Sato and Budgell's paper further indicates that the vertebral arteries may
not be the mechanism of cerebral function compromise which appears to occur due
to vertebral Subluxations. This fascinating field will no doubt uncover other
mechanisms of spinal/brain relationship and I hope research in this field continues.
However let's not forget that the mechanism of function is of secondary importance.
As with all Empirical healing arts (of which chiropractic is one) the most important
thing is whether or not the patient gets better, not how well the mechanism is
understood.
Study on cervical visual disturbance and its manipulative treatment. Zhang C, Wang Y,
Lu W, et al. J Trad Chinese Medicine, 1984; 4:205-210.
From the abstract: "Determination of blood flow by x-ray in 18 of our cases shows
that blood flow of the cerebral hemispheres greatly improves after manipulative
treatment. The same is true in similar animal tests."
Impaired Arterial Blood Flow to the Brain as result of a cervical subluxation: a
clinical report. Risley, WB. Journal of the American Association/June 1995. Pp. 61-63.
From the abstract: The author has witnessed impairment of the velocity of arterial
blood flow of the occipital artery, unilaterally or bilaterally, as a direct result
of a cervical subluxation in over 15,000 patients. This impairment is documented by
Doppler examination and is the virtual 100 percent concomitant of a cervical
subluxation. Clinical correction of the subluxation, especially at the C-1, C-2 level,
restores the blood velocity through the occipital artery, virtually 100 percent of the
time. Failure to correct the subluxation commonly fails to relieve the impaired blood
velocity in this artery. It is thus an effective monitor of the efficacy of the
administered adjustment.
Course of attention and memory after common whiplash: a two-year prospective study
with age, education and gender pair-matched patients. Di Stefano G and Radanov BP
ACTA Neurol Scand 1995; 91 436-352).
From the abstract: "Attentional functional and memory of common whiplash patients
were evaluated during the first two years after experiencing injury. All (117)
patients had a similar socioeconomic background; all being injured in automobile
accidents and fully covered by insurance plans. Two years following initial trauma,
21 patients remained symptomatic."
When compared with matched controls, the 21 symptomatic patients had no memory
impairment but did have attention functional (difficult of follow-up of tasks
with divided attention).
Comment: Some studies have documented attention deficits in symptomatic whiplash
patients as well as memory loss while other studies have not. This paper reviews
the value of the studies done by others in this field and found them to have designs
that were "insufficient." The Chiropractic interest in this subject is more than that
is affected by presumed subluxations of the cervical spine. This work should be read
in concert with Gorman's and Zhang's papers (above).
Automated static perimetry in chiropractic. Forman RF. JMPT 1993; 16: 481-487.
Author's Abstract: A 44-year-old housewife presented with non-specific bilateral
visual field loss. This visual disability disappeared immediate to pan-spinal
manipulation under anesthetic. Later, on review, the presence of an uni-ocular
visual defect was detected by quantitative static perimetry. Further examination
revealed no pathology in the eye or brain to explain its occurrence, suggesting
that is was due to micro-ischemia of the optic nerve.
Intervention and outcome: The uni-ocular scotoma recovered immediate to further
spinal manipulation under anesthetic, only to recur on two further occasions, each
time to disappear immediate to spinal treatment.
Conclusions: This case history demonstrates that spinal manipulation may dissipate
microvascular spasm in the brain: even in branches of the carotid arterial system,
which is not directly related to the spine.
Mild head injury in preschool children: evidence that it can be associated with a
persisting cognitive defect. Wrightson P. McGinnV, Gronwall D. J Neurol Neurosurg
Psychiatry 1995; 59:375-380.
Mild head injury was defined by a hospital emergency department as a head injury no
severe enough to need admission for observation. 78 children were compared with 86
controls who had a minor injury in other areas. Children with mild head injury, at
six months and one year were found to have scored less on a visual puzzle test and
were more likely to have another mild head injury. At 6.5 years they still scored
less than controls.
