Objectives: The objectives of this study were to report on and evaluate the results of chiropractic treatment of patients referred from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) department with neck/jaw-related symptoms.
Methods: The target group consisted of 46 consecutive patients who had experienced a long period of diversified symptoms relating to neck and jaw dysfunction. Clinical and neurological examinations by an ENT specialist revealed no pathology; further, skeletal radiography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were normal. Diagnoses prior to referral to an ENT department were diverse, but all had neck and/or jaw complaints. Chiropractic examination indicated that the patients had neck/jaw dysfunction and related compensatory biomechanics. According to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, all patients were treated at the chiropractor's clinic. The mean follow-up period was two years.
Results: All but six patients benefited from the treatment, and there was a clear reduction in sick leave among the patients compared with conventional medical treatment.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report on the work of a chiropractor participating on the initiative of ENT staff within an ENT department of a Norwegian hospital and an ENT specialist's private clinic. The results might hopefully increase referrals to chiropractors in the treatment of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Based on our experience, we believe that the presented collaboration should encourage closer relations between ENT physicians and chiropractors, and hopefully encourage further research on the topic.
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