Cathy,
I have done much research regarding Dr. Elster's supposed research. She is from Colorado, I'm from Michigan, or I'd go to see her. There is very limited info on this theory. Next best thing, I found a relatively local Dr. who practices the same kind of Chiropractic. Keep in mind, this is not your well known spinal manipulation. This is only the correction of alignment of the uppermost vertibrae. The Axis and the Atlas. A comparison would be using a garden spade to replant your housplants vs. using a small hand trowel, much more precise than the well know "cracking and snapping".
I was Dx'ed this past March, have been on Betaseron ever since. Looking back, I've had 3-4 exacerbations over the last 8 years or so. This is the first time my symptoms didn't clear up on there own though. My wife is a Pharmacist of 20 years, Crabs seem to be the best that conventional medicine has to offer. After much research into the "mainstream" treatments........although certainly not against them, I feel there must be more.
I've been going to this local Chiropractor for a couple of months now. He doesn't always make an adjustment, it's more of a checkup, and an adjustment if needed.
Bottom line.....I can truly say I began to feel improvement within a week of my first adjustment and at this point must say I feel better than I have in about 2 years.
Haven't had any exacerbations, symptoms have all but gone away.....finally!
On the down side, a few days ago I thought I was in for a case of O.N., have never had it but was shopping with my wife and kids and started seeing something that would be best described as "a speckled kalidescope" in my right eye. Needless to say, I was in a panic. I got worse over about half an hour, then total went away within the hour. Sitting on pins and needles but so far so good!
I am a believer in Chiropractic, had been seeing one for the regular spinal adjustments on and off for a number of years. My line of work is rough on the back. Was always pleased with the results. We'll see what this new Doc. does for me. I was skeptical after the first adjustment because it doesn't seem like he's doing anything.
Linda R, I too had a bad car accident about 20 years ago though, was out for I don't know how long, and ended up with about 20 stitches in the forehead, care of the steering wheel(car didn't have shoulder harness). Is there a connection? Research would say maybe. Only He knows.
My Neuro. tells me to stay away from conventional manipulation to the neck area. Although rare, there was a weak connection established between the trauma of manipulation of the neck and stroke.
The following link is Dr. Elster's most recent research results:
(pdf file, Adobe Acrobat) the link works but is kinda slow, be patient)
http://www.erinelster.com/pdfs/jvsr%20m ... d%2081.pdf
I have much more and many more links but am not going to include all here. Contact me if there is an interest.
Steve.................aka Treez