The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation research published a case study on November 25, 2013, documenting the improvement of Meniere’s disease through chiropractic care.
The study authors begin by noting, “Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear and is characterized by intermittent episodes of vertigo, low frequency sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural pressure.” According to the National Institutes of Health, “Meniere’s disease is a disorder of the inner ear that causes severe dizziness (vertigo), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a feeling of fullness or congestion in the ear.”
In this case, a 56-year-old man went to a chiropractor complaining of bilateral carpal tunnel symptoms, bilateral numbness and tingling of the feet, and pain and fullness in the left ear. The history noted that his left ear pain and fullness followed a twenty-year history of vertigo and progressive hearing loss. He had previously been diagnosed by his MD as having Meniere’s Disease.
A chiropractic examination was performed that included thermography and surface electromyography (sEMG) along with palpation and a postural evaluation. Based on these findings, chiropractic care was initiated.
The patient received an auditory exam four months after the start of chiropractic care which showed hearing improvements especially with lower frequencies. The study also reported that over the course of the recorded care period, the patient reported improvements in multiple areas of his life, most notably with his symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Additionally, he experienced improved ability to communicate with his family.
In a long term follow-up about 2 years after the beginning of chiropractic care, a re-evaluation questionnaire was completed. In that questionnaire the patient reported noticeable improvements with the following: memory, cognition (his ability to think more clearly), mood, sleep, coordination, allergies, and immunity. He again noted significantly fewer incidences of sickness with a cold or the flu, and significant improvements in his breathing.
