CASE STUDIES - Chiropractic Treatment Outcomes
The case studies in this collection represent real patients treated in our clinics. These stories show how patients came in with concerns such as back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, whiplash, pregnancy-related discomfort, sports injuries, and pediatric concerns.
Each case documents the patient’s initial symptoms, the root cause analysis, the treatment plan implemented, and the actual outcomes achieved.
BACK PAIN CASES
Patient Info: Young athletic male. Plays football. Suffered an injury during a game competition.
Symptoms: Low back injury from being tackled. Limited range of motion initially. Difficulty with movement and activity.
Root Cause Analysis: Impact trauma from a football tackle. Muscle strains accompany joint injury from impact.
Treatment Plan: Standard athletic injury protocol. Patient given stretches to perform. Patient does the stretches as instructed. Strengthening exercises were added within the first two weeks.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, stretching protocol, and strengthening exercises. Focus on both muscle and joint recovery.
Outcome: Patient returns to almost 100 percent of function. Back to playing football within two weeks of care initiation. Young athletes bounce back fairly quickly due to resilience. Patient completes treatment plan and returns to full athletic activity.
Timeline: Approximately two weeks to return to playing condition.
Patient Info: Older patient who enjoys working in the yard. Lifts heavy materials for landscaping projects.
Symptoms: Low back pain with pain radiating into the gluteal region. Pain persists despite initial conservative chiropractic care.
Root Cause Analysis: Lifting heavy bags of mulch caused acute injury. However, examination revealed a deeper issue: at home, the patient reclines in an old, unsupportive La-Z-Boy recliner every evening. This furniture is straining and inflaming the lower back each night, preventing healing.
Treatment Plan:
- Initial treatment: X-rays taken, standard treatment plan with exercises provided. Three times per week for four weeks.
- Identified after 3-4 weeks that the pain was not improving.
- Questioned the patient about daily activities and home environment.
- Discovered mattress assessment needed and furniture evaluation critical.
- Solution: Replaced a La-Z-Boy recliner with a supportive office chair for living room use.
- Implemented proper furniture selection for future purchases to ensure adequate low back support.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, X-rays, exercise program, environmental/ergonomic assessment, and modification.
Outcome: Full recovery achieved after identifying and correcting environmental factors. Patient learned that healing requires both treatment and proper home support. Patient made informed decisions about subsequent furniture purchases to maintain proper support.
Timeline: Approximately 4+ weeks with slow initial progress until home environment factors were addressed.
Patient Info: Young athletic male. Plays football. Suffered an injury during a game competition.
Symptoms: Low back injury from being tackled. Limited range of motion initially. Difficulty with movement and activity.
Root Cause Analysis: Impact trauma from a football tackle. Muscle strains accompany joint injury from impact.
Treatment Plan: Standard athletic injury protocol. Patient given stretches to perform. Patient does the stretches as instructed. Strengthening exercises were added within the first two weeks.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, stretching protocol, and strengthening exercises. Focus on both muscle and joint recovery.
Outcome: Patient returns to almost 100 percent of function. Back to playing football within two weeks of care initiation. Young athletes bounce back fairly quickly due to resilience. Patient completes treatment plan and returns to full athletic activity.
Timeline: Approximately two weeks to return to playing condition.
NECK PAIN CASES
Patient Info: Patient involved in a motor vehicle accident. Rear-ended by another vehicle.
Symptoms: Neck pain from the whiplash mechanism. Headaches. Numbness and tingling in fingers and hand.
Root Cause Analysis: Rear-end motor vehicle accident. The whiplash mechanism causes trauma to the cervical spine and soft tissues. Nerve compression is indicated by numbness and tingling symptoms.
Treatment Plan: Chiropractic care initiated. MRI ordered to determine if disc herniation is causing nerve compression or if symptoms are from muscle spasm and inflammation. Treatment continues while awaiting imaging results.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, diagnostic imaging (MRI), specialized whiplash injury protocol.
Outcome: After one month of care, neck pain completely resolved. Headaches completely gone. Some residual numbness and tingling in fingers continues, but shows an improvement trend. Still under treatment to resolve remaining nerve symptoms. Significant improvement achieved within one month. Patient progressing well.
Timeline: One month of care showing major improvement.
Patient Info: Woman working in an office environment. Works at a computer all day. Uses mouse and keyboard extensively.
