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Journal of Chiropractic Medicine logoLink to Journal of Chiropractic Medicine
. 2005;4(2):97–102. doi: 10.1016/S0899-3467(07)60119-0

An integrative treatment approach of a patient with cervical radiculitis: A case report

Leanne Apfelbeck a,b,*
PMCID: PMC2647039  PMID: 19674652

Abstract

Objective

To describe a case report of the use of 3 treatment methods for treatment of cervical radiculitis; manual intermittent traction, instrumental chiropractic spinal manipulation, and interferential therapy.

Clinical Features

A 54-year-old man experienced neck and left arm pain with positive orthopedic tests indicating cervical spinal nerve root involvement; he was diagnosed with cervical radiculitis

Intervention and Outcome

The patient received 10 treatments over a period of 8 weeks. Instrumental spinal manipulation, manual intermittent traction, and interferential therapy were integrated as a treatment plan for the patient. The patient's condition appeared to resolve. Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, weeks 3, 5, and 8. Neck Disability Index scores were 32%, 14%, 8%, and 4% respectively, and the Visual Analog Scales were 8.5/10, 2.0/10, 1.0/10, and 0.5/10. The symptoms of cervical radiculitis was resolved in an 8 week period after 10 treatments.

Conclusion

The integration of instrumental spinal manipulation, manual intermittent traction, and interferential may work well together for patients with similar signs and symptoms as presented in this case.

Key Indexing Terms: Neck; Radiculopathy; Manipulation, Chiropractic; Treatment Outcome

Footnotes

Sources of support: No grants or outside financial support were used for this publication.

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