Headaches (HA) can be tremendously disabling, forcing sufferers away from work or play into a dark, quiet room to minimize any noise and light that intensifies the pain. According to the National Headache Foundation, there are over 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic, re-occurring headaches, of which 28 million...
The nervous system can be categorized in many different ways. In understanding nervous system physiology, a simple but accurate way of categorization is to view the nervous system as two separate but integrated systems: The MOTOR nerve system The SENSORY nerve system The MOTOR nerve system is the nerves that move our muscles (motor), and also...
Statistics suggest that low back pain (LBP) will plague most of us at some point in our lives, if it hasn’t already. Most healthcare professions that manage patients with low back pain focus on pain management. In fact, studies have reported that 67% of patient satisfaction is driven by pain...
For centuries, people have reached for a cup of coffee to help focus the mind, but according to a study published in 2021, a morning cup of java could have the opposite effect. Researchers recruited 32 habitual coffee drinkers and 24 non-coffee drinkers and asked them to complete questionnaires used...
Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and functional restrictions. This condition is caused when the tendons of the rotator cuff, the head of the biceps brachii, and/or subacromial bursa are pinched or impinged during normal movement. This results in pain and reduced...
For adults under 50 years of age, migraine headaches are one of the leading causes of disability. There are several potential underlying causes for the condition, of which one appears to be a proinflammatory and oxidative state in the body. Fortunately, this can be addressed through healthier lifestyle choices. Low-grade...
The focus on aerobic exercise is all around us. You can’t pass a magazine stand without being inundated with cover pictures of people walking, running, cycling, or doing some form of exercise. So the question begs, is walking good enough? Let’s take a look! A GREAT plus about walking is...
Have you ever wondered what actually happens when a player on your favorite sports team has a knee injury? Why is this so common, and why is the knee more vulnerable than the ankle or hip? One reason is simple anatomy. Unlike the hip, the knee doesn’t have a deep...
Whiplash is caused by the rapid back and forth motion that occurs in the classic rear-end collision, in some sports, and during slip and falls. The initial symptoms associated with whiplash often include muscle tightness and pain. But where is the pain coming from? First, the mechanism of injury that...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has a bad reputation for coming and going, sometimes for years, depending on many factors such as 1) age; 2) profession (fast, repetitive, with forceful gripping); 3) general health (diabetes, hypothyroid, and inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid), pregnancy, on birth control pills, or taking hormone replacement therapy);...
Chronic LBP (cLBP) is a BIG problem in our society, accounting for about 33% of work-related disability. So, what is the best management strategy for cLBP? One study looked at the effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) using three groups of patients with cLBP. Each group received either: 1) “sham”...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also becoming a “hot topic” as it relates to motor vehicle collisions (MVC). The question is: how often is TBI missed? The simple answer is: FREQUENTLY! This is due to the fact that attention is often drawn toward other injuries such as a neck injury...
Headaches have a significant impact on quality of life in both adults and children. Approximately 13% of patients who sought chiropractic care over the last decade did so for headache relief. Several studies have found that manual therapies, such as spinal manipulation and mobilization, can provide significant benefits for patients...
Most people will experience some form of headache during their lifetime. The good news is that most headaches are related, at least in part, to the neck or cervical spine (a cervicogenic headache or CGH) and can be easily managed with chiropractic care. Although the exact mechanism of CGH is...
There is a plethora of research supporting the benefits of chiropractic care for many musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints including low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and more. However, less research is available for non-MSK complaints like gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. So, what can chiropractic offer patients with GERD, and why...
It’s estimated that cardiometabolic diseases are a significant source of lost years with respect to both a reduced lifespan and fewer years without disability. Despite medical advances, it’s unlikely there will be a pill developed anytime soon that can dramatically reduce the risk for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and...
While neck pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek chiropractic care, the underlying cause of neck pain can vary. In some patients, the cause may be unknown or it may be the accumulation of years of poor posture, bad ergonomics, and an unhealthy lifestyle. In other patients,...
Migraines are characterized by recurrent headache and a hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli that can trigger an episode. Unfortunately, migraine triggers can vary from patient to patient, which can make understanding and managing the patient’s condition a difficult proposition for both the patient and their doctor. In one study, researchers reviewed...
When examining a patient for hip pain and other musculoskeletal conditions, doctors of chiropractic will expand their focus beyond the area of chief complaint to identify issues elsewhere in the body that may be underlying or contributing factors. This is especially true with the hip because anything that affects normal...
When it comes to the conservative management of a condition like carpal tunnel syndrome, care will usually focus on reducing inflammation along the course of the carpal tunnel and improving mobility of the median nerve as it travels from the neck and into the hand. This treatment approach may also...
The pelvic floor is the muscular “hammock” that carries the weight of the viscera located in the pelvis. If these muscles become too loose or too tight, an individual may experience urinary (or fecal) urgency or incontinence, sexual dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapse, as well as pain in the pelvic region...
You’ve probably heard of a friend or loved one whose back pain resulted in a spinal fusion surgery, but you may not understand what prompted surgery over non-surgical approaches, including chiropractic care. Simply put, spinal fusion is a surgical technique that aims to eliminate excessive motion (instability) in the spine...
While neck pain is most commonly associated with whiplash associated disorder (WAD), patients often report jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain following a car accident, sport injury, or slip and fall. Common symptoms associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) include pain in the jaw joint area (in front of the ear),...
A quick look around any airport, mall, or auditorium/theater will reveal that poor posture is common. There’s forward head posture, rolled forward shoulders, and uneven/misaligned heads/shoulders/pelvis-hips. Some people even limp or shuffle while walking. Research shows that when a person adopts an abnormal posture, it can place added strain on...
The ability to take out a small device and check email, take photos, interact with friends, play games, and answer almost any question seemed like a great idea when smartphones and social media debuted over a decade ago; but in recent years, several studies have looked at the downsides associated...
It’s estimated that up to 50% of whiplash associated disorder (WAD) patients will develop chronic symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, headache, dizziness, emotional and cognitive disturbance, referred pain, and physical dysfunctions. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition that is also characterized by long-term, persistent symptoms such as chronic...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that we typically associate with overuse activities, especially occupations that require fast, repetitive hand work such as typing, sewing, and packaging. However, the hormonal changes that occur in pregnancy can also lead to swelling or inflammation in the wrist, and subsequently, the symptoms...
In the face of musculoskeletal pain, it’s common to restrict activity. Unfortunately, doing so can weaken the muscles and joints in the affected area, which can prolong pain and elevate the risk for future injury. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee often fall into this trap. So, what type of...
When people suspect they have carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), it’s typical that their first thought is that their condition will require surgery and a lengthy recovery. While surgery may be warranted in emergency situations, treatment guidelines encourage patients to seek non-surgical options first. So how do non-surgical approaches like manual...
Cervical dysfunction is often a cause or contributing factor of headaches, especially those that occur following a sports injury, slip and fall, or motor vehicle collision. The results of a 2019 study suggest that headaches may also indicate when a patient has a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In the...
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the #1 cause of dementia, representing an imminent threat to our senior population. It is one of mankind’s cruelest afflictions that causes patients lose their memory, personality, and eventually self-care skills. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6 million people currently...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy, or pinched nerve, in the extremities. The condition is estimated to affect 3-6% of the population, often in both hands. Let’s discuss what causes CTS, its symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated… Causation: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when...
Using functional MRI, researchers have observed that music activates the visual, motor, and coordination centers on both sides of the brain. Research also shows that music affects deeper brain areas involving memory and emotion—more than almost any other stimulus. Additionally, music engages less used neural connections in the brain, strengthening...
Not only are blueberries delicious and easily attainable at the supermarket but they are also incredibly good for you. But don’t take our word for it, let’s look at what researchers say… A 2019 review looked at findings from eleven studies that involved blueberry interventions. The researchers found that blueberries...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist that’s characterized by pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in select parts of the hand. The result of a 2019 study suggests that CTS may be associated with migraine headaches. How...
Most people have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) as it’s the most common of the peripheral neuropathies or pinched nerves in the extremities, but few have heard of pronator teres syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is pinched or compressed while passing through the wrist. However,...
There are over 3 million registered youth soccer players in the United States. While playing organized sports offers many benefits to children and teens, the activity also comes with the possibility of injury—especially knee injuries among female players. There are two types of injuries associated with soccer: acute and overuse....
For the older adult, pain that radiates into the leg is a common complaint. This process, called neurogenic claudication, occurs when the spinal cord and/or nerve roots are pinched as they exit the arthritic spine (a condition called spinal stenosis). However, there is another degenerative condition that can cause pain...
