More and more, we see patients asking us questions that begin with, “Have you seen that chiropractor on Tik Tok?” The question will usually be followed by a description of a chiropractic technique that is, let’s say, unusual. While some information on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube can be both entertaining and useful, some social media posters focus on simply grabbing your attention. How can you tell the difference between information on social media about chiropractic that is reliable, as opposed to advice that should make you skeptical? First and foremost, if you visit a chiro ..read more

According to Canadian researchers at McGill University and Italian scientists, using anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to relieve pain could increase the chances of developing chronic pain.  Their research calls into question conventional practices used to alleviate pain and lends support for the value of non-medical approaches like chiropractic care. In the study published in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers examined the mechanisms of pain in both humans and mice. They found that a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection called neutrophils play a ke ..read more

Most patients that come to a chiropractic office naturally assume that their back pain is coming from the muscles, bones and nerves in their spine.  And for the vast majority of patients, that is indeed the case.  But in rare circumstances, back pain can actually be caused by problems with other body parts.  We’ve had a couple of cases over the past few weeks that illustrate this point.  One of these scenarios involved a regular patient who usually attends for maintenance care once a month.  This particular visit, she presented with worsening flank pain that started ab ..read more

A recent study has concluded that some of the most common elective orthopedic surgical procedures are no more effective than non-surgical care.  The paper was published in the British Medical Journal and examined the effectiveness of arthroscopic knee surgeries, joint replacements, rotator cuff repairs and back surgeries like fusion and decompression.  Of all the procedures that were considered, only 2 showed significant benefit over conservative treatment options.  They were carpal tunnel decompression and total knee replacement.  The authors point out that some of the pro ..read more

We’ve recently been getting more questions about home traction devices for lower back pain.  The goal of traction is to stretch the spine lengthwise to create more space for pinched nerves.  There is some compelling research that suggests this type of force can make a significant difference for patients with pinched nerves due to degenerative problems or disc herniations.  That’s the basis of the spinal decompression unit that we regularly use in our office.  Add to that the fact that a nice stretch usually feels really good and you can see why people would be interested in ..read more

The past year has seen a definite increase in the number of patients coming to our office as a direct result of sitting too much.  The trend is undeniable.  Remote work has become the norm and so too has a lack of activity throughout the day.  Normally, most people have to get up from their desk for one reason or another, whether it’s to meet with a co-worker or move from class to class.  Without those little bits of movement, many of our patients find themselves sitting for 2 to 3 hours at a time.  That creates significant mechanical stress on the neck, shoulders and ..read more

As the name suggests, antidepressant medication is typically prescribed for patients with depression.  Over the years however, it has become a common treatment for various pain conditions, including back pain.  We continue to be surprised by the number of patients presenting with chronic back pain who are being treated primarily with antidepressants.  Although some patients do report some mild benefit, the most common answer to the question, “Do they help?” is “Not really.”  New research published in the British Medical Journal seems to support the idea that these types of ..read more

Back pain is one of the most common reasons pregnant women seek chiropractic care.  Although spinal adjustments are a key part of the treatment plan for those patients, exercise is usually needed as well.  Unfortunately, many pregnant women are told they should not exercise.  A new study published in the British Medical Journal calls into question some long-held ideas about exercise during pregnancy.  The authors of the paper conclude that while the research seems to support avoidance of exercise for so-called absolute contraindications, avoiding exercise for a host of othe ..read more

Disc herniations in the lower back are a common cause of sciatica, or severe leg pain.  This pain is often debilitating and can be associated with sensory deficits and weakness.  Chiropractors treat patients with these symptoms and, thankfully, we generally see excellent results with conservative management.  A recent study confirmed just how good non-surgical treatment can be.  Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and the University of Texas looked at the outcomes of over 250,000 patients with lumbar disc herniations.  They found that 97% were successfully treated wi ..read more

Many patients who present to our office for the first time expect that x-rays will be a part of the assessment process.  After all, what better way to see what’s really “going on” in there?  But more often than not, we find that x-rays aren’t necessary.  The truth is that x-rays actually tell us very little about the origin of most people’s back or neck pain.  Most people present with mechanical pain.  In other words, the parts are ok, they’re just not moving properly.  And it’s precisely this movement that cannot be seen on an x-ray.  A thorough history, ran ..read more