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Bryan Salminen D.C. & Zachary Smith D.C.

Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research ~ September 28, 2020 ~ Pages 50-57

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Abstract

Objective: To describe the effects of orthogonal upper cervical chiropractic care on the management of a 12-year-old female with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.  

Clinical Features: A 12-year-old female presented to a chiropractor with a chief complaint of headaches after a collision during a lacrosse game. Upon radiographic examination an S-shaped scoliosis of 15.4° in the thoracic spine and 16.2° in the lumbar spine was revealed.  

Intervention and Outcomes: Three upper cervical adjustments were delivered over a period of five visits and 28 days. A reduction of 6.2° in the thoracic curvature and 8.7° in the lumbar curvature was found upon re-examination.  The cervical curve also improved. 

Conclusion: Subluxation of the atlas vertebra and the resulting neurological dysfunction may be a contributing factor in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Reduction of the subluxation with low-force, orthogonal upper cervical chiropractic adjustments may help reduce these lateral curvatures. Further research is needed to investigate the relationship between the atlas subluxation and idiopathic scoliosis.

Key Words: Scoliosis, upper cervical, craniocervical junction, atlas, subluxation, adjustment, NUCCA, Grostic, Atlas Orthogonal, Advanced Orthogonal, Orthospinology