Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 452.e1-452.e7, July 2005

Conservative Treatment of a Patient With Syringomyelia Using Chiropractic Biophysics Protocols

  • Jason W. Haas, DC

      Affiliations

    • Private Practice of Chiropractic, Windsor, Colo
  • ,
  • Deed E. Harrison, DC

      Affiliations

    • Vice President, Chiropractic Biophysics, Non Profit, Inc., Private Practice of Chiropractic, Elko, Nev
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Deed E. DC, Harrison, 123 Second Street, Elko, NV 89801
  • ,
  • Donald D. Harrison, PhD, DC, MSE

      Affiliations

    • President, Chiropractic Biophysics, Non Profit Inc., Evanston, Wyo
  • ,
  • Brian Bymers, DC

      Affiliations

    • Private Practice of Chiropractic, Alexandria, Minn

Received 11 September 2003; accepted 22 March 2004.

Abstract 

Objective

To present a case of a 41-year-old man with syringomyelia and intractable pain and the subsequent reduction of symptoms.

Clinical Features

This patient acquired a traumatically induced syrinx in his upper cervical spinal cord after he fell approximately 9 feet and landed on his head, upper back, and neck 9 years before presenting for care. He was diagnosed with a spinal cord cyst (syrinx), located at approximately C2 through C4 after magnetic resonance imaging. In 1995, the patient underwent occipitoatlantal decompression surgery, which improved his symptoms for a short time.

Intervention and Outcomes

The patient was treated using Clinical Biomechanics of Posture protocol. The patient was seen 26 times over the course of 3 weeks. His scale for pain severity decreased 50% and other subjective complaints decreased. His posture improved based upon pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cervical radiographs, showing a change from a 10° lordosis with midcervical kyphosis to a 30° lordosis. One-year follow-up examination showed stable improvement in the cervical lordosis and pain intensity.

Conclusion

This case represents a change in subjective and objective measurements after conservative chiropractic care. This case provides an example that structural rehabilitation may have a positive effect on symptoms of a patient with syringomyelia.

 

 Sources of support: Chiropractic Biophysics Non-profit, Inc.

PII: S0161-4754(05)00166-1

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.06.005

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 6 , Pages 452.e1-452.e7, July 2005