Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research on a woman with hypothyroidism 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 and calls for more research in this area.
“Research indicates that minor shifts in the structure of the spine may impact function, suggesting that these structural shifts may be a factor in a number of disorders. Structural shifts may lead to nerve obstruction and could possibly result in a host of health problems such as thyroid dysfunction” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. Other chiropractic researchers have reported on similar results and reviews of the scientific research reveal numerous other studies that have shown a similar connection.
“It makes a lot of sense when you think about it” stated McCoy. “It’s reasonable to suggest that if you obstruct or damage the nerves exiting the spine, the result of the obstruction(s) and/or damage can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting these structural shifts reduces nerve obstruction, bringing about marked improvement in people who are experiencing a variety of maladies.”
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.
Ordinarily, people suffering from disorders such as hypothyroidism may be given medications to cover up their symptoms. Uncovering the cause of the problem is a much better strategy. One such cause is thought to be structural shifts in the spine concurrent with abnormal motion – the combination of which is more commonly known as vertebral subluxations by doctors of chiropractic. These vertebral subluxations result in nerve obstruction. It’s these obstructions that may cause symptoms such as those seen in this study, and doctors of chiropractic correct these obstructions.
The 52-year-old female in this study had hypothyroidism and was taking medication to manage it. She also suffered from pain, numbness and tingling of the neck, upper back, mid back, pain in both knees and hips for several years. Her symptoms were getting worse.
The chiropractor examined her and found tight muscles and structural shifts in her neck, upper back, mid back, low back, and pelvis. Range of motion and x-rays confirmed the findings. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
After 9 months of regular, subluxation specific, chiropractic care, the patient reported that blood work indicated she no longer had hypothyroidism and her medical doctor had removed her from all medications. Six months following this, the patient’s blood work indicated she was maintaining normal levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, an indicator of thyroid function in the body). Her hypothyroidism was considered resolved and she remained off of medication. The patient is still under regular chiropractic care.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
