Weekly Updates
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…
Read MoreTrigger Point Therapy Helps Relieve Shoulder Pain
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
Read MoreLower Extremity Muscle Tightness and Chronic Low Back Pain
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…
Read MoreConservative 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…
Read MoreTreat Knee Pain By Adjusting the Lumbopelvic Region?
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,…
Read MoreTreatment 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 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…
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