Chronic cervicothoracic dysfunction alleviated by cholecystectomy

Abstract

Chiropractors are aware that body wall or somatic symptoms may be caused by visceral disorders. This single case study reports on a patient whose longstanding neck and shoulder region discomfort, whilst relieved by regular chiropractic care, disappeared after she underwent a cholecystectomy. The surgery followed an episode of acute biliary pain caused by obstruction of the biliary duct by a large gallstone; the first and only indication of her having a gall bladder disorder. This case raises the question of to what degree asymptomatic disorders of the viscera are responsible for or contribute to other somatic disorders chiropractors commonly manage.