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Infant with Chronic Seizures & Self Aggression Improves Following Chiropractic

Paige Sigmon, DC, Matthew Hudson, DC & Joel Alcantara, DC

Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ April 5, 2018 ~ Pages 13-18

Recent research reporting on improvement in a three year old infant undergoing chiropractic care reveals that chiropractic could play an important role in managing brain related neurological disorders such as seizures and self-aggressive behavior.

The research, reported in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, discussed a case of a three year old who was experiencing daily seizures for two years along with repeatedly hitting himself in the head with his fists.

“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the brain” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “Basic science research shows that the proper development and function of the brain relies on proper structure and movement of the spine from an early age.”

Research has shown not only that the developing brain relies on normal spinal structural integrity and joint movement, but that complex neurochemical communication and pathways involved in helping humans to adapt to their environment and even to “feel good” are tied into spinal biomechanics and their related neurological pathways.

McCoy added “The brain constantly needs and wants to know where our body is in space. If there is interference with the neurological communication between the spine and the brain all sorts of malfunctions can occur.”

Researchers studying the connection between chiropractic and neurological disorders believe that these types of functional disorders may be affected by abnormal spinal development.

“There are very important structural and functional relationships between the spine and the brain that if disturbed can result in a host of problems with how the brain functions” remarked Dr. McCoy. According to McCoy “The nervous system needs the constant stimulation of movement in order to develop and function properly.”

The patient reported on in the study was a 3-year-old boy with a history of seizures since age one and self-aggressive behavior.

By the time he was 2-years-old he was having up to five seizure episodes per day, every day. His arms would quickly jerk back and forth, bending at the elbows and going back and forth across his body. The parents reported that he would hit his head with his fists repeatedly 5-10 times per day.

The boy was examined and significant structural shifts were found in his upper neck. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.

Following the patient’s first chiropractic adjustments, he did not experience any seizures after leaving the clinic and the parents also reported that their child was no longer hitting his head with his fists.

The authors call for more research on the effects of subluxation reduction on seizure activity.

Infertile Woman is Able to Conceive – New Research Shows Chiropractic May Play Important Role

Recent research reporting on a women who was previously diagnosed as infertile but conceived following the introduction of chiropractic care reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in caring for families with infertility challenges.

The research, reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, includes a review of the literature supporting the role of chiropractic in women experiencing infertility.

“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the reproductive system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “There are now over two dozen research studies previously published that show successful conceptions and the delivery of healthy children following the introduction of chiropractic care and the addition of this one adds further weight to the evidence.”

“It makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated Dr. McCoy. “As chiropractors we know that obstruction of spinal nerves lead to all sorts of dysfunction and this is certainly true with reproductive function. Of all the various non-musculoskeletal conditions amenable to chiropractic, anecdotes and testimonials abound on the positive effects of chiropractic care in patients with infertility.”

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after at least one year of unprotected intercourse and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that there were 7.3 million infertile women in the U.S. in 2002 with 1.2 million women having had an infertility-related medical appointment. These data also indicate that from 30 years of age and on, rates of infertility increase. There are many reasons for both male and female infertility, including problems with egg production, anatomic, immune and hormonal factors for the female and sperm count for the male.

“Considering the fact that every single function of the body is controlled by the nervous system it should not surprise anyone that removing obstructions to the neurology that controls reproductive function would lead to alleviation of some of the problems related to infertility” remarked Dr. McCoy. “What is surprising is that more research funding has not been provided to study these effects in larger populations of women.”

In this study a 32-year-old female presented for chiropractic consultation after being medically diagnosed as infertile. She had undergone in vitro fertilization approximately 18 months prior to assist her in conceiving a child. She became pregnant with twins; however, one was terminated during her pregnancy, and she delivered the remaining twin via Cesarean Section. Since giving birth to her child, who was 9-months old when the patient entered the clinic, she has remained unable to conceive.

In addition, she also suffered from constant, severe abdominal pain, headaches and neck pain. Her symptoms significantly affected her daily life including caring for her infant.

She was examined by the chiropractor who found decreased and painful spinal range of motion and spasm of her back muscles. She had abnormal posture and structural spinal shifts in her neck, back and pelvis. Structural spinal shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.

After six weeks and two chiropractic adjustments, the patient reported she was pregnant.

The study’s authors called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population of patients.

New Research Shows Chiropractic During & After Birth Improves Health

Pamela Stone-McCoy DC, CACCP & Shannon O’Brien DC

Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ August 13, 2018 ~ Pages 90-98

Recent research reporting on mothers and their children undergoing chiropractic care from birth reveals that chiropractic may play an important role in positive health outcomes for families. The research, reported in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic, includes a review of the literature supporting the role of chiropractic in childhood and family health.

According to research “wellness care” is the most common reason why parents bring their children to chiropractors. After that – ear, nose and throat issues are close behind. When most people think of chiropractors they tend to think of bone and joint pains however, the main reasons for pediatric visits to chiropractors are not bone and joint problems but things like wellness, respiratory issues, ear, nose and, throat problems, colic and bedwetting.

“It is now more common for parents to seek wellness care for their children” stated Pamela Stone DC, FICPA a chiropractor specializing in pregnancy and children and one of the authors of the study. Stone continued “Parents are seeking chiropractic not because of their dissatisfaction with medicine, but because they have different health and wellness beliefs and views.”

The question people have is how chiropractic can help kids with these typical childhood illnesses or even avoid them altogether? “Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the overall function of the body” stated Shannon O’Brien DC another researcher involved in the study. O’Brien added “There are now numerous research studies that show improved health outcomes of pregnant mothers and their children who undergo chiropractic care and the addition of this one adds further weight to the evidence.”

It makes perfect sense when you think about it since it is known that obstruction of spinal nerves from structural spinal shifts can lead to all sorts of dysfunction and this is certainly true with the health of children. Considering the fact that every single function of the body is controlled by the nervous system it should not surprise anyone that removing obstructions to the neurology that controls the body would lead to improved health outcomes. What is surprising is that more research funding has not been provided to study these effects in larger populations of women and children.

The study looked at five children who were under chiropractic care from birth and all the mothers were under care prenatally. The children included three boys and two girls who were under chiropractic care ranging from 9-13 years.
All of the patients were examined by the chiropractor who found structural shifts in their spines. Structural spinal shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. The vertebral subluxations were the focus of the care provided to these women and their children. All mothers reported feeling good during their pregnancy with a decrease in symptoms such as low back pain, extremity numbness, and generalized soreness. All the children were breastfed and experienced healthy childhoods without suffering from typical childhood illnesses. All were reported to have a healthy diet, exercised regularly and slept well. All parents reported their child’s health to be better than other children of the same age. The authors concluded that the results show the need for continued studies into health outcomes following long term chiropractic management before, during and after birth.