Neurological Disorders

Chiropractic influences the nervous system directly, offering support for conditions like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and neuropathy. Through improved spinal input and neuroplasticity, chiropractic can help stabilize or improve neurological symptoms. Numerous case reports show enhanced function and reduced symptom frequency with consistent care.

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Hyperactivity Disorder): Chiropractic care has similarly been reported to help children with ADHD or attention problems. A case series published in 2010 described several ADHD patients under chiropractic care who showed better outcomes in terms of focus and behaviorpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In one illustrative case, a child with pronounced hyperactivity and impulsivity was treated with a combination of spinal adjustments and craniosacral therapy. Over a few months, teachers and parents observed improvements in the child’s attention span and a reduction in disruptive behaviors. A retrospective study of children with ADHD receiving chiropractic found supporting evidence that chiropractic spinal adjustments can benefit ADHD symptoms, complementing traditional approachespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. One proposed mechanism is that chiropractic adjustments may reduce interference in pathways between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum – connections which play a role in controlling impulses and attention. By enhancing neural communication and possibly improving frontal lobe function (as some EEG studies on chiropractic implypmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), the child’s neurological regulation improves. Additionally, chiropractic can help alleviate associated issues that often accompany ADHD, like sleep disturbances or coordination problems, thereby indirectly improving attention.

Cerebral Palsy: Children with cerebral palsy often have high muscle tone, spasticity, and joint contractures due to their neurological injury. Chiropractic cannot reverse the brain damage in CP, but it can certainly help manage the secondary effects and facilitate better mobility. Several studies show that children with CP who received chiropractic care demonstrated neuromuscular improvements and better mobilitycerebralpalsyguidance.com. For example, a case of an infant with CP who was adjusted gently over time showed positive developmental gains and improved motor skills compared to expected milestonesvertebralsubluxationresearch.comcerebralpalsyguidance.com. Case reports have noted reductions in muscle spasticity after chiropractic adjustments in CP patientspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In a small case series measuring objective changes, some children exhibited quantifiable decreases in muscle hypertonicity (for instance, reduced wrist flexor spasticity) after a single session of spinal manipulationpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The authors of those reports suggest chiropractic may work by reducing excessive reflex activity in the spinal cord (many CP patients have exaggerated reflexes) and by improving joint motion, which in turn lessens signals that trigger spasm. One parent of a child with CP reported that after regular chiropractic visits, their child’s posture and balance improved enough that sitting and standing were markedly easier – giving the child new independence in daily activitiesvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. It appears that by aligning the spine and removing restrictions, chiropractic care can diminish the “fight-or-flight” tone in the body and allow for more normal muscle function, even in the presence of neurological impairment.

It’s worth noting that chiropractic care for special needs children often includes additional modalities. Chiropractors trained in functional neurology or pediatric chiropractic will use therapeutic exercises, neurosensory stimulation, and dietary recommendations alongside adjustments. For example, a chiropractor might do cross-crawl exercises with an autistic child to help integrate left-right brain coordination, or use colored light therapy in an ADHD child to stimulate specific brain pathways. These interventions, combined with adjustments, form a holistic approach sometimes called “chiropractic functional neurology.” One recent initiative even involves chiropractors using Interactive Metronome (a timing coordination training tool) plus adjustments to help kids with attention and coordination issuesvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The chiropractic adjustment is seen as removing roadblocks in the nervous system, after which targeted exercises can produce greater changes in the child’s function.

Overall, the educational and authoritative stance from current evidence is that chiropractic care can be a valuable part of managing pediatric neurological disorders. While it is not a replacement for behavioral therapy, educational support, or medical interventions, it offers a relatively low-risk and drug-free method to enhance a child’s neurological and musculoskeletal health. Importantly, chiropractic care in kids has an excellent safety record, with adverse events being extremely rare and mild when they do occur (e.g., slight soreness). This makes parents more comfortable exploring it for their children with conditions that have limited solutions. The case outcomes – improved attention, better sleep, decreased muscle tone, enhanced social engagement – speak to chiropractic’s potential to improve the overall quality of life for these children and their families.

