Clinical Case Study: Chiropractic Care of a Patient with Vertebral Subluxation and Bell's

In the May 2003 issue of the peer reviewed scientific publication, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, is a case study report of a patient with Bells Palsy and the response with chiropractic care. Bell's palsy is a common condition that results in weakness or total paralysis of one half of the face. Bell's palsy affects men and women equally and may occur at any age and at any time of year. Symptoms begin to occur over a short period of time and full weakness of the face usually occurs after two to five days. Early symptoms may include pain in or behind the ear. This is followed by a rapidly worsening weakness of one half of the face. It becomes difficult to close one eye completely, and one corner of the mouth on the same side begins to droop.

The case report involved a 49-year-old woman with a medical diagnosis of Bell's palsy. Her symptoms included right facial paralysis, extreme sensitivity to sound, pain in the right TMJ joint, and neck pain. This patient had not responded to previous Dental or Medical care. She then decided to initiate chiropractic care. The study noted that chiropractic adjustments were initiated. The study also noted that after 20 visits, the patient began to show substantial improvement, such that her facial pain abated and she could close her right eye lightly, smile, move her eyebrows, and puff her cheeks.

The articles conclusions were, "There are indications that patients suffering from Bell's palsy may benefit from a holistic chiropractic approach that not only includes a focus of examination and care of the primary regional areas of complaint (eg, face, TMJ) but also potentially from significant vertebral subluxation concomitants."