Chiropractors will want to read us anywhere, anytime
Third Quarter 2025
(July-Sept)
Volume 6, Issue 1 (6-1)
read with your mind, care with your heart
The problem with subluxation
Narrative: The problem with subluxation is political, not scientific nor philosophical. Subluxation has strong clinical relevance within the practice of Chiropractic, being integral to some 80% of the profession.
The political positions and phrases which do little to advance or clarify the term are those offered by a small regulator in Britain based on 3 Heads of Chiropractic education programs each making a personal decision to eschew the term.
Sadly we see a few institutions in other parts of the world plagiarise by cut and paste the GCC position, adopting it without critical review let alone without supportive evidence.
If what I am saying actually represents the situation then Chiropractic education is slipping into a very weak position where an institution puts itself in a position to fail to attract future students due to them choosing to remove the essential essence of the discipline they purport to teach.
Indexing Terms: chiropractic; subluxation; GCC, Rosner, FVSR White paper; ontology; epistemology.
Cite: Ebrall P. The problem with subluxation. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#EbrallProblemSubluxation
A tale of two paths. [WCCS]
Narrative: The first path for a chiropractic student is to become qualified and build the foundation for all that will be done in practice. There is a secondary path, one where the students find their passion. If this first path is everything you need to be qualified, the second path would be considered anything that you do while you’re in school that helps you to become competent.
This secondary path is the path that will help the student to one day stand in front of people with unconscious competence because they preemptively spent the time and energy to develop themself into the doctor they dreamt of becoming.
Taking time to care for one’s well-being while walking these paths is not optional, it is mandatory.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; World Congress of Chiropractic Students, WCCS; self-care, well-being.
Cite: Boudar JW. A tale of two paths. [WCCS]. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;5.2. apcj.net/papers-issue-5-2/#BoudarTwoPaths
Hypothesis: Chiropractic adjustments reduce the risk of stroke in Long COVID
Narrative: The hypothesis that Chiropractic adjustments reduce the risk of stroke in long COVID victims gains initial plausibility from the existing evidence of the effect of Chiropractic adjustments on at least two modifiable risk factors for stroke. These factors are depressed pulmonary function and sedentary lifestyle.
In addition to evidence that Chiropractic adjustments can ameliorate these risk factors generally, case reports suggest that depressed pulmonary function and sedentary lifestyle are ameliorated by Chiropractic adjustments in Long COVID victims specifically.
Approaches to future research to confirm or not confirm the hypothesis are discussed.
Indexing terms: Chiropractic; hypothesis; adjustment; stroke risk; Long COVID.
Cite: Masarsky CS. Hypothesis: Chiropractic adjustments reduce the risk of stroke in Long COVID. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#MasarskyLongCOVIDHypothesis
Scalenus Anticus Syndrome: A root of the neck and shoulder disorder
Narrative: The scalenus anticus syndrome is a neurovascular compression at the root of the human neck and torso, the interscalene triangle, and is made up of the scalenus anticus and medius muscles and the 1st rib.
The condition is very often associated with hyperextension–hyeprflexion cervical strain–sprain, as in auto accidents, sometimes with occupations and activities that use the arms in a repetitive manner, such as supermarket cash register operators.
It is a very common muscle and joint problem that is pervasive in the Chiropractic patient population. Differential diagnosis of this important problem is necessary, because it is sometimes associated with a cervical rib, which may be a complicating congenital anomaly. Occasionally the scalenus anticus syndrome may be caused by the anomalous course of the subclavian artery through the scalenus anticus muscle.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; AK; Applied Kinesiology; Scalenus Anticus Syndrome; Scalenes; MMT.
Cite: Cuthbert S. Scalenus Anticus Syndrome: A root of the neck and shoulder disorder. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#CuthbertScalenusAnticus
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A measurable neuromuscular ensemble of the Chiropractic patient’s mouth and airway
Narrative: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterised by loud snoring and periods of silence while breathing, often followed by snorts or gasps as the individual attempts to breathe.
There are some simple remedies for this problem that will be described for patients with OSA and the more prevalent problem of ‘snoring’. Some of our chiropractic patients with chronic snoring syndromes destroy the lives of their wives, husbands, and friends who sleep with them. Especially if your patient is a loud snorer, everyone in the patients’ family house may be affected. As an estimated 1 billion people around the world suffer from OSA, this is a more common problem than many Chiropractors have developed the clinical tools for effective management.
Snoring is caused by the patient’s inspired air not flowing smoothly through the throat or nasal passages, and vibrating over relaxed tissues as they breathe in or out. The soft palette at the back of the mouth and the muscles in the throat relax while the patient is sleeping. Over-relaxed (what are called “inhibited”) throat and tongue and jaw muscles can create disturbances in the patient’s airway, upsetting the flow of air through the throat. That is why substances that relax muscles, including alcohol and some drugs, increase snoring. In fact, any drug prompting deep sleep promotes snoring.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; AK; Applied Kinesiology; Obstructive sleep apnea; snoring.
Cite: Cuthbert S. Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A measurable neuromuscular ensemble of the Chiropractic patient’s mouth and airway. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#CuthbertSleepApnea
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Narrative: The scalenus anticus syndrome is a neurovascular compression at the root of the human neck and torso, the interscalene triangle, and is made up of the scalenus anticus and medius muscles and the 1st rib.
The condition is very often associated with hyperextension–hyeprflexion cervical strain–sprain, as in auto accidents, sometimes with occupations and activities that use the arms in a repetitive manner, such as supermarket cash register operators.
