Chiropractic manipulation and vestibular stimulation resolves cervical dystonia in an infant
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1
Life University; College of Chiropractic, United States
Background:
A 9-week-old male presented to a chiropractic office with progressing dystonia which was seen soon after birth. The retrocollic posture included neck and truncal muscles and was more pronounced on the right side. The child was born via an uncomplicated vaginal birth at 40 weeks of gestation. The mother and child became febrile shortly after birth for 24 hours with incident. The child also had a diagnosis with esophageal reflux which required medication.
Methods:
The child presented with general irritability and cried at any perturbation. Posture showed a marked truncal hyperextension and rightward head rotation. Active range of motion demonstrated an aversive responses to both left cervical rotation and lateral flexion. The child could not maintain the normal truncal position of flexion. Stepping reflex was absent with a lack of flexion of the knees bilaterally. There was no evidence of supranuclear palsy. Palpation revealed hypertonic muscle activity in splenius capitus and cervicis and spinal extensors on the right side more than the left. Edematous areas were found on palpation under the rim of the occiput. The patient underwent treatment consisting of light force chiropractic adjustments to the right side of the atlas vertebra at a frequency of once per week for three weeks. Posterior vestibular canal activation in the form of quick posterior head motions to promote anterior flexor muscle stimulation were delivered four times a day for 5 repetitions each by the parent.
Results:
As a result of this therapy, the patient could freely rotate his head equally to both sides and displayed minimal truncal dystonia after the first week. More gains were made over the course of 3 weeks of treatment. All primitive reflexes were intact and bilaterally symmetrical. After resolution of dystonia, the infant did not need head support while being carried and went on to improve neck flexor tone. There was also a resolution of all symptoms of acid reflux and medications were discontinued.
Conclusion:
This case showed resolution of dystonia after a bimodal neuromuscular therapy regimen including vestibular therapy and chiropractic manipulation to the upper cervical spine of an infant. The author would suggest further investigation of similar therapies for infants presenting with dystonia.
Keywords:
Chiropractic manipulation,
vestibular therapy,
Infant,
Torticollis,
Dystonia
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:
Mullin Elkins
L,
Michelson
C and
Esposito
SE
(2016). Chiropractic manipulation and vestibular stimulation resolves cervical dystonia in an infant.
Front. Neurol.
Conference Abstract:
International Symposium on Clinical Neuroscience: Clinical Neuroscience for Optimization of Human Function.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fneur.2016.59.00017
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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, 30060, United States, mullin@life.edu