Modern Treatment for Back Pain: Beyond Bed Rest, Pain Pills and Surgery

Modern Treatments For Back Pain According to the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Michael S. Wilkes of the Western Journal of Medicine, “Despite a plethora of research intended to guide physicians in their management of back pain, physicians still hold strong non-evidence based beliefs dating back to the 19th

Women and Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans, but the condition is seldom portrayed in the popular media. In late 2014 and early 2015, an independent film called “Cake” starring Jennifer Aniston did just that. According to many reviewers, Aniston did an admirable job bringing her character-a chronic pain sufferer named Claire-to

Sport or Not, Cheerleading Has a Serious Side

Is cheerleading actually a sport? At one level, the question is really only important because the technical definition (Is something a “sport” or just an “activity”?) determines whether or not athletic departments at federally funded educational institutions can count it for Title IX gender equality compliance purposes. But-at another level-the

Not Just Back Doctors: Chiropractors and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

While doctors of chiropractic have a well-deserved reputation for helping patients overcome back problems, they are actually experts in diagnosing and treating a wide range of health conditions that affect the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Many of these conditions involve the extremities-arms, legs, hands and feet-rather than the back, neck

Medical Doctors “Go on the Record” About the Role and Value of Chiropractic Care

Over the years, much has been written about the historical mistrust and animosity between medical doctors (MDs) and chiropractic physicians (DCs). However, it’s clear that several converging trends are changing the MD-DC relationship in some fundamental ways that will ultimately benefit patients: Growing public interest in nontraditional, complementary and alternative

Seven Deadly Health Sins

Behind many of the debates about healthcare in the US-its availability and cost as well as its effectiveness-is an important phenomenon. The demands being placed on healthcare providers are growing and changing (at least in large part) because of the way we live our lives. Day-to-day choices we all make

Understanding Stress

In this day and age, when it seems as though everyone has more to do in less time, it’s no surprise that understanding stress management is a growing field of study and a popular self-help topic. Over the years, science has learned a lot about our relationship with stress-its effects

Restoring the Back’s Normal Curvature

It’s not surprising that back and neck pain has become the second most frequent reason for visiting a doctor. Given the amount of time we spend staring at various screens-whether sitting at an office desk or walking down the street-our bodies are bound to be affected. And the same thing

Are You a Whiplash Patient? Here’s What You Should Know.

You’re not alone. Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) are very common neck injuries caused by a rapid distortion of the cervical vertebrae. Such distortion occurs when the head undergoes a sudden stop while moving at speed, jarring the muscles and ligaments of the neck, which move forwards and backwards quickly. Whiplash

Spinal Anatomy 101

“Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where you backbone ought to be.” -Clementine Paddleford, American Writer (1898 – 1967) It’s no accident that so many philosophers and writers have used the backbone as a metaphor for discipline, force of will or character. Your spine (or “backbone”) is the primary physical support