• Ujdur N
• Russell DG

• Activator Method
• Aged
• Aging
• Female
• Quality of Life
• Shoulder Pain
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
• Vertebral Subluxation Complex

Objective: To describe the resolution of neck and shoulder pain and associated neuropathy and the improvements in spinal range of motion (ROM) and quality of life (QoL) in a 75-year-old female receiving chiropractic care for vertebral subluxation.

Clinical features: A 75-year-old female presented with a history of neck and shoulder pain lasting more than 20 years. She had insomnia, intermittent low back pain and was taking codeine on a regular basis. Postural alterations and reduction in cervical spine ROM were found in conjunction with vertebral subluxation throughout the spine. She had moderate degenerative changes present on x-ray.

Intervention & Outcomes: Chiropractic care using Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique was provided for vertebral and extremity subluxations. The patient demonstrated subjective physical improvements in mobility, an improvement from 5/10 to 8/10 in perceived physical health and improved self-rated QoL, and objective improvement in posture and in measured cervical spine ROM ranging from 10% to 43.7%.

Conclusion: Chiropractic care for vertebral subluxation was associated with resolution of the patient’s presenting musculoskeletal complaints and resultant improvement in quality of life. More research is needed to investigate the role chiropractors may play in helping older adults with maintaining an active lifestyle.

Author keywords: Aging, neck pain, shoulder pain, low back pain, chiropractic, Activator Methods, physical functioning, vertebral subluxation, quality of life, adjustment, insomnia

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text is available by subscription. Online access only.