Spinal mobilization is more effective than massage therapy for relieving cervicogenic headache pain, according to a new study. Cervicogenic headaches originate with a dysfunction in the cervical spine, or the neck region. Patients experience throbbing headaches at the base of the skull, with pain emanating down their neck and upper back, and sometimes above the eyes.
Read MoreUp to 50% of whiplash patients report an incomplete recovery, and around 30% of patients continue to be moderately or severely disabled two to three years after the initial injury. With a significant number of patients developing chronic problems, ongoing research has sought to identify what factors put patients at risk for persistent symptoms. Some research has suggested that those with a prior history of neck pain are more likely to develop chronic symptoms after whiplash, and researchers from Sweden sought to see whether this trend was reflected in rates of healthcare utilization.
Read MoreComplementary and alternative medicine is drawing more attention in the treatment of fibromyalgia. The increased popularity of CAM therapies among fibromyalgia patients is likely related to dissatisfaction with traditional medicine, a desire for a more holistic treatment approach, and the positive patient-doctor relationships frequently developed in CAM practices.
Read MoreChiropractic care was significantly better than a sham treatment in alleviating spinal pain for patients in a new study. Although chiropractic is widely used to treat spinal pain, ongoing research seeks to identify and quantify its effectiveness. In a recent study published in the journal Spine, researchers compared chiropractic care to a sham intervention for spinal pain. The study included 183 participants with spinal pain who were randomly assigned to receive either chiropractic or a sham intervention for two weeks.
Read MoreA new study suggests vitamin D supplementation could prevent recurrent ear infections in young children. The study found that toddlers taking 1,000 IUs of vitamin D daily had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from one or more cases of acute otitis media compared to a placebo group.
Read MoreDid you know your back pain may be related to dysfunctions within the pelvis? The sacroiliac joint is a triangular-shaped bone that connects the spine to the pelvis. Pregnancy, arthritis, or anything that affects your gait and walking patterns may result in inflammation or misalignment of the sacroiliac joint, leading to lower back pain and sciatica. In a new pilot study from published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, researchers from Brazil were interested in assessing the effects of spinal adjustments on patients with low-back pain related to pelvic dysfunction. The study included seven patients with low-back pain and pelvic anteversion (pelvis tilting forward).
Read MoreThe generation of Facebook and smartphones is starting to suffer from the tolls of a sedentary life. New research suggests that almost third of people under the age of 35 experience persistent back and neck pain. A new study, conducted on behalf of the British Chiropractic Association, showed that 65% of people aged 16-34 years old have suffered from back or neck pain, and 28% experienced the pain for over a month. According to the BCA, many chiropractors have begun to notice an increasing number of young people suffering from neck and back pain, and they suspect a sedentary lifestyle is largely to blame. The growing prevalence of musculoskeletal problems doesn't just stem from more time on Twitter and iPads however.
Read MoreAnyone trying to lose or maintain weight has experienced this before: a mountain of treats displayed beautifully at the grocery store, beckoning us to break our healthy eating commitment. Now, new research shows your ability to resist food temptations while shopping is closely linked to whether or not you've gotten enough sleep. Researchers publishing in the journal Obesity examined whether sleep deprivation played a role on shoppers' purchasing decisions.
Read MoreMost people who work at a desk are familiar with the aching sensation that arises in your neck, back, and shoulders after a few hours of computer work. As you expose your body to the stresses of work day after day, those initial symptoms can turn into persistent pain and diminished function. Office workers frequently develop myofascial trigger points, or hyperirritable nodules of pain and sensitivity located in a taut band of muscle fibers.
Read MoreNew research suggests that a Chinese herbal medicine called Ji-Sui-Kang (JSK) could significantly improve outcomes after spinal cord injury. The study showed that JSK decreased tissue damage, improved physical function, and protected the structure of neural cells after spinal cord injury in rats. Anecdotal evidence from Chinese medicine practitioners has pointed to success with JSK for a variety of conditions, but there have been few experimental, controlled trials on the treatment. Researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada tested the effects of JSK on rats with spinal cord injury.
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