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case studies

Prenatal Care

Symptoms

The patient came in 8 weeks pregnant in her first trimester complaining of constant nausea, feeling anxious and getting panic attacks along with asthma and dull, achy constant low back pain. She rates her pain at a 7/10 at its worst and 5/10 at its best. She was unable to sleep throughout the night and her nausea would typically come on at night time. She found nothing to help alleviate the nausea and standing or sitting for extended periods of time aggravated her low back pain increasing it in intensity. Her short term goal was to get rid of the pain, nausea and anxiety. Her long term goal was to have a good, healthy pregnancy including labour and delivery.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

Doctor’s diagnosis was a strain in the lower back showing the excessive tension that caused the dysfunction in the sacrum area as well as the sprain of surrounding ligaments of the sacral spine and pelvis area aggravated due to pregnancy with the previous complaint accumulating over years. 

The diagnosis was musculoskeletal low back strain with hypertonicity of surrounding musculature along with sacroiliac segmental dysfunction and sprain of surrounding ligaments of the sacral spine and pelvis region. Her treatment plan was 7 months of corrective and pregnancy care with Webster’s technique to aid in alignment of the bones, ligaments and muscles of the pelvic region. The patient started with an initial frequency of 3 times a week for the first 4 weeks then dropped down to 2 times a week for the next 12 weeks, finally going down to once a week until birth. She was also diversified adjusted through the course of her care along with supportive therapies to help decrease inflammation which was traction for the whole spine. She was given specific at home exercises to help with pelvic floor and core strength along with spinal strength.

Results

The patient’s low back pain decreased over the course of her treatment plan from 7/10 to 1/10. It was reported that the patient was able to sleep throughout the night with a decrease in severity of nausea throughout the day. It was also reported that the patient was able to sit longer at work and did not experience any more issues with activities of daily living. She achieved both her short and long term goals during care.

Symptoms

The patient came in at 23 weeks pregnant with sharp right-sided mid-back rib pain with pain on deep inhalation along with left anterior hip pain. Her pain started at 21 weeks into her pregnancy with only shallow breathing helping along with ice/heat to her hip. Her pain was aggravated when she would walk up and down the stairs and alleviated with rest and/or laying down on her back. Rating it at a 8/10 at its worst, she complained of sharp pain especially when she was active at work being a teacher.  This rib dysfunction and sharp pain in the thoracic region initially occurred during the pregnancy.  Her short term goal was to get out of pain and be able to take deep breaths. Her long term goal was to have a good delivery and quick recovery post-partum.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

Doctor’s diagnosis was the misalignment in the rib caused by the abnormality in the mid-back area and sprain of the SI joint (sacroiliac joint: the joint connection between the spine and the pelvis) caused by misalignment in the pelvic area. 

The diagnosis for the patient was rib subluxation with thoracic segmental dysfunction and sprain of sacroiliac joint with pelvic segmental and somatic dysfunction. The recommendations of care were 3 times a week for the first 3 weeks then 2 times a week for 12 weeks until birth. Her treatment plan included Webster’s technique for pregnancy patients which aim to align bone, muscle and ligament of the pelvis anteriorly and posteriorly. She was diversified adjusted throughout her treatment along with supportive therapies which included spinal intersegmental roller massage table which aimed to decrease muscle stiffness, improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

Results

The patient started to experience decreased rating in her pain scale from 8/10 to 2/10 within the first month of treatment. She was able to take deep inhalations without experiencing any of the rib pain that she initially presented with. She was also able to walk the stairs and be active at work for extended periods of time throughout the day with a pain scale of 0/10. She was able to achieve both of her short term and long term goals.

Symptoms

The patient came in with severe, sharp pubic bone pain especially while running. She experienced 9/10 pain in this region which caused her to stop running marathons and working out regularly. She also presented with bilateral knee joint pain with 7/10 severity whenever she tried to be active or take care of her son. Her short term goal was to get rid of the pain and be able to work out and her long-term goal was to get back to running marathons and get pregnant again.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

The doctor identified that the pain and discomfort were coming from the joints around the pelvis and the front part of the pelvis, where the right and left pubic bones meet, and were caused by a misalignment in the sacrum and the ilium area. 

Her diagnosis was pain and discomfort in the joints surrounding the pelvis and in front of the pelvis (symphysis pubis) along with associated sacroiliac somatic and segmental dysfunction. Her treatment plan was a frequency of 3 times a week for 4 weeks then 2 times a week for 12 weeks of corrective, outcome-based care. Her recommendations of care included diversified adjusting of her full spine with emphasis on her pelvic region. The patient’s supportive therapies included an active release technique of the hip flexor muscles bilaterally along with electrical stimulation to the quadratus lumborum region with heat, rapid release technique to surrounding posterior hip musculature, and full spine massage roller table to decrease overall spinal muscle stiffness and improve function. The patient did get pregnant during her 3rd month of care. Her treatment plan did change to include Webster’s technique which aims to align the bone, muscle, and ligaments of the pelvis and supportive therapies of a full spine massage roller table.

