Relief of exertional dyspnea and spinal pains by increasing the thoracic kyphosis in straight back syndrome (thoracic hypo-kyphosis) using CBP^® methods: a case report with long-term follow-up

Abstract

[Purpose] To present the clinically significant improvement of straight back syndrome (SBS) in a patient with spinal pain and exertional dyspnea. [Subject and Methods] A 19 year old presented with excessive thoracic hypokyphosis and other postural deviations. A multimodal CBP® mirror image® protocol of corrective exercises, traction procedures and spine/posture adjusting were given over an initial 12-week course of intensive treatment followed by a 2.75 year follow-up with minimal supportive treatment. [Results] The patient had significant postural improvements in all postural measures and specifically a 14° increase in the thoracic kyphosis that was maintained at long-term follow-up. The postural improvements were consistent with relief of exertional dyspnea and pain, as well as increases in both antero-posterior thoracic diameter and the ratio of antero-posterior to transthoracic diameter, measurements critical to the wellbeing of patients with SBS. [Conclusion] Long-term follow-up confirmed stable improvement in physiologic thoracic kyphosis in this patient. Nonsurgical correction in thoracic hypokyphosis/SBS can be achieved by mirror image traction procedures configured to flex the thoracic spine into hyperkyphosis as well as corrective exercise and manipulation as a part of CBP technique protocols.

Restoring lumbar lordosis: a systematic review of controlled trials utilizing Chiropractic Bio Physics^® (CBP^®) non-surgical approach to increasing lumbar lordosis in the treatment of low back disorders

“…Recent advances in manual therapy traction methods by the Chiropractic BioPhysics ® (CBP ® ) group have shown that non-surgical rehabilitation of the lumbar lordosis is possible; for example, as presented in several case reports 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ) . CBP methods is a full-spine and posture correcting technique (www.idealspine.com); however, for the purposes of this review we will focus on its employment of the unique ‘extension traction’ targeted to the lumbar spine in patients presenting with lumbar spine hypolordosis with various low back disorders.…”

Nonsurgical correction of straight back syndrome (thoracic hypokyphosis), increased lung capacity and resolution of exertional dyspnea by thoracic hyperkyphosis mirror image^® traction: a CBP^® case report

“…This is the second case documenting the increase in thoracic hypokyphosis in a patient with SBS and related symptoms by CBP ® methods. In the case by Betz et al 9 ) , 37 treatments were performed over 12-weeks, resulting in a 14° improvement. That is very similar to this case, a 10° improvement in 36 treatments over 16-weeks.…”

“…There is a paucity of data on the effectiveness of increasing the thoracic kyphosis by nonsurgical means; we could only locate two cases detailing the treatment of SBS patients in the literature 8 , 9 ) . The first was an adult female patient with scoliosis; over a 4 year period the patient had a 16° improvement in thoracic kyphosis after receiving a variety of treatments including deep tissue massage, outpatient psychological therapy, daily exercise focusing on mobilization of the chest wall, and manipulation 8 ) .…”

“…The first was an adult female patient with scoliosis; over a 4 year period the patient had a 16° improvement in thoracic kyphosis after receiving a variety of treatments including deep tissue massage, outpatient psychological therapy, daily exercise focusing on mobilization of the chest wall, and manipulation 8 ) . The other case involved a 19-year-old male who received thoracic hyperkyphosis traction and exercise as part of CBP ® technique 9 ) . This patient increased their thoracic kyphosis by 14° over a 12-week period that was maintained at 2 years and 9-months follow-up.…”

Radiophobia: 7 Reasons Why Radiography Used in Spine and Posture Rehabilitation Should Not Be Feared or Avoided

“…The common X-ray is an essential tool for doctors and manual therapists in the treatment of musculoskeletal and neuromusculoskeletal diseases and conditions associated with poor posture and spinal deformity. 1 – 10 There has been an ever-expanding evidence base substantiating the effectiveness of nonsurgical rehabilitative methods for the treatment of posture and spinal deformities, such as forward head posture, 11 – 20 cervical hypolordosis/kyphosis, 14 – 21 thoracic hyperkyphosis, 22 – 29 thoracic hypokyphosis, 30 , 31 lumbar hypolordosis/kyphosis, 32 – 37 and scoliosis. 38 – 41 …”