July 2004

Vertigo and the lymphatic system

by Dr. Howard Loomis

There is no doubt that chiropractic is a miracle. Our therapeutic successes are legendary and consequently responsible for this profession's very existence. Unfortunately, it seems that the public and even most chiropractors are unaware of the accuracy in diagnosis made possible by chiropractic analysis.

Our diagnostic prowess is enormous, yet rarely appreciated. If you are not a believer in the power of chiropractic diagnosis, consider the following case submitted by Patrick Giammarise, DC and Loomis Digestive Health Specialist (LDHS) of Chico, CA.

Chief complaint

A 42‑year‑old professional male presented with complaints of allergies, constipation, and benign positional vertigo. The vertigo had been present for approximately 13 years. It was so bad that the patient would go through intermittent periods, lasting for five or six months, where the room would spin for 45 minutes when he changed from a sitting to a supine position and when he rose from a supine position to a sitting or standing position. Driving during these times was very hazardous for the patient. The extended bouts of vertigo seemed to coincide with the winter and spring seasons when mold and pollen counts are highest on the West Coast.

Previous treatment

Over the years the patient had sought medical treatment, acupuncture, chiropractic, and osteopathic manipulation for his condition. The only treatment that provided any partial relief was cranial adjusting by an osteopath. However, the osteopath was located more than 100 miles away and getting there was often impossible because of the vertigo.

Consultation

Because of the duration of his symptoms and lack of any appreciable relief from previous chiropractic manipulation, the patient came to Dr. Giammarise for an opinion on his case but did not want another round of manipulation that might interfere with the osteopathic therapy.

He asked if Dr. Giammarise could work in harmony with the osteopath. Dr. Giammarise agreed and began with a thorough case history of the patient. The patient completed a signs and symptoms survey and was instructed to collect a 24 hour urine sample. He returned after the urinalysis testing was completed, and Dr. Giammarise reviewed his symptoms and urinalysis findings.

Signs and symptoms survey

The scoring of the signs and symptoms survey indicated severe problems associated with carbohydrate deficiency and the digestion of carbohydrates. Symptoms related to fatty acid deficiency and fat digestion scored equally high.

Physical examination

Dr. Giammarise then performed a chiropractic palpatory examination of both the spine and visceral areas. Next, the patient, who had been fasting for eight hours, was given a test meal of one level tablespoon that consists of an exact amount of protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber. The patient waited while his body attempted to digest and assimilate this "test meal." The palpation examination was then repeated and any changes in the spinal and peripheral muscle contractions were noted and recorded.

Dr. Giammarise evaluated the subluxation patterns and positive viscero‑somatic trigger points that were caused by faulty diet, digestion, and elimination. In other words, those that would return following chiropractic adjustments every time the patient ate, regardless of the skill of the chiropractor.

Palpation findings

Muscle contraction and palpatory pain was present in the upper cervical area, especially along the posterior arch of the atlas. Of particular notice were the multiple lower cervical and upper thoracic involvements. This finding became particularly important in the final diagnosis and recommendations. The only other area of spinal involvement was in the lower thoracic area and along the lower posterior ribs.

Peripheral muscular tenderness was found in the maxillary sinuses, lower anterior cervical areas around the thyroid, and in the right McBurney (ascending colon) area. Most notable was the palpatory tenderness associated behind the clavicles and over the thoracic lymphatic duct.

Treatment recommendations

In addition to continuing osteopathic cranial adjusting, Dr. Giammarise recommended supplementing digestive enzymes before meals and restricting dietary sugar in the patient's diet. The supplementation of phospholipids combined with fatty acids was also recommended and specific exercises and nutrients were suggested to relieve lymphatic congestion.

Outcome

The patient experienced decreased symptoms of allergies, reduced nasal congestion, and better elimination within two weeks. Best of all, the patient's vertigo has completely resolved despite it being the height of allergy season, the time he usually experienced his worst problems.

No longer does the room spin for 45 minutes every time he gets up to void his bladder at night. Driving is no longer a problem and the patient feels energized for the first time in his adult life!

Chiropractic and cranial adjustments in combination with breathing exercises and improved diet and digestion improved his elimination and lymphatic congestion. The integration of these healing methods led to an incredible improvement in the patient's condition that was made possible by chiropractic diagnosis. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the source of stress must be determined and then the treatment will become obvious and improvement almost guaranteed.

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Congratulations to Dr. Giammarise! I will continue to bring you reports of documented clinical successes achieved by the doctors who work hard to improve the health of patients and prove that diagnosis is possible through chiropractic analysis.

(Dr. Loomis welcomes input on the subjects covered in this column. To make a comment or ask a question, write to him at 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719. Visit www.loomisenzymes.com online or call 800‑662‑2630 for information on upcoming Loomis Institute seminars.)