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 Case Studies -
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Ulcerative Colitis
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Male, Age 4 years, Constipation, Allergies
This 4-year-old male was involved in auto accident with his mother at age 2. During the accident, he was seated in his car seat in the back seat. While he had been completely healthy prior to the accident, following the accident he developed allergies, frequent colds, and constipation. Seasonal allergies began the spring following the accident and worsened ever since. His mother also reported that he came down frequently with colds, almost constantly throughout the winter. Constipation had also become a problem following the accident. At his worst, he would not have a bowel movement more than once per week. Even though his mother had changed his diet tremendously to help his elimination, at his best, he still only had three bowel movements per week.
During his initial upper cervical chiropractic evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered, which most likely stemmed from the accident two years prior. After a single adjustment, his neck injury healed and stabilized and no further adjustments were necessary. Within ten days of the adjustment, his mother reported that his allergies and constipation were both better. By the third week, no allergies were reported and he was having normal bowel movements once per day. Several months later, all symptoms remained absent.
Male, Age 27 years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Headaches, Chronic Sinus Trouble
This 27-year-old male suffered from chronic sinus trouble since childhood. He continously felt congested; he couldn't breathe through his nose; he felt chronic pressure in his sinuses; and also suffered frequent infections that usually spread to his ears as well. He claimed salt water washes seemed to help somewhat but that the problem always returned. He also complained about his neck since grade school. He claimed he felt a continuous need to "crack" it and suffered from occassional torticollis episodes where his neck seized up and could not turn. In addition, he complained of poor digestive health for approximately the past 10 years. He thought the problem started while traveling overseas but no one could ever isolate a parsite or infection. He suffered from frequently diarrhea episodes, usually at least once per day. Certain foods definitely exacerbated the problem but diarrhea would continue no matter how bland of foods he ate. Finally, he suffered from approximately one headache per week for the past year prior to upper cervical care. During his initial upper cervical chiropractic examination, an upper neck injury was discovered. When questioned about past traumas that could have caused his neck injury, he recalled a bad car accident as a child and another during high school in which he was flung against the dash board. During the first month of upper cervical care, all symptoms gradually lessened. By month two, all symptoms were absent.
Female, Age 18 years, Amenorrhea, Constipation, Depression
This 18-year-old female was involved in an auto accident at the age of 16 in which her car ran off of the road at 60mph and hit an embankment. She was not wearing a seat belt and the air bags deployed. She was taken to the hospital with the possible diagnosis of a head/neck injury and she was later released. Immediately thereafter, she began suffering from a variety of health problems include amenorrhea, stomach and bowel malfunction, and depression. She also reported feeling neck stiffness. None of these health problems were present prior to the accident and no other traumas were reported. During the two years following the accident, she underwent treatment with medications and hormone therapy but her health problems persisted. At her initial evaluation, she reported that she had not had a period in 2 years, that she had been taking numerous medications for depression, and that she required medications and herbal supplements to move her bowels. During her initial evaluation, an upper cervical injury was discovered, which was most likely caused by her auto accident. She began treatment and all of her symptoms gradually began to improve over a 4 month period. By six months, her menstrual cycle, her bowels, and her mood were normalized and she was able to discontinue all medications. She was also able to attend college as a normal, healthy college student.
Female, Age 44 years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Depression, Neck Pain
This 44-year-old was involved in an auto accident 25 years prior in which she hit her head on the windshield. Several years later, she had her first episode of neck pain in which her neck seized up and laterally flexed to the left. Over the years, she sporadically woke up in tremendous pain due to her neck seizing up. During the year prior to upper cervical treatment, the neck pain worsened with more frequent episodes. She also suffered with irritable bowel syndrome for the year prior to upper cervical care and experienced depression as a result of all of her discomfort. During her initial upper cervical chiropractic exam, an upper neck injury was found, perhaps resulting from her auto accident several decades before. After only three weeks of care, her neck pain and irritable bowel syndrome were completely gone. She returned to normal eating and normal exercise. The depression disappeared as well. Several years later, she had no return of symptoms.
Female, Age 21 years, Headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This 21-year-old female suffered from daily headaches since highschool. She took so much excedrin over the past several years that she was concerned it was affecting her bowels. Her colon had begun bleeding and she also complained of cramping and constipation. In addition, she had lost 10 pounds without trying (she was already very thin to begin with but had lost her appetite) and had frequent unexplained bruises that appeared throughout her body. Her doctor diagnosed her with irritable bowel syndrome and recommended different headache medications that would be easier on her stomach. However, she had trouble with the medications (and the headaches) because they interfered with her ability to concentrate in her college classes. Upon advice from a friend, she sought help from upper cervical chiropractic care. While an upper neck injury was discovered, she could not recall any accidents or traumas that could have caused the neck injury. After less than one month of upper cervical care, all bruises were absent; all bowel bleeding/cramping/constipation had stopped; and all headaches were absent. She stopped taking pain medications and regained her appetite.
Male, Age 8 years, Spinal Cord Injury, Loss of Bowel Control
This 8-year-old male fell hard on the school playground hitting his head. He had moments of tingling in his arms and legs when he fell and was diagnosed with a spinal cord injury by his physicians. He also began suffering from loss of bowel control and urgency and found himself rushing to the bathroom multiple times per day to avoid an accident. When the bowel problems continued 6 months later, his mother brought her son in for an upper cervical evaluation upon recommendation by a friend. During this boy's intial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered during digital infrared imaging and radiographic diagnostics. Most likely, the severe blow to his head caused the displacement of his skull slightly from his upper neck, injuring his spinal cord and causing the bowel malfunction. After his initial neck correction, normal bowel activity was restored quickly.
