Patients with chronic fatigue and inflammatory/autoimmune conditions that are typically prescribed medication may have other treatment methods available to them.

A new case study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine (JCM) by National University faculty member, Christopher Arick, DC, MS, highlights the impact changing diet, targeted supplementation and exercise modes can have on inflammation of the body.

The study, “Chiropractic Management of a Patient With Chronic Fatigue” evaluated a 34-year-old patient suffering from chronic fatigue and an inability to lose weight. After 12 weeks of an anti-inflammatory ancestral diet, lifestyle changes, and supplementation recommendations, the patient reported experiencing higher levels of energy and weight loss of 15 pounds.

“This case study is not only about evaluating and treating patient that possesses the non-specific and ubiquitous symptom of chronic fatigue, but also illustrates how chiropractic physicians can impact conditions that are conventionally only treated pharmaceutically,” said Dr. Arick.

The findings may have tremendous importance to those who have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, or possibly other autoimmune diseases. The study shows how balancing the HPA (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis through diet, exercise modes and supplementation can help control inflammatory and autoimmune states in the body.

Dr. Arick hopes the study will help raise awareness of the broad scope of chiropractic medicine that is currently occurring in offices across the United States.

“I believe it will promote the use of ‘advanced practice’ within chiropractic medicine as a way to promote public health and improve patient health,” he said. “With other patients, I have worked with medical doctors that were excited that this polytherapy could reduce the autoimmune process without the use of medications and invasive procedures.”

The study also presents a great collaboration opportunity for DC and ND faculty and students to work together on not only a condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but others, as well.

“Although this is a great documentation of a case treated non-pharmaceutically, it is just one subject. Future case series and clinical trials that perform a more comprehensive evaluations would most likely show better evidence of this experience in patients,” Dr. Arick added.

National University’s broad-scope curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of careers and exposes them to several fields including rehabilitation, sports medicine, nutrition, internal disorders, radiology, research and more.

“I don’t think these opportunities would be as possible without the NUHS education that allows its students to have interaction with other fields and disciplines, along with the public,” Dr. Arick said.