Arnold-Chiari Malformation and Chiropractor in Concord

By: Taylor N. Barton

    Barton Chiropractic in Concord is constantly reviewing the latest healthcare research so that we can provide you with the best possible health care. Recently I ran across this article so I thought I would share it.

“Chiari malformation is a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward. Chiari malformation is uncommon, but improved imaging tests have led to more frequent diagnoses.” (MayoClinic ).

Chiari malformations are put into four categories depending on severity and the depending on the anatomy of the brain tissue that is displaced into the spinal canal, and whether developmental abnormalities of the brain or spine are present.

Chiari malformations may lead to hydrocephalus (This accumulation of excess fluid within the brain may require placement of a flexible tube (shunt) to divert and drain the cerebrospinal fluid to another area of the body), paralysis (This may occur due to the crowding and pressure on the spinal cord. Paralysis tends to be permanent, even after treatment with surgery), syringomyelia. (a cavity or cyst forms within the spinal column, it tends to be filled with fluid and can additionally impair the function of the spinal cord), and death. In these cases surgery is almost always recommended and can usually not fix the more permanent complications.

Did you know Chiropractic can help? Check this out!

This is the case of a 39-year-old woman with complaints of intermittent bouts of fatigue, dizziness, facial numbness, ataxia, headaches, difficulty speaking, and diffuse arthralgias (pains) during the past two years. She had already undergone extensive medical testing which revealed a mild Arnold-Chiara Type 1 malformation. Upon further investigation, it was decided that the A-C malformation was an incidental finding, unrelated to her symptoms. Medically, no solution or explanation of her symptoms could be found. The patient had an array of diffuse symptoms, most of which could be explained neurologically by the effects of an upper cervical subluxation.

 Using the Grostic method of upper cervical analysis, the authors measured an occipito-atlanto-axial subluxation and managed the patient using the Grostic procedure of hand adjusting for the upper cervical region. Following the first and subsequent upper cervical adjustments she experienced significant relief of her symptoms. She has not felt the need to seek medical intervention since beginning chiropractic care. (Effects of upper cervical subluxation concomitant with a mild Arnold-Chiari malformation: a case study. Smith, JL. Chiropractic Research Journal, 1997;4(2):77-81.)

Call your Chiropractor in Concord now at 925 685-2002 to see how Chiropractic can help you or visit our website at www.bartonchiro.com