Weekly Updates
Jaw Pain, Neck Pain, and Headaches
A retrospective study that included 300 patients with neck pain and/or temporomandibular joint pain identified an association between higher levels of neck pain and a risk for tension-type headache, while higher levels of both neck and jaw pain are more closely linked to migraines. Chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be an effective intervention for…
Read MorePostural Faults Common in Office Workers with Neck and Back Pain
Examinations of 99 office workers with neck and mid-back pain—a common combination in this population—revealed that 90 exhibited scapular dyskinesis (abnormal movement of the shoulder blade) on one of both sides. Additionally, the majority had postural deviations that include rounded shoulders, forward head posture, and thoracic hyperkyphosis (slumped upper back). Doctors of chiropractic frequently treat…
Read MoreBack Surgery Is Not For Everyone
In a recent paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia, the authors noted that while spinal surgeries have increased over time, the current data does not support surgical intervention for low back pain outside of cases of lumbar radiculopathy that doesn’t respond to non-surgical care and when low back pain is associated with cancer,…
Read MoreManual Therapy Helps COPD Patients Breathe Better
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing difficult, and it is a leading cause of death in the United States. A study that included 33 COPD patients found that including muscle energy technique (MET) sessions in a COPD rehabilitation program led to better outcomes with respect to subjective breathing.…
Read MoreLow Back Pain Is Common in Adolescents
Questionnaires completed by 2,000 teenagers revealed that 57% experienced an episode of low back pain in the previous year. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, September 2022 Poor Sleep Late in Pregnancy Linked to Postpartum Depression A systematic review that included ten studies concluded that poor sleep in the weeks prior to giving…
Read MoreMany People Are Misguided on Low Back Pain
A recent survey found that 68% of adults falsely believe that rest is the best treatment for low back pain and incorrectly think remaining physically active while dealing with low back pain is unnecessary. Doctors of chiropractic routinely advise patients to stay active within pain tolerance and avoid prolonged bed rest when managing an episode…
Read MoreFitness May Lower Low Back Risks in a Physically Demanding Job
Questionnaires completed by 204 warehouse workers revealed that one in four had low back pain. However, the researchers found greater handgrip strength—a measure used to assess physical fitness—is associated with a lower risk for pain in the low back. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Research, February 2023 Access to Nature May Help Cut Stress According…
Read MoreAlcohol May Speed Alzheimer’s Progression
In a recent study, researchers observed that mice at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease experienced faster increases in brain atrophy and amyloid plaque build-up if they consumed the human equivalent of 1-2 alcoholic drinks a day for about ten years. The findings suggest that alcohol consumption may be a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer’s, though…
Read MoreIs Working Nights Linked to Back Pain?
An analysis of data from 40 studies found that working nights is associated with an elevated risk for low back pain, especially among healthcare workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, January 2023 Bad Sleep in Teen Years May Raise MS Risk Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system…
Read MoreNeural Mobilization for Managing Low Back and Radicular Pain?
For patients with low back and radicular pain, a systematic review that included eight studies found that neural mobilization—a form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—may be an effective intervention for improving pain, function, and disability. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, February 2023 Frequent Use Antibiotics Associated with Greater Risk for IBD With…
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