Mechanisms: Spinal Adjustments, Neural Pathways, and Neuroplasticity

It is inspiring to see such a range of neurological improvements reported with chiropractic care. But how exactly do adjustments exert these effects on the nervous system? Modern neuroscience combined with chiropractic research provides several plausible mechanisms:

Restoration of Joint Mobility and Proprioceptive Input: Spinal fixations or misalignments can lead to distorted proprioceptive signaling (the sense of body position) from the spinal joints to the brain. These signals travel via the dorsal columns and spinocerebellar tracts to the cerebellum and cortex. When a chiropractor performs an adjustment, it gapping or mobilizing the joint, which fires a burst of mechanoreceptor signals to the central nervous system. This influx of proper proprioceptive input can “reset” inappropriate patterns and reflexes. Essentially, adjustments tune up the signals the brain is receiving from the body. Research by Haavik and others has shown improved sensorimotor integration after chiropractic – for instance, better joint position sense, improved reflexes, and even enhanced muscle strength. One study found that after a series of adjustments, patients had significant improvements in their ability to integrate dual sensory input, reflecting better central processingpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Another study showed increased muscle strength in the lower limb following chiropractic adjustment of subluxated segments, likely due to improved cortical drive to the muscles once spinal interference was removedpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These changes exemplify neuroplasticity: the nervous system adapting in response to improved input.
Stimulation of Spinal Cord Tracts and Brain Regions: Each spinal adjustment doesn’t only affect the local joint; it sends signals up and down the cord. For example, cervical spine adjustments can influence the trigemino-cervical nucleus, a region that processes input from both the upper neck and the trigeminal nerve (face). This could explain improvements in conditions like trigeminal neuralgia or headaches with chiropractic. In the case of trigeminal neuralgia (a facial nerve pain syndrome), one patient experienced a 75% reduction in facial pain after a series of chiropractic treatments including upper cervical adjustmentspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The exam showed reduced muscle hypertonicity in the suboccipital (upper neck) region and less restriction in the upper neck joints post-treatmentpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Theorists propose this works via the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve, which extends into the upper cervical spine – an adjustment can modulate the sensory processing in that tract, calming the overactive pain signalspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Similarly, spinal adjustments send signals through the anterior and lateral spinal thalamic tracts (involved in pain and temperature sensation) which may trigger descending inhibitory pathways – essentially causing the brain to turn down pain sensitivity. This is supported by pain reduction seen on visual analog scales immediately after adjustments in studiespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Chiropractic adjustments also stimulate the cerebellum, the brain’s coordination center. Mechanoreceptor input from spinal joints goes heavily to the cerebellum, which then affects the thalamus and cortex. A well-functioning cerebellum inhibits the midbrain and allows the prefrontal cortex to function better (this is a concept in functional neurology sometimes called the “diencephalic downgrading”). Thus, an adjustment that excites the cerebellum on one side might help improve issues like poor balance, tremors, or even aspects of cognition. This fits with observations like improved balance and gait in Parkinson’s patients who receive chiropractic care. In the case of the 58-year-old woman with Parkinson’s discussed earlier, chiropractic adjustments (Diversified technique) over a year led to increased strength (improved opponens pollicis muscle test), better range of motion, and subjective reduction in tremors and

bradykinesiavertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Her quality of life improved as she could resume daily walks for exercisevertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The authors concluded that the adjustments likely decreased interference in her nervous system, thereby reducing her PD symptoms and “leading to a better quality of life”vertebralsubluxationresearch.com. Given that Parkinson’s involves basal ganglia-cortical loops, it’s notable that chiropractic research has shown effects on the basal ganglia and thalamo-cortical loops as wellpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Spinal manipulation might influence these loops by changing the input into the central integrative state of neurons in those circuits (for example, altering firing patterns that were disrupted). The N30 SEP studies mentioned earlier tie into this: the N30 component is thought to involve basal ganglia-thalamic circuits connecting to motor areaspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Adjustments reducing the N30 amplitude imply a normalization of that circuit’s activity, which could correlate with smoother motor output and better motor control in patients.

