CEREBRAL PALSY

Four children previously diagnosed with cerebral palsy secondary to birth trauma. Chiropractic care directed at reduction of subluxation was undertaken.  All four children showed improvement in paraspinal muscle tone (improved symmetry and decreased amplitude) as well as in activities of daily living including mobility, feeding, and postural control.
              McCoy M, Malakhova E, Safronov Y.  Improvement in paraspinal muscle tone, autonomic function and quality of life in four children with cerebral palsy undergoing subluxation based chiropractic care: four retrospective case studies.  J Vertebral Subluxation Res 2000; 4(1): 19-21

Patients with athetoid cerebral palsy and histories of involuntary movements may develop cervical myelo-radiculopathy. Dystonic athetoid neck movements may cause excessive axial neck rotation as well as flexion and extension movements of the spine. These repetitive exaggerated movements may result in early degenerative changes of the vertebrae, which may enhance the myelo-radiculopathy.
               Mikawa Y; Watanabe R; Shikata J. Cervical myelo-radiculopathy in athetoid cerebral palsy. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1997; 116(1-2):116-8 / Medline ID: 97159440

With chiropractic care, there is overall decrease in muscle activity at all levels and balance improved with eyes closed.
               Collins, KF et al. The efficacy of upper cervical chiropractic care on children and adults with cerebral palsy: A preliminary report. Chiropractic Pediatrics 1994; 1 (1):13-15

In patients with Cerebral Palsy, upper cervical stimulation has repeatedly obtained unexpected benefits, such as decreased spasticity and marked improvement in motor control. Stimulation of C2, C3, and C4 offers the best overall chance of improvement.
               J.M. Waltz, MD; Director Department of Neurological Surgery, St. Barnabas Hospital, New York; Spinal chord stimulation for palsies. Patient Care 1979; 13:118-206

The patient demonstrates significant objective improvement in both physical and psychological functions. Consecutive examination reports, laboratory studies, radiographic reports, and psychological evaluations reveal changes in the patient's cognitive, affective, and physical functioning. At this study's close, the anti-seizure prescriptions are discontinued, and the child is ambulatory, interactive, and mainstreamed into his age group for regular public school education. Coordination of clinical care in complex conditions may dramatically assist the patient challenged with multiple disabilities, as this study implies improved prognosis when combining chiropractic with other health care fields.
               Golden L; Van Egmond C. Longitudinal clinical case study: multi-disiplinary care of child with multiple functional and developmental disorders. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994; 17(4): 270

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© 1996-2003 Craig M. Anderson, D.C.