Recent research reported in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research, describes a patient with tinnitus and reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in easing the suffering of these patients. The literature included supports the role of chiropractic in those suffering from related health challenges and calls for more research in this area.
“Research is revealing that structural shifts in spinal alignment and the nerve obstruction they cause may be a factor in a number of disorders and can result in a host of health problems like tinnitus because the body’s homeostatic mechanism is thrown off” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.
McCoy added “If you damage or compress or otherwise interfere with the neurological structures in the spine this can have far reaching implications on the functioning of the body. Through research reports like this we are finding that correcting the structural abnormalities associated with these spinal problems reduces the nerve obstructions and people experience improvement. In this study it was resolution of tinnitus.”
Research has shown not only that the brain relies on normal structural integrity and joint movement, but that complex neurological communication and pathways involved in helping humans balance and orient themselves in space are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways. This includes the inner ear.
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 55-year-old male reported on in the study developed tinnitus (also known as ringing in the ears) following a head trauma from a fall. He also had neck pain. Medical doctors could not provide any relief.
The chiropractor examined him and found structural shifts in his neck and mid back. Decreased range of motion in his neck was noted along with trigger points in the neck and upper back muscles. 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, he experienced immediate resolution of tinnitus. He also experienced a decrease in neck pain and his x-ray findings and range of motion improved.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
To learn more about this study and chiropractic research visit, Vertebral Subluxation Research.
