Recorded presentation

Paul Dougherty, DC, Monroe Community Hospital, New York Chiropractic College, Monroe Community Hospital, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620, 585-760-6040, pdougherty@nycc.edu and Paul R. Katz, MD, Finger Lakes Geriatric Education Center, University of Rochester, Monroe Community Hospital, 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620.

Pain has only recently been considered an important element of multiple sclerosis. The reported incidence of pain in MS patients differs in the literature with ranges from 30% to 90% of patients suffering with a pain syndrome. Pain in MS can be a direct manifestation of demyelinative lesions affecting pain pathways; pain also can be secondary to the disease process. Chronic back and radicular pain are caused by the postural abnormalities induced by muscular weakness and spasticity. A recent survey found that 57.1% of multiple sclerosis patients utilized at least one non-allopathic treatment. Of the patients utilizing “non-traditional” therapies, 25.5% of these patients utilized chiropractic care, this was second only to herbal remedies (26.6%). The most common reason for seeking chiropractic care was for pain (54.4%). In spite of this usage of chiropractic there is a paucity of literature addressing the chiropractic management of multiple sclerosis patients. A total of 20 MS patients were treated over a 12 month period. The conditions treated included: Neck pain and headaches (N=8), Lower back pain (N=7, Thoracic spine pain (N=2), Shoulder pain (N=3), Knee pain (N=2) and Hip pain (N=2). (Note: numbers are greater due to treatment for multiple conditions in the same patient). These patients showed a positive response to care, in that they had increased self reported function in their activities of daily living and improvements in their pain levels (verbal pain rating). There were three patients who reported transient side effects, which did not last greater than 48 hours. There have been no serious adverse events including fractures, vascular accidents or worsening of neurologic status.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the prevalence of pain in multiple sclerosis patients in long-term care setting
• Discuss the future of chiropractic care in the multiple sclerosis patient, including future research projects.

Keywords: Chiropractic, Long-Term Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation