Case Report
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Management of a Multiple Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report  [May 2001, Vol 4, No.2] 
 Erin L. Elster, D.C.Bio
Abstract

 Upon initial examination of this patient, evidence of an upper cervical subluxation was found using precise upper cervical radiographs and paraspinal digital infrared imaging. The patient’s medical history included one possible mechanism (a fall approximately ten years prior), which could have caused her upper cervical subluxation. The patient was placed on a specially designed knee-chest table for adjustment, which was delivered by hand to the first cervical vertebra according to radiographic findings.

Monitoring of the patient's progress was through doctor's observation, patient's subjective description of symptoms, thermographic scans, neurologist's evaluation and MRI. The patient was managed with upper cervical chiropractic care for two years. 

 After four months of upper cervical chiropractic care, all Multiple Sclerosis ( MS) symptoms were absent. A follow-up MRI showed no new lesions as well as a reduction in intensity of the original lesions. After a year passed in which the patient remained asymptomatic, another follow-up MRI was performed. Once again, the MRI showed no new lesions and a continued reduction in intensity of the original lesions. Two years after upper cervical chiropractic care began, all MS symptoms remained absent.

This case report revealed that this specific upper cervical procedure (thermal  imaging, cervical radiographs, and knee-chest adjustments) was associated with a successful outcome for a patient with Multiple Sclerosis. Post MRI's, post thermographic scans, and the patient's neurologist's evaluation all suggested the intervention of upper cervical chiropractic care may have stimulated a reversal in the progression of Multiple Sclerosis.

Key Words: upper cervical spine, chiropractic, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), vertebral subluxation, trauma, thermography, adjustment, manipulation

Erin L. Elster, D.C; author

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Case Study
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care For A Nine-Year-Old Male With Tourette Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Depression, Asthma, Insomnia, and Headaches: A Case Report
Erin Elster, DC Bio
[July 12, 2003, pp. 1-11]

Abstract -

Objective: To review the effectiveness of chiropractic care using an upper cervical technique in the case of a nine-year old male who presented with Tourette Syndrome (TS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, asthma, insomnia, and headaches.

Clinical Features: This nine-year-old boy suffered from asthma and upper respiratory infections since infancy; headaches since age 6; TS, ADHD, depression and insomnia since age 7; and neck pain since age 8. His mother reported the use of forceps during his delivery. His medications included Albuterol, Depakote, Wellbutrin, and Adderall. Intervention: During the patient’s initial examination, evidence of a subluxation stemming from the upper cervical spine was found through thermographic and radiographic diagnostics. Chiropractic care using an upper cervical technique was administered to correct and stabilize the patient’s upper neck injury. Diagnostics and care were performed in accordance with the guidelines of the International Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association.

Outcome: Evaluation of the patient’s condition occurred through doctor’s observation, patient’s and parents’ subjective description of symptoms, and thermographic scans. After six weeks of care, all six conditions were no longer present and all medications were discontinued with the exception of a half-dose of Wellbutrin. At the conclusion of his case at five months, all symptoms remained absent.

Conclusion: The onset of symptoms soon after the boy’s delivery; the immediate reduction in symptoms correlating with the initiation of care; and the complete absence of symptoms within six weeks of care; suggest a link between the patient’s traumatic birth, the upper cervical subluxation, and his neurological conditions. Further investigation into upper cervical trauma as a contributing factor to Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, depression, insomnia, headaches, and asthma should be pursued.

Sixty Patients With Chronic Vertigo Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
A Retrospective Analysis
Erin Elster D.C.1
__________________________________________________________________________ ________________
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this article is threefold: to examinethe role of head and neck trauma as a contributing factor to the onset of vertigo disorders; to explore the diagnosis and treatment of trauma-induced injury to the upper cervical spine through the use of protocol developed by the International Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (IUCCA); and to investigate the potential for improving and eliminating vertigo through the correction of trauma-induced upper cervical injury. Data from 60 chronic vertigo patients who recalled prior trauma, presented with upper cervical injuries, and received care according to the above protocol are reviewed.

Clinical Features: Each patient was examined and cared for in the author’s private practice in an uncontrolled, non-randomized environment over an eight-year period. The 60 patients were diagnosed by their physicians with the following types of chronic vertigo: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), cervicogenic, disembarkment syndrome, labyrinthitis, Meniere’s, and migraine-associated vertigo (MAV). Of the 60 vertigo patients, 56 recalled experiencing at least one head or neck trauma prior to the onset of vertigo including auto accidents (25 patients); sporting accidents, such as skiing, cycling, or horseback riding (sixteen patients); or falls on icy sidewalks or down stairs (six patients).

Intervention and Outcome: Two diagnostic tests, paraspinal digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned radiography, were performed according to IUCCA protocol. These tests objectively identify trauma-induced upper cervical subluxations (misalignments of the upper cervical spine from the neural canal) and resulting neuropathophysiology. Upper cervical subluxations were found in all 60 cases. All 60 patients responded to IUCCA upper cervical care within one to six months of treatment. Forty-eight patients were symptom-free following treatment and twelve cases were improved in that the severity and/or frequency of vertigo episodes were reduced.

Conclusion: A causal link between trauma-induced upper cervical injury and the onset of vertigo appears to exist. Correcting the injury to the upper cervical spine through the use of IUCCA protocol appears to improve and/or reverse vertigo disorders. Further study in a controlled, experimental environment with a larger sample size is recommended.

Key Indexing Terms: upper cervical spine, chiropractic, vertigo, trauma, thermography
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