Table 5 Characteristics of 19 case reports of positive experiences for patients (n = 1 – 88) treated with chiropractic AK technique

Cuthbert ¹⁰⁹ (2006)

Motion sickness disorder

1: 66 yoa female

2: 45 yoa female

3: 9 yoa female

Proprioceptive testing (Freeman-Wyke and Hautant's tests), AK MMT and palpation

Spinal and cranial chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT)

1: Able to drive car and ride in a boat and airplane symptom free after 4 visits.

2: Able to drive car symptom free after 6 visits.

3: Able to drive in car symptom free after 4 visits

Cuthbert et al ¹¹⁰ (2005)

optic nerve neuritis exacerbated by an Arnold-Chiari malformation (Type I) of the cerebellum

1: 20 yoa female

AK MMT to diagnose vertebral subluxations and cranial lesions; ocular muscle testing, TMJ testing

Cranial and spinal CMT

Patient had lost her vision in the right eye 3 weeks previous to treatment. After 1 visit, patient could see 20–30 on Snellen eye chart. Visual acuity 20-13 after 3^rd visit and asymptomatic 3 years later.

Meldener ¹¹¹ (2005)

Post-surgical hip dislocation

1: 75 yoa male

AK MMT to diagnose muscular weakness around hip and throughout the body

AK and CMT therapy, focusing on the connection of the TMJ and occlusion to instability of the hip

No hip dislocation since vertical dimension was increased with new upper dentures on doctor's recommendation.

Chung et al ¹¹² (2005)

Dental occlusion problems

7: male

3: female

AK MMT during application of an oral dental appliance

None

AK MMT reliable and repeatable on different days. MMT useful to locate the kinesiologic occlusal position for the fabrication of an oral appliance to treat TMJ disorders.

Caso ¹¹³ (2004)

congenital bowel abnormality related to low back pain.

1: 29 yoa male

AK MMT to diagnose large bowel dysfunction

CMT and stimulation of Chapman's reflex points by the doctor and the patient at home

Resolution of the patient's low back pain as well as improved bowel function.

Moncayo et al ¹⁰⁰ (2004)

Thyroid associated orbitopathy (TAO)

32 patients with TAO, 23 with a long-standing disease, and 9 showing discrete initial changes

Positive TL (patient touches area of dysfunction and weakening occurs on MMT) reactions were found in the submandibular tonsillar structures, the tonsilla pharyngea, the San Yin Jiao point, the lacrimal gland, and with the ocular lock test of AK.

AK treatment and homeopathic remedies

Change of lid swelling, of ocular movement discomfort, ocular lock, tonsil reactivity and Traditional Chinese Medicine criteria including tenderness of San Yin Jiao (SP6) and tongue diagnosis were improved. Clinical trial of 3–6 months showed all relevant parameters improved.

Cuthbert ¹¹⁴(2003)

Down syndrome

15 children

Informal report by the parents of child's function and health status.

CMT to the spine and cranium, with nutritional support as needed.

Improved fine motor skills; use of the hands and fingers; ability to crawl bilaterally with arms and legs; ability to stand and walk; decrease in tongue thrusting; problems with ears and sinuses were all improved in function as noted by parents, teachers, and doctor.

Maykel ¹¹⁵ (2003)

Blocked naso-lacrimal canal

1: 14-month male

AK MMT and informal report of child's function and health status by the parents.

CMT to the spine and cranium

Child treated 5 times over a 6-week period with resolution of his eye problem.

Weiss ¹¹⁶ (2003)

Menstrual difficulty and exhaustion

1: 39 yoa female

AK MMT and patient report of condition

Nutritional counseling and CMT to the spine and cranium

Treatment to the sacrococcygeal area with cranial correction and nutritional support improved her energy level and cycling performance.

Sprieser ¹¹⁷ (2002)

Episodic paroxysmal vertigo

1: 17 yoa female

AK MMT and patient report of her condition

CMT to the spine and cranium as well as AK/meridian therapy techniques

After 4 treatments and 3 other treatments by a Qi-Gong master the patient remained free of any vertigo at 3 year follow up.

Leaf ¹¹⁸ (2002)

Severe equilibrium problems

1: 48 yoa female

AK MMT and patient report of condition

Cervical traction of 6 pounds while patient walked for 15 minutes

After cervical traction-distraction patient was able to stand with her feet together with no body sway and displayed no signs of nystagmus.

Gregory et al ¹¹⁹ (2001)

women with moderate to severe breast pain

88: females, predominantly premenopausal, with cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain

AK MMT to diagnose neurolymphatic reflex dysfunction of the large intestine

CMT and stimulation of Chapman's reflex points by the doctor and the patient at home

Immediately after treatment there was considerable reduction in breast pain in 60% of patients with complete resolution in 18%. 2 months after initial treatment, there was a reduction in severity, duration and frequency of pain of 50% or more in 60% of cases (P < 0.01).

Cuthbert ¹²⁰ (2001)

Bell's Palsy

1: female

AK MMT to diagnose cranial, cervical, TMJ, and muscular imbalances

CMT to the spine, TMJ, and cranium

Complete resolution of facial nerve palsy after 6 visits over 14 days.

Calhoon ¹²¹ (2001)

Multiple sclerosis

1: 43 yoa female

AK MMT and patient report of condition

CMT to the spine, TMJ, and cranium and nutritional support

26 months after initial visit patient had regained her ability to write and could shower without assistance for the first time in 2 years.

Mathews et al ¹²² (1999) **

Learning disabilities

10 children compared with a control group of 10 children matched for age, IQ and social background that had not received any treatment over a similar period.

AK MMT examination and sensory challenges; the children were tested before and after treatment by an Educational Psychologist using standardized tests of intelligence to monitor changes in their learning skills.

AK treatment

Educational psychologist's testing demonstrated children treated with AK had an improvement in their learning abilities during the course of 9 to 12 treatment sessions during a period of 6–12 months.

Masarsky et al ¹²³ (1991)

Somatic dyspnea

6: males and females

AK MMT examination methods; forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) measurements pre- and post-treatment (post-treatment measurements taken 3 days later to 1 month later).

AK treatment including neurolymphatic and neurovascular reflexes were employed for the diaphragm muscle; evaluation of the meridian system; cranial manipulation (AK methods); and treatment for inhibited muscles involved in respiration.

All patients reported improvement in their breathing difficulty. 4 of the 6 patients also had improved FCV and FEV-1 between 0.1 and 0.8 liters.

Goodheart ¹⁰⁵ (1990)

Imbalanced weight bearing on right and left feet

40 patients

40 patients were evaluated for pre- and post-treatment weight balance.

AK examination and treatment

Of the 40 patients, only one had minimal changes in weight upon two scales beneath the feet when both flexing and extending the spine.

Masarsky et al ¹²⁴

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

1: male

AK MMT examination methods; forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) measurements pre- and post-treatment, covering an 8-month period.

AK examination and treatment

Improvements were noted in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, coughing, fatigue, and ease of breathing (sign significant at 0.005 level). Improvement was also noted in laryngospasm.

Jacobs et al ⁴⁴ (1984)

Thyroid dysfunction

65: males and females

Patients evaluated for thyroid dysfunction by AK and laboratory testing

None

AK ratings correlated with laboratory ratings (r_s = .32, p < .002) and with laboratory ratings (r_s = .32, p < .005). Correlation between clinical and laboratory diagnosis was .47, p < .000. 3 AK therapy localizations had a significant correlation with the laboratory diagnosis (p < .05). AK enhanced but did not replace clinical/laboratory diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction. Evidence indicated a significant correlation between certain AK tests and an elevated LDH in the serum.