Female,
Age 13 years, Chronic Cough, Allergies, Ear Infections,
Headaches
This 13-year-old female
was chronically sick since birth. Her mother described her
as getting a sinus/upper respiratory infection 5-6 times per
year, each time also having an ear infection. By age 5, she
had her tonsils and adenoids removed and had also had
several sets of tubes for ear infections. By age 12, she
began suffering from a chronic cough, daily headaches, and
pain at the base of her skull/upper neck region.
During her initial evaluation, it was discovered that she
had sustained an injury to her upper neck. Her mother
described several possible traumas including using suction
at her birth, a skate boarding accident, and a concussion
after falling off the monkey bars. During the first week of
care, her cough, headaches, and neck pain were remarkablly
reduced. She also described having a lot of drainage out of
her nose. Within a month, her nasal congestion, cough,
headaches, and pain were all absent. Six months later, she
had no experienced any infections during that time.
Female, Age 6 years, Allergies
& Asthma
This 6 year-old female
first began suffering from asthma and allergies at age 3.
She experienced chronic congestion in her nose and lungs,
especially at night, and when exposed to animal dander,
chemicals, and dust. Her medication use included regular use
of asthma inhalers and Claritin. Her parents were frightened
by her frequent asthma attacks and breathing trouble and
also complained of her nasal voice due to chronic nasal
congestion.
During her evaluation,
an upper cervical injury was discovered. The source of the
injury was unknown. After her first upper cervical
adjustment, she maintained her alignment for close to two
months and experienced a marked decrease in her
asthma/allergy attacks and medication use. Several months
later, all symptoms were absent, so her medication use was
discontinued.
Female,
Age 41 years, Chronic Allergy & Sinus Problems
This 41-year-old female
suffered with allergies since age 17. She described
suffering with runny nose, congestion, sinus pressure,
swollen throat, and itchy eyes and ears for years with the
symptoms getting worse during the past two years. She
reported having reactions to animals and even to the fresh
ink of the morning newspaper. She had used multiple
medications for years including prescription and over the
counter decongestants and reported using 3 pills per day for
the past year.
During her initial
chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was
discovered. She recalled multiple traumas that preceded her
onset of allergies including a car accident, a fall off of a
horse while riding, and several gymnastics falls.
During the first few
weeks of care, she began to notice less allergic reactions
and less allergy symptoms overall. She described herself as
being able to breathe more easily and that she was less
congested. After the first month of care, she realized she
was hardly having any allergic reactions so she began to
decrease her medication use until she had completely
discontinued it. She reported how she could be around
animals with could read the morning paper, no longer
worrying about having any allergic reactions. Six months
later, her improvements continued until she was completely
allergy-free.
Female, Age 42 years, Chronic
Allergies and Asthma
This 42-year-old
female had suffered with allergies and asthma for the past
30 years. She regularly saw her allergist, had allergy
shots, and took daily medications, but she was still
miserable. Most of the time, she was completely congested
and wheezing, despite the numerous asthma inhalers and
allergy pills. While she was extremely skeptical that upper
cervical chiropractic could do anything for her, she figured
it was worth a try because she was so desperate.
During her initial
chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was
discovered. During the first few weeks of care, she began to
notice her respiratory system clearing up. She described
herself as being able to breathe more easily and that she
was less congested. After another month of care, she
realized she was doing much better and began to lessen her
medication dosages. After several more months, it dawned on
her that she had not needed to visit her allergist or the
emergency room for attacks during this entire chiropractic
care period, and that fact astounded her. After several
spring and fall allergy seasons had gone by without any
flare-ups of her condition, she claimed she was a true
believer in upper cervical chiropractic care.
Male, Age 40 years, Chronic
Allergies, Sinus Problems
This 40-year-old male
had suffered with allergies since age 2. He had seen
allergists his entire life and took daily medications
including claritin and nasonex. It had been determined that
he was allergic to many foods (wheat, yeast, dairy, nuts)
and while he eliminated these foods from his diet, the
allergies continued. He described how his nose was congested
on a daily basis, and that he frequently suffered from sinus
headaches, infections, and pressure. While he was not aware
of a neck injury, he decided to be evaluated upon
recommendation by a friend.
During his initial
chiropractic evaluation, an upper cervical injury was found.
Upon correction of his neck, his nose and sinuses began
draining. By the end of the first month of care, all
draining had ceased and his nose and sinuses were clear, so
he was able to substantially reduce his medications.
Male, Age 4 years, Chronic
Cough, Bedwetting
This 4-year-old boy's
mother described her son's struggle with a chronic
"barking" cough for the past two years. He
underwent numerous tests and his lungs were clear and no
allergies or infections were discovered. Nonetheless the
cough continued relentlessly and often kept him (and, as a
result, his parents) awake at night. He had tried cough
medicines and homeopathic remedies but the cough continued.