The shoulder joint is really four joints—glenohumeral, scapulothoracic, acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular—that all work in a coordinated manner to maneuver the upper arm. The shoulder blade, or the scapula, is an important player in normal shoulder movement because important muscles and related tissues are anchored in this bone. However, an issue...
When it comes to whiplash associated disorders (WAD), injury to the cervical spine is generally the focus, but what about the mid back? Can this area be injured in a whiplash event? According to the available research, not only can the mid back become injured in an automobile accident, slip...
Though some element of our overall wellbeing is defined by our genetics, there is a lot you can do to live a long and healthy life. Here’s a short list: Get enough sleep. While the average adult needs only seven to nine hours of sleep a night to feel rested,...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed or restricted as it passes through the wrist. Because repetitive wrist and hand motions can inflame the tissues in the wrist and place pressure on the median nerve, workers in jobs that require such movements—such...
The electromagnetic spectrum spans from gamma rays—which can be deadly—to the radio waves that flow in the air all around us without any effect. Between the ultraviolet and infrared sections of the spectrum is the most important wavelength for our eyes: visible light. But research indicates that blue light can...
With up to 50% of whiplash associated disorder (WAD) patients experiencing long-term symptoms, is there a way to predict which patients are likely to recover following a whiplash injury? To answer this question, a team of researchers analyzed findings from twelve systemic reviews to identify prognostic factors that could help...
Though carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects 4% of the population, some individuals have a much greater risk for the condition, and several factors may need to be addressed to achieve a successful outcome. Trauma: An acute trauma, such as a bone fracture, can lead to CTS. However, repetitive stress injuries...
According to the American Medical Association Guides on the Rating of Permanent Impairment, if one loses the use of their thumb, index finger, and middle finger, they’ve lost 80% of the use of their hand. It’s no wonder why carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)—a condition characterized by symptoms of numbness, tingling,...
Losing excess weight and keeping it off can be a challenge. Hopefully, these eight tips can help make it easier to win the battle of the bulge… FOOD JOURNAL: A study published in the journal Obesity reported that in a 142-obese person group, those who consistently logged their meals and...
Neck pain is a very common problem affecting up to 70% of the adult population at some point in life. Though there are specific causes of neck pain such sports injuries, car accidents, or simply sleeping in an awkward position, the vast majority of the time, no direct cause can...
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus. But...
Whiplash is a common problem following motor vehicle collisions and because prevention is considered the best medicine, here are some tips to AVOID car crashes altogether… Don’t eat, take your eyes off the road while talking, fiddle with the radio, talk on your cell phone, or text/play with apps while...
“Doc, I try to do my exercises but I have to hit the ground running in the morning….to get the kids ready for the school bus….I have morning meetings….I’m not a morning person….I’m pulled in 100 directions during the day….I forget about them until I’m in bed….I exercise on my...
Neck pain is a very common problem that can with a number of possible causes. It can come from laying crooked while watching TV, it can come from sleeping in a draft, it can come as a response to a cold or flu, it can hurt because of a sinus...
Few conditions leave their victims as miserable and agitated as headaches. There are many causes of headaches including stress, odors, bright lights, noise, fatigue, certain foods, hormonal shifts, allergies, as well as genetic predisposition. With all the possible causes of headaches, it’s not surprising many people seek help from many different...
So, what does bone density have to do with low back pain? The relationship between bone density and back pain is quite intimate. In fact, when the degree of bone density declines to the point of fracture, back pain becomes very real. The classic condition and cause of spinal pain...
Whiplash can result from a number of causes, not just from motor vehicle accidents. A fall on the ice or a slippery floor, a sports-related injury, or even one of those rides that throws you around at the county fair can result in the same type of injury. Whiplash occurs...
Neck pain is one of those conditions that affect most people at some point during their lifetime. Because of the way we are anatomically built, the neck is particularly vulnerable to injury (it has to hold up an average head weight of 15 pounds (~7 kg) which can be quite...
The current available research notes that 52% of all opioid prescriptions are for patients with low back pain, and over two million Americans suffer from opioid use disorder (OUD), with 47,000 dying from OUD in 2017. In light of the opioid epidemic, the high cost of diagnostic tests and invasive...
The term “whiplash” usually brings to mind neck pain, headaches, and/or a stiff neck. However, there are other symptoms associated with whiplash that we don’t usually think of, such as ringing in the ears or tinnitus. In the absence of whiplash, there are many people who experience an occasional ringing...
When patients present with low back pain, it is not uncommon for pain to arise from areas other than the low back, such as the hip. There are many tissues in the low back and hip region that are susceptible to injury with have overlapping pain pathways that often make...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy affecting approximately 3% of the general adult population. Individuals with jobs or hobbies that involve fast, repetitive movements and forceful gripping with little-to-no rest may be at increased risk for CTS, as are those with metabolic/hormonal conditions that can lead...
Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) is a term used to describe the myriad of symptoms that can occur following the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck. One of these symptoms is dizziness. How does the whiplash process lead to an impaired sense of balance, and are some individuals...
Last month, we discussed the topic of neck pain arising from cervical disk herniations. The focus of this month’s article is common questions that arise from patients suffering from cervical disk derangement. 1. “What can I do to help myself for my herniated disk in my neck?” The mnemonic device...
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a very common condition that is a significant cause of disability in older adults, often resulting in knee replacement surgery. There are several contributing factors to KOA, and perhaps one of the most important issues is excessive force exerted on the knee joint by improper biomechanics...
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that gives it either a “C” or an “S” shape when looking at the person from behind. I’m sure you’ve noticed when you’re at a beach, at a swimming pool, or walking in an airport, some people have a high shoulder, walk with...
Whiplash injuries are most commonly associated with motor vehicle collisions (MVC), although they can happen from anything that results in a sudden movement of the head—from slip and fall injuries, carnival rides, sports-related injuries, and more. When associated with MVCs, the terms “acceleration/deceleration injury” or “whiplash associated disorders (WAD)” are...
When your doctor of chiropractic says to you, “…you have a cervical disk problem,” do you know what that means? I didn’t think so. As doctors, we talk about these things so often, we sometimes just assume you know what we’re talking about. So first, sorry about that! Now, let’s...
How many times have you heard, “I have a pinched nerve in my neck and have to have surgery.”? Though there certainly are cases where surgical intervention is required, surgery should ONLY be considered after ALL non-surgical treatment approaches have first been tried (and failed). It is alarming how many...
Many of us have had sinus-related headaches, right? You know, these are the headaches that hurt over the sinuses (above the eyes or in the cheek bones next to your nose) and when you blow your nose, it’s not pretty! Sinus infections often lead to sinus headaches – wouldn’t you...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a very common condition. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), CTS ranks SECOND among the major disabling diseases and illnesses in ALL private industries. The BLS states that workers with CTS may eventually have to give up their livelihood. They...
According to a 2020 study, up to 1 in 5 new chiropractic patients list headaches as one of their chief reasons for seeking care. Let’s take a look at the features and characteristics that are often found in the chiropractic patient population… A survey that included input from 224 adult...
This seems like an easy question to answer, doesn’t it? The answer of course being, YES!!! However, there are many people who suffer with headaches who have never been to a chiropractor or have not even ever considered it as a “good option.” So, rather than having me “reassure you”...
“Post concussive syndrome” (PCS) can affect up to 20-30% of patients who have a mild whiplash injury caused during a motor vehicle collision. Interestingly, eye movements have a close relationship to the function of the brain and can be an accurate measure for determining the presence of PCS, as well...
It is well established that the nervous system has three divisions. The “central nervous system” is made up by the brain and spinal cord. The “peripheral nervous system” includes the nerve roots and peripheral nerves that run from the spine to the arms and legs. The ability to move (walk,...
There are nine tendons that pass through the carpal tunnel at the wrist that connect the forearm muscles to the palm-side of the fingers. These tendons are encased in sheaths, and friction and heat can build-up inside these sheaths, leading to swelling, pressure, and pain (especially during fast, repetitive tasks)....
Whiplash is, by definition, the rapid acceleration followed by deceleration of the head causing the neck to “crack like a whip” forwards and backwards at a rate so fast that the muscles cannot react quickly enough to control the motion. As reported last month, if a collision occurs in an...
Mechanical neck pain affects an estimated 70% of people at some point in life. Because many different treatment approaches are available for neck pain, it can be very difficult for those suffering from neck pain to know which treatment approach(es) to choose. Research on this topic has revealed some very...
You may think it’s odd to discuss low back pain (LBP) from the perspective of spinal fusion because as chiropractors, we do not perform surgery and so, why discuss it? It is important that we discuss research such as this so we can make the informed treatment decisions with our...
