Feeding Tube Removed Following Chiropractic in a Man with Bickerstaff’s Brainstem Encephalitis

The Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research published the results of a case study on August 22, 2022, that documented the improvement in quality of life for a man suffering with Bickerstaff’s Brainstem Encephalitis, (BBE). BBE is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects the central nervous system and can also affect the peripheral nervous system.

According to this study, BBE is extremely rare, having less than 100 cases reported. It is similar in symptoms and effect to Guillain-Barre syndrome. Symptoms usually include issues with speech, vision, muscle strength, and a wide variety of other neurological symptoms. Due to the rarity of BBE, medical treatment varies greatly and is geared toward helping with the symptoms of the disease.

In this case, a 31-year-old man went to the chiropractor after the man had received a medical diagnosis of BBE. Three and a half months earlier the man was reported to be a healthy individual. One morning he woke up "feeling rundown" and "just did not feel right." The following day he could only urinate sporadically despite feeling the that his bladder was full.

A week and a half later the man started having tremors and weakness in his right leg. He also reported that he started having trouble swallowing while eating dinner. This continued to get worse until he could no longer eat. Multiple medical visits during this time resulted in little help.

By the third week the man was also having trouble speaking and was experiencing double vision. At this time the issue was grave enough that a feeding tube was inserted, and he was sent home. Despite all the medical treatments, he did not see any progress over the next two months.

One day while walking up stairs the man experienced extreme fatigue, a rapid heartbeat and light headedness which continued to get worse throughout the day. He was readmitted to the hospital where it was noted that he had left sided facial paralysis. With the variety of symptoms and no definitive findings the man was given the diagnosis of BBE and treatments of plasma exchange were started.

Upon seeking chiropractic care and relating his history, a chiropractic examination was performed which included spinal x-rays. The x-rays noted multiple areas of malpositioned vertebrae and abnormal curvatures including a reversal of the normal forward neck curve. It was determined that subluxations were present, and a course of specific chiropractic adjustments were started.

As care progressed the man was able to slightly swallow and eat solid foods for the first time since his BBE diagnosis. Chiropractic care was continued and within weeks the feeding tube was able to be removed and the man was able to eat solid food without trouble. Additionally many of his symptoms improved including better motion and an absence of pain in his neck shoulders and lower back.

In describing how chiropractic was able to help this man with Bickerstaff’s Brainstem Encephalitis, the authors of the study explained, "The positive results as described in this case show the possible connection between the disease and its associated symptoms in the presence of a vertebral subluxation. With reduction of subluxation, the body’s innate intelligence is able to function and focus on healing."