Reduction of Congenital Torticollis in a Four Month Old Child with Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Report & Review of Literature
Stone-McCoy, P , Grande , N, Roy, I
[JVSR January 7, 2008 pp 1-8]
Abstract - Objective: To document clinical changes after a course of chiropractic care and physical therapy in a pediatric patient presenting with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) and vertebral subluxation.
- Clinical Features: A four month old female with congenital torticollis presents to a chiropractic office, having previously undergone physical therapy, Cranial-Sacral Therapy and myofascial release therapy with limited improvement. Chiropractic exam revealed a left head tilt with severely decreased left cervical rotation as well as resistance upon passive flexion of the left arm. Vertebral subluxations were found in the cervical spine and pelvis.
- Intervention and Outcome: The patient received chiropractic adjustments, stretching and trigger point therapy. Palpation, range of motion and posture analysis were used to determine location of subluxation and needed correction. Through the course of care, postural as well as functional improvements were observed.
- Conclusion: In this child, congenital muscular torticollis was markedly reduced with a combination of chiropractic care directed at reducing vertebral subluxation and physical therapy. Previous studies, pathophysiology and treatment pertaining to birth trauma, Congenital Muscular Torticollis and chiropractic are reviewed. Additional research is encouraged in order to further elucidate the best treatment strategy for these children.
Post-Surgical Laminectomy Patient Helped With Chiropractic - a Case Study
A case study report documented in the March 19, 2007 issue of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, reported on the case of a 37 year old male who suffered from persistent low back and leg pain following a L4-L5 surgical laminectomy. The surgery was performed 6 months prior to this case study and the initiation of chiropractic care.The young man in this study had suffered a work injury 11 months before chiropractic care that resulted in continuous severe lower back pain and numbness in the leg. Five months after his accident his orthopedic surgeon diagnosed him with an L4 and L5 disk herniation and was told he needed back surgery. The surgical procedure performed was extensive as the patient underwent a double laminectomy to the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Following the surgery, he was given pain medication and told to take it twice daily.The surgical procedure was not successful in correcting the patient's pain and finally at 11 months after his initial accident he got a chiropractic examination and x-rays. The finding showed no pathologies except those created by the surgery. However, there were significant structural spinal abnormalities and postural issues present. Chiropractic care was initiated and continued regularly for several months. Re-examinations were routinely performed to monitor structural changes and patient progress. Ultimately, even though this patient has undergone an extensive surgical procedure, he did improve both structurally and in his symptoms and quality of life. As the researchers in this case explained, the patient improved, "achieving a significant reduction in symptoms not obtained following recent surgery." A follow up was performed 9 months later and showed that the patient had maintained his structural corrections as well as his symptomatic improvement.