Improving Scapular Function May Help Relieve Neck Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis that included eight studies found that scapular dysfunction is often present in patients with chronic neck pain and incorporating therapies to restore normal movement of the shoulder blades may result in greater improvements with respect to the patient’s neck pain. The findings demonstrate the importance of assessing the whole…

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Neck Pain is Common in Military Personnel

soldier military

A systematic review that included 16 studies found that neck pain is extremely common among members of the armed services with more than 80% experiencing an episode each year. Further analysis revealed the following risk factors for neck pain in military personnel: poor neck mobility, shoulder pain, low back pain, piloting or crewing aircraft, and…

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Most Professional Drivers Have Low Back Pain

A meta-analysis of data from 53 studies found that 55.3% of professional drivers experienced at least one episode of low back pain during the previous year, while 33.8% had back pain within the previous month. Public Health, June 2024 Long-Term Night Shift Work Raises Breast Cancer Risk An analysis of data from eleven case-controlled studies…

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Trigger Point Therapy Helps Relieve Shoulder Pain

shoulder

For patients with active trigger points—hyperirritable spots found in skeletal muscle—in one or more muscles attached to the shoulder joints, a recent systematic review that included ten studies found that trigger point therapy is an effective treatment option, especially when used in conjunction with other conservative therapies provided by doctors of chiropractic. Disability and Rehabilitation, August 2024

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Monthly Pain Update – October 2024

Cycling

Cycling-Related Low Back Pain Despite being considered a low-impact physical activity, many recreational and professional cyclists suffer from low back pain. Past studies have found the annual prevalence of low back pain among cyclists of all levels to be roughly 50%. The United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive report noted cycling-related low back pain accounts…

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Lower Extremity Muscle Tightness and Chronic Low Back Pain

ankle dorsiflexion

Examinations of 52 patients with non-specific low back pain revealed those with tighter leg muscles, especially when coupled with greater variation in muscle tightness between the dominant and non-dominant sides, were more likely to report higher levels of pain intensity and disability in their lower back. The finding demonstrates the importance of examining the patient…

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Conservative Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation

A committee formed by the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies on the management of lumbar disk herniation recommends conservative treatments as a first-line treatment approach in the absence of severe neurological deficits or cauda equina syndrome. Doctors of chiropractic utilize many conservative treatment options for managing lumbar disk herniations. World Neurosurgery X, February 2024 Ancient…

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Treat Knee Pain By Adjusting the Lumbopelvic Region?

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

For patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, a recent meta-analysis of data from ten clinical trials found that manipulative therapy applied to the lumbopelvic region is effective for reducing knee pain, especially when included as part of a multimodal treatment approach. Doctors of chiropractic are well-versed in the use of manual therapies to manage musculoskeletal conditions,…

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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…

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Back 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…

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