June 2024

• Resolution of Atrial Fibrillation Under Chiropractic Care – A Case Study
• Less Tramadol Prescriptions in Adults Under Chiropractic Care
• Chronic Insomnia Helped Under Chiropractic Care
• Cancer Patient Undergoing Chemotherapy Receives Additional Help Under Chiropractic

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on May 20, 2024, documenting the complete resolution of long-term persistent atrial fibrillation in a patient receiving chiropractic care.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an NIH official website of the United States government, "atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat." They continue by explaining, "Long-term persistent atrial fibrillation occurs when abnormal heart rhythms last for more than a year without getting better."

This study's authors begin by emphasizing the dangers of atrial fibrillation, aka. AFib, by stating, "Atrial fibrillation can be episodic or persistent, and it has dangerous complications if not managed appropriately." They continue, "Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. This condition is marked by irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, lightheadedness, fatigue, dyspnea, and chest pain." They also report that AFib increases a person's risk for stroke by four to five times, and that a stroke from AFib is often more severe.

In this case, a 64-year-old man, who was a preacher, presented himself for chiropractic care. His entered with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and right elbow pain. He explained that his AFib had been long-standing as he had been suffering with symptoms from the condition since he was 16 years of age.

The man reported that when he was younger, he would occasionally become very dizzy and feel strong palpitations if he physically exerted himself or was subjected to sudden emotional or physical stress. His problems prevented him from participation in sports. As his condition progressed, the man would have attacks weekly causing him to feel extremely weak. During these attacks, he would also suffer with severe tachycardia and his heart rate would elevate to as high as 400 beats per minute.

His AFib attacks regularly continued throughout the man's entire adult life and lasted anywhere from 20 minutes up to 7 hours. He eventually sought medical care where his MD gave him a variety of medications. The man reported that the medications many times would either aggravate his symptoms or that they would do nothing to help him. Over time, the man discontinued all his medications as he felt they were not helping him. His condition was severe enough that he had been hospitalized multiple times.

The man initially decided to go to the chiropractor because of the occasional elbow pain and back pain that he was having. He was also curious to see if chiropractic could do anything to help with the life-long symptoms of AFib he was suffering with.

After a full chiropractic examination, it was determined that the man had multiple vertebral subluxations. A specific care plan of chiropractic adjustments was started with the man being seen initially twice per week.

The results of care were nothing short of life changing. After his initial chiropractic adjustment, the man experienced complete remission of all symptoms and signs of his AFib. He stated that he was completely free of fatigue, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. After his tenth visit, the man had still not experienced any attacks, symptoms or issues with AFib. Over the course of the next year, he reported only having one minor AFib episode.

On May 1, 2024, the British Medical Journal Open edition, (BMJ Open), published the results of a study showing that patients with radicular low back pain are less likely to get prescriptions for tramadol compared to those patients with the same condition under typical medical care.

According to the HealthDirect resource website from Australia, "Tramadol is an opioid medicine used for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain." They explain, "Tramadol works directly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system and reduces feelings of pain by interrupting the way nerves signal pain between the brain and the body."

In this study, researchers reviewed thousands of patients' records who had been suffering with radicular lower back pain. They then eliminated thousands of potential subject's records until they had two groups of closely similar conditions and circumstances. Of this final group, there was 1171 people with radicular low back pain who received chiropractic care. This group was known as the "CSM" group, (short for Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation.) They also identified 1171 patients with similar radicular low back pain who received "usual medical care" and did not receive chiropractic care.

The researchers were careful to not consider patient records of people in either group whose health history were not similar to the rest of the people in the two groups. They wanted the only difference to be that one group received chiropractic care. The researchers looked at the records of these people to see if, over the course of a year, patients receiving chiropractic care had been prescribed Tramadol at a different frequency than those who got chiropractic care.

The study showed that patients with radicular lower back pain, who received usual medical care, were more than three times more likely to get a prescription for tramadol as compared to those who receive chiropractic care.

In their conclusion, the researchers summed up their findings by saying, "This study found that US adults initially receiving CSM for radicular LBP had a reduced likelihood of receiving a tramadol prescription over 1-year follow-up."

