The parents of the 9-year-old boy reported on in this study were concerned that he had scoliosis as his previous x-rays and MRI showed several malformations. His medical care team had recommended surgery. He was developmentally delayed and had Klippel-Feil syndrome. He had trouble reaching his developmental milestones. Even at age nine he still could not hop on one leg. His inability to perform coordinated functions impacted his daily activities at home and school ultimately impacting his self-confidence.
The chiropractor examined him and found structural shifts in his head, neck, upper back, and low back. Restrictions and muscle tightness were also noted in his neck and low back. Balance assessments and other testing showed abnormalities. X-rays also showed several malformations consistent with Klippel-Feil syndrome. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic care, he experienced improvement in balance and coordination especially in his daily activities at home and school. This also led to improvement in his self-confidence and social skills.
Reference
Measured Balance Improvement Following Chiropractic Subluxation Correction in a 9-Year-Old Child with Klippel-Feil Syndrome: A Case Report. Robet J Rectenwald, DC, BCAO. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ Volume 2021
Balance & Coordination – FACTS
Awareness of body orientation and the preservation of balance in the upright stance are crucial for performance of daily activities.
There are near endless configurations of posture that are encountered during daily experiences. With each new and changing posture, there are responses in the neuromuscular system to maintain balance. The act of maintaining an upright stance requires the integration of continually regulated and complex neurological inputs within the nervous system.
The upright two foot stance in humans is intrinsically unstable due to gravity persistently acting on the body. Gravity causes a forward fall of the body and thus the body is constantly fine-tuning human posture by applying a counter that results in a swaying motion to counteract the forces of gravity.
It has been established that these complex and endless reactions depend on a persistent flow of sensory information from three body systems; the brain, eyes and ears.
Problems with maintaining balance and posture can happen when there is a disturbance such as abnormal structural shifts in the spine. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. Chiropractic care aims to remove the structural shifts to improve function. Studies demonstrate that chiropractic adjustments to reduce vertebral subluxations result in improved balance and coordination.
River Falls Spine Chiropractic & Wellness Center 