Try Chiropractic First!

An analysis of data concerning 372,471 sciatica patients revealed that those who initially received spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—were three times less likely to be prescribed an opioid in the following year than individuals who first consulted with a medical physician. PLoS One, January 2025 Significant Decrease in…

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Addressing Trigger Points Improves Low Back Treatment Outcomes

A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot within skeletal muscle, often associated with chronic pain conditions. In a recent study involving patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, researchers found that combining spinal manipulative therapy with trigger point treatment resulted in greater improvements in functional disability compared to spinal manipulation alone. Chiropractors are not…

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Monthly Pain Update – February 2025

Stretching or Strengthening Exercises for Low Back Pain? Research indicates that back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, even more than heart disease and diabetes. It’s estimated that about 80% of adults will experience an episode of low back pain during their lifetime. Additionally, more than half of those who develop back pain…

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Treating Non-Specific Low Back Pain

In a study of 60 patients with non-specific low back pain, those who received a combination of core stability training and myofascial release experienced greater improvements in pain, mobility, and inflammation compared to an exercise-only group. Doctors of chiropractic commonly utilize these and other therapies when managing patients with non-specific low back pain. Technology and…

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Manual Therapies Effective for Several Neck Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

An umbrella review of 35 systematic reviews concluded that manual therapies are effective for managing non-specific neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, and cervicogenic headaches. Chiropractors are trained in delivering various manual therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the neck. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapeutics, November 2024 Risks Associated with PCOS During Pregnancy Polycystic…

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Neck Treatment Helps Musicians with Temporomandibular Disorders

A recent study found that wind instrument musicians with temporomandibular disorders experienced significant improvements in maximal mouth opening, jaw pain, and associated disability when posture training was combined with manual therapies applied to the neck region. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, October 2024 One-in-Four Moms Fall Asleep While Breastfeeding Researchers from the University of…

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Monthly Pain Update – January 2025

hamstring

Glute Weakness and Low Back Pain While we traditionally view low back pain as the result of a problem localized to the low back itself, several studies have found that issues in adjacent parts of the body can play a role in the development of low back pain.  For example, chronically tight hamstrings can affect…

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Treatment to Improve Posture Can Benefit Temporomandibular Disorders Patients

ergonomics

A study that included 26 temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients found that those who received treatment to improve their neck posture—in this case, manual therapy, postural exercises, deep neck flexor stabilization, and Kinesio tapping—experienced significant improvement in the TMD symptoms. The finding adds to a growing body of research linking disorders of the cervical spine and…

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Mobilization Therapy Helps Low Back Pain Patients

mobilization

Among a group of 39 patients with low back pain, researchers found that mobilization therapy is an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving motor function. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the use of mobilization and other manual therapies in the management of several musculoskeletal disorders, including low back pain. Journal of Physical Therapy…

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