Results

The patient reported less pain going from 7/10 to 1/10 on the severity pain scale within the first month of treatment. She was able to start working out without any limitations again and started running longer distances over time with no pain or discomfort. She did become pregnant during her care and was able to achieve both her short-term and long-term goals.

Pediatric Care

Symptoms

The patient came in with complications of digestion and straining to make a bowel movement. The patient was stated to have a such difficulty that veins would “pop out” of his head due to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure. This straining was restricting his ability to sleep, his mood, and his daily functioning.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

The doctor identified spinal misalignment in the cervical and thoracic regions leading to cranial misalignments. There were also sacral misalignments that showed up later through care that were causing digestive issues and constipation for the patient. 

The recommendations for the patient were at twice a week for six weeks at which there will be a reevaluation for overall health, movement, and function. The patient was to report rhythmically for manual manipulations of the lumbar and pelvic regions to restore the function of the digestive system through activation of spinal nerves as well as induce improved function of the enteric nervous system. There were supplemental cervical and thoracic adjustments for improving the nervous system holistically.

Results

After the compilation of the six-week plan, the patient was reported to have frequent and non-straining bowel movements. It was also reported that there was increased sleep and mood following his care.

Symptoms

The patient’s medical history was concerning as twice before she presented cyanotic with pale skin and unable to breathe with foaming at the mouth. Her parents had to take her to the ER twice and multiple tests were run with the hospital was unable to diagnose her condition, possibly linking it to a milk allergy.  The mother was advised to avoid consuming dairy while breastfeeding. However, the issue persisted. A pediatrician prescribed acid reflux medicine, which managed the symptoms temporarily. The issue still persisted when the baby stopped taking the medication. When the patient presented to the chiropractic clinic, she had symptoms of acid reflux and was unable to lie down in her crib without discomfort. She was 6 months old at this time with her mom had to constantly hold her all the time since she could not sleep or eat.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

A 6-month-old baby came into the chiropractic clinic for a severe acid reflux issue after two scary visits to the ER after they found her not breathing and turning blue. The baby would frequently spit out the milk, could not lay down for more than two minutes, and cry to sleep due to discomfort. After multiple specialist visits and tests, the clear root cause was not identified. Issues occurred when the baby was laid down so the parents were too scared to lie her down that they keep her upward at all times. A chiropractic doctor identified that there were spinal misalignments in her upper neck, lower back, and tailbone areas causing severe reflux issues due to the linking of the nervous traveling in those spinal columns with digestive organs function. A treatment plan using a chiropractic diversified adjusting and activator method was recommended 3 times a week for 8 weeks then 2 times a week for the following 12 weeks. 

Her diagnosis was upper cervical segmental and somatic dysfunction with thoracic and sacral segmental dysfunction too. Her recommended frequency was 3 times a week for 8 weeks then 2 times a week for the next 12 weeks. Her treatment plan included diversified adjusting and activator methods for the upper cervical, thoracic and sacral segments of the spine.

Results

The parent’s noticed a dramatic improvement in their baby’s condition. The first change that occurred was within two weeks which was no reoccurring symptoms of acid reflux which meant that the parents were able to lay the baby down in the crib. As her treatment continued, the patient was able to sleep throughout the night and showed changes in behavioral patterns such as increased cognitive function and decreased patterns of attachment and anxiety.

Watch the heartwarming video testimonial from the mother of a 6-month-old infant on YouTube.

Symptoms

The patient came in with his parents stating that he was experiencing difficulty with sleeping. It was reported that due to an unknown discomfort. The parents came in reporting colic with their infant waking up, and crying for prolonged periods of time. All interventions attempted to ease this discomfort including feeding, rocking, and changing rendered non-effective. He was also stated to have difficulty gaining weight with low blood sugar and low temperatures reported at the hospital.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

A chiropractic doctor identified that the severe colic was caused by multiple levels of spinal misalignments affecting the baby’s natural digestive and sleep abilities. His treatment plan was rendered to be at three times a week for the first month, then progressing down to two times a week for the subsequent three months. This along with at-home remedies to improve repetitive patterns and frequent ear infections was given to improve his quality of life. 

After the initial examination, it was found that there were multiple levels of segmental dysfunction which were inhibiting his digestion and ability to sleep. His treatment plan was rendered to be at three times a week for the first month, then progressing down to two times a week for the subsequent three months. This along with at-home remedies to improve repetitive patterns and frequent ear infections was given to improve his quality of life.

Results

The patient has since been reported to sleep regularly throughout the night with no digestive issues arising after the completion of the treatment plan. It was also stated that the frequency at which ear infections occur decreased. He has also been able to be within a healthy percentile of weight. 

Watch Dr. Gregory Lee is tenderly adjusting a 3-month-old infant in this amazing YouTube video.

