Many patients labeled as having fibromyalgia may actually be suffering from disease known as small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN), according to a new study. Although fibromyalgia is a recognized medical condition, the biological causes are still unknown and there is still no single cure.
Read MoreKids with history of allergies and asthma are more like to develop ADHD, says the results of a new study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Earlier studies on a possible link between allergies, asthma, and ADHD have produced conflicting results. To test that link, researchers from the Netherlands and Boston performed a case-control study of boys registered with the UK General Practice Research Database.
Read MoreBack pain has a number of causes, and while most cases are the result of mechanical problems, the pain can also result from diseases, infections, and spinal abnormalities. One recent study explored the case of a 29-year old man with a previously undiagnosed spinal anomaly called lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV). The man started experiencing back pain after increasing his physical activity heavily while training for a new job in law enforcement. He was treated with a standard course of chiropractic care including spinal manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, and trigger point therapy.
Read MoreA new study questions long-held beliefs about one of the most common causes of back pain, lumbar disc herniation. The findings could have major treatment implications by modifying the conventional understanding of how lumbar disc herniation occurs. In the study, researchers found that most cases of lumbar disc herniation are not caused by ruptured discs as previously thought, but by avulsion (separation) of the connective tissue between the spinal bone and disc in a process known as end plate junction (EPJ) failure. "Our study shows that the incidence of EPJ failure has been grossly underrated, probably because of the difficulty of documentation," the researchers wrote. A herniated disc, frequently called a "slipped" disc, occurs when the soft inside of a spinal disc protrudes outside of the tougher exterior due to aging, injury, or degenerative disc disease. In cases of injury, scientists believed the primary mechanism of disc herniation took place when the disc itself ruptured, allowing the soft center to leak out. To test that theory, researchers publishing in the journal Spine studied 181 patients receiving surgery for herniated discs.
Read MoreChiropractic adjustments can provide immediate relief for people with chronic muscle pain, according to new research. Chronic muscle pain, also known as myofascial pain syndrome, affects an estimated 25% of the general population, and 85% of middle-aged people. Myofascial pain can be caused by an injury to muscle fibers, repetitive motions, or a lack of activity.
Read MoreStock up on your favorite summer fruit while you'll can: a new study found that watermelon juice can naturally alleviate muscle soreness after exercise. Watermelon juice has previously been found to have antioxidant properties which may boost muscle protein and aide in athletic performance. The key to its effects lie in an amino acid known as L-citrulline. Researchers publishing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry sought to test the effects of watermelon juice on a group of healthy volunteers.
Read MoreNew research shows the chiropractic can produce clinically significant reductions in pain for patients with cervical disc herniation. Often patients with neck pain experience tingling, numbness, and pain emanating from their neck down the arm. These symptoms are characteristic of cervical radiculopathy or radicular pain.
Read MoreWith the end of summer just around the corner, here's something to consider when you're shopping for school supplies: how heavy is your child's backpack? Weighty backpacks have received increasing attention in recent years as the persistent cause of back, neck, and shoulder problems in kids. Research suggests that children with back pain often develop chronic symptoms lasting into adulthood, making it all the more important to tackle back and neck pain early in life. Current guidelines recommend that backpacks shouldn't exceed 10-15% of a child's body weight.
Read MoreA new study suggests that massage therapy can decrease blood pressure in women with pre-hypertension. The study found that massage therapy significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the benefits lasted at least three days after one massage session. Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, affects approximately 50 million adults in the US.
Read MoreDysfunction in the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), located in the pelvis, is thought to be a possible cause of sciatica, resulting in back pain that radiates down the leg and below the knee. Scientists have questioned what the best treatment option is for patients with SIJ-related leg pain. In a recent study, researchers compared three treatment options: physical therapy, chiropractic manual therapy, and intra-articular injections of corticosteroids.
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