Labelle Chiropractic Clinic

Clinical presentation of a patient with multiple sclerosis and response to manual chiropractic adjustive therapies.

Northwestern College of Chiropractic, Bloomington, MN 55431.

OBJECTIVE:
To present a clinical case presentation of a patient with multiple
sclerosis (MS). Diagnostic criteria are presented, including advanced
imaging; and, for the first time, a potential relationship between
chiropractic manual adjustive therapies and the symptoms associated
with MS is presented. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 32-yr-old male presented
with numbness from the lower trunk to the distal lower extremities,
anteriorly and posteriorly, bilaterally equal. There was a family
history suggestive of MS, reflexes were hyperactive, and hypoesthesia
was present with the neurological pinwheel exam. There was evidence to
suggest biomechanical vertebral segmental dysfunction. A second-opinion
medical neurological evaluation and multifocal demyelination lesions
confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging reinforced the working
impression. Laboratory screening was conducted but was non-revealing.
INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Conservative chiropractic manual adjustive
therapies were provided to address spinal segmental dysfunction and the
patient reported complete absence of symptoms following the first
treatment intervention. It was at this time, in order to rule out other
possibilities and to confirm the working impression of MS, that a
second opinion with a medical neurologist was recommended. CONCLUSION:
Manual adjustive therapies appear to be responsible for the dramatic
symptomatic relief provided for a patient diagnosed with MS. The
relative risk-to-benefit ratio suggests that this approach may be
appropriate as an alternative symptom management approach for MS
patients, and future research efforts can and should direct the
comprehensive management approach to the treatment of this disorder.