Symptoms: Neck pain from computer work. Headaches accompany neck pain. Numbness and tingling radiating down the arm into the hand and fingers. Wrist pain and symptoms (carpal tunnel-type symptoms).
Root Cause Analysis: Repetitive strain injury from computer work all day. Nerve compression in two locations: cervical spine (neck), causing arm symptoms, and the carpal tunnel area at the wrist. Termed double crush syndrome because nerves are compressed in two separate areas. Both compression points must be addressed for full recovery.
Treatment Plan:
- Phase 1: Three times per week for four weeks
- Comprehensive workstation ergonomics assessment and modification
- Stretching program to reduce tension throughout the day
- Ice application multiple times daily to decrease inflammation
- Cervical spine adjustments
- Wrist adjustments to address carpal tunnel compression
- Patient education on proper ergonomic setup and positioning
- Break protocol during the workday to reduce sustained compression
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments (both cervical and wrist), ergonomic workstation design, stretching, ice therapy, postural education, and break protocol implementation.
Outcome: At the end of the first month, the patient reported a 50 percent reduction in pain. Numbness and tingling in the arm and hand decreased noticeably. After continued care and lifestyle modifications, full recovery was achieved. No pain, no headaches, no numbness or tingling in the hand or arm. Patient able to return to all work activities and leisure activities. Continues periodic checkups and is very happy with the outcome.
Timeline: 24 to 30 visits total for full recovery. Approximately 6-8 weeks for significant improvement.
Patient Info: Patient involved in a motor vehicle accident. Rear-ended by another vehicle.
Symptoms: Neck pain from the whiplash mechanism. Headaches. Numbness and tingling in fingers and hand.
Root Cause Analysis: Rear-end motor vehicle accident. The whiplash mechanism causes trauma to the cervical spine and soft tissues. Nerve compression is indicated by numbness and tingling symptoms.
Treatment Plan: Chiropractic care initiated. MRI ordered to determine if disc herniation is causing nerve compression or if symptoms are from muscle spasm and inflammation. Treatment continues while awaiting imaging results.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, diagnostic imaging (MRI), specialized whiplash injury protocol.
Outcome: After one month of care, neck pain completely resolved. Headaches completely gone. Some residual numbness and tingling in fingers continues, but shows an improvement trend. Still under treatment to resolve remaining nerve symptoms. Significant improvement achieved within one month. Patient progressing well.
Timeline: One month of care showing major improvement.
SCIATICA / LEG PAIN CASES
Patient Info: Older, retired male in his late 60s. Active lifestyle in retirement.
Symptoms: Numbness and tingling in the calf. Pain in the leg. Difficulty with leg movement and activity.
Root Cause Analysis: Orthopedic testing, including the Kemp test, straight leg test, and knee-to-chest test (knock list test), was performed to identify the source. Testing showed strong indicators of piriformis syndrome component (nerve entrapped in muscle) rather than purely spinal involvement. Tight piriformis muscle compressing the sciatic nerve.
Treatment Plan: Trigger point work performed in the gluteal muscles and piriformis. Soft tissue therapy to release muscle tension. Sacroiliac joint adjustment to decompress that area. Stretching of the glutes and the hip region. Treatment is ongoing as sciatica takes a long time to resolve.
Treatment Modalities Used: Trigger point therapy, soft tissue work, sacroiliac adjustment, therapeutic stretching, and positional testing for diagnosis.
Outcome: Good progress reported so far. Soft tissue work made a big difference in symptoms. Numbness and tingling are still present, but no longer extending down the entire leg. Now only reaching back of the hamstring instead of continuing to the foot. Significant improvement in pain distribution. Treatment ongoing.
Timeline: Ongoing treatment with measurable improvement noted.
Patient Info: Woman in her late 30s. Experiences sciatic symptoms.
Symptoms: Tingling down the left leg. Not always extending to the foot, but sometimes present there. Pain increases with prolonged sitting.
Root Cause Analysis: Position-dependent symptoms worsen with sitting, indicating disc pressure or a postural component. Age and profile suggest a non-degenerative cause.
Treatment Plan: Three times per week for chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments only approach without extensive soft tissue work.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments (diversified technique), spinal manipulation.
Outcome: After three months of the treatment plan, complete resolution. Patient is fine with no lingering symptoms.
Timeline: Three months for full recovery.
Patient Info: Woman in her 40s. Desk job with a sedentary work environment. Drives extensively throughout the week. Works in sales or a position requiring vehicle travel.
