Menieres Disease Helped With Chiropractic - Case Series

A study published in the June 2, 2008 edition of the scientific periodical, the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) documented a case series of Chiropractic care helping 10 cases of patients suffering from Menieres disease. 

According to Web MD, Menieres disease, "is a disorder of the inner ear that affects hearing and balance. It causes sudden attacks of vertigo (a spinning sensation), tinnitus (a loud ringing in the ears), and a loss of hearing that may become permanent."  The JVSR article adds that the attacks of vertigo appear suddenly, last from a few to 24 hours, and subside gradually. The attacks are associated with nausea and vomiting. They also report that the incidence of Meniere's has been estimated to range from 0.5 to 7.5 per 1000, most commonly affecting people in their 40s and 50s, with females showing a slightly higher incidence of the disease. Typical medical treatment of this problem involves drugs to help with the attacks of dizziness.

In this case series 10 patients with Menieres disease were documented to see the effect chiropractic care would have on their condition. In all ten patients a chiropractic examination was performed which included specific x-rays of the upper neck (cervical) area. The determination was made of the presence of subluxations in the upper cervical spines. Vertebral subluxations are when bones in the spine are out of their proper alignment and can cause interference to nerve system function.  A course of specific adjusting procedures were begun to correct the subluxations found in these 10 patients.

Although each patient responded differently, all 10 patients experienced positive results to the chiropractic care. In one such case an 87 year-old female had suffered frequent episodes of dizziness and ringing in the ears for 45 years. Her case was so severe that during episodes, she walked around her home holding onto the walls, trying to keep her head level at all times. She even reported numerous falls over the years, some resulting in broken bones. In her case, immediately following a specific atlas adjustment, the woman reported complete alleviation of vertigo and dizziness. When she awoke the next morning, the ringing in her ears was also gone. She has remained symptom free for two years.

The study noted that nine out of ten case study patients reported a history of neck trauma, mostly automobile accidents.  All ten patients had significant improvement from the chiropractic care with most having a complete recovery from symptoms. The study author noted that all ten patients suffered from a similar type of upper cervical vertebral subluxation and therefore theorized that this subluxation plays a significant role in Menieres disease.