October has arrived, bringing some lightly cooler air, colorful leaves, and plenty of Halloween spirit. As the decorations start going up and skeletons appear on porches, it’s a good reminder to take care of your own skeleton too. With the change in weather and all the extra activity that comes with fall, it’s common to feel a little more tension or stiffness in your back, neck, or shoulders. Simple things like raking leaves or carrying heavy pumpkins can easily throw your body off balance!

Your spine is the foundation of your body, supporting every movement you make and protecting your nervous system. When it’s properly aligned, communication between your brain and body flows more freely, helping you move better, recover faster, and even support your immune system as the colder months roll in. Regular chiropractic adjustments help maintain that alignment, reducing stress on your joints and muscles and keeping your body functioning at its best.

As you enjoy everything that comes with fall, from football games to Halloween festivities, don’t ignore those little aches or stiffness that tend to sneak in. Taking care of your spine now helps prevent bigger issues later and keeps your skeleton strong, stable, and ready for whatever the season brings.

Stay healthy, stay aligned, and have a fun and safe Halloween.

In Good Health,

Drs. Mark, Matt & Tami
(www.mifflintownchiro.com)

PS: Remember to check back often to our website.  Please leave feedback on the layouts!

PSS:  If you would like an email reminder of your appointments please stop by at the front desk and talk to Sharon. 

References:

1: De Geer CM. Intervertebral Disk Nutrients and Transport Mechanisms in Relation to Disk Degeneration: A Narrative Literature Review. J Chiropr Med. 2018 Jun;17(2):97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2017.11.006. Epub 2018 Jun 14. PMID: 30166966; PMCID: PMC6112070.

Newsletter Articles
September 2025

• Ear Infections Gone and Ear Tubes Avoided Due to Chiropractic Care
• Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life in a Child with a Multitude of Heath Issues
• Elderly Patient with Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia Helped by Chiropractic
• Cerebral Palsy Patient with Additional Symptoms Helped by Chiropractic

Ear Infections Gone and Ear Tubes Avoided Due to Chiropractic Care

The Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health Chiropractic published the results of a case study on August 21, 2025, documenting the resolution of continual otitis media and the canceling of tympanostomy tubes surgery in a child under chiropractic care.

Otitis media is commonly known as ear infections. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), "Acute otitis media (AOM) is defined as an infection of the middle ear and is the second most common pediatric diagnosis in the emergency department following upper respiratory infections. Although acute otitis media can occur at any age, it is most commonly seen between the ages of 6 to 24 months."

Surgery to put tubes in the ears is a common medical procedure to deal with recurring otitis media. The NCBI explains that "Tympanostomy tube placement is a standard surgical procedure, particularly in children, to alleviate symptoms associated with middle ear effusion, recurrent acute otitis media, and persistent ear infections."

This case study begins by pointing out how this health problem is common and expensive. "Otitis media in pediatric patients is the leading cause of medical practitioner visits, most common reason children consume antibiotics or undergo surgery. In the U.S., approximately $4 billion yearly is spent on otitis media healthcare costs."

In this case, a 13-month-old boy was brought to the chiropractor by his parents. The child had been suffering with reoccurring ear infections causing multiple trips to medical physicians, specialists and the ER room during severe episodes. The boy had been given antibiotics on numerous occasions with no long-term help. The boy's ENT specialist recommended immediate bilateral tympanostomy. The surgery was scheduled but his parents decided to bring their son to the chiropractor just four days before the surgery was to be performed.

A chiropractic examination was conducted which involved a visual inspection and palpation of the spine both static and in motion. Thermographic heat readings were also performed of the boy's spine. It was noted that the boy was visibly pulling his ears during the examination. The conclusion of the examination was that there were multiple vertebral subluxations present in a number of areas of his spine. Based on the findings, specific and age-appropriate forms of chiropractic adjustments were started with multiple visits per week.

The study reports that the boy responded quickly to the chiropractic adjustments. His mother reported that after her son's first adjustment the boy stopped pulling on his ears. The redness and fluid that was coming out of the boy's ears stopped by his fourth chiropractic adjustment. Due to the immediate positive response, the boy's mother cancelled the tympanostomy surgery.

Two months after starting chiropractic care, the boy was brought to his pediatrician for a 15-month well-baby visit. At that time, he no longer had any of the previous symptoms of ear infections and was given a clean bill of health. Three months later, when the study was written, the boy had not suffered any issues with otitis media. The results of this case are summed up in the study's conclusion. "This case study outlines the resolution of recurrent otitis media and avoidance of tympanostomy surgery in a 13-month-old male patient through subluxation-based chiropractic care. The patient showed immediate improvement and no recurrence of otitis media throughout his care plan."

Chiropractic Improves Quality of Life in a Child with a Multitude of Heath Issues

The third quarter 2025 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a case study documenting chiropractic helping a child who was suffering with balance issues, behavioral issues, and respiratory function problems. Complicating this case, the child was also suffering with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder are considered separate neurodevelopmental conditions that can occur together. These two health issues are continuing to grow in numbers and in the focus of healthcare. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Society, "The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 13 heritable connective tissue disorders. The conditions are caused by genetic changes that affect connective tissue. Some features are seen across all types of EDS, including joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility."

In this case, an 11-year-old boy with a relatively sedentary lifestyle and a complex history of multiple medical diagnoses was brought in for Chiropractic care for the first time. He had been medically diagnosed with level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, and anxiety disorder. Additionally, the boy was undergoing testing to confirm a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which caused all his joints, including his spine, to be excessively movable, a.k.a. hypermobile.

