Stan Pierce¹, Kenneth Blum^2-7*, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski¹⁰, Igor Elman¹¹, Deborah Zelinsky¹², Alireza Sharafshah¹³, Aryeh R. Pollack⁴ and Rajendra D Badgaiyan^14-15

¹International Headquarters of EPIC Technique Spinal Procedure, EPIC Clinics, Clearwater, FL, USA, Life University, Marietta, GA, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartenburg, SC, USA
²Division of Addiction Research and Education, Center for Mental Health and Sports Psychiatry, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, USA
³Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary
⁴Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Neurogenetic and Behavioral Institute, LLC., Austin, USA
⁵Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, USA
⁶Department of Psychiatry, Wright University Boonshoff School of Medicine, Dayton, USA
⁷Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology (IIOAB), Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
⁸Karma Doctors & Karma TMS, and Suder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, USA
⁹Division of Personalized Interventions, Peak Logic, Del Mar, CA USA
¹⁰Center for Advanced Spine Care of Southern Arizona, Tuscon, USA
¹¹Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, USA
¹²The Mind-Eye Connection, Northbrook, USA
¹³Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
¹⁴Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, USA
¹⁵Department of Psychiatry, MT, Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA

*Corresponding Author: Kenneth Blum, Division of Addiction Research and Education, Center for Mental Health and Sports Psychiatry, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, USA.

Received: May 30, 2024; Published: June 05, 2024

Abstract

This case study demonstrates that craniocervical spinal alignment with the EPIC technique spinal procedure appears to have a potential positive impact on ocular function. This paper will report the case of a patient with cranial nerve VI palsy and dizziness, and the clinical improvements following treatment with the soundwave technology of the EPIC technique spinal procedure [1]. 

Objective: To report the case of a patient with cranial nerve VI (CN VI) palsy and the clinical changes that occurred after receiving treatment using the EPIC (Evolutionary Percussion Instrument Corrections) technique spinal procedure.

Clinical Presentation and Evaluation: A 52-year-old female presented with acute insidious onset of cranial nerve VI palsy with complaints of headache and feelings of increased head pressure. Upon eye movement exam, left eye abduction was absent which additionally caused double vision. A neurovascular physical examination using the EPIC technique protocols revealed evidence of the presence of craniocervical subluxation. 

Radiographic Findings: A four-view pre-adjustment digital radiographic series of the craniocervical region was taken and analyzed utilizing the EPIC technique protocols. The patient’s epigenetic structural profile (aka. epigenetic profile) was ascertained as well as the multidimensional vertebral malalignments between occiput (C0), atlas (C1), axis (C2), and angle of lower neck deviation (aka. misalignment profile).

The C1 vertebra was laterally displaced to the right in a -θZ direction, and rotationally displaced in a +θY direction. C2 was rotationally displaced in a -θY direction (aka. “spinous left”) with a lower neck deviated to the left in a +θZ direction. It is important to note the opposite rotational displacement of C1 and C2 about the Y axis, referred to as counter-rotational malpositions of C1/C2 [1] also referred to as a “variable subluxation” [2].

Numerous epigenetic variations were present, the most important of which was bilateral elongated styloid processes observed down to the level of C1 transverse processes. 

A single correction vector was then calculated based on both the epigenetic and misalignment profiles of data. [1].

Intervention and Outcomes: The patient was given a single soundwave impulse treatment (correction) to her craniocervical region according to the EPIC technique protocols of care using the Integrity Genesis adjusting instrument [1]. Immediately following the initial correction, the patient was re-evaluated for the presence of subluxation using the EPIC neurovascular physical exam and radiographic assessments. Findings revealed neurovascular indicators of subluxation were no longer present. A two-view post-adjustment EPIC digital radiographic series was taken to measure the biomechanical/structural changes from the treatment. Post-adjustment analysis revealed 95% reduction of C1 laterality (θZ), 22% reduction of C1 rotation (θY), 47% reduction of C2 rotation (θY), and 8% reduction in lower neck deviation (θZ). The C1 and C2 counter-rotations reduced by a combined 38%.

After the initial EPIC adjustment, the patient’s atlas was adjusted three times total in nine office visits over a six-week period. Three days after the first adjustment, limited abduction was restored to the left eye, but by the fifth week of care, left eye abduction was fully restored and the patient no longer experienced double vision. Patient also reported significant reduction in headaches with much less intensity compared to symptomatology she experienced prior to initiating care.

Conclusion: This patient’s functional ocular improvement following the EPIC technique spinal alignment procedure appears to indicate a potential correlation with craniocervical alignment and cranial nerve function. There are potential vascular correlations between the craniocervical junction and cranial nerve function, however the exact mechanisms of functional improvement is still unknown.

It is inherently very difficult to draw any conclusions from a single case study, and more research is needed in the area of craniocervical specific chiropractic care and the impact on cranial nerve function and fluid flow dynamics. However, due to the low risks associated with the EPIC technique spinal procedure and the positive patient outcomes demonstrated in this case, the EPIC procedure deserves further investigation for its potential utilization in cases involving cranial nerve dysfunction.

 Keywords: EPIC, Spine, Cranial Nerve, Ocular Function, Craniocervical, Eye Health, Chiropractic, Subluxation, Sound Wave Technology and Biomechanical Alignment  

References

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2. Palmer BJ. “Up from Below the Bottom, Chiropractic Fountain Head, Davenport, Iowa” (1950).
3. Rectenwald RJ., et al. “Vascular Ultrasound Measurements After Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Care in a Patient with Bow Hunter Syndrome”. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 4 (2018): 231-236.
4. , et al. “Craniocervical Junction Syndrome: Anatomy of the Craniocervical and Atlantoaxial Junctions and the Effect of Misalignment on Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow”. Hydrocephalus-Water on the Brain (2018): 27-40.
5. MV Jayaraman., et al. “Incidence of Extrinsic Compression of the Internal Jugular Vein in Unselected Patients Undergoing CT Angiography”. American Journal of Neuroradiology7 (2012): 1247-1250.
6. S Pierce., et al. “EPIC Spinal Procedure with Sound Wave Technology Induces Biomechanical Alignment Putatively Influencing Pain Response”. American Journal of Biomedical Science and Research6 (2023): 002642.

Citation

Citation: Stan Pierce., et al. “EPIC Technique Spinal Procedure Improves Ocular Motion and Dizziness by Resolving Cranial Nerve VI Palsy”. Acta Scientific Neurology 7.7 (2024): 03-10.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2024 Stan Pierce., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.