Improving Scapular Function May Help Relieve Neck Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis that included eight studies found that scapular dysfunction is often present in patients with chronic neck pain and incorporating therapies to restore normal movement of the shoulder blades may result in greater improvements with respect to the patient’s neck pain. The findings demonstrate the importance of assessing the whole…

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Neck Pain is Common in Military Personnel

soldier military

A systematic review that included 16 studies found that neck pain is extremely common among members of the armed services with more than 80% experiencing an episode each year. Further analysis revealed the following risk factors for neck pain in military personnel: poor neck mobility, shoulder pain, low back pain, piloting or crewing aircraft, and…

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Manual Therapy vs. Oral Pain Medications for Neck Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

A systematic review and metaanalysis that included nine clinical trials found that manual therapy interventions are likely more effective than oral pain medications for managing neck pain in both the short- and long-term, with a lower risk for adverse events. Doctors of chiropractic are well-versed in the application of several manual therapies for addressing neck…

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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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Neural Mobilization for Neck and Back Pain

neural mobilization

A systematic review and metanalysis of data from 39 clinical trials found that neural mobilization is an effective treatment for improving pain and disability in patients with either neck pain or back pain. Doctors of chiropractic frequently use mobilization as part of a multimodal approach for managing musculoskeletal disorders, including neck and back pain. Clinical…

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Monthly Pain Update – March 2024

lumbopelvic

Herniated Disk Resorption The intervertebral disk is made up of a tough outer annulus fibrosis while the central portion (called the nucleus pulposus) is soft, more liquid-like, giving it a shock-absorbing function. If the integrity of the annulus is compromised, the nucleus pulposus can leak through the torn fibers, which is known as disk herniation.…

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Hamstring Tightness Linked to Neck and Low Back Pain

hamstring

Examinations of 104 adults under 40 years of age revealed that nearly three-quarters of those with either chronic neck or low back pain reported tight hamstrings in one or both legs. The authors note that hamstring tightness can affect the biomechanics of the spine, increasing the risk for disorders such as low back pain and…

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Neck and Back Pain Common in College Students

teen

Questionnaires completed by 289 university students revealed that about two thirds experienced either neck or low back pain in the previous year with close to half having either condition in the previous week. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, June 2023 Is Pediatric Brain Injury Linked to Epilepsy? Among a group of nearly 72,000 children treated for traumatic…

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Choose Chiropractic First for Neck Pain

neck

According to a recent study, patients who first visit a doctor of chiropractic for new-onset neck pain are less likely to undergo costly advanced imaging services and invasive treatments in the following six months than those initially treated by a medical physician. Spine, October 2023 Curling Irons Can Pose a Hazard for Kids Between 2013…

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