Losing weight can dramatically reduce low back pain (LBP). Like last month, we will look at easy ways to lose weight without the need for fancy, hard to follow diets. As the saying goes, this is a “no-brainer.” Alcohol hints. When consuming alcohol, follow the first beverage with a glass...
Losing weight can dramatically reduce Low back pain (LBP). For the next two articles, we will look at easy ways to lose weight without the need for fancy, hard to follow diets. As the saying goes, this is a “no-brainer.” Time your meals. Set a timer for 20 minutes and...
Low back pain (LBP) can result from many causes, and sometimes it just occurs for reasons that are not clear, such as the accumulation of stresses that occur over time. Many causes of low back pain have been described such as bending over “wrong,” combined bending and twisting, lifting, over...
The beneficial effects of chiropractic care on the whole body have been reported and previously discussed in prior articles. However, we have not looked at whether chiropractic care can benefit the cancer patient and if so, how? It has been estimated that by 2030, 12 million deaths will result from...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common complaint presented to chiropractic offices. Usually, patients wait for weeks, months, or even years before seeking care, thus making management more challenging. The history of the “classic” CTS patient includes a mild, sporadic onset of symptoms that gradually becomes more frequent and intense....
Previously, we discussed three types of headaches: tension headaches (the most common), cluster headaches (a vascular headache—less common, short duration but REALLY painful), and sinus headaches. Migraine headaches were discussed the month before last. In keeping with the theme, ONE more headache type will be discussed: rebound headaches, followed by...
Headaches come in several different sizes, shapes, and colors, so to speak. In fact, if you search “headache classification,” you will find the IHS (International Headache Society) 152-page manual (PDF) lists MANY different types of headaches! Last month, we discussed migraine headaches. This month, we’ll talk about the other headache...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common “peripheral neuropathies” patients have when they visit a chiropractor for the first time. Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is defined as “…damage or disease affecting nerves, which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organ function, or other aspects of health, depending on...
Traditionally, chiropractic care is most commonly rendered for a finite amount of time, usually until the symptoms that initially drove the patient to seek out care resolve. However, some patients find that periodic chiropractic treatments make them feel better and improve their sense of well-being. Three basic methods of chiropractic...
While many people may consider carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) to be the default cause of any pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and/or wrist, the condition is more complex. In some cases, a patient with such symptoms may not have CTS at all. So when a patient comes...
Ever since Dr. Linus Pauling wrote about vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and its ability to fight the common cold, controversy has persisted about the value of vitamin C, how much is needed, and how to get it into the body. Let’s discuss some truths and myths about vitamin C… MYTH:...
Low back-related leg pain (LBRLP) is a common condition that drives patients into primary care clinics, including chiropractic offices, but these cases are often complex, and determining the underlying cause can be clinically challenging. Let’s take a look at the current treatment strategies for LBRLP. To begin with, the patient’s...
According to medical historians, the first artificial total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed in Germany in the early 1890s. Since then, there have been many advancements in the design of the artificial hip and how the procedure is performed, even to the point of the introduction of the minimally invasive...
Neck pain and headaches often co-occur and are two of the most common reasons patients seek chiropractic care. Thus, it’s important for a doctor of chiropractic to conduct a careful history and examination to determine if the patient’s headaches and neck pain are indeed related or if the issues need...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy—that is, it’s the most common place to trap a nerve in the extremities (arms or legs). CTS affects 6-11% of adults in the general population, and it occurs in women more often than men. The cause is often difficult...
Non-surgical treatment approaches for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) aim to remove pressure on the median nerve where it’s pinched. In a recent review of the literature published on “passive modalities” (non-surgical treatment approaches) for CTS, researchers reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2015 for information on which non-surgical treatment approaches...
Low back pain (LBP) can strike at any time or place, often when we least expect it. There are “self-help” approaches that can be of great benefit, but many of these approaches can fail, or worse, irritate the condition. Here are some “do’s and don’ts” when self-managing low back pain!...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) often responds well to non-surgical care and there is good evidence supporting chiropractic treatment for CTS. But the question frequently arises, “When should I consider surgery for my CTS?” Let’s take a look… CTS is basically the pinching of the median nerve as it travels through...
Chiropractic is well known for the management of pain in the back, neck, arms, and legs, but what about enhancing sleep quality? Chronic, long-term sleep-related disorders affect an estimated 1.5 million Americans each year and account for an estimated $16 billion in medical costs annually, not including indirect costs due...
Do you realize how complicated the low back region is when it comes to investigating the cause of low back pain (LBP)? There can be findings on an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan such as degenerative disk disease, arthritis, even bulging and/or herniated disks that have NOTHING to do with...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that arises when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the narrow, rigid carpal tunnel, resulting in numbness, tingling, pain, and/or weakness in the hand and wrist. The underlying cause of CTS can be obvious and easy to trace, such as...
Did you know that 50-72% of women have low back pain (LBP) and/or pelvic pain during their pregnancy but only 32% do something about it? Let’s look closer! Pregnancy-related low back pain (PLBP) can be a highly debilitating syndrome that accounts for the most common cause of sick leave for...
Whiplash – or perhaps most accurately, “whiplash associated disorders” (WAD) – is a term that is applied to the MANY different types of injuries that can occur at the time of an automobile collision. The cervical spine includes bony structures, ligaments (that hold bones tightly together), tendons (that attach muscles...
Chiropractic care focuses on treating the whole person and realigning the spine to maximize function and health. This month’s focus is on the feet and how they can have a tremendous effect on the whole body. Let’s take a look! Did you know that the foot consists of 26 bones,...
Because the spinal cord is housed by the spine and the exiting nerve roots communicate with the autonomic nerves that basically run our organ function, maintaining alignment of the spine and pelvis is very important to minimize nerve irritation and subsequent health-related problems. The focus of this article is on...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a painful, often debilitating, progressive condition that occurs when a nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. Let’s take a closer look at what CTS is and what can be done for it! ONSET: Often, CTS starts with an infrequent, vague sort of numbness or tingling...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) belongs to a group of disorders referred to as “cumulative trauma disorders,” or CTDs. The word “cumulative” refers to the cause being repetitive motion, usually fast and prolonged. Over time, the wear and tear on the upper extremities accumulates and symptoms begin to occur and possibly...
In the nervous system, there are three primary areas that regulate our balance: the cerebellum (located in the back of the brain), the dorsal columns (located in the back of the spinal cord), and the inner ear (the “vestibular” part of our cranial nerve VIII). There are also small, microscopic...
Low back pain (LBP) affects most of us at some point in life, and usually its cause is mechanical. We typically do not think about low back pain resulting from a virus or bacteria, though we might be quick to recall times when LBP occurred suspiciously close to an infection...
Spondylolisthesis, or a slipped vertebra (as opposed to a slipped disk or herniated disk), describes when one vertebra slips or slides forwards on the vertebra below, which can occur for a number of reasons including getting older (“degenerative spondylolisthesis”) or trauma (from a fracture in the back of the vertebra...
Unfortunately, low back pain (LBP) is something MOST of us cannot avoid. There is solid evidence that chiropractic care is one of the most effective methods of treating LBP, but there are times when a referral for surgery is needed. What about manipulative therapy (MT) AFTER surgery? Is this a...
There is certainly a lot of interest in concussion these days between big screen movies, football, and other sports-related injuries. Concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are often used interchangeably. Though mTBI is NOT the first thing we think about in a low-speed motor vehicle...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a VERY common condition where the median nerve is compressed or squeezed as it passes through the wrist. One reason that it’s so common is because MANY daily activities require fast, repetitive use of the fingers, hands, and arms, and the friction of the rapidly...
What can we do as individuals to improve our quality of life as we age? In order to address this question, let’s break this down into “Bio-Psycho-Social” categories: BIO: weight, diet, exercise, fitness; PSYCHO: brain stimulating activities and exercises, diet and nutritional supplementation; and SOCIAL: interaction and relationships. BIO: This...
Longevity is important, but longevity with a high quality of life is MORE IMPORTANT! So what can you do to live both longer and better? This month, let’s look at heart disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease can be prevented A LOT EASIER than treating it once it’s...
Chiropractic is the most widely accepted and most frequently used type of “alternative” healthcare in the United States. This is largely due to the fact that it works, and because of that, there has been a steady increase in acceptance by the public, third-party payers, and the Federal government. Since...
Researchers have observed a phenomenon called “central sensitization” (CS) that is common in patients who have long-term, chronic pain following trauma such as whiplash. With CS, the patient’s ability to feel pain is abnormally high or hypersensitive, so when pain from pressure, temperature, electrical, or other sources is applied to...
