Woman Regains Will to Live Under Chiropractic Care

The Asian-Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a report in their 2023 fourth quarter issue documenting the case of a woman who, prior to receiving chiropractic care, was in severe neuropathic pain for so long that she considered ending her life. Neuropathic pain is nerve pain that is not the direct result of injury or tissue damage such as a cut or sprain.

WebMD describes this condition by stating, "Neuropathic pain is often described as a shooting or burning pain. It can go away on its own but is often chronic. Sometimes it is unrelenting and severe, and sometimes it comes and goes. It often is the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. The impact of nerve damage is a change in nerve function both at the site of the injury and areas around it."

Chronic neuropathic pain has a profound effect on all aspects of a person’s life. Typical medical treatment for neuropathic pain is by the use of medications. However, in the absence of a healable wound or injury, medication can only temporarily mask the pain and does not address the underlying cause of the pain. In many cases, continually stronger medications are needed in order to be effective. This sets up a dangerous spiral of drug dependency.

In this case, a 49-year-old woman went to a chiropractor because she was suffering with severe chronic neuropathic pain in her head, neck, face, and shoulders. She rated the pain between a 5 and 10 with 10 being the worst. She reported that she was suffering with this pain for seven years. She noted that she had been to 14 health professionals and had not gotten any relief.

The woman reported that her situation led her to have suicidal thoughts, suffer with depression, and have insomnia. Because of the severity and longevity of the pain, the woman commented that she could no longer tolerate the pain, had lost the will to live, and was contemplating ending her life if she could not get relief.

A chiropractic examination was performed, and spinal x-rays were taken. Based on the results of the examination, specific forms of chiropractic care were started with the woman being initially seen multiple times per week.

At the time of her first re-evaluation, the woman reported feeling decreased pain in her low back and knees as well as reduced neuropathic pain. Considering that she had not gotten help from the previous 14 health professionals prior to getting chiropractic care, she considered this improvement to be substantial.

The woman also reported that she was suffering from fewer headaches, had greater mobility which allowed her to be more active, and had a more regular menstrual cycle. Additionally, she noted that she could handle stress better, noticed more self-positive thinking, and stated that her will to live had been restored.

As part of the study discussion, the authors commented, "It should be noted that while no extra care apart from Chiropractic was introduced at this time, the Chiropractor did not offer mental health support to have done so is beyond the scope of practice in this jurisdiction. The only care offered was nervous system support through checking and adjusting subluxations. It is likely that it was the reduction of pain and increase in movement and improved sleep leading to a better Quality of Life that allowed the patient to regain hope for a different future."