| Date |
14-jun-2011 |
| Case Title |
Resolution of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Following UpC Chiropractic |
| Author |
Michael T. Burcon, B.Ph., D.C. |
| Main Condition/ Disease |
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia |
| Source |
Email from Michael Burcon |
| Abstract |
Preliminary Study .....
Objective: This case study reports the improvement in quality of life experienced by a patient undergoing cervical specific care as an alternative to medication for the management of Glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Clinical Features: An 82 year old female presented with right sided Glossopharyngeal neuralgia of ten years duration. Pain was helped by medication and exacerbated by talking, swallowing, coughing, quick head movements and air conditioning. Secondary complaints include unsteady gait, dizziness, spastic dysphonia, chronic cervicalgia, tremor, ankle edema, hiatal hernia, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, ulcerative colitis, reflux, migraine, hoarseness, hypothyroidism, mitral valve prolapse, arthritis and possible TIA. Daily prescriptions include Gabapentin 5700 mg (3600 mg maximum prescribed by manufacturer, less for geriatric patients), Lipitor 20 mg, Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, Inderal 60 mg, Aleve, 220 mg, aspirin 81 mg, Omeprazole 20 mg, Diazepam 15 mg, Advil 800 mg, Hydrocodone 20 mg, Benadryl/Lidocaine 40 ml and multiple herbal and vitamin supplements. Surgeries include hip replacement, tonsillectomy, hysterectomy and bilateral stapectomies, seven months apart at ages 30 and 31. She is widowed with six children. She does not drink or smoke and has significant family history of cancers.
Patient has case history of falling on head and being knocked unconscious in snow skiing trauma at age sixteen followed by possible whiplash injuries when falling on ice and vehicular accident in 1984. Posture analysis observed severe right head tilt. Pain scale 10 out of 10. Patient had constant stabbing pain with tremor in right temple, face, tongue and throat. She could only manage to whisper two to three words at a time. Leg length equality tests demonstrated right leg 1” short relative to the left with 1” bilateral cervical syndrome. Positive modified Prill test for atlas (C1) and axis (C2). Thermography displayed excessive heat in lower cervicals with line break at C5. Cervical x-ray series supported evidence of vertebral subluxation at atlas, axis, C4, C5 and C6. Upper cervical listings of atlas posterior and inferior on left, axis entire segment right with posterior aspect of C1/C2 ankylosed with arthritis. |
| Summary |
Intervention and Outcomes: Immediately after specific adjustments to C5, C2 and C1, pain diminished from 10 to 1. Tremor and head tilt were eliminated. Eye clarity and facial color returned to normal. She could talk normally. Two days later pain was 0.
Conclusion: This case demonstrates the effectiveness of cervical specific care as an alternative to medication for the control of pain associated with Glossopharyngeal neuralgia. |
| References |
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| Keywords |
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, upper cervical subluxation complex, specific chiropractic adjustments, w |
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