Cervical Manipulation and Koren Specific Technique Emotions Protocol in the Improvement of Intensive Nocturnal Dry Cough: A Case Report

Abstract

This report describes a 42-year-old female patient who presented with an intensive nocturnal dry cough persisting for over six months. Subsequent to the prolonged cough, she developed shoulder and neck discomfort, leading her to seek chiropractic care. The patient received cervical chiropractic adjustments combined with the Koren Specific Technique (KST) emotions protocol. The patient was mainly treated for her musculoskeletal complaint. However, after two treatment sessions, the patient's chronic cough showed significant improvement. Two weeks later, the cough had completely ceased, and her shoulder and neck discomfort had also improved. The cough symptoms did not reappear during the six-month follow-up. The mechanism of cough improvement remains unclear, whether it is due to spinal adjustments, the KST emotions protocol, their combined effects, or merely a placebo response. This report discusses the potential underlying mechanisms of the case improvement, suggesting a non-pharmacological adjunctive therapeutic approach that could be investigated further in future research.

Keywords: chiropractic; chronic cough; depression; koren specific technique; kst emotions protocol; neurogenic cough; nocturnal dry cough; spinal manipulation; upper cervical spine; vagus nerve.

Figure 1. Occipital drop method

(A) One occipital drop moves further down than the other: "YES" in binary biofeedback reaction. (B) Two sides stop at the same level: "NO" in binary biofeedback reaction.

Figure 2. KST emotions protocol flow chart

Figure 3. Patient timeline

ST: spiritual therapies. *In gray color: Nocturnal dry coughing improving.