We all know what it’s like to have neck pain—whether it’s after a long drive, pinching the phone between the head and shoulder, star-gazing, or from talking to someone who is seated off to the side. There are many causes of neck pain, but the question of the month is,...
We in the healthcare management world are all biased. If a patient with neck and arm pain presents to a Pro Rehab chiropractic clinic, the doctor of chiropractic will usually recommend a non-surgical trial of care as long as “red flags” don’t exist (that is, “bad” things like bowel/bladder weakness,...
When patients seek chiropractic care, the focus is on improving ALL aspects of health, not just the presenting complaint of back or neck pain. The “Triangle of Health” is represented by an equilateral triangle where one side represents structure (something that chiropractic SPECIFICALLY manages), chemical (where we look closely at...
Whiplash, or WAD (Whiplash Associated Disorders), refers to a neck injury where the normal range of motion is exceeded, resulting in injury to the soft-tissues (hopefully with no fractures) in the cervical region. There are a LOT of factors involved that enter into the degree of injury and length of...
It has been said that odds of success or failure in helping a patient with most forms of treatment center around whether or not the patient “believes” that the proposed treatment approach will help. In other words, “…the power of positive thinking” and how it enters into the care and...
Between 80% and 90% of the general population will experience an episode of lower back pain (LBP) at least once during their lives. When it affects the young to middle-aged, we often use the term “non-specific LBP” to describe the condition. The geriatric population suffers from the “aging effects” of...
Pain in the jaw joint, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), is a common complaint for many people. In fact, a 2009 publication reported that TMD affects between 20-30% of the adult population, typically between 20 and 40 years old, and is more common in females than males. TMD is also...
You may have heard the comment, “If there’s no damage to the car, then there’s no injury.” Unfortunately, that does not always seem to be the case. There are MANY factors that affect the dynamics of a collision and whether or not injury occurs. A short list includes: vehicle type...
Dizziness, neck pain, and headaches are very common symptoms that may or may not occur at the same time. Though this interrelationship exists, this month’s article will focus primarily on dizziness, particularly related to dizziness that occurs after standing. First, it is important to point out that it is VERY...
Last month, we discussed some startling new research that found that lightheadedness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension) may be more serious than previously thought. This month, we’ll look specifically at headache AND dizziness and if we should we be concerned about this combination of complaints and if so, when? A...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common of the many “entrapment neuropathies”— nerve pinches in the arms or legs—likely because we use our hands and fingers repetitively for long time frames at work and during many of our hobbies. In addition, the wrist is a very complicated joint because...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by the compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist, which can result in pain, numbness, tingling, and in some cases, a weak grip. At first, these symptoms are mild and infrequent, but over time can become more intense, frequent, and...
Most of us have suffered from back pain at one time or another. It often occurs after over-doing a physical task, like fall yard work, winter snow shoveling, working on the car, cleaning the house, and so on. But there are times when identifying the cause of back pain can...
According to the National Institutes of Health, circadian rhythms include physical, mental, and behavioral changes that roughly follow a 24-hour cycle, responding largely to environmental light and darkness. Most living things possess this trait including animals, plants, and many microbes. So how does this relate to low back pain? Recent...
Here it is: carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a nutshell! WHAT: CTS is caused by an injury to the median nerve (MN) as it travels through the wrist. WHERE: The eight small carpal bones and a ligament form a tunnel in which tendons and nerves pass through to reach the...
One of the most common causes of shoulder pain is a rotator cuff (RC) tear. To determine just how common this is, one study looked at a population of 683 people regardless of whether or not they had shoulder complaints. There were 229 males and 454 females for a total...
In general, exercise is good for everyone. In fact, exercise seems to benefit EVERY system of the body, AND it’s one of the BEST ways to relieve stress. So back to the question, should you include push-ups in your exercise program? The short answer is yes…and no! To best answer...
Some of you may have heard about how a modified form of boxing is helping patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). If you haven’t, it’s been observed that people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who engage in this boxing-like exercise routine can enhance their quality of life and even build impressive gains...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects around 6-12% of the population and can result in significant pain and disability. The financial costs associated with CTS can be staggering – ranging from $45,000 to $89,000 per patient over a six-year period when productivity loses are taken into...
Shoulder pain is a REALLY common problem that can arise from many causes. There are actually several joints that make up the shoulder, so shoulder injuries can be quite complex! Probably the most common source of shoulder pain arises from the muscle tendons and the bursa—the fluid-filled sacs that lubricate,...
The connection between our sinuses and headaches is well established, but what about the relationship between neck pain and our sinuses? Is there a connection? Sinusitis is very common in the spring when pollen counts are high and times when the cold and flu are rampant. It usually manifests with...
When you ask people to point to their hip joint, it’s very interesting to see the vast number of places where people point—the low back, side of the pelvis, front of the pelvis, in the groin, and more! If one were to draw a line between the back and front...
Let’s first look at the anatomy of the neck in order to better understand the structures of the cervical spine that can generate pain. Starting at the back of the spine, the facet joints allow us to move our neck and head in all directions, and each facet joint is...
Whiplash is an injury to the soft-tissues of the neck often referred to as a sprain or strain. Because there are a unique set of symptoms associated with whiplash, doctors and researchers commonly use the term “whiplash associated disorders” or WAD to describe the condition. WAD commonly occurs as a...
There is plenty of research supporting chiropractic care as an excellent approach for managing whiplash associated disorders (WAD). While the in-office treatment aspect of care—spinal manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, massage, modalities, etc.—is important for restoring motion and reducing pain in the neck and surrounding areas, it’s the at-home exercises...
Do you frequently feel sleepy throughout the day? Do you doze off soon after you sit down? Do you feel “restored” when you wake up in the morning? How much sleep is REALLY needed and how important is it? Let’s take a look… The short answer is that sleep is...
In previous articles, we’ve explored how to individualize an exercise program for those with back pain. This month, we’ll look at why utilizing a Swiss ball may be more helpful for the back pain patient than simply doing floor-based exercises. In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Sports...
It’s easy to focus on the knee when it hurts, but is the pain truly arising from the knee? There are many studies that link knee pain to problems with the lower back, hips, ankles, and feet. This month, let’s focus on the role the foot and ankle play in...
Serious falls can lead to a number of negative outcomes in older adults, from impaired mobility to loss of independence to early death. Thus, steps that can be taken to reduce the risk for falls will not only potentially result in a longer life, but also help support a higher...
One of the structures that is frequently blamed for hip pain is called the labrum—the rubbery tissue that surrounds the socket helping to stabilize the hip joint. This tissue often wears and tears with age, but it can also be torn as a result of a trauma or sports-related injury....
Non-surgical, conservative care to address shoulder pain, especially when caused by shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), is one of the most common reasons patients visit our chiropractic offices. Pro Rehab doctors of chiropractic often manage the condition with a combination of manual therapies and exercises targeted on the shoulder joint. The...
When treating patients with low back pain (LBP), Pro Rehab doctors of chiropractic have three common goals: 1) pain management; 2) posture alignment or correction; and 3) prevention. When warranted, the use of corrective prescription foot orthotics can help achieve all three goals. In a 2017 study, researchers recruited 225...
WHAT IS IT? Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is one of the most common causes of hip and/or knee pain among athletes. The pain is caused from swelling or inflammation of a muscle group (including the tensor fascia lata or TFL, gluteus medius, and minimus muscles), the tendons that attach muscles...
Did you know that an alarming 90% of neurologically injured whiplash patients DO NOT recover and have neck muscle dysfunction even up to a year after the date of their motor vehicle collision? There is suspicion among researchers that such ongoing issues are the result of the body’s initial response...
Whiplash is a strain or sprain to the bones, soft tissues, tendons, and muscles in your neck. This injury results when your head or neck is subjected to “acceleration deceleration” movement — a fast back-and-forth motion that forces the vertebrae in your neck out of alignment. The sudden movement causes...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be an extremely painful and activity-limiting condition. It affects many people of all ages and genders, though women are affected more often than men. But how do you know if what you are suffering from is truly CTS or if it’s another condition that’s producing...
Shoulder pain can arise from a multitude of places—from joints, muscles, tendons, and bursa in and around the shoulder region as well as from more distant locations like the neck, upper back, or even referred pain from the gall bladder. The onset of shoulder pain is highly variable as it...
Neck pain can arise from a multitude of causes, from trauma like sports injuries and car accidents to just sleeping in an awkward position. It can also arise from non-traumatic causes like stress, anxiety, or depression. In the past, we’ve noted how forward head posture can increase the risk of...
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is one of the many conditions that can accompany a whiplash injury. The term is often used interchangeably with concussion, while “post-concussion syndrome” and TBI (without the word “mild”) refer to long-term residual symptoms. Symptoms associated with mTBI initially include dizziness, nausea, and headaches followed...