Reduction of Mechanical Tension and Dural Stress: We’ve discussed the dentate ligament hypothesis – essentially, a misaligned vertebra (particularly in the upper neck or pelvic/low back regions) can cause a mechanical drag on the spinal cord and its coverings. This tension may disturb the precise alignment and firing of nerve fibers within the cord. Imagine plucking a guitar string that’s pulled too tight – it won’t vibrate correctly. Chiropractic adjustments relieve that abnormal stretch. When an atlas subluxation is corrected, those specialized ligaments anchoring the cord (dentate ligaments) stop pulling unevenly on the spinal cordkoruchiropractic.com. This can alleviate irritation on the cord and brainstem. There’s also a vascular component: correcting upper cervical misalignment can improve blood flow through the vertebral arteries and jugular veins, as well as normalize cerebrospinal fluid flow between the brain and spinal canalkoruchiropractic.com. This is crucial because stagnant or altered CSF flow has been implicated in conditions like MS and migraines. By restoring alignment at the cranio-cervical junction, chiropractic might help the brain’s environment (blood supply, CSF clearance) to be healthier. Case reports of MS symptom improvement and even migraine relief after upper cervical adjustments lend credence to this mechanismcihfc.comkoruchiropractic.com. Additionally, less cord/dural tension means the spinal reflexes may calm down. Hyperactive reflexes or spasticity (like in MS or CP) could be partially maintained by chronic cord excitation from structural stress. Thus, removing that stress via adjustment can reduce spastic reflex activity, translating to looser, more controllable muscles.
Normalization of Autonomic Loops: The spine is studded with sympathetic nerve ganglia and is closely related to the vagus nerve (parasympathetic) as it exits the skull. Subluxations, especially in the upper neck and upper back, can contribute to an overactive sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response). This can worsen anything from seizure thresholds to immune function. Chiropractic adjustments often produce a balancing effect – many patients report feeling more relaxed, their heart rate lowers, their digestion improves (all signs of increased parasympathetic tone). The HRV study by Zhang et al. clearly demonstrated increased parasympathetic activity (HF component of HRV) after adjustmentspubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Other studies have measured changes like improved pupillary light responses and improved digestion post-adjustment. For a neurological disorder patient, a balanced autonomic system is key: for example, reducing sympathetic stress might decrease the likelihood of stress-induced seizures or might improve neuroimmune interactions in MS. Also, better autonomic function can mean improved cerebral perfusion and oxygenation, as blood vessels dilate appropriately and blood pressure normalizes.
Enhancing Neural Plasticity and Rehabilitation: When a patient with a neurological disorder undergoes chiropractic care, we can view each adjustment as a specific stimulus that the brain can learn from. Over time, repeated proper stimuli can lead the brain to “rewire” in a more efficient way. Chiropractic adjustments have been likened to hitting the “reset” button on irritated neurons. Once reset, those neurons can form new, healthier connections. This is why, for example, a child with developmental delays might start to catch up developmentally after weeks or months of regular care – the adjustments remove roadblocks and the inherent developmental programs of the nervous system can resume. Chiropractic researchers have suggested that chiropractic’s benefit in chronic pain and other conditions may be via reorganization of brain networks involved in pain processing and cognitionmdpi.commdpi.com. A 2021 study using EEG and functional connectivity analysis found that after 4 weeks of chiropractic care, chronic pain patients had not only less pain and better sleep, but also altered brain network connectivity in the default mode network (DMN)mdpi.commdpi.com. This indicates the brain was literally functioning differently on a network level – a likely sign of neuroplastic healing. Improved DMN connectivity correlated with reductions in pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depressionmdpi.commdpi.com. Essentially, the chiropractic adjustments helped the brain break out of the negative network patterns associated with chronic pain and stress, allowing a more normal state to emerge.

Taken together, these mechanisms paint a picture of chiropractic adjustments as a powerful form of neurological stimulus therapy. By correcting the spine, we affect the entire nervous system. Adjustments can modulate tension on neural structures, fire off proprioceptive and mechanosensory receptors that feed the brain, promote better blood/CSF flow, and balance autonomic function. The result is a nervous system that operates with less “noise” and irritation and more efficiently coordinated signals. Over time, this can lead to secondary improvements in health issues influenced by the nervous system.

