This is a case study of a 60 year old man diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 53. At the time he sought Chiropractic care he was experiencing rigidity in his left leg, body tremor, slurring of speech, and memory loss. Throughout his Chiropractic treatment he was evaluated clinically and with a standardized Parkinson’s rating scale which helps measure how the Parkinson’s disease is affecting overall quality of life and activities of daily living.

At this Chiropractic office they only focus on adjusting the uppermost bone in the spine right below the skull. An X-ray examination of this area of the spine showed subluxation (misalignment, fixation) of the uppermost spinal bone which was subsequently adjusted when needed over a period of 3 months. After the initial treatment plan there was a 43% improvement in the score of the Parkinson’s rating scale that was administered during the initial exam. He also said he had continued increases in energy levels and decreases in muscle and joint stiffness and was able to join a gym and work with a personal trainer to further advance his health.

Chiropractic care directed at the upper part of the spine was able to help this patient because the primary problem in Parkinson’s disease is a progressive deterioration of a specific region of nerve cells located right at the top of the spinal cord. This just happens to be the same area that the spinal subluxation was located at. Imagine that! Restoring motion and function to this area of the spine reduces the tension on the spinal cord in the area affected by Parkinson’s disease.

An interesting finding from this study came from this patient’s history. He had had a number of traumas to his head and neck namely two auto accidents, two concussions playing football, sledding and horseback riding accidents. Several diseases which affect the nervous system like Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, ADHD and Parkinson’s Disease have been shown to have at least a connection if not a direct cause from traumas and injury. This would make sense why Chiropractic can be so helpful in these conditions. Chiropractic care of the spine helps restore normal structure and function to the spine allowing the nervous system to function better. It’s as simple as that!

J Manipulative and Physiol Therap 2000;23:573-577

By Dr Scott Szela