ICPA - Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis

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Peer Reviewed Journals:

The atlas fixation syndrome in the baby and infant. (German title: Das atlas-blockierungs- syndrom des sauglings und des kleinkindes.) Gutmann G. Manuelle Medizin 1987 25:5-10, Trans. Peters RE.

18-month-old boy, recurring tonsillitis, frequent enteritis, therapy resistant conjunctivitis, suffered from colds, rhinitis, ear infections and sleep disturbances. "Immediately after (spinal adjustment) the child demanded to be put to bed and for the first time slept peace- fully to the next morning. Previously disturbed appetite normalized completely. Conjunctivitis cleared completely."

Blocked atlantal nerve syndrome in infants and small children. Gutman G. ICA Review, 1990; July:37-42. Originally published in German Manuelle Medizin (1987) 25:5-10.

Three case reports are reviewed to illustrate a syndrome that has so far received far too little attention, which is caused and perpetuated in babies and infants by blocked nerve impulses at the atlas. Included in the clinical picture are lowered resistance to infections, especially to ear-,nose-, and throat infections, two cases of insomnia, two cases of cranial bone asymmetry, and one case each of torticollis, retarded locomotor development, retarded linguistic development, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, rhinitis, earache, extreme neck sensitivity, incipient scoliosis, delayed hip development, and seizures.

Additional Publications:

The Neurobiologic Mechanisms in Manipulative Therapy Lewit K. Ed. I.W. Korr, Plenum Press 1978.

Taking the case history in patients with vertebrogenic disturbances, I was so struck by the high incidence of chronic relapsing tonsillitis that I took a random sample of 100 cases from my files and found that 56 had a history of chronic relapsing tonsillitis or tonsillectomy for that reason, while only 44 had no or only incidentally tonsillitis." A later systematic study was carried out under the care of an otolaryngologist. Movement restriction (hypomobility) at the craniocervical junction was found in the great majority between occiput and atlas (70 cases or 92%).

Manipulative Therapy and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor System, 2nd ed. Lewit K (1991), Butterworth-Heineman, Oxford, 259.

37 children with chronic tonsillitis were treated by manipulation. Tonsillitis disappeared in 25 of them. "Tonsillitis goes hand in hand with movement restriction in the craniocervical junction."

Of 76 children with chronic tonsillitis and movement restriction at the craniocervical junction, 70 had spinal dysfunction between the occiput and atlas. 37 children who had not been operated on were given manipulation and were followed up for 5 years. 67.6% were cured of tonsillitis entirely, the remainder relapsed and were treated again with manipulation. 25 had their tonsils surgically removed, but 19 of these still suffered from movement restriction after surgery, requiring manipulation for relief.

A comparative study of the health status of children raised under the health care models of chiropractic and allopathic medicine. Van Breda, Wendy M. and Juan M. Journal of Chiropractic Research Summer 1989.

Two hundred pediatricians and two hundred chiropractors that were randomly selected and sent a survey to determine any differences were to be found in the health status of their respective children as raised under different health care models. Nearly 43% of the medical children had suffered from tonsillitis, compared to less than 27% of the chiropractic children. Lower antibiotic use and lower incidence of disease was also reported in the chiropractic children.

Spinal Subluxation and Tonsillitis Peter Fysh, DC Dynamic Chiropractic 1994 (Jan 14): 12 (2):

Brandy was eight-years-old when she presented with chronic tonsillitis. Her history was one of recurrent sore throats which would last for a week or more each time. The problem was recurring, almost every month. By history, Brandy's treatment had included various antibiotic medications and salt gargles, but nothing seemed to be helping to rid her of the problem. Removal of the tonsils appeared to be the only remaining option.

After completing Brandy's history and establishing the other forms of treatment had been tried and found to be ineffective, the chiropractor sat Brandy's parents down and explained another possible reason why her problem was unresolved. Subluxations in Brandy's spine may be the cause. Spinal problems may be the reason why her body was not able to mobilize all its defenses through the immune system. To clear the problem naturally, the way her body was intended to, would require that her immune system be functioning at optimal efficiency. The chiropractor explained to Brandy's parents that the tonsils were an important part of the body's immune system, one of the first line defenses against respiratory pathogens, bacteria and viruses, which invaded constantly through the oral and nasal passages. To remove the tonsils would be to remove an important part of this young girl's ability to fight respiratory infections.

In Brandy's case, her tonsils were swollen on both sides indicating a possible significant restriction of the lymphatic defensive process and inadequate drainage through the lymph system. Evaluation of her cervical spine indicated several areas of fixation and relative immobility in the upper three vertebrae of her neck, and as expected, associated tight muscles and palpably swollen lymph nodes in her neck. Correction of Brandy's neck problem took just two light adjustments and a couple of follow-up visits to ensure that normal function had been restored. The swollen tonsils responded remarkably to the treatment and within a week had returned to normal size. No surgery necessary.

Brandy's parents wondered how her spinal subluxations had occurred in the absence of a major neck injury. The chiropractor assured them that most children developed spinal subluxations simply from the task of being a child, with all the associated minor accidents and falls which children frequently suffer, but which are usually just treated by wiping their tears and encouraging that they will be OK.