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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.

Baby’s Life Changed With Chiropractic

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What is Sandifer Syndrome? Can Chiropractic Help With Digestive and Neurological Problems?

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health published a case study on April 14, 2016, documenting the case of a baby girl who was suffering with a variety of digestive and neurological problems being helped by chiropractic. The baby had been diagnosed medically with Sandifer syndrome since birth.

Chiropractic-Baby-Adjustment-Austin-Tx-Pediatric-Family-Chiropractor-Health-WellnessThe study reports that Sandifer syndrome is when a baby exhibits contortions of the head and neck, sometimes the chest, and abnormal postures, in an effort to relieve their symptoms from severe gastro-esophageal reflux with or without hiatal hernia. It is believed that these spasms may actually be seizures and appear as sudden extensions of the head and neck where the head may be twisted from side to side and the upper part of the trunk bent from side to side.

In this case, a 12-pound, 11-week-old baby girl suffering from reflux and digestive problems, possible seizures, and possible colic, was brought to the chiropractor. She had been diagnosed by a pediatric neurologist and pediatric GI specialist with Sandifer syndrome. Her symptoms included explosive bowel movements since birth, but she started to become constipated, going 3-5 days without a bowel movement. It was reported that the infant screamed uncontrollably during her first week of life.

The infant girl also experienced regular hiccups, vomiting, and difficulty lying flat which would cause her hands to shake, eyes bounce, face to become red, and she would scream. Due to the severity of her suffering, the baby was placed on the powerful medication Zantac twice per day.

A chiropractic examination with spinal palpation was performed. Vertebral subluxations were found and specific adjustments were done as needed. By the seventh visit, the study reports that the baby showed more frequent bowel movements, decreased reflux, decreased gagging, decreased spitting up, and was able to lay flat again.

As care continued, by the 10th visit it was noted that the patient began sleeping in her crib for six hours a night and was having bowel movements daily. On the 12th visit, the baby’s mother was asked to fill out an evaluation form to report on the progress of her baby girl. In the evaluation, she noted that her daughter was less congested, had no more episodes of shaking, was better during tummy time, showed less fighting when eating, had better sleeping, and more frequent bowel movements. The baby girl also exhibited more energy, and an overall increase in playfulness.

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.

Now You Know, Inc.