Symptoms: Nagging sciatic pain persistent over months. Low back pain. Symptoms triggered or worsened by extended driving (30+ minutes in the car triggers sciatica).
Root Cause Analysis: Imaging reveals a disc herniation. The disc center (gel-like material) has broken through the cartilaginous rings making up the disc wall. This herniation puts pressure on nerve roots, causing sciatic pain. Sitting at a desk and extended driving increase pressure on the herniated disc. Disc degeneration from years of repetitive strain.
Treatment Plan:
- Flexion distraction table treatment to decompress the disc and reduce pressure on the nerve
- A comprehensive stretching program performed consistently by the patient
- Strengthening exercises to support low back and stabilize the spine
- Workstation assessment and modification: standing desk that adjusts throughout the day (alternating sitting and standing)
- Car support: lumbar support cushion with sacral cutout placed in vehicle
- Regular movement breaks throughout the day to reduce sustained disc pressure
- Proper positioning when standing: foot support on a box or step to change hip angle and reduce low back strain
- Home furniture assessment and modification: supportive chair in the living room instead of unsupportive furniture
- Patient education on disc anatomy and healing timeline
Treatment Modalities Used: Flexion distraction therapy, therapeutic stretching, strengthening exercises, ergonomic modification (work and vehicle), positional therapy, and patient education on disc herniation healing.
Outcome: After four months of consistent care, significant improvement was achieved. Patient is doing all stretches as instructed. Patient is completing all strengthening exercises. Patient is implementing all environmental modifications. Fewer symptoms overall. When environmental factors (like prolonged sitting or car time) trigger symptoms, they are more manageable. Slow but steady improvement. Patient determined to continue care. Patient is avoiding surgical intervention based on results and progress.
Important Note: Disc herniations take a very long time to fully heal (up to one year), but this patient is experiencing steady functional improvement and reduced symptoms.
Timeline: 4+ months ongoing with continued improvement.
HEADACHE / MIGRAINE CASES
Patient Info: College student. Spends extensive time studying and working on the computer.
Symptoms: Constant headaches. Headaches every single day. Impacting academic performance and quality of life.
Root Cause Analysis: Constantly sitting down while studying, reading, and using a computer. Looking down at the materials and the screen. Postural strain on the cervical spine. Muscle tension in the neck and upper shoulders creates referred pain to the head.
Treatment Plan:
- Two to three times per week for two months
- Gradually tapered frequency as symptoms improved
- Chiropractic adjustments focusing on the cervical spine
- Home exercise program and stretching routine
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, stretching program, and postural education.
Outcome: Started treatment with headaches every single day. After two months of consistent treatment: reduced to approximately once every three weeks. Significant improvement in daily functioning. Patient is able to study without a constant headache burden.
Timeline: Two months for notable improvement.
Service Category: Headaches / Work-Related / Stress Management
Patient Info: Man in his 30s. Works in the technology industry. Spends extended time at the computer. Highly focused on work tasks.
Symptoms: Regular tension headaches. Poor posture that worsens as the day progresses. Headaches increase as the workday goes on.
Root Cause Analysis: Staring at the computer all day without breaks. Poor postural habits from focused concentration. As a person concentrates intensely, posture deteriorates: head moves forward, shoulders rise, and neck tension increases. Sustained muscle tension creates headaches. Not taking breaks to reset posture.
Treatment Plan:
- Phase 1: Three times per week for one to two months
- Phase 2: Two times per week transition phase
- Phase 3: Once per week for ongoing management
- Home exercise program: stretches and strengthening exercises
- Ergonomic assessment and workstation optimization
- Computer break protocol: timer set on phone to ensure break every hour without computer work (maximum one hour at the screen before the break)
- Patient education on posture awareness and resetting posture throughout the day
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, stretching and strengthening program, ergonomic modification, behavioral change (break protocol), postural re-education.
Outcome: Patient completed full treatment plan. Currently maintains once-per-week adjustments. Headaches reduced from multiple per week to approximately once per month. States” headaches are now more stress-related than posture or work-related. This indicates the physical component has been resolved, ed but the stress component remains (separate issue). Patient is doing stretches and exercises at home consistently. Patient using a timer for computer breaks. Patient is doing great with treatment. Quality of life significantly improved.
Timeline: Started with frequent headaches, now down to once monthly after ongoing care.
