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From the October 11, 2006, issue of the peer-reviewed publication Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research (JVSR) comes a documented case study of a 36-year-old man whose life was changed by chiropractic care. In this case study, the individual suffered from a variety of ailments, including self-reported stress, eye pain, and left leg pain of 14 years extending into the foot. He also had complaints of gastritis, ulcers, nervousness, depression, lack of concentration, and a general loss of interest in daily life.

The patient’s lifestyle was noted to be less than ideal. He smoked, did not exercise, and regularly consumed a sub-optimal diet. Additionally, he had a history of alcoholism with several severe binge drinking episodes, resulting in falls. The authors of the case report noted that the initiation of chiropractic care alone is not a “sufficient intervention to allow a person to achieve total health.” However, they did observe that “patients under chiropractic care tend, as their subluxations reduce, to spontaneously take up lifestyle changes or health-enhancing activities.”

The chiropractic care provided to this individual was specifically focused on the correction of vertebral subluxations. The patient was periodically re-evaluated for subluxation correction and was asked to self-rate his overall health and quality of life. After a six-month period, he experienced a (self-rated) 95% improvement in left leg pain, headaches, and eye pain. He also reported an improvement in his secondary health concerns, including reduced stress levels, nervousness, lack of concentration, irritability, and apathy, as well as normalization of digestive function. After six months of care, the patient was physically pain-free and did not need to use medications. He reported his overall health had improved 100% after six months of chiropractic care.

In addition to physical improvements, the patient also made numerous positive lifestyle changes while under chiropractic care. These spontaneous changes included smoking cessation, listening to classical music, beginning regular exercise, practicing relaxation and breathing exercises, and making healthier nutritional choices. The authors of the case study emphasized that the patient was never instructed to undertake these changes. Instead, he was subsequently provided with resources and guidance to support his newfound health interests.