Dysautonomia and migraine managed with chiropractic functional neurology treatments
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1
Image X Functional Neurology, United States
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2
Life University; College of Chiropractic, United States
Background:
This case report highlights a 23-year-old female who presented with a chief complaint of cervicalgia and common migraines that had become progressively intense and more frequent over a six-year period following a motor vehicle accident. The intensity of migraines ranged from 2 to10 out of 10 on Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS). The migraines occurred 20-25 days per month. Cervicalgia rated from a VAS of 7 on the best days to 10 on the worst. Both the migraine and cervicalgia were significantly aggravated by exercise.
Methods:
The patient exam revealed bilateral mydriatic pupils, right palmar hyperhidrosis, pulse of 109 BPM, and increased systolic blood pressure on the right indicating a dysautonomia. A functional convergence myospasm was also present on eye exam. Orthopedic exam revealed marked restriction of all cervical ranges of motion and both cervical distraction and maximum cervical compression tests were positive for neck pain. Additional findings include a significant sway to the left in a Romberg’s position. There was also a reduced right arm swing during gait and a demonstrated freezing of gait during dual tasking indicating neural integration dysfunction. A treatment plan was designed to improve autonomic nervous system function and improve neural integration. Somatosensory evoke potential stimulation over the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branches of the right trigeminal nerve was used. Gaze stability and convergence exercises were also employed. High frequency vibratory therapy and chiropractic adjustments were also utilized. During the acute phases of a migraine attack, ear insufflation treatments were performed.
Results:
The patient experienced marked improvements. Frequency of migraine attacks was reduced to 3-5 episodes per month with a maximum 7/10 VAS. There was a complete resolution of the dysautonomia and neural integration dysfunction as well as improved cervical function and reduced pain.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the successful use of sensory therapies to treat autonomic dysfunction that can exacerbate migraines. The results of this case study suggest the need for further research into the link between dysautonomia and the expression of migraine.
Keywords:
Chiropractic manipulation,
Migraine,
dysautonomia,
Cervicalgia,
Insufflation
Conference:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: Clinical Neuroscience for Optimization of Human Function, Orlando, United States, 7 Oct - 9 Oct, 2016.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Abstracts ISCN 2016
Citation:
Harcourt
A,
Campbell
M and
Mullin Elkins
L
(2016). Dysautonomia and migraine managed with chiropractic functional neurology treatments.
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: Clinical Neuroscience for Optimization of Human Function.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2016.59.00016
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Received:
28 Aug 2016;
Published Online:
07 Sep 2016.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Linda Mullin Elkins, Life University; College of Chiropractic, Marietta, GA, 30062, United States, mullin@life.edu