New Research on Meniere’s Disease & Trigeminal Neuralgia
Chiropractic Shown to Help Woman Suffering from Both Diseases
Recent research reported in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic on a woman that had experienced Meniere’s Disease & Trigeminal Neuralgia reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in managing these patients. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from the related health challenges from these disorders and calls for more research in this area.
Meniere’s disease is a chronic disease of the inner ear characterized by vertigo, low frequency hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. Other symptoms may include fullness in ears and nausea. These symptoms can lead to a reduced postural control which can cause falls, especially in the elderly.
It is a disorder of the inner ear which is thought to be caused by increased pressure in the endolymphatic system. This increase of pressure causes an abnormal amount of fluid in ear which affects balance.
Treatment includes dietary changes, medication, surgery, and other noninvasive forms such as chiropractic care or a hearing aid. Dietary changes, such as a low sodium diet, are the most widely accepted and used method for managing this disease. It is also recommended to avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol and large quantities of chocolate because these are known to exacerbate the symptoms.
“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the suffering that comes from Meniere’s and Trigeminal Neuralgia” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.
Evidence has been found linking upper cervical vertebral subluxation complex and Meniere’s Disease. There have been several reports documenting physiological improvements in patients with Meniere’s Disease managed with upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
McCoy added “In the case report presented, the woman was suffering for years with chronic pain and vertigo that improved under chiropractic care after everything else failed to help her because of the nature of the spine and its relationship to the nervous system.”
According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.
The woman reported on in the study had suffered numerous traumas. She was experiencing chronic head pain, neck pain, ear fullness, vertigo, headaches, and face pain. Previous care from her primary care physician, a rheumatologist, a chiropractor, and two otolaryngologists (ENT) did not help her and changes in lifestyle, Pilates, a clean diet, more sleep, and stress management did not resolve her suffering either.
The chiropractor examined the her and found structural shifts in her upper neck. This was confirmed via x-rays and addition testing These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced marked improvement in her symptoms and quality of life and she reported she was “much better” than when she started.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
