about 2.4 percent of the population will suffer this condition, which is more common in women than men.

In this case, a 33-year-old female teacher presented herself to the chiropractor. She was suffering with BPPV. According to the woman, her vertigo was constant, aggravated by movement, and she was unable to find relief. She described the feeling like being on a cruise ship all day, and she was nauseous. She was unable to walk fast or make sudden movements without making the problem worse. She was unable to drive and had to be driven to her appointments. The woman also reported that, additionally, she was experiencing neck and lower back pain.

In the preceding seven years, the woman had experienced three prior episodes of vertigo. It was reported that her medical doctor “shook her head” and the vertigo was relieved. When her new episode occurred, her MD prescribed medication which the woman refused to take since she was nursing her baby.

A chiropractic examination was performed consisting of palpation, thermal scans, a surface EMG study, and spinal x-rays. It was determined that vertebral subluxations were present and a program of specific chiropractic adjustment were initiated.

The case study reports that by the third chiropractic visit, the woman was experiencing fewer vertigo episodes. Additionally, her neck and back pain had decreased. The woman continued to improved, and by the fourth visit, she was able to drive herself to the office for her appointment. By the 14th visit, the vertigo had resolved and the woman no longer had any of her original symptoms.

In their conclusion, the authors explain how chiropractic helps patients suffering with vertigo by stating, “The various connections between vertebral subluxation, the vestibular system, and altered neurological responses have been explored. It is therefore suggested that those suffering with vertigo seek chiropractic care before resolving to medication or surgery, as chiropractic adjustments address the cause of neurological dysfunction, rather than masking symptoms.”

If you or anyone you know could benefit from a better functioning nervous system, please call us at 512-452-2525 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Swanson. We are located in north central Austin, TX.

Now You Know, Inc.