Improvement in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis in a Patient Undergoing Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Report
Kim B. Khauv, D.C., MPH Bio and Marshall Dickholtz, Sr., D.C., FICPA Bio
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health – Chiropractic ~ Volume 2010 ~ Issue 4 ~ Pages 136 -142
Abstract
Objective: To report on improvement in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) in a female undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care to correct vertebral subluxations.
Clinical Features: The patient is a fifteen year old female with a history of scoliosis, vertigo, lumbar pain, and lack of vitality. Objective indicators of vertebral subluxation were identified through palpation, National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) protocol, and radiographs. She had scoliosis with a Cobb angle of 44 degrees.
Interventions and Outcomes: NUCCA chiropractic adjusting directed at reducing vertebral subluxations in the upper cervical region was performed. Post upper cervical X-rays revealed a reduction of the Atlas subluxation. After 5 months of care, the Cobb angle was reduced to 32-degrees.
Conclusion: The case of a 15-year-old female with AIS is presented. After one adjustment to correct the Atlas subluxation and 5 months of check-ups, the Cobb angle was reduced. Further investigation is needed to study the relationship between the correction of the Atlas subluxation and the reduction of the Cobb angle in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.
Key Words: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Atlas, Upper Cervical, NUCCA, subluxation