Cervical spondylosis (CS) is another term for osteoarthritis (OA) of the neck. It is a common, age-related condition that you will probably develop if you live long enough. Or, if you suffered a neck injury as a youth, it can develop within five to ten years of the injury, depending...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused when pressure is applied to the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. When playing a musical instrument, especially for hours at a time for several days in a row, the fast repetitive movements of the fingers can cause the tendons—all...
Most sprains and strains typically take six weeks to recover, provided the patient receives proper care, which may include self-management strategies. However, something is different about a whiplash associated disorders (WAD) injury in that many patients do not recover. At the Whiplash 2017 Symposium held in Australia, Dr. Michele Sterling...
When looking at the neck from the left side, the cervical curve should look “C-shaped”, or lordotic. This develops when infants learn to lift and hold their head up while laying on their stomach and continues to progress when a child starts moving around on all fours. When we bend...
If you suffer from shoulder pain, here are some exercises you can do at home that really work to improve flexibility and strength. Just remember to ALWAYS stay within reasonable pain boundaries and work BOTH sides of your body, NOT just the injured shoulder! For flexibility, start with the “Codman”...
In 2016, researchers at Curtin University in Perth examined the seated posture and health data of 1,108 17-year olds in an effort to determine if any particular posture increased the risk of headaches/neck pain among late adolescents. Among four posture subgroups—upright, intermediate, slumped thorax, and forward head—the researchers observed the...
The knee can be divided in four compartments—the front, inside, back, and outside—which intimately interact with each other. The compartment located in the front of the knee includes the knee cap (or patella), the groove in which it slides in, and the muscles that attach to the patella. The patella...
The hip is a very unique joint. The depth of the socket, the strength of the muscles and ligaments surrounding it, and the way it functions in weight bearing activities is unlike any other joint in the body. The focus this month is on the relationship between the hip and...
Though most patients with a whiplash injury improve within a few months, about 25% have long-term pain and disability that may persist for many months or years. Now, a team of scientists from Northwestern Medicine Feinberg school of Medicine reports that it may be possible to determine which whiplash patients...
Here are a few ways to improve your sleep quality in spite of a busy lifestyle: 1) SET A SCHEDULE: Set a time for BOTH going to bed AND getting up in the morning, preferably at the same times each day—even on weekends. 2) EXERCISE: Try to get 20-30 minutes...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that arises when the median nerve becomes compressed as it travels through the bony tunnel made up of the eight small carpal bones of the wrist. Its symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, index, middle, and thumb-side half of the...
Because the human head weighs between 12-15 pounds (5.44-6.80 kg), the neck and upper back muscles must constantly work to maintain an upright posture. Due to our use of computer and electronic devices, many people have forward head posture (FHP), meaning their head rests forwards on the neck more than...
The hip and knee are anatomically very close to one another. Functionally, there are several muscles that attach above the hip and below the knee joint. Hence, depending on the position and/or activity, the same muscle can move the hip and/or the knee. This close relationship crosses over in dysfunction...
Wrist splints are often a beneficial form of CTS self-care, as they can assist in relieving the pressure within the carpal tunnel by restricting wrist flexion and extension. Because we cannot control the position of our wrist during sleep and the pressure on the nerve worsens the more it bends...
Neck pain is one of those conditions that virtually everyone has had at some point in time. The degree of how it can affect one’s life is highly variable—from minimal functional limitations to total disability. So where does neck pain come from and why are the “facet joints” so important?...
Since ancient times, as far back as the days of Hippocrates (the father of medicine), people have taken cold baths in the belief it could both treat serious illness and maintain one’s good health. In a 2016 study conducted by a team of Dutch researchers, a group of roughly 2,800...
Due to bipedal locomotion (walking around on two legs), foot and ankle problems have the potential to affect EVERYTHING above the feet—even the knees! When analyzing the way we walk (also known as our gait), we find when the heel strike takes place, the heel and foot motion causes “supination”...
The cervical spine is often implicated in the onset and/or presence of headaches. This is due in part to the first three cervical nerve roots exiting out of the spine and enter the back of the head through a particularly thick group of muscles attached to the base of the...
As previously discussed, many patients with a whiplash injury also experience some degree of traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can prolong the recovery process. A 2012 study involving patients with severe TBI found the rate of favorable recovery increased 25% in participants who took a vitamin D supplement as part...
Is there a relationship between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and body mass index (BMI)? A 1994 study focused on 949 patients who presented with right arm numbness and tingling. In the study, the patients underwent electromyography and nerve conduction velocity (EMG/NCV)—the “gold standard” of tests to diagnose nerve injuries in...
The shoulder is a unique joint because it has a great range of motion. Unfortunately, that benefit is negatively balanced with poor stability. This is likely why between 20-25% of the population is afflicted with shoulder pain at some point in life. One of the greatest challenges in managing shoulder...
There are two types of muscles that help facilitate motion in our hips and lower extremities: tonic and phasic. Tonic (postural) muscles are always working or contracting to keep us upright. Therefore, these muscles tend to be tight and short. When we sleep, they contract or shorten and are taut...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. However, there are other anatomical locations in which the median nerve can experience interference, and the median nerve is not the only nerve that ventures into the hand. So if you experience a symptom like hand...
Though there are many different type of headache, many involve both the upper cervical region (the neck) and the head. Between the muscles that attach to the head and neck, the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together, the blood vessels that allow blood to flow to and from the head,...
When it comes to whiplash associated disorders (WAD), the process of making an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation can vary from healthcare provider to healthcare provider depending on their educational background, ongoing training, and clinical experience. There is also a growing pile of research with respect to WAD that helps...
Because the early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be mild and tolerable, many patients put off seeing a doctor until the pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in their wrist and hand is no longer bearable. The current research supports chiropractic care as an excellent non-surgical option for new-onset...
Low back pain (LBP) from a herniated disk often leads to surgical intervention. However, there are patients with this painful malady who can successfully “ride it out” and repeat MRI imaging six to twelve months later often fails to show little, if any, evidence of the original herniated disk that...
The cauda equina (Latin for “horse’s tail”) is made up of many nerves that travel down and exit out the sides of the lumbar spine and sacrum (tail bone) and transfer information (motor and sensory) to and from our legs and brain. If the cauda equina becomes compressed, the resulting...
A Baker’s cyst is a swelling located in the back of the knee that can be either asymptomatic or bothersome, especially when bending the knee. Researchers estimate that up to 94% of popliteal (back of the knee) cysts are associated with an intra-articular disorder, most commonly meniscus (“cartilage”) tears, as...
Experts estimate that approximately 10% of the adult population in the United States experienced an episode of tinnitus—the perception of sound or noise without any external auditory stimulus being present—within the last year. Tinnitus can be caused by wax buildup in the ear, medication side effect, noise-induced hearing lost, ear...
Whether you struggle with migraines or suffer from another type of chronic headache, the pain is real. Chronic headache pain disrupts your life and can make even simple tasks a challenge. The good news is that noninvasive chiropractic care at Pro Rehab Chiropractic and Rehabilitation can help ease your pain....
Torticollis, also called wry neck or loxia, represents a category of neck conditions which exhibit a twisting position of the head and neck outside of a normal neutral position. There are many potential causes for torticollis from sleeping in a faulty position to an injury to the neck, like whiplash....
The four compartments of the knee (anterior/front, medial/inside, posterior/back, and lateral/outside) are like dominos. Meaning, when one is injured, the others “start to fall.” This is due to compensatory changes in function—when one compartment is problematic, this places added strain or stress to other compartment(s). Hence, managing knee conditions often...
Migraines affect approximately 15% of the general population and are usually managed by medication. However, this traditional treatment approach is not well tolerated by some migraine sufferers due to side effects. Additionally, some people prefer to avoid the risks associated with taking some medications over the long term. A systematic...
Low back pain (LBP) is a very common problem that many, if not most of us, have had at some point in life. In fact, about 80% of adults experience LBP in their lifetime, and it’s the leading cause of job-related disability and missed work days. According to the National...
Patellofemoral (PF) pain (or pain in the area of the knee cap) is a very common problem, especially in women because they naturally have a wider pelvis. A wider pelvis can cause a “knock-knee” effect, which can be exacerbated by flat feet and ankle pronation (rolling in at the ankles)....
Shoulder pain is common. If fact, it’s highly likely that many of you reading this currently have or have had a shoulder injury, as studies suggest that about 90% of us will tear our rotator cuff, labrum, and/or capsule at some point in time during our lives. So why is...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a very common condition caused by inflammation of the median nerve that runs through the palm side of the wrist. When the median nerve is pinched and irritated, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the hand can result. Wrist splinting is a common recommendation given to...
