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Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
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Published on: February 5, 2019

Chiropractic care of a pediatric patient with myasthenia gravis

Joel Alcantara1, Gregory Plaugher, H Jason Araghi

  • 1Research Director, International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, Media, Pa, and Research Associate, Gonstead Clinical Studies Society, Santa Cruz, Calif, USA.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
|August 7, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Chiropractic care may benefit pediatric patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). A 2-year-old girl with MG experienced complete symptom resolution after 5 months of chiropractic treatment for vertebral subluxation complexes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric chiropractic care
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Myasthenia Gravis (MG) management

Background:

  • Myasthenia Gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease.
  • Pediatric cases of MG present with significant challenges in management.
  • Conventional treatments for MG do not always provide complete symptom relief.

Observation:

  • A 2-year-old girl diagnosed with myasthenia gravis presented with ptosis and generalized muscle weakness.
  • Diagnostic workup included negative MRI and antibody tests, but a positive Tensilon test confirmed the MG diagnosis.
  • Chiropractic care was initiated with parental consent for the pediatric patient.

Findings:

  • The patient received chiropractic adjustments targeting vertebral subluxation complexes in the upper cervical and sacral spine.
  • High-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments were utilized in the treatment approach.
  • After five months of consistent chiropractic intervention, the patient's myasthenia gravis symptoms completely subsided.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that chiropractic intervention may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for pediatric patients with myasthenia gravis.
  • Further research into chiropractic's role in managing neuromuscular conditions beyond musculoskeletal complaints is warranted.
  • Chiropractic care may offer a non-pharmacological approach for specific pediatric conditions, potentially improving quality of life.
Abstract

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