Restoration of barefoot gait in a 75-year old female with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A case report utilizing Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP®) technique
Restoration of barefoot gait in a 75-year old female with cervical spondylotic myelopathy: A case report utilizing Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP®) technique
Authors
- Paul A. Oakley, DC, MSc
- Deed E. Harrison, DC
Publication
Chiropractic Journal of Australia, 2017; 45(1):16-27.
Article Link
Abstract
Objective: To present a case of the restoration of barefoot gait in a patient with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), balance issues with an inability to barefoot walk, neck pain, and poor cervical spinal posture utilizing Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP ®) technique.
Clinical Features: A 75-year old female patient could not walk barefooted and had fallen frequently. She reported neck pain, decreased flexibility and numbness down her arms, legs and feet. She had been previously diagnosed with CSM. Digital radiography showed cervical hypolordosis and forward head position with spondylosis consistent with CSM.
Intervention & Outcome: The patient received CBP ® care including mirror-image cervical extension exercises, prone drop-table adjustments, and cervical extension traction. At the 26th treatment she reported no neck pain or numbness, and could walk barefoot. Cervical x-ray showed marked improvement in posture.
Conclusion: We believe that increasing the cervical lordosis by extension traction decreases cord tension by shortening canal length, relaxing the pons-cord tissue tract and releasing its intermittent impingement upon the spondylotic ridges that caused the neurological symptoms in this patient with CSM. (Chiropr J Australia 2017;45:16-27)