ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to describe chiropractic management of a patient with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) and to provide discussion regarding presentation, differential diagnosis, management and prognosis of idiopathic NA. CASE PRESENTATION: An 85 year old Caucasian male presented to a chiropractic clinic with right periscapular and lateral rib cage pain. The patient had previously sought evaluation and treatment from multiple health care providers and underwent multiple interventions without relief. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was managed with a course of chiropractic care and an ongoing home exercise program was carried out. The patient reported spontaneous resolution of pain approximately 14 months post onset. SUMMARY: NA is a poorly known clinical entity amongst health care providers and poses challenges in timely and proper diagnosis. Recognition of NA is important for patients to be best managed and for more optimal patient outcomes to be achieved.
OBJECTIF: Ce document a pour objectif de décrire la prise en charge chiropratique d'un patient atteint d'amyotrophie névralgique (AN), ainsi que de discuter de la présentation, du diagnostic différentiel, de la prise en charge et du pronostic d'AN idiopathique. EXPOSÉ DE CAS: Un homme blanc de 85 ans se présente à une clinique de chiropratique en se plaignant de douleur périscapulaire droite et latérale à la cage thoracique. Le patient s'était déjà fait évalué et traité par nombre de fournisseurs de soins de santé et avait subi de nombreuses interventions, sans soulagement. INTERVENTION ET RÉSULTAT: Le patient a reçu des soins chiropratiques et on lui a créé un programme d'exercices à domicile. Le patient a déclaré une disparition spontanée de la douleur environ quatorze mois après l'apparition des symptômes. RÉSUMÉ: L'AN est une entité clinique mal connue des fournisseurs de soins de santé, ce qui complique le fait de parvenir à un diagnostic exact avec rapidité. Il est important de reconnaître l'AN pour assurer une prise en charge optimale des patients et obtenir des résultats optimaux.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Research encompassing the characteristics of chiropractic students is limited. The purpose of our study was to evaluate a current chiropractic student population enrolled at a chiropractic college concerning demographics, expectations, and beliefs. METHODS: A 44-item survey was administered to volunteer participants. Direct verbal interaction in a classroom setting to potential participants was the recruitment strategy used. Data were collected and stored on a safe network. Percentages for all responses were calculated and means were recorded where appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 664 students participated of 877 potential eligible candidates (75%). The respondents tended to be 21-25 years of age, Caucasian, and male. Most respondents expected to work in a private practice immediately following graduation and anticipated an annual income of at least $100,000 eventually. Respondents preferred the retaining of the term, "subluxation," and identified the importance of new and emerging scientific data. Additionally, respondents held the viewpoint that some non-musculoskeletal diseases can be treated effectively with spinal manipulation as a primary treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of chiropractic students in our study were represented by specific demographic characteristics, and a strong favoritism toward the expectations of working in a private practice setting and earning at least $100,000 per year at some point in their career. Distinct beliefs are shared between chiropractic students and practicing chiropractors in North America, and certain aspects of students in our study are comparable to chiropractic students in similar studies.