Patient Info: Woman with a desk job in an office environment. Works with multiple computer monitors.
Symptoms: Persistent headaches and neck pain. Associated with work tasks and activities.
Root Cause Analysis: Desk job with three computer monitors. The setup requires turning the head significantly to look at each monitor, creating asymmetrical neck strain. Additional factor: stomach sleeper since childhood. Sleeping on the stomach with the head turned all night creates sustained neck tension. Watching television on the couch with the head propped creates additional strain.
Treatment Plan:
- Workstation ergonomics intervention: instead of turning the head to look at multiple monitors, the patient swivels the chair to face the monitor (whole body rotation instead of head-only turning)
- Sleep position coaching: work to change from stomach sleeping (since childhood) to side or back sleeping. This required habit-breaking as it was a long-standing pattern.
- Eliminated bedroom television to remove additional postural strain from watching TV in bed
- Proper head support when watching television on the couch: no propped-up head position
- Chiropractic adjustments throughout the treatment period
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, ergonomic workstation redesign, sleep position retraining, behavioral modification, and postural education.
Outcome: Patient was determined to improve and corrected all identified habits and environmental factors. Successfully changed sleep position from stomach to side/back sleeping. Successfully modified workstation behavior. Full recovery achieved from tension-type headaches and associated neck pain. Patient able to return to all work and leisure activities without headache limitation.
Timeline: Completed treatment plan with full resolution.
HERNIATED DISC CASES
Patient Info: Patient with a significant disc herniation. The severity of the condition requires mobility assistance.
Symptoms: Severe pain from herniation. Difficulty with independent walking. Requires a walker for safe mobility.
Root Cause Analysis: Disc herniation with significant pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Severity limits normal movement and function.
Treatment Plan: Conservative chiropractic care using flexion distraction treatments. The flexion distraction table decompresses the spine to reduce pressure. Treatment continues for an extended period as disc herniations require long healing times.
Treatment Modalities Used: Flexion distraction therapy, conservative chiropractic care.
Outcome: After 4-6 months of treatment, the patient is able to return to most daily activities without walker support. Significant functional improvement. Pain is manageable and has decreased from the initial severe presentation. Patient regained independence with daily tasks.
Timeline: 4-6 months for substantial improvement.
SCOLIOSIS CASES
Service Category: Scoliosis / Chronic Condition Management
Patient Info: Young woman, 18 years old. Has had scoliosis since childhood. Never had a severity requiring brace treatment.
Symptoms: C-curve in the upper back. One side of the curve becomes tight and tense. Pain and tension on the side of the spinal curve.
Root Cause Analysis: Structural scoliosis (juvenile type – present since childhood). The spine naturally curves, creating muscular compensation and asymmetrical tension patterns.
Treatment Plan: Tissue work on the tight side of the curve. Soft tissue therapy to address muscle tension. Adjustments to the spine. Focus on managing symptoms and discomfort rather than correcting curvature (realistic expectation: adult scoliosis curves rarely straighten).
Treatment Modalities Used: Soft tissue therapy, myofascial release, and chiropractic adjustments.
Outcome: Treatment provides temporary symptom improvement. Tension in the area decreases from treatment. Pain temporarily improves. However, symptoms tend to return because the underlying structural curve remains unchanged. This is an expected and realistic outcome for scoliosis treatment: management and symptom control rather than cure.
Timeline: Ongoing management approach rather than resolution.
ATHLETE CASES
Service Category: Athletes / Sports Performance / Upper Back Pain
Patient Info: Young basketball player. Experiences pain and limitation during and after games.
Symptoms: Upper back becomes achy after basketball games. Pain and discomfort are limiting performance.
Root Cause Analysis: Restricted extension in the upper back. Can flex forward easily, but bending backward is difficult and restricted. Misalignments and restrictions in the spine limit the extension range of motion. Sports demands requiring extension movement are not met due to restrictions.
Treatment Plan: Diversified chiropractic adjustment to address restrictions. Single adjustment focused on spinal alignment and mobility restoration.
Treatment Modalities Used: Diversified chiropractic technique adjustment.
Outcome: After adjustment, flexibility in extension improved. Can bend backward more easily. Upper back pain at the end of games decreased. Able to continue playing with improved comfort.
Timeline: Single adjustment with immediate functional improvement.
