Resolution Of A Motor Tic Disorder Following Chiropractic Care

A case study published on July 29, 2013, in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health documents the case of a young girl who was suffering from motor tic disorder who was helped by chiropractic. The authors describe motor tics by noting, “Tics are defined as sudden repetitive motions or vocalizations, non-rhythmic movements or sounds that are produced by an individual, which serves no true purpose.”

In this case, a 7-year-old girl was brought to a chiropractic office after being diagnosed by her pediatrician with a motor tic disorder. She had been having problems with this condition since the age of five. The girl’s MD was going to perform an MRI and prescribe medication in an attempt to control the tics.

According to the researchers, the chiropractic examination revealed that the girl had a right head tilt, right elevated shoulder, and right elevated hip which was gathered from observation of the patient standing in a neutral position. Upon palpation of her spine multiple areas of subluxation were noted in the girl’s neck. In accordance with her chiropractic findings specific chiropractic adjustments were begun to correct the determined subluxations in her spine.

The study reports that the girl’s mother started noticing immediate improvement in her daughter after the initiation of chiropractic care. After just one adjustment the girl was experiencing a 25% reduction in the number and frequency of her tics. After the second adjustment, there was a 50% reduction in the girl’s tics. The girl’s mother also reported that her daughter no longer complained of neck discomfort.

After the third chiropractic adjustment, the researchers report that the girl was no longer experiencing any motor tics. She also no longer suffered from neck discomfort. The authors noted that the girl has remained under periodic chiropractic care and remained tic free.

In their conclusion the authors wrote, “This case report demonstrates the immediate resolution and successful chiropractic treatment of a neurological tic disorder in a 7-year-old female. The review of literature shows the positive effects of chiropractic care for the treatment of tic disorders, and provides supporting evidence for the use of chiropractic for tic disorders.”