Chiropractic Care

For Neck Pain, Chiropractic and Exercise Are Better Than Drugs

By Frank M. Painter|January 13, 2012|Chiropractic Care, Neck Pain|

For Neck Pain, Chiropractic and Exercise Are Better Than Drugs

SOURCE: The New York Times ~ 1-03-12

By ANAHAD O’CONNOR

Seeing a chiropractor or engaging in light exercise relieves neck pain more effectively than relying on pain medication, new research shows.

The new study is one of the few head-to-head comparisons of various treatments for neck pain, a problem that affects three quarters of Americans at some point in their lives but has no proven, first-line treatment. While many people seek out spinal manipulation by chiropractors, the evidence supporting its usefulness has been limited at best.

But the new research, published in The Annals of Internal Medicine, found that chiropractic care or simple exercises done at home were better at reducing pain than taking medications like aspirin, ibuprofen or narcotics.

“These changes were diminished over time, but they were still present,” said Dr. Gert Bronfort, an author of the study and research professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Minnesota. “Even a year later, there were differences between the spinal manipulation and medication groups.”

Moderate and acute neck pain is one of the most frequent reasons for trips to primary care doctors, prompting millions of visits every year. For patients, it can be a difficult problem to navigate. In some cases the pain and stiffness crop up without explanation, and treatment options are varied. Physical therapy, pain medication and spinal manipulation are popular options, but Dr. Bronfort was inspired to carry out an analysis because so little research exists. (more…)

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Neurophysiologic Effects of Spinal Manipulationin Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

By Frank M. Painter|September 22, 2011|Chiropractic Care, Low Back Pain, Neurology|

Neurophysiologic Effects of Spinal Manipulation in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Musculoskelet Disord. 2011 (Jul 22); 12: 170

Brian C Clark, David A Goss Jr,
Stevan Walkowski, Richard L Hoffman,
Andrew Ross, and James S Thomas

Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI),
Ohio University,
236 Irvine Hall,
Athens, OH 45701, USA.

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care and accounts for over 3.7 million physician visits per year in the United States alone. Ninety percent of adults will experience LBP in their lifetime, 50% will experience recurrent back pain, and 10% will develop chronic pain and related disability [1-4]. According to the most recent national survey more than 18 million Americans over the age of 18 years received manipulative therapies in 2007 at a total annual out of pocket cost of $3.9 billion with back pain being the most common clinical complaint of these individuals [5].

Over the past decade there has been growing scientific evidence supporting the clinical efficacy [6-10] and effectiveness [11,12] of manual therapies in treating LBP. While clinical evidence supporting the efficacy and effectiveness of manual therapies has emerged, less scientific evidence has been offered to explain the effects and mechanisms underlying these treatments. The lack of a mechanistic underpinning hinders acceptance by the wider scientific and health-care communities, and it also limits the development of rational strategies for using manipulative therapies.

You may also enjoy the
Low Back Pain and Chiropractic Page

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Chiropractic and Stroke Incidence

By Frank M. Painter|January 30, 2010|Chiropractic Care, Education, Stroke|

Chiropractic and Stroke Incidence

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Chiro.Org’s Stroke and Chiropractic Page

Recent reports of individuals suffering strokes proximal to receiving chiropractic care are sensationalized by the media all out of proportion to their actual frequency. Although medicine admits that tens of thousands die needlessly from medical accidents, even from things as innocuous as venipuncture, that doesn’t excuse chiropractors from their duty to protect our patients.

The Stroke and Chiropractic Page was crafted to keep our profession abreast of information that may help predict (and perhaps prevent) strokes.

This Introduction reviews those physical findings that may indicate whether a new or existing patient is in the prodromal state of stroke onset, so that we can refer them for co-management. I hope you will read this information closely.

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Intractable Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy

By Frank M. Painter|January 20, 2010|Chiropractic Care, Headache|

Intractable Migraine Headaches During Pregnancy

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Comp Ther Clin Prac 2009 (Nov); 15 (4): 192–197

Joel Alcantara, D.C. and Martine Cossette, D.C.

International Chiropractic Pediatric Association,
327 North Middletown Dr,
Media, PA, USA

A 24 yr-old pregnant patient presented with chronic migraine headaches, which she had since age of 12. Previous care included osteopathy, physical therapy, medications and massage with unsuccessful outcome. Her medical care had consisted of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication with codeine, at the maximum amount permitted during a pregnancy (i.e., 1000mg per day) as well as caffeine intake through coffee to potentiate the medication. This resulted in only minor and temporary relief. (more…)

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Government Support and the Research Challenges of Chiropractic Pediatrics

By Frank M. Painter|December 3, 2009|Chiropractic Care, Education, Health Care, Pediatrics|

Government Support and the Research Challenges of Chiropractic Pediatrics

The Chiro.Org Blog

Dr. Dennis Leduc, a McGill University pediatrician recently stated that “There are no physical ailments in childhood, whether they be ear infections, asthma, or other physical problems, that have ever been shown to be amenable to chiropractic manipulation or therapy.”

The story released Friday by The Star Phoenix reports that the concern is over 5,297 chiropractic pediatric treatments at the cost of $80,921 paid in Saskatchewan this last year. [1] The Health Ministry is considering if it will continue to subsidize chiropractic pediatric care in Saskatchewan. (more…)

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The Rationale of Physiotherapy in Chiropractic

By Frank M. Painter|September 19, 2009|Chiropractic Care, Diagnosis, Education, Physical Therapy|

The Rationale of Physiotherapy in Chiropractic

The Chiro.Org Blog

We would all like to thank Dr. Richard C. Schafer, DC, PhD, FICC for his lifetime commitment to the profession. In the future we will continue to add materials from RC’s copyrighted books for your use.

This is Chapter 1 from RC’s best-selling book:

“Applied Physiotherapy in Chiropractic”

These materials are provided as a service to our profession. There is no charge for individuals to copy and file these materials. However, they cannot be sold or used in any group or commercial venture without written permission from ACAPress.

Chapter 1: The Rationale of Physiotherapy in Chiropractic

The effects of electric current on the body have stimulated profound excitement in the field of physiologic therapeutics. Becker’s text, Body Electric, [1] clearly elucidates the effects that electric stimulation can have on the body. His work and that of others have flamed interest in types of modalities that might even duplicate the body’s intrinsic electric currents. Picker demonstrated that microcurrent stimuli could increase ATP production, increase protein syntheses, and impact positively on membrane transport. [2] Along with this new emphasis on duplicating the body’s energies, the chiropractic profession holds a great interest in rehabilitating the injured patient. Recent advances in electrotherapeutics such as the arrival of Russian stimulation and advanced technology in rehabilitation equipment have further nurtured this concern.

It is hoped that practitioners will use adjunctive procedures as a part of a holistic approach to total case management. Emphasis should be on those therapies duplicating the body’s natural responses, those that alleviate symptoms, and those that aid in restoring normal functions of the body.

INTRODUCTION

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