In a 2015 study, Swedish researchers compared the effect of a slouched vs. normal body posture with regards to performing lifting tasks. In particular, investigators wanted a better understanding of how a slouched posture affects neck and shoulder function and muscle activity in three large muscle groups—the upper trapezius (UT),...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the leading cause of numbness to the middle three fingers and thumb and affects millions of Americans each year. There are MANY potential causes of CTS, and these causes can be unclear or multi-factorial. We have discussed the importance of night splints and what Pro...
For most of us, neck pain has reared its ugly head more than once. In fact, there are estimates that anywhere from one-in-ten to one-in-five people will experience an episode of neck pain in a given year. Though some studies report that between 33% and 65% of these people will...
Let’s say you’ve applied for a job that requires frequent gripping and handling of products and you heard that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a problem at this particular manufacturing plant. You really need the job, but you are leery of the possibilities of developing CTS. Is there anything you...
Low back pain (LBP) is VERY common condition, and research shows that up to 50% of the adult population in the United States will experience LBP in any three-month timeframe over the course of a year. Worse, low back pain can persist for months, years, and even longer, significantly reducing...
In addition to manual therapies and specific exercises to relieve pressure along the course of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist and elsewhere, doctors of chiropractic may utilize other high- and low-tech tools to manage the condition: Electric stimulation (e-stim) directs an electric current via electrodes placed...
Here’s something interesting. Do you know how much money American Airlines saved in 1987 by eliminating ONE olive from each salad they served in first class? You’ll never guess. $40,000! Amazing, isn’t it? And if you translate that amount to today’s dollars—it would be a lot more! You want to...
Chronic hamstring strains are more difficult to diagnose because the pain (in the hip region and deep in the buttocks and upper thigh) comes on gradually and is aggravated by repetitive activities like running, rowing, or biking and worsens with prolonged sitting. Hamstring injuries become chronic when a damaged or...
In the mid-1980s, a political event spurred a change regarding the medical community’s outward disrespect of chiropractors when the AMA (American Medical Association) was sued for anti-trust violations and the chiropractors won! For the first time, the public, open anti-chiropractic slander that appeared on billboards, in magazine articles, and in...
We cannot thank our family, friends, patients, and allied healthcare providers enough for referring patients to our practice. There is no other form of advertising that attracts the quality of patients as those our patients refer to us. So, here’s some information that may help you tell others about us:...
In a 2010 study, researchers examined MRIs taken from 1,200 patients (600 whiplash and 600 non-whiplash neck pain patients) and noted that those who had sustained whiplash were more likely to have a brain injury than non-whiplash neck pain patients. The specific type of brain injury found is a form...
Whiplash injuries are very common and are primarily associated with car and rear-end collisions in particular. This is what happens when you’re rear ended… 1) At 0-50 milliseconds (ms): As the car is initially propelled forward, the seatback pushes the torso forward while the head remains in its original position,...
It’s not uncommon for low back pain patients at Pro Rehab Chiropractic to reduce their activities in an effort to avoid their pain. Unfortunately, it’s likely their core muscles—the muscles that help support their midsection—will become deconditioned over time due to inactivity, which may only increase the risk of further...
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo, or dizziness, that is associated with movement of the head (though some motions may be more problematic than others) that goes away when movement ceases. Essentially, BPPV is caused by crystals becoming displaced within the semicircular canals (inner ear),...
Although whiplash injuries arising from motor vehicle collisions (MVC) are very common, there doesn’t seem to be consistency in the evaluation one receives at an emergency room (ER) or later in an outpatient setting when it comes to the utilization of x-ray and other imaging. So, what are the pros...
While many cases of whiplash that result from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) have a successful outcome, some experts estimate that up to 25% of whiplash patients will experience chronic pain and disability. Several studies have sought to identify characteristics that differentiate these individuals from those who recover so that...
Pro Rehab doctors of chiropractic often approach neck pain with manual therapy as the primary form of treatment. However, there are several types of manual therapy, including high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation; mobilization; and/or soft tissue techniques. Is one type of manual therapy superior when it comes to...
The roots of the sciatic nerve exit the spine through several levels in the lower back, join in the buttock region, and travel down into the lower extremities. When pressure is applied to the sciatic nerve in the lower back area, it can generate pain and other sensations down the...
The term “jumper’s knee” was first coined in 1973 to describe an injury to the tendon that attaches the lower (most common) to the prominence (tibial tuberosity) on the proximal shin bone (tibia) or the upper pole of the knee cap or “patella” to the quadriceps femoris muscle. Jumper’s knee...
You may know osteoporosis negatively impacts the health of your bones, but did you know it affects over 53 million Americans? Osteoporosis causes deterioration of your bone tissue, leading to low bone mass and an increased risk of fractures. And while both men and women can develop osteoporosis, women are...
According to the Vestibular Disorders Association, there is a classification of dizziness called “cervicogenic dizziness”, or dizziness resulting from neck pain. Published reports have linked the influence of head position on equilibrium as far back as the mid-1800s, but it wasn’t until 1955 when researchers coined the term “cervical vertigo”...
When it comes to a condition like chronic knee pain, there are many treatment options available to reduce pain and improve function, including chiropractic care. However, there are cases when a patient may opt for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In some instances, they may be able to resume their everyday...
Around the world, low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability and ranks sixth in terms of “overall disease burden.” Chronic low back pain (cLBP) has a profound socioeconomic impact on individuals, families, and communities—so much so that the World Health Organization has identified LBP as a major...
First, what is whiplash? It’s a lot of things, which is why the term WAD or Whiplash Associated Disorders has become the most common term for the main signs and symptoms associated with a whiplash injury. WAD is usually associated with a motor vehicle collision, but sports injuries, diving accidents,...
The shoulder is not just one joint but rather four: the sternoclavicular (collar bone/breast bone), acromioclavicular (the “roof” of the ball & socket joint), glenohumeral (the ball & socket joint), and scapulothoracic joints (shoulder blade/rib cage joint). There are also many structures in the vicinity that can mimic shoulder pain—namely,...
Experts estimate that up to 70% of people will experience an episode of neck pain in their lifetime. Though there are many potential forms of treatment available, little has been published comparing the various treatment options available to the neck pain patient. A 2012 study that involved 272 neck pain...
Whiplash and headaches are a very common duo that frequently occur after motor vehicle collisions. The good news is that most headaches that arise immediately following a head injury (or shortly thereafter) usually improve after minutes or days. But unfortunately for some, these headaches may persist over the longer term...
Most likely, everyone reading this article has had a headache at one time or another. The American Headache Society reports that nearly 40% of the population suffers from episodic headaches each year while 3% have chronic tension-type headaches. The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 29.5...
The whiplash process can lead to a number of concurrent symptoms (neck pain, headaches, limited cervical range of motion, etc.) referred to as whiplash associated disorders, or WAD. It’s estimated that about one in five WAD patients will also develop potentially chronic, concussion-like symptoms like brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and...
Sports that require rapid acceleration and deceleration, cutting left and right, agility, jumping, and bending pose a unique risk for injury to the lower limbs. Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent injury in Australian rules football, afflicting 16% of players, causing an average of 3.4 missed matches per injury, accounting...
Adhesive capsulitis (also known as “frozen shoulder”) is the end result of inflammation, scarring, thickening, and shrinkage of the capsule that surrounds the humeral head or “ball” part of the ball and socket joint. Adhesive capsulitis dramatically reduces the range of motion of the affected joint, which can severely impact...
The Latin terms tortus means twisted and collum means neck, hence the name torticollis. The common name for torticollis is wry neck, which is a dystonic condition defined by an abnormal, asymmetric position of the head and neck. Congenital torticollis is the most common form of this condition, which is...
While the primary driver for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) may sometimes be hormonal changes (hypothyroid, pregnancy, or birth control use), type 2 diabetes, or an inflammatory condition (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or gout), many patients’ hand and wrist symptoms are caused by musculoskeletal issues that place pressure on the median...
Shoulder instability (SI) occurs when the soft tissues (joint capsule, ligaments, and labrum) that hold the humerus in the shallow ball-and-socket glenohumeral joint become stretched, torn, or detached. When these tissues are damaged, the resulting shoulder instability is characterized as structural. If instability is caused by abnormal muscle activity that...
Recent studies suggest that in a rear-end collision, the injuries collectively described as whiplash associated disorders (WAD) result from the simultaneous hyperextension of the lower cervical spine and hyperflexion of the upper cervical spine. This can lead to a variety of injuries to the bony and/or soft tissues of the...
