Resolution of cervical radiculopathy in a woman after chiropractic manipulation

Abstract

Objective: To describe a case regarding a woman with 2-level cervical disk herniation with radicular symptoms conservatively treated with chiropractic care including high-velocity, lowamplitude (HVLA) manipulation with complete resolution of her symptoms. Clinical Features: A 40-year-old woman developed right finger paresthesia and neck pain. Results of electrodiagnostics were normal, but clinical examination revealed subtle findings of cervical radiculopathy. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large right posterolateral disk protrusion and spur impinging on the right hemicord with moderate to severe central canal and right neuroforaminal stenosis at C5-6 and C6-7. She was treated with HVLA manipulation to the cervical spine, as well as soft tissue techniques, traction, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and exercise. Intervention and Outcome: Her clinical findings and symptoms resolved within 90 days of initiating care and did not return in 1 year. There were no untoward effects, including transient ones. Conclusion: This case describes the clinical presentation and course of a patient with multilevel large herniated disks and associated radiculopathy who was treated with HVLA manipulation and other conservative approaches and appeared to have good outcomes.

Shi-style cervical manipulations for cervical radiculopathy

“…No direct evidence could be found in the literature showing the superiority of SCM in patients with CR compared with traction. Only 2 case reports, [ 26 , 27 ] 2 retrospective case series, [ 11 , 12 ] and an observation series of 8 patients [ 28 ] explored the efficacy of SCM therapy, but these previous studies have small sample sizes and there is neither randomization nor control. One of the retrospective case series observed that among patients undergoing spinal manipulation after cervical epidural injection, 50% significant improvement and 30% experienced temporary improvement, while 20% exhibited no change.…”

Influence of Manipulation in the Peripheral Nervous System Tests: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The technical purpose aims to increase the range of motion, consequently relieve pain by the vertebral repositioning. 6,7 Besides being effective in cervical pain complaints, vertebral repositioning is are also indicated in cases of radiculopathy. 1,[8][9][10][11][12][13] One of the manual therapy technique which promotes the mobilization of nerve roots and acts to test and treat the peripheral nervous system, is the neurodynamic mobilization.…”

The Relationship of Range of Flexion-Extension Motion of the Cervical Spine to Thermal Asymmetry of the Upper Body Surface in Patients with Cervical Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

“…C6-7 is the most commonly af-fected level of cervical disc herniation followed by C5-6 5,6) . Patients with cervical radiculopathy complain of pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, or chest and weakness, numbness/ tingling, paresthesia, and radicular pain, depending on the root or roots involved, usually in a myotomal distribution 7) . The area of radiating pain related to cervical radiculopathy is usually distributed within a dermatome 8) .…”