The palliative care of a post-polio syndrome patient

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The palliative care of a post-polio syndrome patient
Received 16 February 2005; accepted 21 November 2005. Available online 19 January 2006.
Sue Simpson
Clinical Chiropractic
Volume 9, Issue 2, June 2006,
ScienceDirect

Copyright © 2005 The College of Chiropractors Published by Elsevier B.V.

The Fir Tree Clinic, Fir Tree Farm, Pamber Road, Charter Alley, Tadley, Hants RG26 5PZ, UK

Summary

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is the name given to the symptoms of weakness, pain and fatigue experienced by 20Ò40% of poliomyelitis (polio) sufferers 30Ò40 years after initially contracting the virus. A percentage of post-polio sufferers may turn to chiropractic to help relieve their symptoms. Previous research has indicated that chiropractic has a relatively high level of patient satisfaction, which warrants it being considered as a treatment for patients with PPS. However, the symptoms of PPS and the effect it can have on patients are not widely understood within the chiropractic community. This case study seeks to illustrate chiropractic treatment in the palliative care of persons with post-polio syndrome. The case study outlines polio and its late effects and discusses the case of a 69-year-old female with PPS who presented with the full range of symptoms but was having pain specifically in her left hand. Chiropractic care was beneficial in this instance in the palliative management of the patient's pain. It also helped increase hand functionality and improved the patient's proprioception. The treatment and outcomes of this patient are discussed.

Keywords: Adult human female; Chiropractic; Post-poliomyelitis syndrome; Poliomyelitis; Scoliosis

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