Improved digestion, elimination, bowel, bladder, prostate

The Mechanically Induced Pelvic Pain and Organic Dysfunction Syndrome: An Often Overlooked Cause of Bladder, Bowel, Gynecological, and Sexual Dysfunction. Browning JF. Journal of the Neuromusculosketetal System.1996; 4:52-667
Author's Abstract: The mechanically induced pelvic pain and organic dysfunction PPOD) syndrome has recently been described in the literature. While the etiology of this disorder is thought to be a mechanical lesion of the lumbar spine with secondary impairment of lower sacral nerve root function, its clinical presentation is highlighted by various combinations of bladder, bowel, gynecologic and sexual dysfunction. As most PPOD patients present to the chiropractic clinician as a result of complaints relative to a mechanical disorder of the low back, the symptomatic representation of lower sacral nerve root impairment can easily be overlooked. As a result, patient management and therapeutic outcome may be compromised. (Abstract abridged).
29 year old woman with bilateral and low back pain. Previous chiropractic care gave partial relief but and exacerbation was accompanied by inguinal pain, urinary stress incontinence, loss of genital sensitivity, loss of libido and vaginal discharge. A gynecological exam failed to reveal any pathology.
Dr. Browning found evidence of lower sacral nerve root involvement, secondary to a L5/S1 disc herniation. Under chiropractic care the patient initially experienced symptoms (pain and paraesthesia of the genitalia) but within one week bladder dysfunction had resolved, and the other were less severe. After 4 weeks her PPOD symptoms had resolved.


Indigestion and heartburn: a descriptive study of prevalence in persons seeking care from chiropractors. Bryner P and Staerker, PG. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1996; 19;317-23.
From the abstract: Of 1567 persons who consulted 8 chiropractors on 2974 occasions during November 1994, 1494 responses were obtained. Fifty-seven percent reported indigestion infrequently or more and 71% reported mid-back pain during the previous 6 months. Forty-six percent experienced both symptoms during this time. Of these 36% reported the symptoms together at some time. Twenty-two percent of those with indigestion reported some relief after chiropractic care... a person with indigestion is more likely to report mid-back pain.
This is a condition that affects a large segment of the population (about 40% of adults) with the majority of cases termed "psychogenic" meaning that there's no physical basis for the patient's omplaint and their problem is all in their mind. However, M.D.s never check their patient's spines for vertebral subluxations. As this study shows, that may be an important factor in their complaint.


Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Spinal Manipulation: A Case Report. Wagner T, Owen J, Malone E, Mann K. Chiropractic Technique, 1995;7: 139-140.
Author's Abstract: This is a case study of a 25-year old woman with chronic irritable bowel syndrome. The patient was treated by a chiropractor using spinal manipulation. The patient's ymptoms were quickly alleviated during the course of her treatment. A number of mechanisms for this phenomenon are suggested.
Note: This patient had been on medication to control her sharp intestinal pain and diarrhea. These symptoms occurred one to two times a week for the past 5 years. After her first adjustment the diarrhea stopped. Two years later she remained symptom free.


Assessing the Efficacy of Chiropractic Care in Pediatric Cases of Pyloric Stenosis. Proceedings of the National Conference on Chiropractic and Pediatrics (International Chiropractors Association: Arlington, VA). Fallon JP, Lok BJ. 1994:72-79.
From the abstract: Clinical evidence suggests that chiropractic adjustments can be an effective conservative treatment for pyloric stenosis. Additional studies are required to validate the efficacy of chiropractic care in cases of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Discussion of pyloric stenosis and cas history of a three week old female infant with a two-day history of projectile vomiting who was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis. Infant was extremely irritable and would scream 18 yours each day. Mother brought child to chiropractor in order to avoid surgical intervention. Infant had been breast fed since birth. From the paper: "Upon static palpation of the atlas, the child would physically try to move away from the examiner with extension of the extremities. A loud 'wail' followed motion palpation of the atlas. Passive cervical range of motion was fixed upon right lateral flexion. First adjustment was an atlas adjustment performed as the baby was supine on the mother's lap. Doctor's right thumb was placed on right atlas transverse process and left hand placed on the left occiput for stabilization. A light thrust was given to the atlas, directly tateral. The first six adjustment were of atlas, the 7th visit the child was not adjusted and on tenth visit the child was adjusted T-$. By the second visit (2nd day of care) child was less fussy but still vomiting. By the fourth visit (seventh day of care =) the projectile vomiting had ceased. Screaming continued in decreasing intensity until the 10th visit (day 32). Infant slept from 8:30 PM to 4:30 AM without wakening.


