Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Linked to Knee and Hip Arthritis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a debilitating condition associated with the degeneration of the spine, which can have a wide range of symptoms including back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, and reduced physical function. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of ten studies found that lumbar spinal stenosis can often co-occur with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee, suggesting that patients with one of the conditions should be examined for the others as they may need to be co-managed for the patient to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Doctors of chiropractic commonly treat these conditions using a multimodal approach including manual therapies, physical therapy modalities, rehabilitative exercises, and nutritional recommendations. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2022
Health Alert: Many Families Face Financial Hardship When Having a Baby. According to a recent study, the combination of insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs related to pregnancy and birth may account for 20-30% of a low-income family’s annual income. Obstetrics and Gynecology, March 2022
Diet: Avocados Benefit the Heart. Using data from the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Followup Study, researchers report that eating two or more servings of avocado per week (1 serving = 1/3 of an avocado) may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease by up to 16% and coronary heart disease by up to 21%. JAMA, April 2022
Exercise: The Power of Lifelong Exercise. Examinations of 46 older men revealed that those with a lifelong history of physical activity had a greater number of stem cells than those with a sedentary lifestyle. The findings are important because these cells aid muscle regeneration, long-term muscle growth, and nerve degeneration protection. Journal of Physiology, February 2022
Mental Attitude: Could Day Care Increase Behavioral Issues in Kids? Following a review of data concerning nearly 1,300 school children, researchers report that the more time a child spends in day care, the more likely they are to have aggressive behaviors, experience attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and exhibit signs of anxiety and depression. However, many of these problem behaviors decreased by the time children reached the age of 13. PLOS ONE, March 2022
Wellness/Prevention: Improve Your Sleep. To improve sleep, the National Sleep Foundation recommends the following: go to bed at the same time every night and wake at the same time every morning; exercise regularly; practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or deep breathing; avoid alcohol and caffeine before bedtime; don't watch TV or use other screens in the bedroom; and use a white noise machine or earplugs to block out noise. National Sleep Foundation, March 2022
Quote: “Character is power.” ~ Booker T. Washington
