Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on a woman suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing people with such disorders. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from this health challenge and calls for more research in this area.
Research has shown not only that the brain relies on normal spinal structural integrity, balance and joint movement, but that complex neurochemical communication and pathways involved in helping people adapt to their environment are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways.
“It makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated Matthew McCoy DC, MPH the editor of the journal that published the study and a public health researcher. “The brain constantly needs and wants to know where our body is in space and what is going on relative to all functions of the body. If there is obstruction to the neurological communication between the spine and the brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur and this can lead to symptoms such as Parkinson’s and other neurological disorders.”
Researchers studying the connection between chiropractic, nerve obstruction and neurological disorders believe that these types of functional disorders can be caused by even slight misalignments of the bones in the spine.
“There are very important functional relationships between the spine and the brain that if disturbed can result in a host of problems with how the body functions” remarked McCoy. He added “If there is abnormal position or movement of the spinal vertebra this can lead to nerve obstruction.”
The patient reported on in the study was a 58-year-old female with a history of Parkinson’s Disease and upper back pain. She was experiencing resting tremors in her right hand, weakness in her right arm, and slow movements. Other symptoms included pain and muscle spasms in her neck, upper back, and mid back.
The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck, upper back, midback, low back, and pelvis. She had postural changes, decreased range of motion, tenderness, and muscle spasms in her neck, upper back, and mid back. X-rays confirmed these findings. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic care, her improvements included increased muscle strength in her hand, increased neck range of motion, and decreased pain and muscle spasm in her neck and upper back. She also noted improvements in the resting tremors, movement, and weakness in the right arm. She was able to return to walking daily for exercise.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic care of those with Parkinson’s Disease.
To learn more about this study and chiropractic research visit, Vertebral Subluxation Research.