Alleviation of pain and disability in a post-surgical C4–C7 total fusion patient after reducing a lateral head translation (side shift) posture: a CBP(®) case report with a 14 year follow-up

[Purpose] This case describes the long-term successful outcome in a chronic neck pain patient given Chiropractic Biophysics(®) treatment 14 years previously, and following surgical fusion of C4–C7 as performed 6.5 years prior to initial presentation. [Participant and Methods] The 56-year-old female had a severe right head translation (side shift) posture and surgical fusion of C4–7 with concomitant head and neck symptoms, high pain and neck disability scores, and low health-related quality of life scores. The patient was treated by Chiropractic BioPhysics methods in an attempt to restore the head and neck posture back towards vertical alignment by mirror image(®) (opposite posture positioning) exercises, adjustments and traction. [Results] The patient received 25 treatments over the course of 11 days due to special circumstances. Initial treatment resulted in a 50% improvement of posture, a marked improvement in health status and a near complete resolution of pain. Follow-up examinations at 7.5 years, 11.5 years, and 14 years, revealed the patient had lived a virtual pain-free life since those initial treatments. [Conclusion] This case illustrates what has previously been suggested in the literature, that lateral head translation postures can be overlooked and undiagnosed and these postures may play a significant role in the production of neck pain, headaches, and related disability.