Conclusion: A Hopeful Outlook and an Invitation

The cases and studies we’ve explored demonstrate that chiropractic care can have profoundly positive effects on a variety of neurological disorders – from relieving nerve pain and radiating symptoms, to aiding patients with multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, autism, ADHD, and more. By directly improving spinal function and reducing stress on the nervous system, chiropractic adjustments help the body heal and regulate itself better. Patients often experience improvements that extend beyond what they expected: not only is their pain improved, but they might sleep better, think more clearly, feel calmer, and move with greater ease. This makes sense because the nervous system is the master control of the body – when you optimize it through chiropractic, the benefits can cascade into many areas of health.

It is particularly heartening to see positive outcomes in patients who had exhausted other options. For example, children with drug-resistant seizures becoming seizure-free under chiropractic care, or a senior with long-standing radiculopathy avoiding surgery thanks to chiropractic adjustments. These stories highlight chiropractic’s unique role as an effective, conservative approach that taps into the body’s innate recuperative abilities. Chiropractic care is gentle (especially techniques tailored for kids or fragile adults), and personalized – we look for what each individual’s nervous system needs support with. Whether it’s an upper neck misalignment affecting brainstem function, a pelvic misalignment affecting sciatic nerve function, or a subtle spinal fixation altering proprioception, chiropractors are trained to detect and correct these issues.

From a functional neurology perspective, the partnership between patient and chiropractor can be transformative. We work to identify specific functional deficits – maybe a balance issue indicating cerebellar underactivation, or asymmetric reflexes indicating hemispheric imbalance – and then stimulate the nervous system in a targeted way to encourage improvement. Neuroplasticity means the brain is always capable of learning and changing. Chiropractic provides a stream of positive neurological input (through adjustments and associated therapies) that encourages the brain and nerves to rewire in a healthier way. It’s akin to rebooting a computer and installing updates: we reboot the nervous system and help lay down better neural pathways.

For patients and families dealing with neurological disorders, chiropractic care offers hope and tangible help. It is educational – chiropractors will explain how lifestyle factors, ergonomics, and exercises can complement in-office care to further enhance neurological function. It is authoritative yet compassionate – grounded in scientific understanding of the nervous system, yet delivered with a personal, hands-on approach that addresses the whole person. And importantly, it is persuasive in its results: time and again, patients report that adding chiropractic to their regimen made a significant difference in their condition and well-being.

If you or a loved one faces a neurological challenge – be it nerve pain from an injury, a chronic condition like MS or Parkinson’s, or a child’s developmental disorder – consider seeing what chiropractic can do. As we’ve detailed, quality studies and case reports have documented improvements in many such scenarios, with very few downsides. Chiropractic care can work alongside your existing medical treatments, providing an extra edge in symptom management and functional gains. Many neurologists and other healthcare providers are recognizing this and referring patients for co-management. The goal for all of us is the same: to improve the patient’s quality of life and neurological stability.

At our chiropractic offices, we utilize the principles of functional neurology integrated with traditional chiropractic adjustments. This means we don’t just “crack bones”; we carefully assess your nervous system function – balance, coordination, reflexes, cranial nerve function, etc. – and tailor our adjustments to what will most stimulate and support your nervous system. We pay attention to modulating tension on the nervous system: ensuring that your spinal cord and nerves are free of undue pressure. We aim to stimulate the right tracts of the spinal cord – for example, a certain adjustment may stimulate your dorsal column proprioceptive tract, flooding your brain with information that helps reorganize motor control. We consider different lobes of the brain – perhaps your frontal lobe (executive function) needs activation, so we might adjust in a manner that research shows fires up frontal brain areaspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. We also think about loops and axes in the brain, such as the cerebellum-thalamus-cortex loop or the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (stress axis). Chiropractic adjustments can influence these loops by improving feedback and feed-forward communication in the nervous systempmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. For instance, better cerebellar output can inhibit an overactive stress response, normalizing the HPA axis over time.

