Alleviation of posttraumatic dizziness by restoration of the cervical lordosis: a CBP^® case study with a one year follow-up

Abstract

[Purpose] To present the successful treatment of posttraumatic dizziness and neck pains that were initiated in a patient following a whiplash event. [Subject and Methods] A 46 year old male suffered a whiplash event that initiated neck pain and dizziness symptoms. The patient had many positive orthopedic findings and demonstrated a forward head posture and cervical hypolordosis. The patient was treated by Chiropractic BioPhysics® technique including cervical extension traction, extension exercises and spinal manipulative therapy initially three times a week for 16-weeks, and once a month thereafter. [Results] The patient had a resolution of daily dizziness and neck pain with a concomitant reduction of forward head translation and increase in cervical lordosis. The postural measures were further improved after one year of mostly home-care. [Conclusion] The cervical spine alignment may be an important biomarker for those with dizziness. The correction of cervical lordosis may be an essential requirement for superior clinical outcomes for those with posttraumatic dizziness.

The treatment of dizziness by improving cervical lordosis: a Chiropractic BioPhysics^® case report

“…Thus, we believe the improved dizziness in this case was due to the improvement in cervical lordosis. The strength of this report is that the results are consistent with other reports of similar idiopathic dizziness and CBP treatment 3,4) , and there was report of follow-up.…”

“…Surprisingly, a 1 year follow-up, without treatment, demonstrated the patients showed a preservation of the initial lordosis improvement and a further 17-point drop on the DHI. Fortner et al 4) has also presented a case report mirroring the results of Moustafa et al 3) .…”

“…The treatment group, having increased lordosis and reduced forward head translation, remained well after the year. Fortner et al 4 ) extended upon Moustafa et al’s theory reporting that the loss of cervical lordosis is associated with an anatomically longer cervical spine 19 ) , thereby having a traction effect on the spinal cord 19 , 20 ) . Normal movements of the head and neck, particularly flexion, can exert a dynamic overstraining of the cord and nerves, or changing normal physiologic movements of the cord to become pathologic strains onto the cord 19 , 20 , 21 ) .…”

Restoring cervical lordosis by cervical extension traction methods in the treatment of cervical spine disorders: a systematic review of controlled trials

“…In that paper it was discussed that the success for changing the spine structure was likely due to both the 'more efficient direction of the applied tractioning force' and the 'use of a sustained force'. Regardless of actual mechanism, the ability to restore the anatomic cervical spine curve may be an under-utilized therapeutic approach to a myriad of craniocervical disorders [38][39][40][41][42] .…”

Structural rehabilitation of the cervical lordosis and forward head posture: a selective review of Chiropractic BioPhysics^® case reports

“…pain, disability etc; For details see Table 1). Primary conditions treated included: carpal tunnel syndrome 43) , cervical disc replacement 32) , cervical radiculopathy 33,54) , cervical spondylolisthesis 40,60) , cervical spondylotic myelopathy 59) , cervical stenosis 40,47) , dizziness 35,37,49) , dysautonomia 57) , dyslipidemia 66) , Ehlers-Danlos syndrome 70) , exertional dyspnea 42,53) , fibromyalgia 56) , gait and balance instability 44,59) , gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) 63) , headache (including migraine) 31, 41, 45, 46, 48, 62,) , hypothyroidism 61) , neck pain (most cases), osteoarthritis 51) , Parkinson's 44,65) , postfusion 52,55) , sinus problems 62) , syringomyelia 68) , thoracic outlet syndrome 34) , Tourette's 58) , trigeminal neuralgia 36) , gait dysfunction 59) , urinary incontinence 64) and whiplash associated disorders 38,49,50,69) . Many reports also detailed improvements in cervical range of motion, disability (e.g.…”