Coordination – FACTS
Ataxia is a condition categorized by lack of muscle control or coordination. It is a rare neurological disease that has a direct effect on the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls coordination. It progressively affects a person’s ability to walk, talk, and use fine motor skills.
Symptoms of ataxia include slurred speech, falling, impaired coordination, and stumbling. Other symptoms may include difficulties eating, swallowing, tremors, and eye motion abnormalities. Those with ataxia often need to use walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters.
Ataxia can be caused by stroke, trauma to the head, cerebral palsy, infections, toxic reactions to medications, and thyroid issues. Ataxia can also be hereditary.
A thorough exam and advanced imaging are done to aid in diagnosis. Treatment and management typically varies depending on symptoms.
The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. It is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct. Chiropractic care aims to remove the structural shifts to improve function. Studies demonstrate that chiropractic adjustments to reduce vertebral subluxations result in improved balance and coordination.
Chiropractic Helps with Ataxia
The 64-year-old woman in this research had coordination issues that were getting progressively worse over two months. She was diagnosed with progressive ataxia, unsteady gait, vertigo, migraines, and thyroid problems. She could not stand or walk and therefore was wheelchair bound. She also had dizziness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. All her lab testing and imaging came back negative. Her symptoms interfered significantly with her activities of daily living as she could not groom herself due to the inability to lift her arms to comb her hair. She could not go to work, clean her house, cook, or put her shoes on.
The chiropractor examined her and found structural shifts in her neck, mid back, and sacrum. Leg weakness, pain, decreased range of motion, and muscle spasms were noted. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced resolution of ataxia. She regained her ability to stand and walk, she was able to return to work and resume her daily activities.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in this population.
Reference
The Resolution of Progressive Ataxia in a 64-Year-Old Woman Undergoing Subluxation-Based Chiropractic Care: A Case Study. Robert Zuniga DC & Chijioke Anyanwu DC. Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ Volume, 2021