In plain language, chiropractic adjustments release the potential of your nervous system. They untie the knots, both literal and figurative, that may be impeding your body’s ability to function at its best. Especially for complex neurological disorders, every little improvement in neural function can translate to a big improvement in daily life – a steadier step, a clearer speech pattern, one less seizure, a full night’s sleep, a calmer mood. These are the victories we strive for with our patients.
The positive effects of chiropractic on neurological disorders, as evidenced by the research and cases cited, are a testament to the intimate relationship between the spine and the brain. The spine is not just a column of bones; it’s the chassis for your nervous system. By caring for it through chiropractic, we nurture the entire nervous system. We hope this comprehensive overview has been educational and authoritative, shedding light on the mechanisms and outcomes you can expect. More so, we hope it is persuasive in encouraging those in need to consider chiropractic care. If you’re looking for a drug-free, supportive therapy to help manage a neurological condition, chiropractic offers a pathway worth exploring. Our offices are equipped with the knowledge of functional neurology and the heart of compassionate care, and we welcome you to experience the difference chiropractic can make in helping the nervous system function at its peak. Your body’s ability to heal and adapt is astounding – sometimes it just needs a little adjustment to truly unleash that potential.

Takeaway: Through improved spinal input and neuroplasticity, chiropractic care directly influences the nervous system in profound ways. Adjustments can stabilize or improve neurological symptoms across a spectrum of disorders. The studies and cases discussed show enhanced function and reduced symptom frequency with consistent care – all achieved by tapping into the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. Chiropractic is an empowering approach that not only addresses pain but also helps retrain and optimize the nervous system itself. If you’re seeking to improve neurological health or regain abilities thought lost, chiropractic care might be the supportive catalyst that makes the differencepatch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com. The nervous system truly is the “master control” – and chiropractic ensures that the master control is free of interference and tension, allowing you to function and thrive at your best.

References:

