Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 6/27/2008

Question
Hello,
My 11 year old niece was born with Left Erb's Palsy. Her Left arm was limp for the first 2 years of her life.  Her Left scapula protrudes and her range of motion is impaired. Last year the neurologist added the diagnosis of mild Cerebral Palsy.  Now she is experiencing back pain and the chiropractor states that she has scoliosis. Is this another result of the Left Erb's Palsy, etc.?

Thanks for your input.

Cindie K.

Answer
Erb's Palsy, scoliosis, cerebral palsy

Hello Cindie,

Sorry to hear of your niece's problems.  Erb's palsy and cerebral palsy are often found together.  I do not know of an Erb's Palsy and Scoliosis link- but that does not mean there is none.  Cerebral palsy, the patients that I have treated, depending upon the severity of the CP, often do have scoliosis along with the CP.

The Erb's Palsy and the Cerebral Palsy are types of nerve damage, usually received at or around birth.  Nerves control and coordinate ALL functions within your body.  Nerve damage may result in muscle atrophy, muscle contraction, spasm or paralysis.  The muscles around the spine are like the guide wires to the mast of a sailing ship.  If one side is too tight and the other side too loose, the mast of the ship, or the spine of a person has unequal pressure and a bending or curvature can result.

Is the scoliosis related to the Erb's and / or cerebral palsy, in some amount, yes.

Could chiropractic be of help, yes.  Chiropractic adjustment will help the joints, nerves and muscles of the spine.  Erb's palsy affects nerves of the neck.  I do not have a specific information sheet in my office for Erb's, but I do have a neck- pinched nerve info sheet; this may be helpful to you:
        +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Pinched  Nerve”   ( Also Known As-  neuritis, neuralgia, brachial-neuritis )

Sometimes  we  can  wake  up  with  a  stiff neck, sometimes with a ‘pinched nerve’,  or  a  muscle spasm.... sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or even a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘pinched nerve’- sometimes connected to a stiff neck, sleeping wrong; or even a whiplash to the neck from an auto accident.  Often -  the true    c a u s e   of  the pinched nerve, pain in the neck and/ or  shoulder  and/ or  arm  and/ or  hand;    is a misalignment,  a  ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

      Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

      Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

      Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

      Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

      Pathophysiology:
         The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration.  Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I hope this helps.  I know your niece is 11 years old, and the cause of the problems are 11 years ago, so it seems as if it is 'too late'.
It is never too late to build health.  And, she is only 11 years old; she has another 90 years in that body,,, take care of that body!  She is still young and dynamic, she can heal and get better with time and treatment ( I hate to observe this- being older now,,, but the younger we are, the better we heal, the older- the slower ).

This staten island chiropractor wishes you luck and good health naturally!

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com    (email newsletter)