Patient with Parkinson's Disease with Low Back Pain Helped by Chiropractic - A Case Study

The results of a case study were published on June 9, 2021, in AME Case Reports documenting the improvement in lower back pain and quality of life of a Parkinson's patient after receiving chiropractic care. The Mayo Clinic gives an overview of Parkinson's Disease (PD) by saying, "Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Symptoms start gradually, sometimes starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement."

Pain is common with Parkinson's Disease because the disease causes stiffness and changes in gait and movement. The study reports that Parkinson's patients with tremors, rigidity, gait difficulty, and postural instability have a higher frequency and severity of musculoskeletal pain.

In this case, a 59-year-old man presented himself for chiropractic care. The man was a taxi driver and was suffering with lower back pain that he said was radiating to his right leg causing walking difficulty for the previous two months. His back pain had been present but more manageable for the prior 3 years with his self-rating the pain at most times as a 2 out of 10. Occasionally, after heavy lifting or driving for long periods, the pain would increase to a 4 out of 10. Because of his pain, he was having difficulty sleeping.

The man was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 18 months before seeking chiropractic care. His Parkinson's caused an increase in his back pain which he then rated as an 8 out of 10. He was taking medications for his Parkinson's, but he reported that his condition and pain were only getting worse. MRI studies of his spine showed degenerative changes in his neck and lower back along with disc problems.

After an examination, chiropractic care was started with the man being seen on a daily basis. After five days, the man reported improvement in his back and leg pain, his walking ability, and he noted that he could sleep better. After 11 weeks of chiropractic care, the man reported a complete resolution of his back and leg pain. Additionally, the report documents that after weeks of chiropractic care, the man was more stable and his posture had improved. His overall attitude was improved and he reported an improvement in his general well-being.

The authors of the study summed up this case by saying. "Presented is a case of PD in a patient exhibiting characteristic posture of PD, gait difficulty and low back pain, which were improved by 11 weeks of chiropractic manipulation. The current study may serve as an example of spinal manipulation showing the potential to address gait and posture problems associated with pain in a patient with PD."