It is a very common muscle and joint problem that is pervasive in the Chiropractic patient population. Differential diagnosis of this important problem is necessary, because it is sometimes associated with a cervical rib, which may be a complicating congenital anomaly. Occasionally the scalenus anticus syndrome may be caused by the anomalous course of the subclavian artery through the scalenus anticus muscle.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; AK; Applied Kinesiology; Scalenus Anticus Syndrome; Scalenes; MMT.
Cite: Cuthbert S. Scalenus Anticus Syndrome: A root of the neck and shoulder disorder. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#CuthbertScalenusAnticus
Long COVID with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A case report
Narrative: A 64-year-old corporate consultant presented with long COVID manifestations. His major complaints were cold intolerance, fatigue, and insomnia. He rated his fatigue at 2/10 on a scale where 10/10 represents the most severe manifestation of the symptom. He had been able to sleep only 3-4 hours per night for several months. He had been accustomed to playing tennis 2-4 times per week but had not played at all for several months prior to presentation.
He was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea approximately three months after his acute COVID-19 infection. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy was ongoing for this condition.
He also suffered a recurrence of atrial fibrillation around the time of this infection. He was taking Diltiazem™ (a calcium channel blocker) and Pradax™ (an anticoagulant) for atrial fibrillation as well as Zyrtec™ for seasonal allergies at the time of presentation.
On chiropractic examination, multiple vertebral and upper extremity subluxations were found on palpation. Active cervical range of motion was restricted in rotation and lateral flexion bilaterally. The right quadriceps femoris muscle was found to be inhibited on manual muscle testing. A sagittal suture fault was revealed according to Applied Kinesiology protocols. Lower rib excursion was restricted on the right. Arterial blood pressure measured 150/98 mm/Hg.
Chiropractic adjustments for the correction of vertebral and upper extremity subluxations and cranial faults were administered five times over a four-week period. He was asked to perform daily oropharyngeal exercises to augment his CPAP therapy.
On the third visit, blood pressure was 134/80 mm/Hg. The patient stated he was sleeping as much as 5.5 hours per night, and his fatigue level was ‘not bad’. On the fifth visit, the patient reported his fatigue level to be 1/10 most days. His sensitivity to cold temperature was no longer worse than before COVID-19 infection. He reported sleeping at least 4 hours, often 5-6 hours per night. Overall, he stated he was feeling ‘better’. Several weeks after this visit, he had resumed playing tennis.
This is our sixth report of long COVID under chiropractic care. The results to date support the hypothesis that chiropractic adjustments can reduce the severity of COVID-19 long haul symptoms.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; Long COVID; Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Cite: Masarsky CS, Todres-Masarsky M. Long COVID with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1. www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#MasarskySleepApnea
Chiropractic care of a 7-year-old male child presenting with resolving encopresis: A case report
Narrative: The purpose of this case report is to share chiropractic care of a 7-year-old male brought to the clinic by his grandmother with a chief complaint of encopresis for three years and learning difficulties.
Encopresis is a condition characterised by the involuntary leakage of stool in children who are typically over the age of four, when they have already been toilet trained.
It is often associated with chronic constipation and the subsequent overflow incontinence.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; SOT; encopresis.
Cite: Erickson J. Chiropractic care of a 7-year-old male child presenting with resolving encopresis: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1 www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#EricksonEncopresis
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Narrative: The purpose of this case report is to share chiropractic care of a 7-year-old male brought to the clinic by his grandmother with a chief complaint of encopresis for three years and learning difficulties.
Encopresis is a condition characterised by the involuntary leakage of stool in children who are typically over the age of four, when they have already been toilet trained.
It is often associated with chronic constipation and the subsequent overflow incontinence.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; SOT; encopresis.
Cite: Erickson J. Chiropractic care of a 7-year-old male child presenting with resolving encopresis: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2025;6.1 www.apcj.net/papers-issue-6-1/#EricksonEncopresis
An ASRF Research Project
Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Symptoms in a 26-year-old Male Concomitant with Chiropractic Care: A case report
Background: Disordered and inadequate sleep is a growing public health concern. One of the most common sleep disorders is obstructive sleep apnoea, a condition that interrupts sleep through multiple episodes of airway collapse and subsequent decrease in oxygen saturation.
With many of the treatments being invasive and the outcomes unreliable, there is a significant need for alternative and effective management options for individuals with OSA. The following case report details the effective management of obstructive sleep apnea in a young adult with chronic pain from previous injuries, with Chiropractic care.
Intervention: The patient underwent a course of Chiropractic care during which he was adjusted two to three times per week using full spine adjusting, Diversified Technique with manual adjusting.
Outcomes: At the completion of his care plan, his CPAP machine reported a 50% decrease in his apnea episodes, and his sleep quality had increased significantly. This was accompanied by notable increases in spinal range of motion tests, resolution of his cervical syndrome, and a decrease in musculoskeletal pain.
Conclusion: This case report indicates that Chiropractic care may be useful in managing sleep apnea, but further research is required to confirm the mechanisms and strength of this effect.
Indexing Terms: Chiropractic; Subluxation; obstructive sleep apnoea.
Cite: Wesdorf J, Postlethwaite R, McIvor C. Improvement in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Symptoms in a 26-year-old Male Concomitant with Chiropractic Care: A case report. Asia-Pac Chiropr J. 2024;5.2. apcj.net/papers-issue-5-2/#WesdorfSleepApnoea
Disclaimer
This journal is a professional journal by chiropractors for chiropractors. Readers not fully trained as a chiropractor should not act on their own on any information published in these pages and should always discuss their situation with their chiropractor.
The name 'Asia-Pacific Chiropractic Journal' is a registered business name with ASIC, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.
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