More common than a nerve being compressed between two spinal bones is a nerve that is irritated, stretched or chafed by adjacent spinal structures!

Behrendt’s work, entitled: Insult, Interference and Infertility: An Overview of Chiropractic Research, was published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research. The study tracked 15 women, ages 22-65, who had a history of fertility problems – some for as long as nine years. Eight of the women had previously undergone unsuccessful fertility treatments.

These 15 woman entered chiropractic care. “Each was determined to close the gap between how her body was designed to function and the reality of how her body was functioning,” stated Dr. Behrendt.

The results were incredible.

14 of the 15 women became pregnant following the start of chiropractic adjustments. The 65-year old woman had ceased having a menstrual cycle at age 18 following a traumatic fall. Then, nearly five decades later – and little more than a month after starting chiropractic care – her cycles resumed. Although she did not get pregnant, she was advised to use birth control.

“Some of the case studies are remarkable,” noted Dr. Ben Wilson, a Tyler-based chiropractor.

Dr. Wilson pointed to a 32 year-old woman described in the study. “She had no menstrual cycle for 12 years. She had attempted multiple fertility treatments with no success. After two months of chiropractic care – with attention to the lumbar regions – menstruation started. And, after four cycles, unassisted pregnancy occurred,” said Dr. Wilson. “I’m not saying that chiropractic is a specific cure for infertility, but I will point to the concept that interference within your nervous system can disrupt normal body functions,” he continued.

Also detailed was the plight of a 26 year-old woman who suffered from severe scoliosis with a Cobb’s angle of 58 degrees. She too was infertile despite numerous medical treatments to assist conception. “After six months of chiropractic care – with adjustments applied to the sacrum, lumbar and cervical regions – the Cobb’s angle decreased to 47 degrees. One month later, unassisted pregnancy occurred,” commented Dr. Wilson.

The study offers hope to infertile women and an alternative to fertility drugs. There are 40,000 births in the U.S. each year that are achieved using assisted reproductive technologies. But, there are yet to be studies as to the long-term effects of these drugs nor has there been a uniform tracking of birth defects among children conceived using these methods.

“The study also defines the chiropractic profession. Chiropractic in itself is not a cure for what ails you, but a means of allowing the human body to operate as it was designed. And, when operating at peak efficiency, the human body can do great things. When you cut yourself – you heal. When the climate changes – your body adjusts. In short, chiropractic care is a great vehicle to improve your general health and function,” added Dr. Wilson.

“Again, Dr. Behrendt’s research is wonderful news for couples trying to start a family. It also serves as further evidence that regular spinal adjustments can have benefits far beyond those that the public normally associates with chiropractic care,” concluded Dr. Wilson.