Evaluation and Treatment of Trigeminal Symptoms of Cervical Origin After a Motor-Vehicle Crash: A Case Report With 9-Month Follow-up

J Chiropr Med. 2022 Mar;21(1):51-59. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2022.01.007. Epub 2022 Jun 9.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe the management of a patient with trigeminal symptoms of cervical origin after a motor-vehicle crash (MVC).

Clinical features: After a head-on MVC, a 65-year-old woman presented with complaints of dizziness, headaches, facial tingling, visual disturbance, tinnitus, loss of cervical motion, and pain in the cervical spine.

Intervention and outcome: The intervention applied was manipulation of the left C1-C2 and right C2-C3, with targeted exercise to strengthen the cervical musculature. After 4 weeks of treatment, the patient reported improvement in functional tasks and reduction in overall pain, headaches, facial tingling, tinnitus, and dizziness. At a 9-month follow-up, the patient had no report of facial tingling, tinnitus, loss of motion, or eye pain.

Conclusion: This patient with trigeminal symptoms of cervical origin after an MVC responded well to manual therapy to the cervical spine as part of a combination of services.

Keywords: Dizziness; Headache.

Publication types

  • Case Reports