Erin L. Elster, D.C.
Abstract - This article reviews the upper cervical chiropractic care of a single patient
with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This 47-year-old female first experienced symptoms of
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at age 44, when she noticed cognitive problems and loss of
bladder control. After viewing multiple lesions on MRI (MS plaques), her neurologist
diagnosed her with MS. Two years later, she noticed additional symptoms of leg
weakness and paresthesias in her arms and legs. Her symptoms progressively
worsened without remission, so her neurologist categorized her as having chronic
progressive MS and recommended drug therapy (Avonex).
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.
