The Wellness Blog
Study: Chiropractic Reduces Lower Back Pain in Pregnant Patients
A study published in April 2014 in Chiropractic and Manual Therapies found that after six months of chiropractic treatment, 90 percent of pregnant patients with lower back pain reported clinically significant improvement. The study was led by researcher Cynthia Peterson, a professor of chiropractic medicine at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Researchers recruited 115 patients who were pregnant and experiencing lower back or pelvic pain who were eligible to receive manipulation therapy. Patients had been referred to a chiropractor by a gynecologist, who then recruited them for the study. Information was collected on how long each patient had been
Continue ReadingThe Benefits of an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Inflammation is a part of your body’s natural defenses against disease. But sometimes it can cause more problems than it solves. Excess inflammation can cause heart disease, diabetes, stroke, vascular dementia, and other health problems. Your immune system responds to bacteria and other stimuli by creating inflammation, which can include symptoms like redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. When someone suffers from pain in their neck or low back, it is often a result of inflammation caused by injuries to the ligaments and muscles around the joints of the spine. In fact, the level of inflammation is usually
Continue ReadingChiropractic May Help Elderly Patients Avoid Falls
An overview of current research, published in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, shows that chiropractic care may have a role in helping prevent falls in elderly patients who suffer from mechanical neck pain or dizziness. Elderly patients often experience nonspecific dizziness and chronic neck pain at the same time. Both of these symptoms are risk factors for falls, the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in adults 65 and older. Falls can result in increased morbidity and complications. In the United States, one in three elders experiences a fall each year. Dizziness tends to increase with age. The
Continue ReadingGuide to Sleeping Positions
People spend roughly one-third of their lives sleeping. A good night’s sleep is a substantial factor in the quality of your overall health, and inadequate sleep can wreak havoc on you mentally and physically. The position you sleep in can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. So, what’s the best position for sleeping? The answer varies depending on individual health concerns such as back pain, neck pain, and acid reflux, to name a few. It also depends on which position is the most comfortable for you. Above all, you should avoid sleeping in any position that causes
Continue ReadingStudy: Manual Therapy Changes Processing of Pain
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in October 2014 used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to evaluate how the brain reacts to spinal manipulation used by chiropractors. Brain scans revealed that spinal manipulation and other types of manual therapy have an immediate effect on functional connectivity between regions of the brain that are responsible for processing pain. Previous research has established a connection between neurophysical changes in regional brain communication and manual therapy. Many patients seek chiropractic care for pain relief, and multiple studies testify that chiropractic treatment relieves pain in neck pain patients, lower back pain patients,
Continue ReadingThe Future of Health Care & Chiropractic Care
Last week four of our Tuck Chiropractic Doctors participated in the Virginia Health Care Conference that was centered on the future of healthcare. The theme was a timely and pertinent one, and one that Dr. Tuck, Dr. LaBarbera, Dr. Rathmann and Dr. Matthis were all excited about: “Transformation in the Health Care Industry: Accelerating Value and Innovation.” The perception and outlook on healthcare is often laced with pessimism and discouragement. This conference did an excellent job highlighting the promise and progress on the horizon. It was an honor for our team to be part of this pivotal healthcare conference and
Continue ReadingStudy: Chiropractic Increases Soccer Players' Kicking Speed
A pilot study published in January 2015 in the journal Chiropractic and Manual Therapies found that lumbar spine manipulation and sacroiliac joint manipulation resulted in increased kicking speed and range of motion. The study was conducted on 40 South African soccer players without previous injuries. Researchers Kyle Colin Deutschmann, Andrew Douglas Jones, and Charmaine Maria Korporaal of the Durban University of Technology selected subjects with similar physicality (height, weight, etc.) and clinical signs of lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The players were separated into four groups and given lumbar spine manipulation, sacroiliac joint (SI joint) manipulation, both lumbar and
Continue ReadingAmerican Chiropractic Association: Conservative Care First for Lower Back Pain
Last month the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) called for doctors and patients to consider conservative care in the treatment of lower back pain. The press release cited two recent studies on the effectiveness of the widely recommended drug acetaminophen in treating spinal pain. One study by researchers in Australia, published in British Medical Journal in March 2015, reviewed all available research on the use of the over-the-counter medication, acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol or paracetamol) as a treatment for neck pain, lower back pain, and hip or knee osteoarthritis. Studies that qualified for analysis involved the use of acetaminophen or
Continue Reading5 Ways Good Posture Benefits Your Health and Happiness
The American Chiropractic Association celebrates Correct Posture Month in May each year. Good posture is essential to maintaining the musculoskeletal balance of our bodies, which prevents harm to joints, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Proper posture can also help prevent muscle fatigue by allowing the muscles to use energy in the most efficient way possible. That’s not all! Research shows that posture can impact your overall health and happiness in several other important ways. 1) Good posture can improve your self-esteem. A study conducted by a team of researchers in New Zealand and published in the journal Health Psychology found that
Continue ReadingKnee Osteoarthritis and Chiropractic
A growing body of research on the effects of Sitting Disease has linked excessive sitting to a number of diseases, including colon cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as greater rates of disability later in life and even premature death Sitting can also have negative effects on the structures of your body, including the upper and lower back, neck, and hip muscles and joints, as well as spinal discs. Even regular exercise doesn’t reduce the danger caused by hours of sitting every day, according to a study conducted by the University of Queensland in 2009. Daily hours
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