Subject: Case Studies

Title: Treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia using Instrument-Assisted Manipulation of the Fourth Rib: A 6 Year Study

Reference: Mary Rose Julian,MSEd,DC....Journal of Manipulation and Physiological Therapeutics June 2008; 31(5): pp.389-391

Objective: The purpose of this case report was to describe the observation of the manipulation of the fourth rib followed by the reproducible, rapid return of heart rate to normal in a patient with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.

Clinical Features: A male patient had paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. He was evaluated using standard methods of palpation. He was followed over a 6-year period.

Intervention and Outcome: A patient was treated during episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with instrument-assisted manipualtion of the fourth rib without treatment of any other segments. Tachycardia was eliminated after rib manipulation within less than 2 minutes. Over a 6-year period, effective control of episodes of SVT was consistently achieved associated with manipulation of the fourth rib.

Conclusion: This case study is suggestive of a relationship between SVT and misalignment of the fourth rib. Controlled studies are necessary to validate this obersvation.

Key Indexing Terms: Tachycardia; Supraventricular; Treatment; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Ribs; Chiropractic