Service Category: Athletes / Shoulder Pain / Laser Therapy
Patient Info: Young male, 12 years old. Baseball pitcher. Injury from sport-specific demands.
Symptoms: Shoulder pain from repetitive throwing motion. Pailing pitching ability.
Root Cause Analysis: Repetitive throwing motion overuse injury. Shoulder joint irritation and inflammation from repeated pitching.
Treatment Plan: Gentle adjustments to address any associated spinal or joint restrictions. Cold laser therapy is applied to the shoulder area to address inflammation and irritation. Multiple-minute sessions of laser therapy combined with adjustments.
Treatment Modalities Used: Gentle chiropractic adjustments, cold laser therapy (handheld laser for inflammation).
Outcome: Started feeling better. Shoulder pain improved. Young athletes respond well to conservative care. Able to continue pitching with improved comfort and less pain.
Timeline: Relatively rapid improvement with a young athlete.
Patient Info: Young man. Football player. Injury during gameplay.
Symptoms: Low back injury from tackle impact. Pain and limited movement.
Root Cause Analysis: Football tackle impact causing joint and muscle trauma.
Treatment Plan: Standard athletic treatment protocol. Stretches provided. Strengthening exercises provided. Patient compliance with the home program is critical to recovery. Muscle care combined with joint adjustment.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, stretching protocol, and strengthening exercises.
Outcome: Patient complied with stretches and exercises as instructed. The young athletic body responded well. Almost 100 percent recovery achieved. Returned to football within a couple of weeks.
Timeline: A couple of weeks.
Patient Info: Young female gymnast. Competitive level activity.
Symptoms: Neck compression from a fall landing on the head. Numbness and tingling in the arm from nerve compression. Headaches accompanying neck injury. Pain-limited activity.
Root Cause Analysis: Gymnastics fall with direct impact to the head and compression of the cervical spine. Nerve impingement from trauma is causing arm symptoms and associated headaches.
Treatment Plan: X-rays taken to assess the degree of injury. Conservative chiropractic care initiated: three times per week. Therapeutic stretches provided. Patient compliance with the home stretching program. Sleep position assessment and correction (proper pillow support and neck positioning during sleep). Continued adjustments through the healing phase.
Treatment Modalities Used: Diagnostic X-rays, chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic stretching, sleep hygiene and positioning, and conservative care protocol.
Outcome: Healing progression is slower than other athletic injuries because nerve involvement is present. Nerve symptoms take longer to resolve than simple mechanical issues. Patient was determined and compliant with care. Full recovery was achieved within about one month. Returned to gymnastics training and competition at full level.
Timeline: Approximately one month for full recovery.
PREGNANCY / PRENATAL CARE CASES
Patient Info: Woman in the third trimester of pregnancy. Almost at the due date for delivery. Working while pregnant.
Symptoms: Low back aching and pain. Pelvic discomfort. Discomfort with standing or sitting for extended periods. Pelvic instability and shifting.
Root Cause Analysis: Pregnancy hormones cause ligament relaxation throughout the body to prepare for birth. Increased pelvic laxity and relaxation of stabilizing ligaments. Rapid weight gain shifts the center of gravity and spinal curve. Ligaments throughout the lower back and pelvis become loose and unstable. The pelvis shifts back and forth during movement and activity. This shifting creates pain and discomfort.
Treatment Plan:
- Once per week frequency for ongoing management, as frequent adjustments are not tolerated near the due date
- Chiropractic adjustments are positioned to accommodate pregnancy: no prone (face down) positioning. The upper back worked with the patient positioned face up. Pelvic adjustments are performed when possible.
- Ergonomic modification: replaced the office chair with a large stability/exercise yoga ball for sitting at work. Ball allows movement and pelvic rocking that helps comfort.
- Continued treatment up to the delivery date for symptom management.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments (modified for pregnancy positioning), ergonomic workplace modification, stability ball use, pelvic support.
Outcome: At 12 weeks of treatment (approaching due date): feeling good and surprisingly comfortable for how close to due date she is. Adjustments lasting almost the entire week. Pain returned only the night before the next adjustment appointment. Patient is doing very well. The treatment goal at this stage is pain management for comfort until delivery, not permanent resolution (delivery will change biomechanics). Patient appreciates reduced pain and improved comfort in the final weeks of pregnancy.
Timeline: 12 weeks of care through the end of pregnancy.
