Long Term Chiropractic Care and Parkinson’s Disease in a 73 Year Old Male: A Case Report
Melinda Bredin, B.A (Psych), B.Chiro. & Amy Morahan
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ June 1, 2015 ~ Pages 130-134
Abstract
Objective: To present the case of a 73 year old patient with Parkinson’s disease with concomitant vertebral subluxations.
Clinical Features: The patient presented to a chiropractor at age 63 seeking relief for chronic lower back pain. He had been experiencing a resting tremor in his right arm since 2000 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 at which time he was prescribed Disipal (50 mg, once daily). His main complaints at the time of presentation were loss of balance, trouble initiating gait, and foot drop in the left leg.
Interventions and Outcomes: Chiropractic adjustments were delivered using Diversified technique at a frequency of three times per week for four weeks, then decreased to once a week for the next ten years. After 10 years of chiropractic care and medical therapy the patient is now experiencing fewer symptoms than when he was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is still able to have an active lifestyle caring for himself and playing sports several times per week.
Conclusion: It is possible that this patient benefited by adding chiropractic care to his existing drug treatment for Parkinsonian symptoms. Further research is needed to investigate the potential role chiropractors may play in providing care to people with Parkinson’s disease.
Key Words:Chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, adjustment, spinal manipulation, Parkinson’s
