Reduction of Daily Headaches in a Patient with Type I Chiari Malformation

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study documenting the reduction of headaches in a patient who had significant skull birth defects including Arnold-Chiari Malformation (ACM) and was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome.

According to the Mayo Clinic website "Chiari malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue extends into your spinal canal. It occurs when part of your skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on your brain and forcing it downward." The Mayo Clinic's website also describes Ehlers Danlos syndrome as "Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin."

This study points out the the common treatment for ACM depends on the severity of the situation and involves a fairly invasive surgery to the lower part of the skull. Conservative medical treatment often uses medications or physical therapy. The authors of this study propose that chiropractic care could also be a conservative form of care for patients with this condition.

In this case study, a 22-year-old woman who was suffering with weekly headaches sought out chiropractic care. The woman had been diagnosed with Type I Chiari Malformation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She was a graduate student who spent much of her time in front of a computer screen and was having difficulties due to suffering from headaches.

Initially her headaches occurred once or twice per week but had recently increased to daily headaches that were affecting all portions of her daily life. Her headaches would start in the middle of the day and would last the remainder of the day. They were brought on by activity or exercise and were severe enough to limit her ability to study or perform her job activities.

A chiropractic examination involving palpation, postural analysis, and spinal x-rays confirmed the presence of subluxations in her neck. With this information, a care plan of specific chiropractic adjustments appropriate for her malformations were initiated at the rate of two visits per week for a six week period.

After six weeks of care, the patient reported that her headache frequency had reduced from daily headaches to between one or two headaches per week. She also reported a decrease in the severity of the headaches and noted that they only lasted at most two hours when they occurred. Because of her improvement, she was able to enjoy taking walks between her classes without inciting a headache.

The authors of the study summed up this case in their discussion and conclusion by stating, "Patient presented with daily headaches with complicating factors of Type I Chiari Malformation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Diagnosis of the Type I Chiari Malformation was determined by MRI of the cervical spine prior to chiropractic care. Initially, this patient was plagued by daily headaches while going to graduate school. She was able to resume studying, exercising and be social with no complications following the delivery of chiropractic care."