Down's Syndrome and Chiropractic Care

A case report reviews the outcome of chiropractic care in the case of a pediatric patient with Down’s Syndrome and bilateral convergent strabismus, as published in the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health.

Falmouth-based Dr. James Mulcahy, D.C., stated, “A 4year-old male with Down’s Syndrome who was born with convergent strabismus of approximately 15 degrees presented to a chiropractic office.” After surgical intervention, the left eye was corrected to its normal position. The patient presented with an internally rotated right eye of approximately 15 degrees and no other health concerns in the interest of checking for vertebral subluxation.

Chiropractic is often mistakenly regarded as having a very limited scope of practice in general, i.e. neck pain, back pain and headaches. Yet, chiropractors and their patients experience a multitude of positive results beyond these musculoskeletal complaints, especially in children.

“The patient received a series of contact specific, high-velocity, low amplitude adjustments to the first cervical vertebra. After 2 months of care, both eyes abducted 15 degrees, which meant that the right eye corrected and was now in a central position, whereas the surgically repaired left eye was now divergent 15 degrees.” said Dr. Mulcahy.

“The results suggest that chiropractic care, specifically atlas subluxation reduction, might be responsible for the correction of convergent strabismus, without surgical alteration, in this case.” said Dr. Mulcahy.

Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Mulcahy, whose office is located at 704 Main Street, Falmouth, MA (telephone 508-457-0440).