Recovery from Severe Headaches and Neck Pain with Chiropractic

The Chiropractic Journal of Australia published the results of a case study released on February 11, 2022, documenting the improvement of headaches and neck pain on a patient who was also diagnosed with neurofibromatosis.

According to the Mayo Clinic's website, "Neurofibromatoses are a group of genetic disorders that cause tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors can develop anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves." They note that the tumors are usually benign. They also note that there are three types of neurofibromatosis with the type 1 (NF1) being the most common.

This study reports that over 50% of patients with neurofibromatosis develop bode deformities such as scoliosis as well as difficulty in healing any bone fractures. Pain in the spine and head area can also result from NF1. The study authors begin by stating that "The purpose of this case report is to present the results of a five-year conservative management for neck pain, cervicogenic headache and spinal deformity in a patient with NF1. Chiropractic intervention may be a viable option for addressing musculoskeletal pain and cervicogenic headache resulting from NF1."

In this case, a 25-year-old salesman had been medically diagnosed with NF1 ten years before his seeking chiropractic care. In the past six months, the man had developed pain on the right side of his head and neck. His head pain extended around to the front of his head. On a scale of 0 to 10 with 10 being the worst, he rated his neck pain as a 2 out of 10 and his head pain as an 8 out of 10. The man described his head pain as a pulsating squeezing that lasted about an hour occurring about 2-3 times per day. He reported that over the preceding month, the pain disturbed his sleep and daily activities.

Chiropractic care was started on a daily basis for the first week and then reduced in frequency to three days per week for the next 4 weeks. After the first week, the man reported that his pain reduced from an 8 down to a 5 out of 10. The chiropractic care frequency continued to be reduced as the man improved. Follow-up x-rays of the man's neck showed an improvement of his neck curvature which prior to chiropractic care had been almost straight, instead of a normal forward curvature.

Eventually, the man began maintenance chiropractic care with a lower frequency of visits. At a 5 year follow-up, the man reported that he no longer had the pain symptoms he originally complained about.

In their conclusion, the study authors summed up the results of this case by saying, "This case report details the long-term recovery of a patient with NF1 from severe headaches and neck pain following chiropractic treatment. It provides evidence and highlights the value of chiropractic intervention in improving neuromuscular functions and resolving cervicogenic headache in a patient with NF1, especially when the problems cannot be effectively solved by pharmacological or other conservative means."