Posts by brady anderson
Managing a Lumbar Disk Herniation with Radiculopathy
A recent study found that the combination of Mulligan’s mobilization and neurodynamic mobilization is an effective treatment for improving functional mobility and quality of life in patients with chronic lumbar disk herniation that radiates pain into the leg. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the application of several manual therapies for the management of lumbar…
Read MoreWrist Manipulation Helps Patients with Tennis Elbow
For patients with lateral epicondylitis—also known as tennis elbow—a recent study found that manipulative therapy applied to the wrist may improve grip strength. The finding suggests that dysfunction in the wrist may contribute to tennis elbow, and the wrist should be evaluated in patients seeking care for the condition. Journal of Hand Therapy, March 2023…
Read MoreUpper Cervical Manual Therapy Benefits TMD Patients
A systematic review and metaanalysis that included eight randomized controlled trials concluded that mobilization and manipulative therapy applied to the upper cervical spine reduces jaw pain and improves maximal mouth opening in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The finding adds to a growing body of research establishing a connection between TMD and disorders of the…
Read MoreSpinal Manipulation Recommended for Acute Low Back Pain
For acute non-specific low back pain with or without radiculopathy, several clinical practice guidelines recommend spinal manipulative therapy as a frontline treatment option. Spinal manipulation is the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, March 2023 New Drug Combo Flagged as Emerging Threat The combination of fentanyl…
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – June 2023
When Is Low Back Surgery Appropriate? Low back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint, and it is the leading cause of activity limitation and absenteeism from work. There are many treatment options available to the low back pain patient, including surgical procedures. But when is surgery appropriate and in what cases should it be…
Read MoreIdiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Alters Hand Proprioception
Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense where its various parts are in relation to one another for purposes of movement and balance. Examinations of 60 hands affected by carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 25 non-CTS hands revealed that proprioception is worse when CTS is present. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize a multimodal approach when…
Read MoreJaw Pain, Neck Pain, and Headaches
A retrospective study that included 300 patients with neck pain and/or temporomandibular joint pain identified an association between higher levels of neck pain and a risk for tension-type headache, while higher levels of both neck and jaw pain are more closely linked to migraines. Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for…
Read MorePostural Faults Common in Office Workers with Neck and Back Pain
Examinations of 99 office workers with neck and mid-back pain—a common combination in this population—revealed that 90 exhibited scapular dyskinesis (abnormal movement of the shoulder blade) on one of both sides. Additionally, the majority had postural deviations that include rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and thoracic hyperkyphosis (slumped upper back). Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat…
Read MoreBack Surgery Is Not For Everyone
In a recent paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the authors noted that while spinal surgeries have increased over time, the current data does not support surgical intervention for low back pain outside of cases of lumbar radiculopathy that doesn’t respond to non-surgical care and when low back pain is associated with cancer,…
Read MoreManual Therapy Helps COPD Patients Breathe Better
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. A study that included 33 COPD patients found that including muscle energy technique (MET) sessions in a COPD rehabilitation program led to better outcomes with respect to subjective breathing.…
Read More