Spinal stenosis, nerve pressure, scoliosis and curvatures

Spinal stenosis, nerve pressure,
scoliosis and curvatures

Case study shows chiropractic
benefit for spinal stenosis

In the May 2001 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) is a case report of how chiropractic helped a patient with Spinal Stenosis. In this study a 78-year-old man had low back pain and severe bilateral leg pains. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition resulting in narrowing of the spinal canal and pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Degenerative changes are also common. The patient commonly has chronic low back pain and unilateral or bilateral leg symptoms.

The patient in this study was a 78-year-old man with acquired degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. The onset was slow and progressive with increasing low back pain of 2 years' duration and progressively worsening bilateral anterior leg pain of 4 months' duration. The patient described an "achy low back" pain with a belt-line distribution and an “electric,” “sharp,” and “crampy” pain along the front of the lower leg. The MRI study of his lower back reveled a narrowing of the spinal canal.

In this case the man underwent an initial course of chiropractic care for a two week period during which significant changes were noted by the patient. The conclusion of the case report demonstrates successful care of a patient with symptoms either caused by or complicated by central spinal cord stenosis.

Minor pressure on nerves causes problems

A paper published in the September 2001 issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research confirms what chiropractors have been saying for 106 years. The study's title is, The effects of mild compression on spinal nerve roots with implications for models of Vertebral Subluxation and the clinical effects of chiropractic adjustment: A review of the literature. The author is George Muhs, D.C., Assistant Professor of Clinical Services at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and Scott Alderson D.C., a chiropractor in private practice.

This paper was a thorough review of scientific literature that dealt with research on nerve pressure at the spinal level. This is the nerve pressure seen in vertebral subluxations. chiropractors have maintained that small amounts of nerve pressure can cause malfunction and ill-health. The results of this review helped further prove the chiropractic premise.

The research revealed that "as little as 10 mm Mercury pressure can alter the nerve root and dorsal root ganglion's ability to function normally". The authors concluded that "these alterations would therefore alter the quality and/or quantity of the message sent. At the tissue and cellular level, the message received would not be adequate for the function the body demands. The entire body could then theoretically be affected." The authors also noted "The concept that a vertebral subluxation can induce pressure increases at the level of the IVF (Intervertebral Foramen) is supported by the literature. This increase, though seemingly mild, is enough to alter nerve function." They continued "The chiropractic adjustment can effect a restoration of normal H-reflex (nerve function) in compressed nerve roots.

The bottom line, science proves what chiropractic patients have known for over 100 years.

Scientific Medical Journal reports on nerve pressure

Spine magazine, a well-respected medical journal, published a study from Texas Woman’s University in their January 15, 1999, issue. The report appears to verify what chiropractors have been saying for over 100 years. Although the study was complex, researchers tested something known as the "H-Reflex" to measure the effect of pressure on spinal nerves. What they found was that pressure on spinal nerves, (Chiropractors have referred to this as subluxation), causes measurable changes in the H-reflex. This shows a change in nerve function due to pressure on nerves.

Although this study is good, it only serves to verify prior chiropractic research on subluxation. In two separate studies, it was shown that as little as 10 to 45 millimeters of mercury pressure, (the weight of a coin on your hand), placed on the nerve root was enough to change the nerve impulses by 40 to 60 percent in minutes. This kind of research is good, but it only serves to verify what chiropractic patients have known for over 100 years. Chiropractic Works!

Scoliosis and curvatures

Before the age of 10, young children seldom complain of a backache. When they do, it’s usually for a day or so, and then the problem is not mentioned again. Often times, a vertebra can remain out of alignment (subluxated) and the child’s pliable spine adapts to the situation. “As a tree is bent, so shall it grow!” is an old adage that can certainly be applied to the spine. Spinal misalignments in a young spine can develop curvatures which create spinal problems in adult life. A curvature is an abnormal spinal contour. Scoliosis is a type of curvature that has an abnormal side to side bend.

The process of scoliosis development goes as follows:

First, the spine does not develop its normal front to back arches, and this causes unusual weight to be carried on the spinal discs.
Second, the center of certain discs shifts to one side, and the vertebra tip to the other side, just like a teeter totter. This misalignment, called a subluxation, causes the spine to tip to one side. To compensate for this bend, the spine then tips to the other side at another level and the result is scoliosis.

Chiropractic care has often proven to be the most effective means of curvature control and correction.

Dr. Fred H. Barge, in his book Scoliosis states, “From the time children are very young, the swingy swing, play pens and walkers, are encouraging children to walk too soon. Exercises in school such as sit-ups, and bending over touching the toes are destructive to the proper development of normal spinal contours. The enforced sitting in school all day also contributes to improper development of normal spinal curves. All of these things can lead to the development of curvatures and scoliosis. If the problem is detected early in a young child, it can often be straightened. Regular chiropractic examination, especially after a severe fall or sports activity, can detect spinal subluxations. Chiropractic spinal adjustment can correct these misalignments and return the spine to its proper position.”

There certainly can be other causes of curvature. Hereditary development, a short leg, pelvic (hip) distortions, certain diseases, all can contribute to curvature development; but early detection and chiropractic care may prevent further curvature. Surgery and bracing are rarely sometimes necessary, but control and reduction through chiropractic care should be a primary consideration in all cases of scoliosis.

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