Posts by brady anderson
Trigger Points and Tension-Type Headache
A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot found in skeletal muscle that is associated with chronic pain conditions. In a recent experiment that included 32 tension-type headache patients, researchers observed that addressing trigger points in the head and neck muscles resulted in a significant decline in headache intensity. Doctors of chiropractic are trained to…
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – August 2024
Smoking Is a Risk Factor for Back Pain Back pain refers to pain or discomfort in the dorsal (back) region of the body, which can arise from abnormalities in spinal vertebrae, back muscles, tendons, ligaments, or neural structures. While back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries can usually be linked to an identifiable event, like…
Read MoreSpinal Manipulation Reduces Pain Catastrophizing Too
Among a group of 98 chronic low back pain patients, those treated with spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—not only experienced greater improvements in pain than participants who received a sham treatment, but they were also less likely to describe their pain in exaggerated terms (pain catastrophizing). Journal of…
Read MoreNonpharmacological Treatment for Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches caused by dysfunction in the neck. A systematic review that included eight studies concluded that manual therapies and therapeutic exercises are effective interventions for managing cervicogenic headaches. Doctors of chiropractic routinely adopt a multimodal approach when treating patients with cervicogenic headaches that involves one or more manual therapies and at-home…
Read MoreChronic Tension-Type Headache?
Tension-type headache is a common form of headache characterized by a dull, aching pain and tightness or pressure around the forehead or back of the head and neck. A recent case study described how a 63-year-old man with chronic tension-type headaches experienced full resolution of his symptoms following three treatments to address myofascial trigger points…
Read MoreRotator Cuff Injury?
A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 24 studies concluded that the combination of manual therapy and specific exercises can improve pain and function in patients with a rotator cuff injury. Doctors of chiropractic often employ manual therapies and exercises as part of a multimodal approach to address musculoskeletal disorders, including shoulder injuries. Biomed…
Read MoreManual Therapy vs. Oral Pain Medications for Neck Pain
A systematic review and metaanalysis that included nine clinical trials found that manual therapy interventions are likely more effective than oral pain medications for managing neck pain in both the short- and long-term, with a lower risk for adverse events. Doctors of chiropractic are well-versed in the application of several manual therapies for addressing neck…
Read MoreManaging Tennis Elbow
For patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy, more commonly known as tennis elbow, a recent study found that a multimodal approach that included addressing trigger points in the forearm muscles, extremity manipulation, cervical spinal manipulation, and physiotherapy resulted in better outcomes with respect to elbow pain, pain intensity, function, and disability than physiotherapy alone. Such a…
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – July 2024
Gardening Tips to Avoid Low Back Pain Low back pain and gardening seem to go hand in hand, especially getting the garden ready after a long sedentary winter! As many people who love gardening know, keeping up with the weeds through the summer can also take its toll on the low back. Let’s take…
Read MorePersistent Pain Following Endometriosis Surgery?
For women with persistent myofascial and pelvic pain following surgical treatment for endometriosis, a recent study found that manual therapies—such as those provided by doctors of chiropractic—may be an effective intervention for addressing such symptoms. Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology, November 2023 Accelerated Aging Raises Risk for Some Cancers Using data from the UK Biobank study,…
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