Abstract
Objective
To present an overview of symptomatic motion sickness disorder and to propose allopathic and chiropractic approaches for treatment.
Clinical Features
Three representative cases are presented involving patients with motion sickness. All 3 patients had suffered from this condition throughout their lives. A discussion of the hypothesis of sensory conflict as a causative factor in cases of motion sickness is offered.
Intervention and Outcome
Following methods founded in applied kinesiology and using spinal and cranial manipulative treatment, the patients were able to travel long distances without nausea, sickness, or dizziness. The evaluation of these patients' responses to treatment was determined by the doctor's observation, the patients' subjective description of symptoms while riding in a motor vehicle, a visual analog scale for neck and associated pain, and applied kinesiology chiropractic physical assessment tools.
Conclusion
Further studies into chiropractic manipulative treatments for sensory conflict and proprioceptive dysfunctions associated with the problem of motion sickness are indicated. The hypothesis of sensory conflict as the cause of motion sickness should be explored more fully by other chiropractic physicians and researchers.
Key Indexing Terms: Motion Sickness; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Vestibular Function Tests; Cranial Nerve Injuries; Proprioception; Therapeutics; Chiropractic; Kinesiology, Applied
Footnotes
Sources of support: No external funding was provided for this study.
References
- 1.Nicholson AN, Pascoe PA, Spencer MB, Benson AJ. Jet lag and motion sickness. Br Med Bull. 1993;49:285–304. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a072611. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Takahashi M, Ogaga M, Miura M. Teleology of motion sickness. Acta Otolaryngol. 1995;115:130–133. doi: 10.3109/00016489509139274. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Pray S. Motion sickness: a sensory conflict. US Pharmacist. 1998;23(3) [Google Scholar]
- 4.Yardley L. Motion sickness and perception: a reappraisal of the sensory conflict approach. Br J Psychol. 1992;83:449–471. doi: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1992.tb02452.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.Riccio GE, Stoffregen TA. An ecological theory of motion sickness and postural instability. Ecological Psychol. 1991;3:195–240. [Google Scholar]
- 6.Eyeson-Annan M, Peterken C, Brown B, Atchison D. Visual and vestibular components of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1996;67:955–962. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 7.Alexander NB. Postural control in older adults. J Am Geriatr Society. 1994:42. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1994.tb06081.x. 93–108. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 8.Radtke A, von Brevern M, Tiel-Wilck K, Mainz-Perchalla A, Neuhauser H, Lempert T. Neurology. 2004;63:150–152. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000130250.62842.c9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 9.Blakley BW, Siegel M. Feeling dizzy: understanding and treating dizziness, vertigo, and other balance disorders. MacMillan; New York: 1995. [Google Scholar]
- 10.Smart LJ, Smith DL. Postural dynamics: clinical and empirical implications. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2001;24:340–349. doi: 10.1067/mmt.2001.115262. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 11.Caso M. Evaluation of Chapman's neurolymphatic reflexes via applied kinesiology: a case report of low back pain and congenital intestinal abnormality. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2004;27:66. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2003.11.009. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 12.McCouch GP, Deering ID, Ling TH. Location of receptors for tonic neck reflexes. J Neurophysiol. 1951;14:191–195. doi: 10.1152/jn.1951.14.3.191. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 13.Spector B. Neuroanatomic mechanisms underlying vertigo and nausea. Bull N Engl Med Center. 1948;10(4) [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 14.Whatmore GB, Kohli DR. The physiopathology and treatment of functional disorders. Grune & Stratton, Inc; New York: 1974. [Google Scholar]
- 15.Koch LE, Koch H, Graumann-Brunt S, Stolle D, Ramirez JM, Saternus KS. Heart rate changes in response to mild mechanical irritation of the high cervical spinal cord region in infants. Forensic Sci Int. 2002;128:168–176. doi: 10.1016/s0379-0738(02)00196-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 16.Goodheart GJ. Applied Kinesiology 1989 Workshop procedural manual. self-published; Dearborn: 1989. pp. 90–104. [Google Scholar]
- 17.Berthoz A. The brain's sense of movement. Harvard University Press; Cambridge: 2000. [Google Scholar]
- 18.Cronin PC. Cervicogenic vertigo. Eur J Chiropr. 1997;45:65–69. [Google Scholar]
- 19.Schieppati M, Nardone A, Schmid M. Neck muscle fatigue affects postural control in man. Neuroscience. 2003;121:277–285. doi: 10.1016/s0306-4522(03)00439-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 20.Treleaven J, Jull G, Sterling M. Dizziness and unsteadiness following whiplash injury: characteristic features and relationship with cervical joint position error. J Rehabil Med. 2003;35:3643. doi: 10.1080/16501970306109. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 21.Brandt T, Bronstein AM. Cervical Vertigo. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2001;71:8–12. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.71.1.8. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 22.Humphreys KM, Bolton J, Peterson C, Wood A. A cross-sectional study of the association between pain and disability in neck pain patients with dizziness of suspected cervical origin. J Whiplash Relat Disord. 2002;1:63–73. [Google Scholar]
