Upper cervical chiropractic care for a 25-year-old woman with myoclonic seizures
Received 27 October 2009; received in revised form 9 December 2009; accepted 11 March 2010.
Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this case report is to describe the chiropractic management using upper cervical techniques of a 25-year-old woman diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).
Clinical Features
A 25-year-old woman had a history of JME, which was diagnosed at the age of 14 years. Her seizure episodes began shortly after trauma to her cervical spine and the onset of menarche.
Intervention and Outcome
After case history and physical examination, the patient received high-velocity, low-amplitude chiropractic spinal manipulation to her upper cervical spine using the Blair upper cervical chiropractic technique protocol. There was improvement in her seizure episodes and menstrual cycles following 12 weeks of chiropractic care.
Conclusion
This case study demonstrated improvement in a young woman with a seizure disorder after she received upper cervical chiropractic manipulation. This case suggests the need for more rigorous research to examine how upper cervical chiropractic techniques may provide therapeutic benefit to patients with seizure disorders.
Corresponding author. Academic Health Center, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady St., Davenport, IA 52803. Tel.: +1 563 884 5184; fax: +1 563 884 5470.
ABSTRACT