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.
According to McCoy, these results suggest a possible link between thyroid function, and spinal subluxations. Correcting the subluxations through the use of specific chiropractic adjustments are believed to have returned this woman’s function to normal.
The 61-year-old female in this study had been experiencing thyroid problems, weight gain, decreased energy, fatigue, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, and Meniere’s disease for several years. She really was looking for answers as her symptoms were interfering with her ability to interact with her grandchildren. Several visits to the medical doctor did not help.
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.
Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced marked improvement in her symptoms. She began to have more energy, her weight stabilized, and her episodes pf tinnitus decreased. Her hypothyroidism resolved and was confirmed via lab testing.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
To read more about this study, and other chiropractic research, visit Vertebral Subluxation Research.
