Case report

Rehabilitation program for traumatic chronic cervical pain associated with unsteadiness: a single case study

Danik Lafond¹ , Annick Champagne¹ , Rosalie Cadieux¹ and Martin Descarreaux²

¹  Département des sciences de l'activité physique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada

²  Département de chiropratique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada

author email corresponding author email

Chiropractic & Osteopathy 2008, 16:15doi:10.1186/1746-1340-16-15

Published:	17 November 2008

Abstract

Background

Neck problems are often recurring or chronic. After pain, unsteadiness and balance problems are among the most frequent symptoms reported by chronic neck pain (CNP) patients. Altered sensorimotor control of the cervical spine and sensorimotor integration problems affecting postural control have been observed in CNP patients. Very few data are available regarding the post-intervention effects of rehabilitation programs on postural control in CNP.

Case presentation

This is a case study of a traumatic CNP patient (a 45-year old female) with postural unsteadiness who participated in an 8-week rehabilitation program combining therapeutic exercises with spinal manipulative therapy. Pre-intervention data revealed that the postural control system was challenged when postural control sensory inputs were altered, particularly during the head-extended-backward condition. Post-intervention centre of pressure measurements indicated a drastic reduction in postural sway during trials with changes in neck orientation.

Conclusion

This case report indicates that an 8-week rehabilitation program combining therapeutic exercises with spinal manipulative therapy may have had an effect on improvement of postural control in a trauma CNP patient with unsteadiness. These results warrant further studies to investigate the relationships between pain amelioration, sensorimotor control of the cervical spine, muscle fitness and postural steadiness.