A dramatic case study about a woman who had previously had ovarian cancer and was seeking help for infertility was published in the January 23, 2012, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health. The study authors begin by noting that infertility is defined as one year of attempted conception without success. They also report that in 2002 there were approximately 7.3 million women who were considered infertile.
In this case, a 28-year-old woman went to the chiropractor seeking improvement in her overall health, and to increase her chances of becoming pregnant. When she first came to the chiropractor, the woman had a history of infertility for two years, and was suffering from lower back pain for the previous 3 months. Her history also included ovarian cancer nine years earlier requiring surgical removal of one ovary, leaving the other with only three-quarters function. Patient had also undergone standard medical treatment for infertility without any help.
After an examination and x-rays, it was determined that the woman had multiple areas of vertebral dysfunction, more commonly known as subluxation. To correct what the authors called vertebral imbalances, a series of adjustments were initiated. The results of the case study reported that after 14 chiropractic visits, the woman had announced that she had conceived. She subsequently carried a baby to full term and had a normal delivery.
In the discussion, the authors noted that infertility is becoming a growing issue in the United States. They also note that many couples are turning to non-medical forms of care due to the expense and unreliability of medical care. To offer an explanation of how chiropractic can help in cases of infertility, the authors stated, “Chiropractic care can improve the autonomic nervous system function of the body including the reproductive organs by reducing subluxations.”