Panic Attacks and the chiropractic adjustment: a case report. Potthoff S. Penwell B,
Wolf J. ACA J of Chiropractic, 1993 (December) 30:26-28. A 52-year-old female diagnosed
with chronic panic attacks. She had been prescribed a variety of antidepressants and
tranquilizers over the years, as well as undergoing counseling and relaxation training
all to no benefit. Chiropractic examination revealed areas of upper and mid cervical,
upper and mid thoracic and right sacroiliac fixations. The patient's blood pressure
would read 182/102 mm Hg and her pulse rate 120 beats per minute during an attack. He
blood pressure would drop to 140/80 and her pulse to 76 beats per minute four minutes
after the adjustment. She had been free of panic attacks for more than two months which
is the best she had been in years in spite of the fact that her M. D. cut her Xanax
dosage in half after she began chiropractic car.
Spinal patterns as predictors of personality profiles: a pilot study. Koren T. and
Rosenwinkel D. International J of Psychosomatics. 1992; 39: 10-17.
Forty patients were analyzed by full spine (14"x36") radiographs in both sitting
(A to P and lateral) a standing (A to P and lateral) positions. Their radiographs
were analyzed for distance from center of gravity, pelvic drop, occipital, atlas (C-1),
T1, T2 and Sacral angles plus the degree and level of thoracic Kyphosis. Each patient
took a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) test. The authors then
analyzed the data from the radiographs and MMPI for any correlations between
psychological expression and spinal indicators. Among the findings: atlas angle
(the measure of the number of degrees he atlas deviated from the horizontal plane)
correlated to three MMPI scales: hypochondriasis, hysteria and paranoia in both
standing and sitting films; the degree of the thoracic curve correlated with the
hypomania scale (depression and low energy) only in the standing films and the
pelvic drop correlated with "need for nurturing" in the sitting films.
These findings seemed to agree with Dr. Lowell Ward's Spinal Column Stressology
observations. The chief author (Dr. Koren) wishes to expand this pilot study as
more research in this area is badly needed.
The chiropractic management of anxiety: a case report. Sullivan EC. ACA J of
Chiropractic, 1992 (SEP); 29:29-34.
A 42-year-old female patient suffered from anxiety attacks and agoraphobia since
an auto accident. Other symptoms included nightmares, insomnia, tachycardia,
dizziness, memory loss, difficult in concentrating, and urinary bladder urgency.
She also reported that a well-controlled peptic ulcer had exacerbated after the
accident. Chiropractic analysis revealed major vertebral subluxation complex at
C5-6, T5-6, and L5-S1 levels. After two months of chiropractic adjusting and
counseling patient reported a sharp reduction in anxiety, an end to agoraphobia
attacks, bladder urgency, insomnia and dizziness and reduced low back pain. After
an additional four months patient reported complete relief from anxiety and ulcer
symptoms.
Chiropractic treatment of mental illness: a review of theory and practice. Goff PJ.
Research Forum/Autumn, 1987.
From the abstract: Between 1920 and 1960, several residential programs for mental
health treatment by chiropractors were in existence. This interest has been largely
forgotten in the following years. The size of two Davenport institutions were
remarkable, especially considering the varying economic climate during those years
and that all payment was by individuals or their families. State-operated facilities
were concurrently available at little or no cost. The length of existence of the
chiropractic sanitaria, 40 years, is also remarkable, as is their demise at roughly
the same time(c. 1960). W.H. Quigley, D.C., claimed successful treatment fo60% of the
admitted population, while the state hospitals of that time reported a success rate of
30%.
Chiropractic Success in a Reform School Report of state Supervisor of Chiropractors
of Kentucky In Connection With Kentucky Houses of Reform, Greendale, Kentucky,
Marshall L.T., Lexington, Kentucky (December 1, 1931).
This little know report documents chiropractic success in a Kentucky Reform School.
