Posts by brady anderson
Treatment for Chronic Sciatica
For individuals with pain radiating into the leg lasting longer than three months due to disk herniation, a systematic review that included four studies found that conservative care should the first-line course of treatment in the absence of neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome. Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be an excellent treatment option…
Read MoreBack Muscle Stiffness and Low Back Pain
A systematic review that included nine studies found that stiffness in the multifidus and erector spinae muscles is associated with low back pain. Doctors of chiropractic often utilize manual therapies and exercises to address core muscle stiffness in low back pain patients. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, February 2024 Nearly Half of Counties in United States Have…
Read MoreMonthly Pain Update – September 2024
Aquatic Exercise for Low Back Pain Deconditioned and tight muscles are often observed in patients with chronic low back pain and must be addressed for the patient to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Research on physical activity to manage chronic low back pain typically involves land-based exercises—like brisk walks or cycling, for example—but what about…
Read MoreTry Chiropractic First for Radicular Low Back Pain
For patients with radicular low back pain, an analysis of data concerning 115 million patients revealed that those initially treated with spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—were 68% less likely to receive a prescription for the narcotic tramadol in the following year. BMJ Open, May 2024 Failure’s “Benefits” May…
Read MorePoor Ergonomics Can Quickly Lead to Musculoskeletal Pain
In a recent experiment, researchers observed that even as few as five minutes of continuous work in awkward postures can increase the risk for musculoskeletal pain. The findings suggest that improved ergonomics to minimize time spent in nonneutral postures could reduce the risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Journal Annals of Work Exposures and Health, June…
Read MoreTrigger 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…
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