Pre and post thermographic evaluation of chiropractic adjusting: a case report

Article Abstract:

Thermography is a diagnostic technique that measures and records surface body temperature. Healthy people have identical skin temperatures on both sides of the body, but increased or decreased temperatures on one side are usually a sign of disease or dysfunction. Dysfunction within the neuromuscular or neuroskeletal systems can be identified by such skin temperature alterations, which may result from local changes in circulation or metabolism because of injury or inflammation. A case is discussed of a 43-year-old woman who came to a chiropractic clinic with complaints of neck pain and dizziness lasting seven years. Her history revealed a serious automobile accident at age 16, in which she suffered multiple head and spine injuries. Approximately 20 years later she developed severe neck pain and dizziness and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis as a result of the degeneration that resulted from the accident. She was unsuccessfully treated with physical therapy at the time and was referred for surgical fusion of the vertebrae in her neck. She experienced relief after surgery, but it steadily declined over time. She was diagnosed again, this time at a chiropractic clinic, and thermography revealed increased temperature at subluxations (dislocations) of the first and fourth cervical vertebra (C1 and C4). After chiropractic adjustments were performed on these subluxations, thermograms revealed a decrease in temperature. The patient was evaluated and treated over six more visits and each time experienced continued relief and declining surface temperature, as revealed by thermogram. This decreased surface temperature and corresponding relief of pain after chiropractic adjustment is probably due to dilation of the surrounding blood vessels via the autonomic nervous system. Thermography is useful in diagnosing the lesions, assessing patient progress, and evaluating treatment effectiveness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Thermography

---

Chiropractic's research agenda

Article Abstract:

The chiropractic profession is exerting considerable efforts in order to join the community of mainstream health providers. These efforts are seen as important to the survival of this health discipline. Some of the goals involved include gaining legislative protection and fair insurance compensation for services rendered to patients. To be effective, these efforts must be based on scientific research, including evaluations of the cost-effectiveness of the services and the clinical benefits provided to patients. These needs establish a de facto research agenda for the field of chiropractic. The efficacy of chiropractic treatments, while supported by a large body of anecdotal reports, is bolstered by only scant scientific data. Scientific confirmation of the benefits of chiropractic treatment should receive the highest priority. Research into both the short- and long-term effects of chiropractic manipulation are other areas which need to be researched. Measurable end-points and indices of clinical outcome are also needed in order to develop a means of assessing the quality and value of treatment regimens. Strengthening the research programs at schools of chiropractic is one means of achieving these goals. Practitioners of chiropractic must increase their knowledge of chiropractic research and embrace the principles of scientific investigation into what has been an anecdotal practice. Only through such practices will the goal of ''attainment of the highest level of patient care...'' be reached. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Laws, regulations and rules, Health insurance, editorial

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Radiographic re-evaluation in the non-responsive patient: a case report on osteomyelitis
• Abstracts: A fatal case of water intoxication in a schizophrenic patient. Schizophrenia and Marfan syndrome
• Abstracts: Parental suspicion and identification of hearing impairment. Use of hearing aids in infancy
• Abstracts: Views of a chiropractic critic: your real enemy is yourself. Sacroiliac and lower extremity pains as presenting symptoms in sarcoidosis

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.