Effects of upper cervical correction on chronic constipation. Eriksen K. Chiropractic Research Journal, 1994; 3:19-22.
From the abstract: A five-year old female with severe, chronic constipation was treated with Grostic upper cervical care with a dramatic change in the child's bowel function occuring.


Low back pain and urinary incontinence: a hypothetical relationship. Eisenstein SM, Engelbrecht DJ, and El Masry WS Spine, 1994; 19(10); 1,148-1,152.
this study was done on records of a medical spinal practice. 16 patients with low back pain had urinary incontinence. When surgery reduced low back pain successfully (11 of 12 patients) the urgency incontinence was cured or improved.


Chiropractic distractive decompression in the treatment of pelvic pain and organic dysfunction in patients with evidence of lower scacral nerve root compression. Browning JE. JMPT, 1988, 11(5):426-432
Review of ten cases including a 41-year old married woman with a history of urolocial, gynecological, sexual and bowel disorders. After two weeks of care bladder and bowel control returned to normal. The sexual difficulties resolved completely.


Chiropractic adjustment in the management of visceral conditions: a critical appraisal. Jamison JR, McEwen AP, Thomas SJ. JMPT, 1992;15:171-180.
This was a survey of chiropractors in Australia. More than 50% of the chiropractors stated that asthma responds to chiropractic adjustments; more than 25% felt that chiropractic adjustments could benefit patients with dysmenorrhea, indigestion, constipation, migraine and sinusitis.


The recognition of mechanically induced pelvic pain and organic dysfunction in the low back pain patient. Browning JE. JMPT, 1991,12(5).
Pelvic organic problems that have been shown to respond to manipulative treatment include impairment of bladder, bowel and sexual function.


Case study: the effect of chiropractic care on an infant with problems of constipation. Marko, S. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 3 Dec. 1994.
Infant began having constipation at age 6 months when solid foods were introduced. In order for her to have a bowel movement she had to be in a warm bath with her legs up and her abdomen massaged. At one point the baby actually became impacted and emergency care was needed. It was not uncommon for her to go a week to ten days between bowel movements by herself every two or three days. At 23 months the patient began to walk and she has at least one totally normal bowel movement every day.


The side-effects of the chiropractic adjustment. Arno Burnier, D.C. Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol. 1 No. 4 May 1995. This is a case history of J.C. male, 1-year old taken from the records of Dr. Arno Burnier of Yardley, PA, 81 South Main Street Yardley, PA 19067, 215-493-6589.
Nearly all C.C.s have miracle cases, but Dr. Burnier took the time to write his up. please write yours interesting cases.
Medical diagnosis (gastroenterologist): post-viral enteritis, colitis secondary to antibiotic usage, allergic colitis, gastroesophageal reflux with esophagitis, gastric and/or duodenal ulcer disease, duodenitis secondary to congenital or autoimmune phenomenon, Clubfeet requiring surgery.
Medication: Amoxicillin, Zantac, Reglan, Tylenol, Ambesol.
Chiropractic results: Off all medication after first visit. Immediate improvement with 24 hours. Complete resolution within 3 weeks of care. Six months later the child is in radiant health, has had no need for medical care and has been free of medication and over-the-counter drugs. Clubfeet straightened out without surgery within 1 ½ months of care.
Presenting Subluxation Findings: Left occiput ridge meningeal contact for 30 seconds, double notch sacral meningeal contact for 1 minute; structural manual adjustment of Atlas ASRP, left Temporoparietal suture adjustment.


Chiropractic adjustment in the management of visceral conditions: a critical appraisal.
Jamison JR, McEwen AP, Thomas SJ. JMPT, 1992;15:171-180.
This was a survey of chiropractors in Australia. More than 50% of the chiropractors stated that asthma responds to chiropractic adjustments; more than 25% felt that chiropractic adjustment could benefit patients with dysmenorrhea, indigestion, constipation, migraine and sinusitis.


Chiropractic treatment of a 7-month old with chronic constipation: as case report. Hewitt EG, Chiropractic Technique, August 1993; 5(3): 101-103.
From the abstract: A 7-month old girl suffering from chronic constipation had a history of painful straining and hard, pellet-like stools. Stools ranged in frequency from once per day to once every 3 days. After treatment consisting of full spine and cranial adjusting, the patient's bowel function normalized to one or two soft, effortless stools per day. Maintenance of these improvements was confirmed at a 1-year follow-up visit.

Back to Chiro Research menu
Back to Home