A scientific case study was published on November 30, 2010, in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, documenting the case of a child with Cystic Fibrosis who was helped with chiropractic care. This study involved an eight year old boy who was brought to the chiropractor with complaints of recurring infections, an inability to sleep, and the inability to participate in age-appropriate sports.
According to the Cystic Fibrosis foundation, “Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; obstructs the pancreas, and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.”
In this case the parents of this 8 year old boy brought their son to the chiropractor in the hopes of improving, “the quality of life” of their son. The boy had been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth, which was confirmed a month later by additional testing. The boy was averaging 3 hospitalizations per year due to infections and respiratory distress, totaling between 2-8 weeks of hospitalization per year. The boy was taking an average of 10 medications daily for his variety of problems.
A chiropractic examination showed restricted ranges of motion, changes in surface temperature and multiple areas of spinal sensitivity to touch. The results of the test led to the conclusion of the presence of subluxations in the young boy. Subluxations are when one or more of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) move out of position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes those nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.
Care was initiated involving regular specific adjustments for correction of the subluxations. Over the course of the initial portion of care it was reported on several occasions that the boy was able to breathe better and able to fall asleep easier and remain asleep throughout the night.
The boy continued under long term chiropractic care ranging from 1-2 adjustments per week, and after 1.5 years of continuous care, he showed a significant improvement in his physical findings as well as his lifestyle. It was reported that he was significantly able to increase his physical activity, to the point where he was actively seeking to attain a black belt in karate. It was additionally noted that his attendance in school increased and he was able to be free of trips to the hospital for 8 months. Additionally, the boy suffered less colds, an increase in height and weight, a reduction in medications and a surge in energy.