Haavik et al., “Manipulation of Dysfunctional Spinal Joints Affects Sensorimotor Integration in the Prefrontal Cortex,” Neural Plasticity (2016): A single chiropractic adjustment produced neuroplastic changes, with 16.9% reduction in N30 evoked potential amplitude and 20% less prefrontal cortex activity – indicating altered cortical processingpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Alcantara et al., “Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: A Review of the Literature Relative to Chiropractic Care,” J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. (2001): Review of 17 pediatric epilepsy case reports – all patients showed positive responses under chiropractic care, suggesting reduced seizure frequency/severitypatch.com.
Rodine & Vernon, “Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review on Treatment by Spinal Manipulation,” J. Canadian Chiropractic Assoc. (2012): Concluded that spinal manipulation may be cautiously considered as a therapeutic option in cervical radiculopathy, given favorable outcomes in case literatureatlas.chiro.org.
Khorshid et al., “Effect of Chiropractic Care on Heart Rate Variability and Pain in a Multisite Clinical Study,” J. Manipulative Physiol. Ther. (2006): Multicenter trial – one adjustment significantly reduced pain (VAS 3.7→2.1) and improved HRV (increased SDNN, HF and total power) indicating enhanced parasympathetic activitypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Kelly et al., “Improvement Following Chiropractic Care in a Child with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report,” Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (2010): 7-year-old autistic boy under chiropractic showed 34.8% improvement in speech/language and 50% improvement in sociability scores after careaustintxchiro.com.
Alcantara & Davis, “Chiropractic Care of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Retrospective Case Series,” Explore (2010): Case series indicated improved behavior and attention in children with ADHD during chiropractic care, supporting benefits of spinal adjustments in managing ADHD symptomspubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Elster, “Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for a 25-year-old Female with Chronic Seizures,” J. Vertebral Subluxation Res. (2010): Case study – 12 weeks of upper cervical adjustments led to improvement in seizure episodes and normalization of menstrual cycle in a young woman with juvenile myoclonic epilepsypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Araghi et al., “Dramatic Improvement in Symptoms Related to Multiple Sclerosis with Chiropractic,” J. Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health (2010): 51-year-old MS patient – after starting chiropractic, she had reduced pain, better mobility, increased lung capacity, and was able to discontinue some medications; authors noted “dramatic improvement” in MS-related symptoms following adjustmentscihfc.comcihfc.com.
Murphy et al., “Chiropractic Management of 162 Patients with Radiculopathy in a Hospital Setting,” Journal of Manipulative Physiology (2009): Retrospective review – 85.8% of radiculopathy cases resolved under chiropractic care (mean 9 visits); only 1.8% proceeded to surgery. Pain scores dropped significantly (median 5.8/10 to 2.1/10) after treatmentpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
McMorland et al., “Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” JMPT (2010): Found that 60% of sciatica patients (lumbar disc herniations) avoided surgery by achieving comparable relief with chiropractic adjustments. Concluded chiropractic is a safe, cost-effective first-line treatment before surgical considerationuschirodirectory.comuschirodirectory.com.
Zhang et al., “Neuroplastic Responses to Chiropractic Care: A QEEG Study on Chronic Pain Patients,” Brain Sciences (2025): After 4 weeks of chiropractic, chronic pain subjects had significantly improved light-stage sleep duration and overall quality of life, with reductions in anxiety, depression, fatigue and pain. QEEG showed changes in default mode network connectivity, reflecting broad neuroplastic adaptationmdpi.commdpi.com.
Alcantara et al., “Pediatric Epilepsy and Chiropractic: A Review,” JMPT (2001): Fourteen of 17 pediatric epileptics on anticonvulsants but uncontrolled experienced improved seizure outcomes with chiropractic care. All 17 cases reported a positive response, supporting chiropractic as a non-pharmaceutical management approach in epilepsypatch.com.
Sweat, “Resolution of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy, Headaches & Dizziness Following Upper Cervical Care in a 19-year-old Male,” Upper Cervical Research (2015): Case report – young adult with head injury had cessation of seizures and chronic headaches after Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic adjustmentsnullchiropractic.com.
Bova & Sergent, “Chiropractic Management of Idiopathic, Intermittent Hemiparesthesia in a 24-year-old Female,” J. Chiropractic Medicine (2014): Patient with 2-year history of hemibody paresthesia became completely symptom-free after 2 chiropractic visits (manipulation + vibration therapy), suggesting a resolution of the neurological dysfunction under carepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Khami et al., “Trigeminal Neuralgia and Chiropractic Care: A Case Report,” Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (2010): 68-year-old female with 7½-year history of TN saw a 75% improvement in facial pain and reduced muscle tension after chiropractic adjustments (upper cervical and TMJ focus). Chiropractic care provided long-term pain control where medications had failedpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Alcantara & Alcantara, “Improvement in Autism Spectrum Disorder Following Chiropractic Subluxation Correction,” Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research (2018): Case of a 3-year-old with ASD – chiropractic care was associated with improved behavior, communication, and sociability. Such cases suggest a link between subluxation management and developmental gains in ASDvertebralsubluxationresearch.comaustintxchiro.com.
Gleberzon, “Chiropractic and Children with Cerebral Palsy,” Clinical Chiropractic (2006): Survey of case reports found that chiropractic care often led to increased mobility and decreased spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. Parents reported easier transfers, improved sleep, and better comfort in their children receiving regular adjustmentscerebralpalsyguidance.com.
Coutinho & Shuford, “Improved Health Outcomes in a 58-Year-Old Female with Parkinson’s Disease under Chiropractic Care,” Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research (2023): After one year of weekly Diversified adjustments, the patient had increased muscle strength, improved posture and ROM, and subjective reduction of tremors and bradykinesia. Concluded that chiropractic care may decrease Parkinson’s symptoms and improve quality of lifevertebralsubluxationresearch.comvertebralsubluxationresearch.com.
Rupert & Gotlib, “Chiropractic Manipulation in Pediatric Health Conditions – Updated Review,” Chiropractic & Osteopathy (2008): Noted a small randomized trial where full-spine chiropractic care combined with nutritional therapy in autistic children yielded 4-fold greater improvement in autism severity compared to a control (or upper cervical-only) grouppmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Emphasized need for more research but highlighted significant potential benefits.
Zhang J., “Sustained Improvement of HRV in Patients Receiving Long-term Chiropractic,” Chiropractic Journal of Australia (2015): A case series of 6 patients over 3 months to 3 years showed persistent improvements in heart rate variability (indicating better autonomic balance) under regular wellness chiropractic carecjaonline.com.aukalispellchiropractic.com. Patients also reported better stress adaptation and wellbeing.
Kukurin, “Amelioration of Symptoms in Cervical Spinal Stenosis via Chiropractic Manipulation: Long-term Case Follow-up,” JMPT (2004): 70-year-old with MRI-confirmed cervical cord compression had complete relief of neck pain, paresthesia, and neurologic deficits after chiropractic care using techniques to reduce dural tension. At one year post-accident, she remained symptom-freepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, marking the first such documented case of successful non-surgical management.