Each year, Americans make 7.5 million doctor visits related to shoulder/upper arm pain. After neck and back pain, shoulder pain is one of the top reasons patients seek chiropractic care at Pro Rehab. So, why are shoulder injuries so prevalent? Though there are many possible explanations that address this question,...
Low back pain (LBP) is the second most common reason for doctor visits in the United States and it is a condition that most of us will at some point in our lives. Last month, we reviewed the wide acceptance of spinal manipulation as the treatment of choice for both...
It’s a good question. We want to do the things that promote and speed healing and not do the kinds of things that cause more harm or are destructive. A lot of us know that a little rest when we injure the back is okay, but staying in bed for...
Gluten is found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye, and for those with Celiac Disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), gluten can be very dangerous, even lethal. But many people opt to avoid foods containing gluten as part of an anti-inflammatory diet and there seems to be little-to-no argument that...
There are many different types of arthritis, with the most common being osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Osteoarthritis is often referred to as the “wear-and-tear” type of arthritis, as the smooth, cushion-like, shiny cartilage covering the joints that allows for a nice gliding surface wears down....
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a very common, chronic condition where the patient describes “widespread pain” not limited to one area of the body. Hence, when addressing exercises for FM, one must consider the whole body. Perhaps one of the most important to consider is the squat. If you think about it,...
Did you know that there are nearly 30,000 car crashes in Delaware in a given year? No one wants to be in a car accident, and when they happen it’s natural to feel overwhelmed — especially if you’ve been injured. At Pro Rehab Chiropractic and Rehabilitation, with nine Delaware locations,...
In addition to neck pain and back pain, patients seek chiropractic care for many musculoskeletal conditions, including groin pain. Pain in the groin area can emanate from a myriad of causes from issues involving the reproductive organs, the renal/urinary system, the lymph glands, a pelvic flood disorder, a hip joint...
In normal head and neck posture, the center of the shoulder joints are located vertically in line with the bottom of the mastoid processes (the bone just behind the bottom of the ear at the base of the skull) while the muscles on the posterior (or back side) of the...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist. Researches estimate that the average person has a one-in-ten chance of developing the condition in their lifetime, and the risk is higher for individuals in certain professions (such as those using heavy, vibrating...
Treatment guidelines published around the world note that ruling out “red flags” is a healthcare provider’s number one responsibility, which is in line with the decree exhorted by all healthcare professionals when first entering practice to do no harm. When detected, red flags prompt a doctor to stop and immediately...
Whiplash associated disorder (WAD) is a very common injury that can occur in a variety of ways, but it’s most commonly associated with motor vehicle collisions. The symptoms associated with WAD have been classified as follows: • WAD I: Pain, stiffness, or tenderness of the neck as the only complaint...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common and well-known entrapment neuropathy, or pinched nerve in the extremities. Many people think that carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) affects only computer workers or assembly-line workers, but that is far from the truth. Though CTS can affect anyone, it’s quite common in athletes....
At some point in time, most of us have had a “Charlie horse” or muscle cramp. In fact, 50% of adults over the age of 50 suffer from night cramps. Doctors of chiropractic are often asked by their patients, “Where do these come from? Why am I having these? What...
Our bodies often let us know there is something not quite right, but are we listening? Too often in life, with hectic day-to-day schedules, getting the kids to school and so on, we cannot be troubled by these little warning signs. So we often just take a pill to mask...
Simply put, spinal stenosis describes a narrowing at the openings of the spine. When spinal stenosis exists in the cervical spine, it’s called cervical spinal stenosis (CSS). This condition is usually the result of wear-and-tear or aging, and hence, is most common over the age of 50. However, CSS can...
Smoking tobacco causes more than 480,000 deaths annually, which makes it the leading cause of preventable death in the United States (US)—that is nearly one in every five deaths in the country! Smoking causes more deaths than HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, car accidents, and firearm-related deaths COMBINED. More...
While it’s not possible to totally prevent low back pain (LBP), individuals who regularly exercise appear to have a reduced risk for LBP. Additionally, fit adults who develop back pain may experience it less often, at a reduced intensity, and for a shorter duration than those who lead a more...
It’s estimate that 15-20% of headaches originate in the neck. That is, dysfunction in the neck can put pressure on the three nerves that innervate the head, causing the symptoms associated with a cervicogenic headache. The posture of the neck is also important. There is normally a forward curve of...
We’ve all seen people working on laptops in airports, airplanes, coffee shops, on the train, walking down the street…you name it! So how does this affect one’s neck, and does it contribute to headaches? A 2016 study compared females with posture-induced headaches vs. healthy, age-matched female control subjects to see...
Whiplash or whiplash associated disorders (WAD) represent a constellation of symptoms that are very similar to those reported by patients who have sustained a concussion or minor-traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These shared symptoms include (but are not limited to): headache; neck pain; nausea/vomiting; dizziness; balance issues; vision problems; and difficulty...
A 2009 study that monitored over 8,800 elderly French adults found that an individual’s blood pressure can fluctuate with the seasons. In particular, the researchers observed that as temperatures fell, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure could rise to unhealthy levels, but they were unable to determine why. However, a...
When someone is diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), there seems to be an automatic assumption that surgery is imminent or at least inevitable. However, treatment guidelines for CTS that are intended to be followed by ALL healthcare professionals ALWAYS recommend an initial course of non-surgical treatment, NOT jumping directly...
Are you visiting the chiropractor for the first time and wondering what to expect? The team of providers here at Pro Rehab Chiropractic and Rehabilitation understands that the more you know about what to expect, the better your visit will be. Our doctors offer chiropractic care to our patients at...
While Pro Rehab chiropractic care commonly focuses on improving function in the spine to reduce neck pain and back pain, in many cases achieving a successful outcome is only possible when treatment addresses conditions elsewhere in the body. For example, ANY painful condition of the knee can alter one’s gait...
Neck pain is commonly associated with sitting in front of a computer for prolonged periods of time. So is there a “best” or “ideal” type of desk to use when working at a computer all day? The sit-stand desk has gained significant popularity in recent years, especially with an 83%...
Abnormal postures of the neck—straight and reversed (kyphotic) curves, for example—are commonly encountered after an individual has experienced a motor vehicle collision (MVC). Many studies discuss the mechanism of injury during a rear-impact MVC that result in a straight or kyphotic curve, but few have considered the importance of this...
Subacromial impingement (SAI) is a common injury in sporting activities that require overhead motions, especially among pitchers, quarterbacks, and swimmers. Not everyone responds to treatment to the same degree, and a new study that reviewed two specific cases may offer a possible reason: the neck. One of the two cases...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve as it passes through bones and ligaments of the wrist in order to innervate a portion of the hand. This pressure can be cause by compression of the carpal tunnel due to mechanical injury or when other...
Cycling is regarded as a highly enjoyable and effective form of exercise. However, there is some confusion about how posture while riding can affect the lower back and whether cycling is helpful for recovery from lower back pain. Bicyclists ride with either a round-back, flat-back, or curved-in back, which is...
Knee pain is a common complaint that will affect about 30% of the general population at some point in adulthood. Since running has a reputation for causing knee pain due to “wear and tear”, the question frequently arises as to whether or not running accelerates knee problems. So, what does...
Non-specific low back pain (nsLBP) is one of the most common and costly healthcare problems affecting society, and it is also the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence around the world. Following a course of treatment to reduce pain and improve function for patients with a musculoskeletal complaint—such...
Curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric that gives mustard and curry their yellow color, has long been known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant capabilities. Because of its prevalence in Indian cuisine, some researchers suspect that reduced inflammation in the brain from frequent curcumin use may explain why senior citizens in...
Every career has its pros and cons when it comes to physical exertion, stress, work hours, the physical environment (temperature, cleanliness, etc.), and more. But when a worker develops carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is it the job that’s the culprit or is there something else responsible for the patient’s symptoms?...
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a pathological hip condition found in 17% of the population, and it’s caused by abnormal contact between the ball of hip and the socket. To be more precise, it’s the head-neck junction that impinges against the rim of the acetabulum. There are three types of FAI:...
Headaches are one of the more common conditions that enter the offices of primary care doctors, including chiropractors. The standard medical treatment revolves around the use of medications and/or injections. The standard chiropractic treatment approach includes manual therapies that may include spinal manipulation or adjustments, manual or mechanical cervical traction,...
Whiplash associated disorders (WADs) can be a very confusing condition characterized by a myriad of symptoms stemming from a forceful, rapid back-and-forth motion of the head and neck. While this process commonly occurs during a rear-end crash, it can also arise from a slip-and-fall injury, sports injury, physical abuse, or...
