Abstract: Chiropractic Management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

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The author is licensed to practice in AZ and NY, and appears to be

in private pratice in So CA.

http://www.neuromechanical.com/page1072189339.mv

" Chiropractic Management of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Report of Two

Cases

J. Colloca, D.C.1 & Bradley S. Polkinghorn, D.C.2

1Clinic Director, State of the Art Chiropractic Center, P.C.,

Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.; Postgraduate & Continuing Education Department

Faculty, New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls, NY, U.S.A.

2Private Practice of Chiropractic, Santa , CA, U.S.A.

http://www.neuromechanical.com/page1020804774.mv

Source: Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics 2003; 26

(7):448-59.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To discuss 2 patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome seeking

chiropractic evaluation and management of their disabling

musculoskeletal pain and associated disorders.

CLINICAL FEATURES: Two disabled patients diagnosed with Ehlers-

Danlos syndrome had spinal pain, including neck and back pain,

headache, and extremity pain. Commonalities among these 2 cases

included abnormal spinal curvatures (kyphosis and scoliosis), joint

hypermobility, and tissue fragility. One patient had postsurgical

thoracolumbar spinal fusion (T11-sacrum) for scoliosis and

osteoporosis. The other patient had moderate anterior head

translation.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Both patients were treated with mechanical

force and manually assisted spinal adjustments delivered to various

spinal segments and extremities utilizing an Activator II Adjusting

Instrument and Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique. Patients

were also given postural advice, stabilization exercises, and

postural corrective exercises, as indicated in Chiropractic

BioPhysics Technique protocols. Both patients were able to reduce

pain and anti-inflammatory medication usage in association with

chiropractic care. Significant improvement in self-reported pain and

disability as measured by visual analog score, Oswestry Low-Back

Disability Index, and Neck Pain Disability Index were reported, and

objective improvements in physical examination and spinal alignment

were also observed following chiropractic care. Despite these

improvements, work disability status remained unchanged in both

patients.

CONCLUSION: Chiropractic care may be of benefit to some patients

with connective tissue disorders, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Low-force chiropractic adjusting techniques may be a preferred

technique of choice in patients with tissue fragility, offering

clinicians a viable alternative to traditional chiropractic care in

attempting to minimize risks and/or side effects associated with

spinal manipulation. Psychosocial issues, including patient desire

to return to work, were important factors in work disability status

and perceived outcome. "