- 23.Galm R, Rittmeister M, Schmitt E. Vertigo in patients with cervical spine dysfunction. Eur Spine J. 1998;7:55–58. doi: 10.1007/s005860050028. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 24.Heikkila HV, Wengren BI. Cervicocephalic kinesthetic sensibility, active range of motion, and oculomotor function in patients with whiplash injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998;79:1089–1094. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(98)90176-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 25.Gimse R, Tjell C, Bjorgen IA, Saunte C. Disturbed eye movements after whiplash due to injuries to the posture control system. J Clin Exp Neurophychol. 1996;18:178–186. doi: 10.1080/01688639608408273. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 26.Ziegler MG, Lake CR, Kopin IJ. The sympathetic nervous system defect in primary orthostatic hypotension. N Engl J Med. 1977;296:293–297. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197702102960601. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 27.Vinson G.H. Blood flow and hormone secretion in the adrenal gland. In: James VHT, editor. The adrenal gland. 2nd ed. Raven Press, Ltd.; New York: 1992. pp. 71–86. [Google Scholar]
- 28.Goodheart GJ. Applied kinesiology workshop procedure manuals. Detroit; MI: 1999. [Google Scholar]
- 29.Kendall FP, McCreary EK, Provance PG. 4th ed. Williams & Wilkins; Baltimore: 1993. Muscles: testing and function. [Google Scholar]
- 30.Janda V. Muscle function testing. Butterworths; London: 1983. [Google Scholar]
- 31.Walther DS. Applied kinesiology: basic procedures and muscle testing. I. Systems DC; Pueblo, CO: 1981. [Google Scholar]
- 32.Ayres AJ. Sensory integration and praxis tests. Western Psychological Services; Los Angeles: 1989. [Google Scholar]
- 33.Meal G. Applied kinesiology: muscle response in diagnosis, therapy and preventive medicine. Eur J Chiropr. 1986;34:107. [Google Scholar]
- 34.Evans RC. Illustrated essentials in orthopedic physical assessment. Mosby; St. Louis: 1994. [Google Scholar]
- 35.Goodheart GJ. Applied kinesiology and dentistry. Basal Facts. 1987;9:69–73. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 36.Goodheart G. Kinesiology and dentistry. J Am Soc Psychosom Dis. 1976;6:16–18. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 37.Esposito V, Leisman G, Frankenthal Y. Neuromuscular effects of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Intern J Neurosci. 1993;68:205–207. doi: 10.3109/00207459308994276. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 38.Retzlaff EW, Mitchell FW. The cranium and its sutures. Springer-Verlag; Berlin: 1987. p. 68. [Google Scholar]
- 39.Friedman HD, Gilliar WG, Glassman JH. Osteopathic manipulative medicine approaches to the primary respiratory mechanism. Proceedings of the International Manual Medicine Society. San Francisco: the association; San Francisco: 2000. pp. 221–253. [Google Scholar]
- 40.Caffey J. The whiplash shaken infant syndrome: manual shaking by the extremities with whiplash-induced intracranial and intraocular bleedings, linked with residual permanent brain damage and mental retardation. Pediatrics. 1974;54:396–403. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 41.Magoun H. Entrapment neuropathy in the cranium. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1968;67:779–787. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 42.Cuthbert S, Blum C. Symptomatic Arnold-Chiari malformation and cranial nerve dysfunction: a case study of applied kinesiology cranial evaluation and treatment. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2005;28:e1–e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.03.001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 43.Lund JP, Donga R, Widmer CG, Stohler CS. The pain-adaptation model: a discussion of the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain and motor activity. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1991;69:683–694. doi: 10.1139/y91-102. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 44.Walther DS. Applied kinesiology: head, neck, and jaw pain and dysfunction—the stomatognathic system. II. Systems DC; Pueblo, CO: 1983. [Google Scholar]
- 45.Pederick FO. A Kaminski-type evaluation of cranial adjusting. Chiropr Tech. 1997;9:1–15. [Google Scholar]
- 46.Blum CL. Biodynamics of the cranium: a survey. J Craniomandibular Pract. 1985;3:164–171. doi: 10.1080/08869634.1985.11678098. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 47.Pick M. A preliminary single case magnetic resonance imaging investigation into maxillary frontal-parietal manipulation and its shortterm effect upon the intercranial structures of an adult human brain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1994;17:168–173. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 48.Magoun HI. The temporal bone: troublemaker in the head. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1974;73:825–835. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 49.Upledger JE. Craniosacral therapy II: beyond the dura. Eastland Press; Seattle: 1987. pp. 115–130. [Google Scholar]
- 50.Butler DS. Mobilisation of the nervous system. ChurchillLivingstone; London: 1991. [Google Scholar]
- 51.Magoun HI. Entrapment neuropathy of the central nervous system, part II: cranial nerves I-IV, VI-VIII, XII. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1968;67:779–787. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 52.Breinin GM. Electromyographic evidence for ocular muscle proprioception in man. Arch Ophthalmol. 1957;57:176–180. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1957.00930050184003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 53.Breig A. Analysis of cause and effect. Relief by functional neurosurgery. John Wiley & Sons; New York: 1978. Adverse mechanical tension in the central nervous system. [Google Scholar]