When people think of chiropractic care, they usually imagine back pain, neck pain, and headaches, as research STRONGLY supports chiropractic treatment for these complaints. But what about chiropractic care for shoulder pain? In 2010 and again in 2014, the United Kingdom government published landmark studies that reviewed previously published research...
Certain low back conditions can give rise to more than just lower back pain. To understand this better, a short “anatomy lesson” is appropriate. The spine can be divided into two halves: front and back. The structures in the front half include the larger, heavier bones called vertebral bodies and...
One-in-five adults over the age of 70 suffer from neck pain, which can dramatically affect their overall quality of life. So how effective is chiropractic care for a senior’s neck pain? A 2019 study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies surveyed 288 Australian chiropractors and found that individuals...
Hip pain is a common complaint that can arise from many different sources including the spine, pelvis, and the knee. Greater trochanteric bursitis or gluteal tendonitis (GT) is a condition that occurs five-times more often in women than men, affecting one-in-four women over 50 years of age. Patients with GT...
When it comes to a condition like low back pain, does it matter what type of healthcare provider a patient initially visits for treatment? A study published in 2015 looked at this question and found that the type of healthcare provider a patient initially consulted had a dramatic effect on...
When people think of hip pain, they generally turn to hip-specific exercises as a self–help strategy. However, recent evidence shows there’s a correlation between poor core stability of the trunk and injury to the lower extremities, which includes the hips. In March 2018, Belgian researchers reviewed data from nine previously...
If you’re someone who likes to exercise, you know that some level of discomfort is to be expected as your muscles work to increase your strength and endurance. Sometimes, however, the very thing that should ensure your health can actually cause damage and chronic pain. The team of highly skilled...
Individuals with neck pain may find it difficult for get a night of restful, restorative sleep due to pain keeping them awake or interrupting their slumber. Not only can a restless night make it more difficult to complete tasks related to everyday living or make neck pain worse, but poor...
Research regarding whiplash or whiplash associated disorders (WAD) classically focuses on neck pain; however, the data show acute thoracic spine / mid-back pain (MBP) occurs in 66% of WAD injures with 23% still complaining of MBP at one-year post-injury. It’s easy to visualize how the cervical spine or neck can...
Multiple studies have shown that hyper-pronation (HP), or too much rolling-inwards of the ankle, can have effects on the body far beyond the foot. For example, abnormal motion of the ankle can lead to slight changes in how the knees and pelvis move as you carry out your normal daily...
In today’s world, consumers are inundated with contradicting news about foods that are good for them and foods that can be detrimental to their health. Rice is one such food. Is it good for you? Is it bad? Let’s find out… In a 2019 study, researchers in India randomly assigned...
As with most musculoskeletal conditions, treatment guidelines for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) recommend non-surgical or conservative management initially, with surgery only in emergency situations or after non-surgical options are exhausted. So, is there a way to know who will respond best to non-surgical approaches? To answer this, researchers conducted a...
When treating patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Pro Rehab doctors of chiropractic can employ a variety of options to reduce pressure on the median nerve. While this can include dietary recommendations (to reduce inflammation), adjustments to address dysfunction elsewhere along the course of the median nerve, or even working...
When people say, “My shoulder hurts,” they often point to different areas in the vicinity of the shoulder such as the base of neck, the collar bone, the scapula (shoulder blade), the chest, and/or their arm. The challenge with the shoulder is that it’s anatomically comprised of three joints: the...
Since falls are a major cause of serious injury, especially for older adults, here’s a simple way to objectively measure and improve your sense of balance… First, stand in a place where you can catch yourself from falling (like behind a chair or in a corner). Place your feet side...
Wry neck, also known as torticollis, is a painful condition in which the top of the head usually tilts to one side while the chin rotates to the opposite side. Torticollis can have several causes from infection (cold, flu, or otitis media, for example) to sleeping in a draft; however,...
Whiplash is a very common problem afflicting millions of people every year. In fact, there are more than 6 million car accidents each year in the United States alone. Death associated with car accidents occurs every 12 minutes and each year, motor vehicle collisions (MVC) kill 40,000 people. For people...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common of the peripheral nerve conditions and occurs when the median nerve is compressed or pinched at the wrist. The resulting symptoms of numbness/pain in the wrist, index, third, and fourth fingers; multiple sleep interruptions; frequent shaking and flicking of the hand/fingers; difficulty...
The term whiplash associated disorders (WAD) describes a constellation of symptoms that includes (partial list) pain, stiffness/limited motion, dizziness, headache, depression/anxiety, and brain-fog. The condition is associated with accelerations/deceleration events like car accidents, sports collisions, or slip and falls. Such injuries are classified into four categories: WAD I (no/minimal complaints/injury),...
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and is caused when the smooth cartilage surface of an articulating/moving joint wears away until there is bone-on-bone contact that results in both loss of movement and pain. Although OA most commonly affects the joints under the greatest load (the hips...
In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine life without a computer. In fact, most Americans spend more time in front of a screen than doing anything else. The average US adult spends over 11 hours a day glued to a screen. Not surprisingly, so much screen time isn’t good for...
Low back pain (LBP) and posterior pelvic pain (PPP) are very common complaints during pregnancy. In fact, current estimates show that two-thirds of expectant mothers will experience back pain during pregnancy and one in five will report pelvic pain. These afflictions can have a significant impact on a woman’s quality...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the wrist. One treatment option available to patients is carpal tunnel release surgery, which severs the carpal tunnel ligament to reduce pressure on the affected nerve to resolve the numbness, pain,...
One of the symptoms commonly associated with whiplash associated disorder (WAD) is headaches. The current research suggests that up to 50% of patients who experience whiplash-associated headaches may continue to suffer from them for up to a year or more, and many of those will continue to have headaches as...
With many sports requiring overhead movements that can place the shoulder at the extreme end of its range of motion, it’s not surprising that shoulder injuries are so common among athletes. For instance, up to 50% of NCAA college football players have some history of shoulder injury, which comprises about...
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints that drive patients to seek chiropractic care at Pro Rehab Chiropractic Wilmington. Sometimes the cause of injury is a known traumatic event, but in many cases, neck pain is the result of wear and tear from poor posture—forward head posture in...
As screens (televisions, computers, and smartphones/tablets) become an increasingly important part of daily life, many people gradually take on a more slumped posture, which can place added strain on the neck and shoulders, raising the risk for neck pain and headaches. Luckily, it’s possible to improve forward head posture, rounded...
When it comes to managing a low back condition, the goal of chiropractic treatment at Pro Chiropractic Wilmington and Dr. James Sheehan is for the patient return to their normal daily activities as soon as possible. This not only means addressing low back pain but also low back disability, including...
Deep slow breathing (DSB) has been widely used for managing various diseases of the heart and lungs as well as for psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions. There appears to be some research to support DSB as being helpful for pain management, but the results have been inconsistent....
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has long been recognized as an occupational disease, and though the incidence of many other occupational diseases has decreased over time, CTS appears to be becoming more prevalent. A 2019 study looked at the impact/benefit of wrist-specific exercises and oral enzyme therapy on automotive assembly line...
While tinnitus is commonly associated with a ringing sound in the ears, it can also involve a buzzing, hissing, or whistling noise. The sound can be intermittent or constant and can change in volume. The noise often intensifies in a quiet room when background noise is absent, such as at...
We previously discussed how walking backward can strengthen the low back extensor muscles, which can aid in both the treatment and prevention of back pain. According to a study published in the January 2019 issue of the journal Cognition, walking backward (or even watching a video simulating backward motion) may...
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is commonly associated with running, jumping, squatting, and walking up/down stairs. It’s thought that PFP is caused by excessive rubbing between the back of the patella and groove, or track, that it rides in. Besides overuse, additional causes for PFP pain include muscle imbalance or weakness or...
Since the late 1980s, researchers have embraced the biopsychosocial model (BPS) to understand both the causative and prognostic factors associated with neuromusculoskeletal disorders, which includes back pain. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients with back pain, it’s important to understand the role that factors outside of...
A study published in 2019 found that nearly half of whiplash associated disorders (WAD) sufferers are still symptomatic one year after their injury. Why is that, and what can one do to reduce their risk for chronic WAD symptoms? The most common source of pain from WAD injuries arises from...
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) may be the most expensive of all work-related injuries, costing the average CTS patient about $30,000 in medical bills and lost productivity over his or her lifetime. CTS is primarily found in adults, is 3x more frequently found in woman, and usually affects the dominant hand first....
Does mobilization (MOB) get less, the same, or better results when compared to spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) when it comes to treating neck pain? To answer this question, let’s first discuss the difference between the two treatment approaches. Mobilization (MOB) of the spine can be “technically” defined as a “low...