The boy's mother described her son's symptoms as including problems with his balance and coordination. She noted he was always dropping things and had poor posture. She also noted that her son was tired and sleepy all the time. The boy suffered with generalized musculoskeletal pain and had difficulties with everyday tasks including feeding and eating.

A detailed chiropractic examination was performed and modified chiropractic care was started. The chiropractic care had to be modified due to the boy having fragile skin and hypermobile joints from his Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The study reports that after his first chiropractic adjustment visit, the boy noticed immediate improvement in his breathing. As care continued, the boy's posture also began to improve. His parents began to notice significant improvements in his abilities to perform daily activities. The study also records that the boy was able to sit through most of the day at school, was more stable and less prone to falling. It was also recorded that the boy was more active, had better balance, had more energy and was overall happier.

This study included a comment made by the boy's mother as to his progress under chiropractic care. "When I brought him to a Chiropractor, I didn't have high hopes. I figured anything that could improve his quality of life, which is better than what he has now. I was always so worried about him. The wind could knock him over, and he couldn't stay upright when sitting for longer than about one minute, whereas he can now sit for most of the day with standing breaks before he gets tired. The biggest thing was after the first appointment and adjustment, he sat in the car and looked at me and said 閃um, I can breathe. I can take a full breath and breathe'."

Elderly Patient with Severe Trigeminal Neuralgia Helped by Chiropractic

The Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal published a case study in their third quarter 2025 issue that documented chiropractic helping an elderly woman who was suffering from severe trigeminal neuralgia.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, "Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a type of chronic pain disorder that involves sudden attacks of severe facial pain. It affects the trigeminal nerve, or the fifth cranial nerve, which provides feeling and nerve signaling to parts of the head and face. Pain attacks typically last only a few seconds (but can last up to two minutes) and may occur over and over again several times a day."

This study notes that trigeminal neuralgia is rare and it is more common is women than men. People afflicted with the condition report a debilitating sudden severe electric shock like pain that can be triggered by normal daily activities such as talking, applying make-up, touching the face, or even a light breeze.

In this case, a 72-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic care. The woman had been suffering with right sided facial pain for the past four years. The woman's history noted that her facial pain started as a toothache. She went to a general practitioner, who then referred her to a surgeon. The surgeon sent her for an MRI scan. As a result, the woman was given a diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia.

The woman described the trigeminal neuralgia episodes as excruciating pain that would occur approximately every six months. She was prescribed medication to help with her condition. Her regular ongoing facial pain would occur when she touched her face, combed her hair, brushed her teeth, or while eating. These daily problems had a severe negative impact on the quality of her life. Additionally, the woman reported pain and stiffness in her left shoulder, neck pain, headaches, and the inability to sleep more than five hours per night. She was concerned about the amount of pain killers she was taking to avoid the pain.

An in-depth chiropractic examination including cervical x-rays were conducted. As a result of the examination, specific chiropractic care was started to address the spinal subluxations that were determined to be present. The woman was initially seen twice per week for her chiropractic care.

An update examination was conducted after 12 chiropractic visits. At that time, the woman reported a reduction in her facial pain, neck stiffness, and shoulder aches. At the woman's second update, she reported further reduction of her pain to the point where she was able to return to her daily chores. Her ability to return to normal activities represented a significant improvement in her quality of life. As her care continued, the study reports that she continued to improve until she was able to sleep normally, return to her career, and spend quality time with her family.

In summing up this case, the authors of the study commented, "Prior to engaging with Chiropractic care the patient had been under the care of ordinary medical practitioners and neurologists and had tried pharmacological interventions to no avail. Chiropractic care has been the first intervention to show marked, long term change for her symptoms, allowing her to return to her normal life."

Cerebral Palsy Patient with Additional Symptoms Helped by Chiropractic

In the third quarter 2025 issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal is a case study that documents the improvement under chiropractic care of a Cerebral Palsy patient suffering with multiple symptoms because of their condition.

The study authors begin by explaining "Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used to refer to neurological and physical disorders affecting posture and movement." They continue, "Alongside motor difficulties, CP can present with learning, hearing, visual, and communication delays or impairments."

In this case, a 52-year-old woman presented herself for chiropractic care. At that time, she was suffering with chronic low back pain, chronic neck and shoulder pain and balance issues. The woman's medical history included a lifelong diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Due to her condition, the woman was confined to a motorized wheelchair, she had very limited movement and was dependent on support helpers for everyday activities including house chores, getting dressed, and using a bathroom. Additionally, she suffered with incontinence that required daily support with this problem.

Due to the woman being confined in a wheelchair, a modified chiropractic examination was performed. Chiropractic adjustments were started at the rate of two visits per week. It was necessary to modify the chiropractic care given to the woman due to her situation.

After three months of care, a re-assessment was performed to measure the woman's progress. At that time, the study shows that the woman reported significant improvements in her low back and neck pain, as well as improved balance and the ability to position herself in her wheelchair, commode chair and hoist.

At the six month point in the woman's chiropractic care, the study noted that the woman continued to show improvement and had reduced muscle spasms and pain, with improvements in her balance, mobility, and the ability to self-manage her body position. She also reported improvements in her problems with incontinence. These changes in her abilities represented a significant improvement in her daily quality of life.

In their conclusion, the study authors explained, "Chiropractic care for Cerebral Palsy requires a sensitive and adaptable approach to care. While muscle spasticity and other condition specific mobility issues may present an initial challenge, this case report indicates that positive results can be achieved through subluxation based care over time."