During his examination,
an upper neck injury was discovered. His mother recalled a
fall several years prior off of playground equipment that
caused a concussion and most likely caused the unknown neck
injury. Within one month of care, all coughing had stopped.
In addition, his mother reported delightfully that he had
also stopped wetting the bed (he had been frequently wetting
the bed for the past year).
Male, Age 60 years, Bilateral
Shoulder Pain, Hay fever
This 60-year-old played
volleyball and handball regularly. During the two months
prior to upper cervical care, however, he had been
experiencing pain in both shoulders and had to stop
participating in sports. Due to his left shoulder pain, he
was unable to throw a ball. The pain bothered him daily and
kept him awake at night. He was taking daily pain
medications. He also suffered from hay fever for five years
and took Sudafed daily. His massage therapist recognized
that in addition to his shoulder pain, he also had very
tight neck muscles so he recommended an upper cervical
chiropractic exam.
During the exam, it was
discovered that he had a neck injury-- which seemed to be
interfering with the proper functioning of his shoulder
joints. After having the neck injury corrected (one month of
upper cervical care), his shoulder pain healed so he resumed
playing his favorite sports. In addition, his hay fever was
corrected so he no longer required medications.
Male, Age 51 years, Arm
Numbness, Asthma
This 51-year-old male
fell while skiing. Afterwards, he experienced numbness in
his left arm. The arm stayed constantly numb for three
months before he sought help from upper cervical care. In
addition, he experienced asthma and allergies since
childhood and frequently used an inhaler for chest
congestion. During his initial chiropractic examination, an
upper neck injury was discovered that most likely stemmed
from his ski accident.
After the first
adjustment, the numbness in his arm decreased to an
intermittent occurrence. One month later, the numbness was
gone. He also noticed correction of an injury in his left
shoulder-- he no longer had pain there. Finally, the chest
congestion reduced substantially. He claimed his allergy
symptoms improved 80-85% since the beginning of care one
month ago.
Female, Age 29 years, Allergies
This 29-year-old female
suffered with allergies for 5 years. Each year the symptoms
worsened. She was affected year-round except the winter
season. Her symptoms included irritated eyes, sneezing, and
a plugged nose. She claimed that she hadn't been able to
breathe out of her nose in 5 years. She tried allergy shots,
nasal sprays, and medications such as Claritin. Upon
examination, an injury was found in this patient's upper
cervical spine.
Within 3 weeks of upper
cervical care, her allergies were absent. She discontinued
all medications and was able to breath through her nose. Two
years later, her symptoms had not returned.
Female, Age 15 years, Allergies
This 15-year-old female
had allergies since a fall on her head as a young child in
which she suffered a concussion. She used nasal sprays such
as Flonase daily to help her breathe. She also complained of
low back pain for several years.
After treatment of her
upper cervical injury (most likely stemming from the
concussion), her allergies were gone (her mother had not had
to reorder flonase) and the low back pain was gone as well.
Female, Age 14 years, Asthma
This 14-year-old female
suffered from asthma since approximately age 7. She and her
family recalled several falls and car accidents prior to the
onset of asthma. The asthma was aggravated by exercise, cold
weather, sicknesses, and pollens/grasses. Her medications
included use of Tilade inhaler 1 time per day and Proventil
inhaler 2 times per day. She could not run more than a
1/2-mile without wheezing. During her chiropractic
examination, an upper cervical injury was found.
She was adjusted one
time and one month later she was completely off Tilade
inhaler and was down to using Proventil inhaler 1 time per
month at the most. In addition, because her goal was to
become a marine biologist, she was able to take diving
lessons which she was previously unable to do due to the
asthma.
Female, Age 58 years, Asthma,
Allergies
This 58-year-old female
had allergies and asthma her entire life. She complained of
allergies year-round and had severe asthma attacks when she
came in contact with house pets. She took oral medications
daily for allergies and carried asthma medications with her
for emergencies when visiting friends and families with
pets. Upon examination, an upper cervical injury was
discovered. After several months of upper cervical
chiropractic care, her allergic reaction to pets was
completely absent. She had not experienced any asthma
attacks and had been in houses with pets at least a dozen
times. Her allergies were greatly reduced, she breathed
easier through her nose, and had less of a nasal voice.
Male,
Age 25 years, Shortness of Breath
This 25-year-old male
complained of shortness of breath during exertion as well as
during simple activities such as talking on the phone or
singing with the radio for 6 months. After many medical
tests including chest x-ray and pulmonary function tests, he
was told that there was nothing wrong with him. During his
chiropractic examination, an upper cervical injury was
discovered that was compromising his respiratory function.
After the first few adjustments, the breathing episodes
decreased in frequency.
After 2 months of care,
all breathing difficulty was absent.