Considering all the additional issues and side effects that come with this type of medication, Chiropractic should be considered as a viable avenue of care for patients with radicular lower back pain.

The June 3, 2024, issue of the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study documenting the resolution of chronic insomnia in a patient who received chiropractic care.

The National Library of Medicine describes the requirements for chronic insomnia. "The sleep disturbances occur at least three times a week and have been present for the last 3 months." They note that "Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the United States affecting about one-third of the general population." They continue that insomnia "…is characterized by difficulty in either initiating sleep, maintaining sleep continuity, or poor sleep quality."

The author of this study notes that "Sleep disturbances are a common complaint among aging adults. Yet, sleep problems are not necessarily an inherent part of the aging process." She continues by stressing the importance of good sleep. "The relationship between sleep and health are crucial as adequate amounts of undisturbed sleep is an essential component to a healthy lifestyle. Undisturbed sleep contributes to optimal daytime function and wellbeing in an individual, particularly for older adults."

In this case, a 69-year-old man went to a chiropractor even though he did not have any outward symptoms. He had previously been under chiropractic care at another facility for neck pain which had resolved. He stated that he felt much better while under chiropractic and wanted to continue care on a wellness basis.

During a case history, it was discovered that the man had sleep issues. He reported that each night he would sleep for 2-3 hours, then wake for 2-3 hours, then again sleep for 2-3 hours, then finally waking for the rest of the day.

A chiropractic examination was performed which included a visual inspection, a posture analysis, both motion and static palpation, leg length symmetry measurements, and an analysis of the x-rays of his neck. The conclusion of the examination was there were subluxations present in multiple areas of the man's spine. Based on this information, specific forms of chiropractic adjustments were started.

After five chiropractic visits, the man reported that he was sleeping better, and his sleep had increased by about one hour per night. He also noted that his daily tasks seemed easier to do. After nine chiropractic visits, the man reported continual improvement in the quality of his sleep to where he could now sleep for six uninterrupted hours per night.

In the study conclusion the author states, "This case demonstrates a situation in which chiropractic care has helped a patient increase sleep quantity and quality. The decrease of symptoms within four months of care suggests a relationship between insomnia and vertebral subluxations."

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published the results of a case study in their second quarter 2024 issue documenting chiropractic helping a cancer patient recover from a variety of symptoms while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

The researchers in this study begin by explaining, "A cancer diagnosis is known to be a life-interrupting diagnosis that may bring a high level of psychological and physical stress. Increasingly, research is highlighting how decreased levels of nervous system adaptability (as indicated by decreased heart rate variability) often accompany cancer."

In this case, a 47-year-old woman sought chiropractic care for a number of health concerns. She had been medically diagnosed with stage four bilateral breast cancer with lymphatic involvement two months earlier, for which she was undergoing medical treatment. The woman's history revealed that 18 years earlier, she had been successfully treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma. She reported that she was under a lot of stress as she was going through a divorce and was the primary caregiver for her mother who was suffering from dementia.

At the time of her initial visit to the chiropractor, she reported that she was gaining weight, had TMJ pain, shoulder pain, and was suffering with migraine headaches. She also reported that she felt head pain three days per week with brain fog and memory loss. She stated that she felt anxiety approximately 50% of the time.

A thorough chiropractic examination was performed which included a self-questionnaire, body composition assessments, spinal x-rays, and additional clinical tests. The conclusion of these tests was that subluxations were present in the woman's spine.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were started along with dietary recommendations for detoxification and what researchers referred to as some "at-home strategies." She also continued her medical treatment for her cancer diagnosis.

The combination of all of her care had a profound positive impact on her health and life perspective. The study reports that she experienced a reversal of stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Additionally, the study reports that all her pain was gone except for an occasional slight TMJ pain. She also reported much less anxiety and had a much more positive outlook. She reported that her care, "helped her save her life."

In their discussion, the authors of the study summed up this case by stating, "The significant impact of this course of care on this patient's quality of life, as well as her objective findings, cannot be overstated. While this course of care was in conjunction with her usual oncologist-recommended cancer care, the impact subluxation-based care had on adaptability, neurological function, and a reduction in toxicity is potentially significant."