Chiropractic correction of trauma-induced injury to the upper spine may halt or reverse the progression of both multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s disease symptoms, according to a Colorado practitioner.

In the August issue of the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, Erin L. Elster, an upper-spine chiropractor in private practice in Boulder, describes her experience with 44 patients with MS and 37 with Parkinson’s disease she treated over the past 5 years.

Seventy-eight of the 81 patients reported that they experienced at least one traumatic head or neck injury 2 months to 30 years before their disease began. Digital infrared imaging and laser-aligned X-rays confirmed the presence of a misalignment of the upper spine in all 81 patients.

According to Elster, 40 the MS patients and 34 of the Parkinson’s patients showed symptomatic improvement following chiropractic care to correct vertebral misalignment.

Among the 44 MS patients, improvement in symptoms was “substantial” in 28, “moderate” in 8, and “minor” in 5 patients. Among the 37 Parkinson’s patients, 16, 8, and 11, respectively, showed substantial, moderate, and minor improvement.

No further progression of MS or Parkinson’s disease occurred over a 1- to 5-year period in the “improved” cases.

Some studies have suggested a causal link between head and neck trauma and the subsequent development of Parkinson’s disease or MS, although the idea remains controversial.

Elster concludes that her data support a causal link, and therefore a larger controlled study is warranted.

SOURCE: Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research, August 2004.