244 boys were placed under chiropractic care. The Report is largely made up of cases
histories of all the 244 boys many of whom undoubtedly suffered form various emotional
and learning disorders. The success of chiropractic care is admirable. From the summary:
- Number of boys given chiropractic adjustments 244.
- Number of cases dismissed completely recovered or greatly benefited, 155
- Of the 244 cases 89 are still under treatment
- Number of cases promoted in school grades 54
- Number of cases paroled 144
- Number of boys at Greendale (Kentucky Houses of Reform) at beginning of
chiropractic program (September 3, 1930) approximately 540
- Number of boys at Greendale Dec. 1st, 1931 approximately 335
State officials were so impressed that they wrote enthusiastic letters of endorsement.
From B.W. Hubbard, Superintendent, Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky Houses of Reform:
"I have been able to notice a marked improvement in the mental and physical condition of
the boys and in school work and conduct; also, there has been a larger number of paroles
during that period than any previous period during the past four years. " (p.3)
"We have been able to accomplish results far beyond their fondest hopes and expectations
in the rehabilitation of these boys. The teachers have voluntarily and without
solicitation signed a petition asking for a all-time or full-time chiropractic in that
institution." (p.1)
From the teachers: "As the records will show the boys who underwent treatment improved
from the first adjustment and in many instances showed improvement beyond belief. Not
only did they improve in health, but also in their school work as pupils, showing better
results in the shops and other industrial training and above all there has been a marked
improvement in their moral life." (p.7)
Despite these endorsements, chiropractic services were not continued at the institution.
(Copy of this report can be obtained from the Palmer College reference library).
Chiropractic approach to premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Whittier MA Journal of
Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation, 1992;8:26-29.
Eleven women with histories of PMS had improvement of all measured symptoms
including "variation in sexual drive/habits," "social impairment" and depression.
Effects of chiropractic treatment on blood pressure and anxiety. Yates RG, Lamping DL,
Abram NL, Wright C. JMPT 1988;11:484-8.
In this patient-blinded, placebo-controlled study the authors state that the data
"lend support to the hypothesis that chiropractic manipulation of the thoracic spine
significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with elevated blood pressure." Both
systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the adjusted group.
No significant changes occurred in the placebo or control groups.
[Anorexia Nervosa] The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment. Arno Burnier, D.C.
Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 no. 4 1995.
This is a case history of A.S. female, 23
years old taken form the records of Dr. Arno Burnier of Yardley, PA., 81 South Main
Street Yardley, PA 19067, 215-493-6589,
Physical problem: anorexia.
Chiropractic result: Complete resolution following the first adjustment. Follow-up two
years later. Problem never returned.
Presenting Vertebral Subluxation: Occiput/C1 with atlas ASLP, C5/C6 P1.
Original adjustment: Meningeal contact on occiput ridge medially close to the EOP for
60 seconds, double notch on the sacrum for 20 seconds, axis spinous contact for 20
seconds. Structural manual adjustment of Atlas in extension and rotation, C5/C6 in
extension in supine position.
Effect of osteopathic medical management on neurologic development in children.
Frymann VM, Carney, RE, Springall P. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association,
1992; 92:729-744. (Address reprint requests to : Viola M. Fryman, PO Osteopathic Center
for Children, 8030 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037-4137.
Author's abstract: For 3 years, children between 18 months and 12 years of age, with
and without recognized neuralgic deficits, were studied at the Osteopathic Center for
Children. Their response to 6 to 12 osteopathic manipulative treatments directed to all
area of impaired inherent physiologic motion was estimated from changes in three sensory
and three motor areas of performance. Neurologic performance significantly improved
after treatment in children with diagnosed neurogic problems and to a lesser degree in
children with medical or structural diagnoses. The advances in neurologic development
continued over a several months interval. The results support the use of osteopathic
manipulative treatment as part of pediatric health care based on osteopathic medical
philosophy and principles.
Back to Chiro Research menu
Back to Home
|