Conservative Treatment for Tennis Elbow

tennis elbow

For patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy, a systematic review that included twelve studies found that a conservative treatment plan that includes manual therapy, electrotherapy, and exercise may provide greater long-term benefits and a lower risk of recurrence than corticosteroid injections. Doctors of chiropractic often manage patients with tennis elbow using such a multimodal approach. Shoulder…

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Treatment for Mechanical Neck Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Mechanical neck pain is a term used to describe neck pain that results from the application of stress or strain on the anatomical structures of the neck. A recent study that included 78 mechanical neck pain patients found that a treatment plan that included a combination of manual therapies and therapeutic exercises—an approach commonly used…

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Two Manual Therapies That May Benefit Patients with Knee Pain

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

When trigger points affect the function of the gluteus medius muscle, it can lead to altered gait, reduced hip stability, misalignment of the patella, and increased force on the knee, all of which can contribute to patellofemoral pain syndrome. A recent study found that for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome associated with gluteus medius trigger…

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Monthly Pain Update – May 2024

chiropractor

Chiropractic Manipulation After Lumbar Diskectomy Lumbar diskectomy is a surgical procedure for removing herniated intervertebral disk material when non-surgical options fail to satisfactorily alleviate radiating leg pain, numbness, or weakness. However, there’s no guarantee such a procedure will provide relief. Up to 12% of patients require reoperation within three months to address post-surgical complications and…

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Scapula Stabilization Exercises Benefit Chronic Neck Pain Patients

scapular stabilization

A systematic review that included five clinical trials found that including scapular stabilization exercises in a treatment plan for chronic neck pain resulted in better outcomes with respect to pain. The finding demonstrates how issues in one area of the body can lead to problems elsewhere, thus the importance of the chiropractic practice of examining…

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Neck Pain Is a Worldwide Problem

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

In 2020, more than 203 million people worldwide experienced at least one episode of neck pain. Due to a variety of factors, including the aging of the world population, experts estimate that cases of neck pain will increase by 32.5% by 2050, affecting nearly 270 million people. The Lancet Rheumatology, March 2024 Symptoms Linked to…

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Neck Pain Affects Walking Ability

migraine neck

Examinations of 14 older adults with chronic neck pain and 36 seniors without neck pain revealed that when walking with head movement, chronic neck pain is associated with a slower, more laborious, and asymmetrical gait. The authors of the study speculate this alteration in walking ability may be the result of structural instability and proprioception…

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Excess Weight Increases Low Back Pain Risk in Youth Population

obesity in youth

A meta-analysis that included 34 studies concluded that obesity is a risk factor for low back pain in children and adolescents. In particular, the research team found that obese kids and teens have a 27% elevated risk for low back pain. International Journal of Obesity (London), January 2024 Short Sleepers at Risk for Type 2…

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See a Chiropractor First for Spine Pain

Back Pain Relief

A systematic review that included 44 studies concluded that patients who initially consult with a doctor of chiropractic for spinal conditions are less likely to subsequently receive an opioid prescription or injection, undergo surgery, be hospitalized, visit the emergency room, or be referred to a specialist—all of which results in reduced healthcare expenditures overall. Chiropractic…

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Monthly Pain Update – April 2024

LowerBack

Daily Living with a Herniated Lumbar Disk While disk herniations in the lumbar spine are fairly common and may resolve on their own or persist without symptoms, if a herniation places pressure on the spinal cord or nerves exiting the spine, the patient may experience radiating pain into one or both legs. While chiropractic care…

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