Patient Info: Woman, scientist with a medical background. Highly educated, medically knowledgeable. Second pregnancy. The first baby delivery took over 10 hours of labor.
Situation: During the second pregnancy, the patient contacts the office on an emergency basis through a doula referral. Patient in active labor (16 hours already in labor). Patient is exhausted from prolonged labor. Patient in significant discomfort. Patient is willing to try chiropractic despite a medical background because exhausted and uncomfortable.
Symptoms: Active labor with prolonged duration. Fatigue and discomfort from extended labor.
Root Cause Analysis: Baby in breach position (head up instead of head down). A breech position makes normal labor progress very difficult and prolonged.
Treatment Plan: Webster technique performed. The Webster protocol is designed to release tension in pelvic ligaments and musculature to allow the pelvis to open and the baby to reposition.
Treatment Modalities Used: Webster technique (specific protocol for pregnant women to release sacrotuberous ligament, round ligament, and related musculature).
Outcome: Patient left the office on Friday evening after Webster treatment. Within moments of leaving the office, the patient’s water broke. The patient went directly to the hospital. The patient delivered the baby within one hour of arriving at the hospital. Instead of 10+ hours of labor (first baby) or 16+ hours (at the time of treatment with the second baby), the delivery was completed in one hour.
Significance: This case demonstrates the Webster technique’s known ability to potentially facilitate baby repositioning and improve labor efficiency. Patient is very satisfied with the outcome. The Internet and the chiropractic community recognize the potential for the Webster technique to turn breech babies.
Timeline: Same day treatment to delivery (Friday evening to delivery within hours).
PEDIATRIC CASES
Patient Info: Young person (age not specified but youth basketball implies school-age). Plays basketball.
Symptoms: Upper back ache and pain after soccer games. Pain-limited activity.
Root Cause Analysis: Restrictions and misalignments in the upper back spine. Limitations in spinal mobility and alignment affect performance.
Treatment Plan: Identification of motion restrictions through palpation assessment (age-appropriate examination). Very gentle adjustments are appropriate for a pediatric patient. Light force techniques used for children (not heavy-handed adult techniques).
Treatment Modalities Used: Palpation-based diagnosis, gentle diversified adjustments, activator technique (when used), light force procedures.
Outcome: After treatment, pain decreased. Ability to participate in sports improved. Kids respond well to chiropractic care.
Timeline: Rapid response is typical in pediatric cases.
VERTIGO CASES
Patient Info: Patient experiencing dizziness and vertigo.
Symptoms: Vertigo symptoms. Dizziness with position changes.
Root Cause Analysis: Inner ear dysfunction: crystals within the inner ear lodged in semicircular canals (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo – BPPV). The most common cause of vertigo especially in older patients. Calcium carbonate crystals in inner ear canals cause vertigo with specific head positions.
Treatment Plan: Epley maneuver performed. May require multiple applications of maneuver for complete resolution. Maneuver repositions crystals to the proper location in the inner ear, resolving vertigo symptoms.
Treatment Modalities Used: Epley maneuver (specific positional technique for BPPV), may be repeated as needed.
Outcome: Patient improves with Epley maneuver treatment. Multiple sessions may be needed for complete resolution, but treatment is effective for BPPV.
Timeline: Treatment response varies, but the Epley maneuver effective protocol.
Patient Info: Patient with vertigo symptoms related to neck dysfunction.
Symptoms: Vertigo is particularly noticeable when turning the head. Dizziness with neck rotation and movement.
Root Cause Analysis: Cervical spine dysfunction and subluxation. Specifically, the atlas vertebra (top cervical vertebra) has many nerves in that area. Misalignment in the atlas can cause vertigo sensations, particularly when turning the head or changing position. Also contributes: postural factors, especially head-forward posture and stomach sleeping with the head turned.
Treatment Plan: Cervical spine adjustments to address subluxations. Correcting the atlas position if involved. Muscle tension release for neck musculature. Workstation assessment and ergonomic improvement. Sleep position modification: patient is usually a stomach sleeper with head turned – requires a change to side or back sleeping. Head-forward posture correction.
Treatment Modalities Used: Chiropractic adjustments, ergonomic modification, sleep position retraining, postural correction, and muscle tension therapy.
Outcome: Vertigo improves with treatment addressing cervical spine and postural factors. Treatment addresses both structural (spine) and behavioral (posture, sleep) components.
Timeline: Improvement timeline depends on the degree of cervical involvement.