Hope for Rotator Cuff Tears

 

A new study found that rotator cuff tears could be predicted by the position of the shoulder (subacromial space). If you or someone you know suffers with shoulder pain check out this video explaining how chiropractic care restores proper shoulder alignment and function.

neck pain 1

Jeong H et al. Factors Predictive of Healing in Large Rotator Cuff Tears: Is It Possible to Predict Retear Preoperatively? Am J Sports Med 2018 Jun;46(7):1693-1700. doi: 10.1177/0363546518762386. Epub 2018 Mar 29.

Pregnant with Back Pain?

DSC_0033

You’re not alone. According the the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 76% of

pregnant women will experience back pain. The risk increases as your fetus grows and if

you had a prior history of back pain.

Our office provides safe and effective non-drug options for pregnant back pain sufferers including customized exercise plans. Curious about exercises during pregnancy? View this sample (but call us before beginning any specific exercises).

page1image2315639744 page1image2315640016

Weis, Carol Ann et al. Prevalence of Low Back Pain, Pelvic Girdle Pain, and Combination Pain in a Pregnant Ontario Population Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada , Volume 40 , Issue 8 , 1038 – 1043

90% Chiropractic Patient Satisfaction

 

A very large study of chiropractic patients revealed that over 90% reported “high satisfaction” with their chiropractic care for chronic neck and/or low back pain. Click here to learn more about our recipe for resolving low back pain.

Check out our video on low back pain!

Herman, Patricia M. et al.Characteristics of Chiropractic Patients Being Treated for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain. JMPT 2018 Aug 15. [Epub ahead of print]

Be Treated Like the Pros –

Football.jpg

Want to know why nearly every professional team has a chiropractor on staff?
A new comprehensive review of the research regarding the connection between spinal manipulation and sports performance revealed manipulation led to improvement in a sports performance test in nearly every instance. We believe that all of our patients deserve the same level of care as our professional athletes. Regardless of your activity level, call our office today to stay “on top of your game”.

Botelho, Marcelo B. et al. Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Sports Performance Enhancement: A Systematic Review. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics , Volume 40 , Issue 7 , 535 – 543

MD’s Receive New Guidelines for Back Pain

neck pain 1.jpg

A new article in the Journal of Family Practice endorsed a select group of therapies that show “good-quality patient-oriented evidence” for managing chronic low back pain:

  • Recommend a trial of either acupuncture, mindfulness training, or spinal manipulation for patients with chronic low back pain
  • Recommend tai chi as an exercise modality for patients with osteoarthritis

 

Lemmon R et al. Nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic pain: What works? J Fam

Pract. 2018 Aug;67(8):474;477;480;483.

Sitting is the New Smoking

316046269_1280x720

A 2018 study of computer workstation users found:

  • 44.7% suffered from various musculoskeletal problems
  • 46% suffered from headache
  • 41.3% suffered from neck pain
  • 16% suffered from wrist pain

    Download this new infographic to learn how to set up a more user-friendly workstation.

  •  

    Borhany T, Shahid E, Siddique WA, Ali H. Musculoskeletal problems in frequent computer and internet users. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2018;7(2):337-339. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_326_17.

5 Tips for Safe Leaf Raking this Fall

rake tips

It’s that time of year again. Those colorful leaves falling from the trees will soon leave you with a big mess on the lawn and a new chore to add to your to-do list. Before grabbing the rake, take these tips into consideration to avoid the soreness and injury that commonly accompany leaf raking.

1. Stretch

It may not seem like a workout, but leaf raking can be a very strenuous activity, especially if you’re not regularly active already. Be sure to do a quick warm-up to get your muscles ready and stretch to limit soreness in your neck, shoulders, and back. 

2. Use the Right Equipment

Make sure you’re using a rake that’s the correct size for your height. A rake that’s too small will cause you to bend over more often and put more stress on your back. Wear gloves to protect your palms.

3. Use Correct Posture

Keep your back straight and upright. You’ll want to bend at the knees – not the waist – when picking up your piles and always avoid twisting your torso.

4. Switch Arms Often

Avoid an overuse injury with your dominant arm by switching sides frequently. 

5. Take Breaks

Remember to give yourself a little recovery time now and then and stay hydrated. Taking frequent breaks will help you avoid exhaustion and strain.

As with any form of physical activity, listen to your body. Any sudden, sharp, or persistent pain is not normal. Stay safe by following these tips and be sure to give our office a call if you experience any neck, shoulder, or back pain this fall.

Alternative to Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Biomechanics explains how chiropractic manual therapy may provide benefit for carpal tunnel patients: “mobilization significantly increased carpal tunnel cross-sectional area, AP diameter, and circularity. Both the carpal tunnel and the median nerve became rounder during the technique.” (1)

Several earlier studies demonstrated lasting benefit from manual therapy. A July 2018 systematic review of carpal tunnel syndrome research comparing surgical vs. non-surgical outcomes found: “No significant differences at 3 or 12 months” regarding functional status, symptom severity, and nerve conduction outcomes.” (2)

We are not extrapolating that all carpal tunnel syndrome patients will resolve via conservative care. However, these studies highlight a viable non-surgical option for some cases. We hope that you will consider our office for those patients who do not yet require surgical management. 

Overcoming the “Arthritis” defense

knee

Defense attorneys sometimes deflect liability by arguing that a patient’s pre-existing joint degeneration is largely responsible for their (inevitable) symptoms. This opinion is not supported by recent research.

An August 2018 comprehensive research synthesis that examined the relationship between degeneration and low back pain concluded: “None of the studies found a correlation between the degree of degenerative changes and pain intensity.”

An earlier systematic review of 33 studies demonstrated that the presence of asymptomatic degeneration increased from 37% of 20-year-old individuals to 96% of 80-year-old individuals.

These studies confirm that the presence of osteoarthritic degeneration does not necessitate pain. Patients with degeneration, however, are more vulnerable to painful joint and soft tissue injuries.

Chiropractic and Neck-Related Headaches

Cervicogenic

A new study found that for patients suffering from a neck-related headache, chiropractic spinal manipulation cut the number of symptomatic days in half. Incidentally, the same study found that spinal manipulation proved to be more effective than massage for treatment of headache.

If you or someone you know suffers from headaches, check out this video to learn more about finding a solution.”