The study authors begin by explaining that, "Tics are described as rapid involuntary contraction of skeletal muscle in functionally related groups. They are nonrhythmic stereotyped movements or sounds. These tics occur primarily between the ages of 3-10. Tics lasting over the span of 1 year are considered to be chronic."
In this case, an 8-year-old boy was brought to the chiropractor after his pediatrician diagnosed him with a tic disorder. The study reports that, according to the boy's mother, her son began having symptoms at the age of 6. Symptoms started with head nodding and twisting multiple times a day. The boy's mother was concerned that this problem could affect her son's self-esteem and might keep her son from experiencing a normal childhood.
A chiropractic examination was performed which included a postural analysis, palpation, thermography, range of motion, and specific postural spinal x-rays. The conclusion of these tests was that there was a subluxation in the upper cervical spine. A subluxation is when a vertebrae of the spine is misaligned and creates some form of interference to the function of the nervous system. Many in chiropractic feel that the upper neck is the most critical area as it is so close to the brain stem.
Specific chiropractic care was begun for the correction of subluxation. After the first visit, it was reported that the boy had a decrease in the frequency of the tics he was experiencing. Prior to the second visit, the frequency returned, but the tics were lower in intensity. Following the second adjustment, the tics subsided.
A reevaluation was performed 17 days after the onset of care. At that point, the boy had not experienced any tics since before his second adjustment visit. At a one year follow up, the mother stated her son had not experienced a single tic episode.
In their conclusions the authors wrote, "This case report demonstrates the improvement of one male child with a tic disorder that underwent chiropractic treatment. The results in this case lend support to the subluxation based care of children with motor tic disorders."
(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)
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