A 76-year-old woman suffering from Muscular Dystrophy (MD), headaches, vertigo, and hypertension, was helped by chiropractic. The recovery was documented in a case study that appeared in the January 31, 2013, issue of the Annuls of Vertebral Subluxation Research. The study authors describing MD said, “Muscular Dystrophy refers to a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles which control movement.”
In this case, a 76-year-old woman came to the chiropractor after having had a household fall. Before her fall, she had been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and had been suffering from vertigo, hypertension, and headaches. A chiropractic examination was performed which included electronic muscle testing, postural assessment, range of motion, and specific spinal x-rays. Based on these tests, the presence of subluxation was determined.
The authors describe the purpose of chiropractic care in this case by saying, “The rationale for the use of chiropractic care in this case was to correct subluxations. Structural correction of the spine by the correction of subluxations was sought out in this case in accordance with the ‘normal spinal model’.”
When the patient first came to the chiropractic office, she was antalgic because of her pain and was carried into the office. The patient’s overall health status was assessed utilizing an SF-36 form, which is a standard form that measures many areas of a patient’s quality of life. Objective improvement measurements were made using surface electromyography , thermography, electronic muscle testing, and postural assessment.
The results documented in the study showed that after one month of care, the patient reported an improvement in overall pain levels, as well as a decrease in vertigo. After 6 weeks, she was able to get off all blood pressure medication. The woman continued to improve as it was reported that after 2 months of care, the patient had increased muscle strength. Ultimately, after 4 months of care, the patient reported a near complete absence of all symptoms.
The authors’ conclusion summed up the case by saying, “The onset of the pain following a fall at home brought the patient into the office seeking pain relief. Her care was designed for the reduction of subluxation, which also manifested in the reduction in pain symptoms. The patient experienced a complete absence of all neurological symptoms following 4 months of chiropractic care. This suggests a link between subluxation, poor posture, and abnormal neurological conditions.”
