Improvement in Cervical Curvature and Health Outcomes in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Undergoing Chiropractic Care to Reduce Vertebral Subluxation
Jason Pero, DC Bio & David Jockers, DC Bio
Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ July 26, 2012 ~ Pages 77-81
Abstract
Objective: To report a case of corrective chiropractic management of a woman diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Clinical Features: A 54 year-old woman presented having previously been diagnosed seven years prior with rheumatoid arthritis. Her chief complaint was severe bilateral polyarthralgia, especially in the hands and fingers. Marked swelling was noted in her hands, fingers, knees, feet and toes. The patient experienced difficulty executing and sustaining weight-bearing activities due to the severity of pain. Methotrexate and Prednisone slightly reduced the pain and inflammation.
Interventions and Outcomes: The patient was evaluated using various assessment tools by the chiropractor including inspection, palpation, surface electromyography and x-ray imaging. The patient underwent chiropractic care that improved an 11-degree hypolordotic cervical curve to 21 degrees and an anterior head translation (AHT) of 33 mm to 29mm. The SEMG scan improved from severe hypertonicities at C1, C3, C5 and C7 to moderate hypertonicities at C1 and C5 only. Also, the patient’s pain scale was reduced from 9/10 to 1/10. The patient also experienced improved ambulatory gains and is now able to walk up-and-down stairs, dance and exercise without pain.
Conclusion: Chiropractic management was successful in this case report of a middle-aged female with rheumatoid arthritis.
Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, RA, chiropractic, subluxation, arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, chiropractic adjustment, CAM