Female, Age 19 years, Crohn's Disease
This 19-year-old female suffered from Crohn's disease following an auto accident in which she was hit at 45mph. Following the accident, she felt a sore neck and back. Within two months following the accident, she lost 35 pounds due to bowel cramps, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. She suffered for two years with bowel trouble before seeking help from upper cervical care. During her initial evaluation, a neck injury was discovered, which was likely caused by her auto accident. During the first month of care, her bowel symptoms improved. By the second month, all bowel activity had returned to normal.
Female, Age 29 years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
This 29-year-old female suffered from severe constipation and IBS for the past 11 years. During a month's time, she described having diarhhea for one week and constipation for the other three. At her worst, 4-5 days could pass without having a bowel movement and some bowel bleeding would occur. During her initial examination, an upper neck injury was found. She recalled a bike accident in which she flew over her handlebars, which preceded the IBS onset. After the initiation of upper cervical care, her bowels began regulating and she began having bowel movements every one-two days and was soon able to discontinue all of the medications and fiber supplements. Soon, her bowel activity normalized and no return of IBS occurred.
Male, Age 33 years, Chronic Diarrhea
This 33-year-old male had suffered from chronic episodes of diarrhea for the previous 4 years. He described an accident that preceded the diarrhea onset in which he fell down a stairway along with a number of people who landed on him. After that accident, the diarrhea started and had been problematic ever since. During his initial evaluation, an upper neck injury was discovered. It was assumed that the neck injury was probably caused by his fall down the stairs. After initiating care, he immediately began reporting fewer episodes of diarrhea. Ultimately the diarrhea completely stopped and he was able to resume regular eating habits.
Male, Age 65 years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Neck Pain
This 65-year-old male suffered from irritable bowel syndrome for twenty years. His complaints included constipation and painful spasms in his intestines. He felt daily abdominal cramping and fatigue. He also complained of chronic neck pain since a fall off of a trampoline in college. During this patient's chiropractic examination, an upper neck injury was discovered. After upper cervical chiropractic care, his neck healed and his bowels resumed normal function. He no longer complained of constipation or painful cramping and his energy level returned.
Female, Age 28 years, Irritable Bowel Disease
This 28-year-old female suffered with constipation for the last 4 months. She saw gastroenterologists who diagnosed her with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and prescribed various medications. The drugs typically helped for 24 hours and then stopped working. She also tried changing her diet and eliminated wheat and dairy, which had no effect. In addition, she took one tablespoon per day of fiber, which also did not help. During her chiropractic examination, an upper cervical injury was discovered. She began upper cervical care and within one week, her bowel movements normalized. One year later, she reported continued regularity. TESTIMONIAL "My problems began about 6 months ago. I started gaining weight and became incredibly lethargic, uncomfortable, frustrated, and depressed. I was bloated on a daily basis. Everything I ate and drank affected me; I retained everything and was incredibly distended and uncomfortable. It got to the point where I was afraid to eat anything. After dealing with these symptoms for several months I finally went to the hospital. All they could come with was that I was constipated and I was prescribed laxatives. For 5 miserable days I took the laxatives and drained everything out of my body but within days my symptoms returned. I went through a series of tests including blood work and a CAT scan but no one understood what was happening to my body. It was at this time that I was referred to a G.I. and was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He prescribed medication and told me that I would most likely be on the medication for the rest of my life. I couldn't believe it! The medication caused me to cramp and I became incredibly dehydrated. I was in pain. My doctor assured me that it was going to take time to adapt and then prescribed another drug. Functioning on these drugs was nearly impossible; I was spacey and exhausted. I went off these drugs after a month. I turned to a nutritionist for help who suggested I eliminate certain items from my diet, which helped me to feel better but I never returned to normal. That's when I ran across Dr. Elster's web site. I had heard about Dr. Elster through a friend. I was a little skeptical at first, but I truly had nothing to lose, so I set up an appointment. Within one month I felt better! My symptoms subsided, my energy level increased and my attitude changed. It's still hard for me to believe that I felt so differently just a few months ago. Thank you Dr. Elster!" Stacy, age 27, August 1998
Female, Age 42 years, Ulcerative Colitis
This 42-year-old female suffered with ulcerative colitis for approximately 20 years. The colitis began one month after severe trauma to the head and spine. Over the years, she had periods of exacerbation and remission. Before upper cervical care, she was having as many as 15 attacks of cramping, diarrhea, and bleeding per day. During her initial examination, an upper cervical injury was discovered, which most likely stemmed from her head/neck trauma 20 years prior. After 6 weeks of upper cervical care, the diarrhea attacks and cramping stopped. She had 1-2 normal bowel movements per day. Only a small amount of bleeding remained.
Female, Age 60 years, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Acid Reflux
This 60-year-old female suffered from bowel disease for 5 years. She was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Acid Reflux and was prescribed zantac and prevasid. Due to the IBS, she suffered frequent bouts of diarrhea and constipation and was forced to try an extremely bland diet to alleviate the symptoms. The diet caused her to lose 20 pounds, which she was happy about, and it did lessen the episodes of diarrhea and constipation, however, they still occurred frequently. She also complained of suffering from a tight neck and shoulders on a daily basis for approximately 10 years. Due to a recommendation from her massage therapist, she sought help from upper cervical chiropractic care. During her initial examination, an upper neck injury was found. During the first two weeks of upper cervical care, she experienced substantially lessening of her neck pain and fewer episodes of diarrhea and constipation. After one month of care, she claimed her bowels worked normally and she began to add foods back into her diet that she had been unable to eat for 6 months. She also had not noticed any episodes of acid reflux and hoped to discontinue her medications.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
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