Auto Accident Injury

Symptoms

The patient was in a traumatic motor vehicle accident where he was rear-ended at a stop sign. Two hours after the accident, he began to feel sharp/dull pain at work which was rated a 7/10 all over his back, and a sharp pain in his left wrist which was rated a 5/10. He was unable to do the tasks he needed to at work which required a full range of motion. He started to take Advil for the pain, but the problem persisted and got worse throughout his spine and wrist. The patient also started to complain of tightening headaches which would cause him to get nauseous at work. The patient’s goal was to get rid of the overall pain and headaches with the short-term goal of being able to weight-lift in the gym again and the long-term goal of being able to cycle for 35 miles.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

A chiropractic doctor identified damages in the upper neck ligament and dysfunction in mid and lower back areas caused by sprain/strain of surrounding muscles. The patient was recommended for a treatment plan with chiropractic adjustment 3 times a week for 12 weeks, specific exercises, electric stimulation to facilitate blood flow in the affected area, and rapid release technique to reduce hypertonicity in the surrounding muscle. 

The patient was diagnosed with upper cervical ligamentous instability along with thoracic and lumbar segmental dysfunction with sprain/strain of surrounding musculature. 

The patient’s treatment plan was 3 times a week for 12 weeks with diversified adjusting to cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. He further presented with thoracolumbar dysfunction and ligamentous damage during care. The patient was given specific exercises to complete in the clinic which included isometric, concentric, and eccentric ranges of motion (flexion, extension, left and right lateral flexion, and left and right rotation) for cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. He was also prescribed proprioceptive exercises with a balance board for a total of 8 minutes. Along with active therapy, he was prescribed passive therapies which were electric stimulation for the facilitation of blood flow bilaterally at the trapezius and quadratus lumborum regions, spinal traction to decrease inflammation, and rapid release to reduce hypertonicity in the surrounding musculature.

Results

Within the first few weeks of treatment, the patient reported increased active ranges of motion through cervical and thoracic regions with increased strength in the lumbar and pelvic regions. His pain rating went from 7/10 to 2/10 in the spinal region with a decreased intensity and frequency of the reported headaches. He was able to get back to work sooner with the strengthening exercises and was back weight-lifting in the gym 7 weeks into the prescribed treatment plan. He continued to see positive results in his pain scale rating and increased ability to do activities of daily living.

Symptoms

The patient was in a traumatic motor vehicle accident where he was rear-ended at a red traffic light. In the accident, his left knee was hyperextended along with the whiplash of his neck. He complained of neck stiffness and constant achiness with a 10/10 on the pain scale. He was unable to walk normally after the accident with the knee pain radiating down his leg. His sleep was erratic and disturbed due to his injuries. He also complained of mood swings with irritable behavior changes.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

A chiropractic doctor diagnosed him with ligament damage in his neck, mid, and lower back as well as misalignment in his left knee. His treatment plan included chiropractic adjustment to the neck, mid and lower back, and left knee. Spinal traction, electrical stimulation with head on the cervical and lumbar regions, and rapid release technique on shoulders and glutes to decrease initial inflammation. The patient was also prescribed active rehabilitative therapy with balance and specific exercises to strengthen all spinal ranges of motion in the affected areas. 

The patient was diagnosed with cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segmental ligamentous instability. He was also diagnosed with unspecified subluxation of the left knee with segmental and somatic dysfunction of the left lower extremity. The patient’s treatment plan included a diversified adjustment to cervical, thoracic, lumbar regions, and left knee extremity. To decrease initial inflammation, the patient was prescribed electrical stimulation with the heat of the cervical and lumbar regions, rapid release of bilateral deltoids and glute areas, and spinal traction. The patient was prescribed active rehabilitative therapy which was exercises that strengthened all spinal ranges of motion of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine along with proprioceptive balance.

Results

During the second month of treatment, the patient reported decreased levels of pain from 10/10 to 3/10 in his neck and low back. He reported fewer mood swings and better focus at work with increased levels of energy. His range of motion increased in his cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions along with increased strength in his left knee. His gait improved within the first month of care with active rehabilitative exercises for both knees.

Symptoms

The patient was in a traumatic car accident where he was hit by another car on the passenger side. He reported feeling dizzy and in shock at the scene of the accident. He noticed later in the day that his whole body felt sore with an increased intensity of 10/10 neck pain and low back pain on the left side.

Diagnosis And Treatment Plans

The doctor identified there were localized misalignments in the neck, upper back, and lower back areas. Doctors found ligament instability with muscle guarding in the neck, upper back, and low back areas. 

The patient’s diagnosis was cervical, thoracic, and lumbar segmental and somatic dysfunction. There were also multiple levels of muscle strains including ligament strains within the lumbar and cervical regions. It was also seen that there were subluxations of the left ribs from which side the auto accident occurred resulting in difficulty breathing and restricted motion. 

The patient was given the recommendation of getting checked at a frequency of three times a week for twelve weeks. This treatment started with instrument-assisted adjusting with the assistance of an activator. When imaging reported back with no fractures but a report of ligament instability, diversified adjusting became the primary treatment type. Rehab exercises were added at the twelfth visit to help with neuromuscular retraining as well as starting to increase stability in the cervical and lumbar regions.

Results

After treatment, the patient reported that he was able to decrease his increased levels of pain in the cervical and thoracic regions to 0/10 on the VAS whereas the low back was lowered to 1/10. This was also accompanied by a reported increase in the ability to sleep and deal with stress. Also, patients reported that there was increased energy throughout the day without the feeling of constant fog.

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