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“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between structural abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and brain” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “Researchers from different fields are now showing that trauma and related structural shifts in the neck may lead to nerve and blood flow obstruction and could possibly result in a host of health problems such as multiple sclerosis.
Research has shown that in many cases people who have multiple sclerosis have a history of head and/or neck trauma and researchers studying this in chiropractic suggest that this trauma also causes structural shifts of the bones in the neck and rest of the spine resulting in obstruction. It is these obstructions, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. The trauma along with the structural shifts can lead to obstructions of nerve and blood flow leading to the degenerative conditions and other problems associated with multiple sclerosis.
McCoy stated “This study is one more example of how people with these debilitating conditions can be helped through specific chiropractic adjustments to restore normal spinal and nervous system function.”
According to McCoy, “Chiropractors have been talking about these links for some time now and I think research in this area will soon reach a critical mass because its not just chiropractors saying this any more. You have researchers in several different fields coming to similar conclusions. The real challenge with these models is going to be showing what works best and chiropractic has a respectable foundation of research in this area”.
The patient reported on in the study was a 57-year-old female complaining of numbness in her feet, hands and fingers, aching pain in the upper back and neck, headaches, blotchiness in her vision, ringing in the ears and double vision. She had an MRI performed that confirmed she had multiple sclerosis.
The chiropractor examined the woman and found neurological abnormalities with her sensation, eyes, muscle strength, reflexes, balance and coordination. They also found abnormal posture and significant structural shifts in her neck, mid and lower back. These structural shifts, more commonly known as vertebral subluxations by doctors of chiropractic, result in nerve obstruction and doctors of chiropractic correct these obstructions.
The patient received chiropractic care for 12 visits to reduce the subluxations in her spine and stated she experienced overall improvement of 70%. Her muscle strength returned to normal as did her reflexes. The numbness in her hands resolved and her neck pain improved.
The authors of the study call for more research on the role of chiropractic care in these types of disorders.
Contact Information:
Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research
http://www.vertebralsubluxationresearch.com
