Resolution of Infertility in a Patient with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Hypothyroidism, and Ulcerative Colitis Following Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care: A Case Report and Selective Review of the Literature
Dana Kent Metzger, DC, CACCP
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2016 ~ Issue 3 ~ Pages 68-74
Abstract
Objective: To describe and discuss the management and reasoning for the resolution of a 30-year-old female with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, ulcerative colitis, and an eight year history of infertility.
Clinical Features: A 30-year-old female presented with a chief complaint of neck pain and ulcerative colitis. She had a history of three motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s), once during her childhood, once while in high school and then again in 2006 to which she attributed her neck pain. During the history, it was revealed that she was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2004 and with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in 2005. She underwent two years of conventional fertility treatments consisting of Metformin, Spironolactone and Clomid without success. In 2008 she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis that she managed with medications.
Intervention and Outcome: Paraspinal thermography, static and motion palpation, and leg checks were utilized to locate and monitor nervous system dysfunction and vertebral subluxation. The patient was adjusted with Diversified chiropractic technique over an eight month time period. The patient monitored her own ovulation after five months of care and discovered that she was ovulating again for the first time in eight years. The patient was able to successfully get pregnant after eight months of care on the reportedly first unprotected attempt at conception.
Conclusion: Chiropractic adjustments, resulting in reduced vertebral subluxations, appear to have benefited a female who was previously anovulatory. Reduction of vertebral subluxations may have a relationship to improved female fertility and the ability to achieve pregnancy. More research on chiropractic care, infertility and PCOS is warranted.
Key Words: Infertility, Chiropractic, vertebral subluxation, Diversified technique, thermography, polycystic ovarian syndrome, adjustment, spinal manipulation
