Chiropractic care using a functional neurologic approach for idiopathic cervical dystonia in a 59-year-old woman.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case report is to describe the care and outcomes of a patient with cervical dystonia who was treated using chiropractic and other alternative medicine interventions.

CLINICAL FEATURES: A 59-year-old woman had an 11-year history of cervical dystonia. She had an uncontrollable 60° leftward head rotation upon shutting her eyes and had spasmodic contractions that caused fatigue.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The management consisted of blue-lensed glasses, vibration stimulation, spinal manipulation, and eye-movement exercises. Within the first week of treatment, she had a reduction in symptoms, which was documented using a functional numeric scale, and improved posture, which was assessed using measurements from her midsternal line to the center of her chin.

CONCLUSION

This patient with cervical dystonia responded to the use of conservative, nonpharmacological treatment procedures that consisted of chiropractic care using a functional neurologic approach aimed at improving her spasmodic contractions and function.