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“Numerous case studies and some clinical studies are revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and gastrointestinal system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study.
McCoy added “In the case report presented, the child was suffering from constipation that resolved under chiropractic care because of the nature of the nervous system and its relationship to the spine and the gastrointestinal system.”
According to researchers the nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body and structural shifts in the spine can occur that obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function. By removing the structural shifts, chiropractic improves nerve supply and function.
The child reported on in the study was a 31/2-year-old female who had chronic constipation. She had never had regular or consistent bowel movements, which was making potty training difficult. She feared the toilet because bowel movements were painful. Her parents were growing very anxious as she could not enroll in preschool without being potty trained. Her pediatrician suggested this behavior was a revolt in response to her twin sister being potty trained with no problem. Medication did not help her.
The chiropractor examined the child and found structural shifts in her neck, upper back, lower back, and sacrum. Tight muscles were noted and she had pain in the belly. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.
Following chiropractic adjustments, she experienced complete resolution of constipation and experienced a bowel movement daily without pain. She became fully potty trained within 3 weeks, which eased her parents’ anxiety about her going to preschool.
The study’s author called for additional research to investigate the clinical implications of chiropractic in children with constipation.