Lower 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 beyond the area of chief complaint as issues in adjacent areas of the body may contribute to or even be an underlying
cause of the presenting issue. Work, February 2024
The More Post-Stroke Rehabilitation Therapy, the Better
Following an analysis of Korean National Health Insurance System data, researchers report that stroke survivors who participate in 40 or more rehabilitation therapy sessions in the six months post-stroke are significantly less likely to die during that time frame, especially those with severe strokes. Unfortunately, less than 20% of stroke patients in the dataset had such extensive rehabilitation therapy and nearly two-thirds had no therapy at all. Stroke, August 2024
Saturated Vs. Unsaturated Fats
In a recent study, researchers observed that switching from a diet high in saturated animal fats to a diet that favors plant-based unsaturated fats—like the Mediterranean diet—can improve the composition of lipids in the blood, reducing the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Nature Medicine, July 2024
Leisure Sedentary Behavior and Musculoskeletal Disorders
According to a recent study, the more time an individual spends engaged in sedentary behaviors, the greater their risk for cervical spondylosis, intervertebral disk degeneration, non-specific low back pain, and sciatica. Frontiers in Public Health, January 2024
Narcissism May Fade with Age
A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 51 studies involving more than 37,000 participants revealed that agentic, antagonistic, and neurotic narcissism tends to decline
with age. Researcher Dr. Ulrich Orth adds, “One theory suggests that the social roles we take on in adulthood lead to the development of more mature personality characteristics, including lower levels of narcissism.” Psychological Bulletin, July 2024
There’s a Need for More Research on Chronic Illness Among Women
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued a statement on the importance of investing in more studies into how chronic illnesses affect women differently, noting that a paucity of data on the topic can result in a delay in effective treatment due to diagnostic challenges. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, July 2024
Quote: “Life has a practice of living you, if you don't live it.” ~ Philip Larkin
This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.
