Addressing Trigger Points Improves Low Back Treatment Outcomes

A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot within skeletal muscle, often associated with chronic pain conditions. In a recent study involving patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, researchers found that combining spinal manipulative therapy with trigger point treatment resulted in greater improvements in functional disability compared to spinal manipulation alone. Chiropractors are not only highly skilled in spinal manipulative therapy but also in various techniques to address trigger points that impact low back function. Medicine (Baltimore), September 2024

Challenging the notion that the heart is solely governed by the autonomic nervous system, researchers from the Karolinska Institute have discovered that the heart possesses its own internal nervous system capable of independently regulating its rhythm. These findings could pave the way for new approaches to treating arrhythmias and other heart conditions. Nature Communications, December 2024

Phenolics and terpenes are compounds that influence a plant's color, flavor, and fragrance. According to a new study, these chemicals also possess antioxidant properties, which may help protect the brain from neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Food & Function, December 2024

Muscle biopsies from older adults revealed that those who exercise regularly have motor neurons and muscle cells resembling those of younger adults, compared to their sedentary peers. These findings highlight how an active lifestyle can promote healthy aging. Aging Cell, November 2024

For patients being treated for anxiety disorders, the Mayo Clinic recommends positive lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a nutritious diet, socializing, and stress management to help manage the condition. Mayo Clinic, December 2024

According to data from the GLOBOCAN 2022 study, 1 in 28 people worldwide will develop lung cancer, with two-thirds of these patients succumbing to the disease. Since a significant proportion of lung cancer cases occur in developing nations, the overall incidence can be significantly reduced through measures such as reducing environmental pollution, promoting smoking cessation and other healthy lifestyle practices, improving screening protocols, and increasing access to treatment. Chinese Medical Journal, November 2024