Wounded veteran pain score improves after two weeks of Cervigard Collar use - May 2022
We have a very interesting case this month. Mike McGarvey is a disabled special forces veteran wounded in battle. His parachute had a malfunction which resulted in multiple injuries to his entire spine. He is seeing his chiropractor in Alabama which he reports has been beneficial. However, he still suffers from advanced pain in both his lower and cervical spine.
After using the Cervigard Collar at home for two weeks, Mike's pain scores are as follows:
February 27, 2022
1- migraines were 10 now at 5
2- neck pain was 9 now at 4
3- hand weakness was dropping things now not dropping things
4- balance was poor now have good balance
5- low back pain was 7 now 7
March 17, 2022
1- migraine is 0
2- neck pain is 1
3- hand weakness is 1
4- balance is good
5- low back pain is 7
In summary Mike's head, neck and upper extremities are all improved but lower spine remains unchanged.
We discussed his lumbar pain and lower extremity neuropathy. He has no diabetic condition. He has no shrapnel injuries. He does have a lumbar MRI that confirmed multiple HNP especially at L 5.
Mike made a visit to our office for an in person evaluation and we performed a cranial and cervical spine adjustment and an L5 non surgical spinal decompression traction. The decompression was set for L5 at an obtuse angle to address the right leg pain and weakness. He was than referred back to his doctor in Alabama to continue the spine treatment at home.
Below are Mike McGarvey's cervical films taken at our office. His prior cervical X-rays at his chiropractors office revealed a greater FHP presentation. He had a spinal fusion at C5/6 so we do not expect a significant improvement in C Spine lordosis. His greatest benefit will come from FHP improvement. This case shows that true remodeling correction of FHP can yield significant clinical improvement despite minimal improvement in cervical lordosis.
Whatever therapeutics you are using to treat your patients, including spinal biophysics spinal adjustments, orthobiologics or physical rehab, please consider simultaneous use of spine aligning bracing technology to attain a better outcome.
