SPINAL MANIPULATION HELPS WITH
NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS:
Balance, Muscle Stiffness, Motor Function, etc.
A review of the research on the benefits
of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) for symptoms linked to
neurological disorders - leading causes of disability around
the world – reported a significant
finding: SMT enhanced quality of life, balance, and cerebral
palsy. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka incorporates spinal manipulation into our care of Sitka
back pain and neck pain patients’ treatment plans! Other findings included
how SMT may increase strength in asymptomatic spine pain and stroke
patients as well as motor function, autonomic function, muscle stiffness, balance
problems, and spasticity. (1) Though rare and an extreme form
of spasticity, hereditary spastic paraplegia (a neurodegenerative disorder),
was helped with SMT. Its extremity spasticity and pain were reduced,
and strength and function were improved after 9 months of
chiropractic care alongwith NSAIDs and baclofen. (2) Research and
experience showed that multidisciplinary
integrative care for low back pain has its benefits in reducing
disability, improving pain, and lessening
symptom frequency. One study showed that the difference was
just 4% though: 43% for chiropractic care alone while it was 47% for
multidisciplinary. (3) A chiropractic-based study of lumbar spinal stenosis patients
with related balance issues treated with SMT in the form of flexion distraction (aka Cox® Technic) documented
significant improvement in objective (tests like Timed Up and Go, Five Time Sit
to Stand, balance force plate measurements of entropy) and subjective outcomes
(patient-reported) at mid visit (average 9th visit) and end visit (average 13.7th
visit). The average age of the participants was 83.5 years old! (4)
Enhancing balance is so valuable for older
folks! We know that making musculoskeletal pain care person-centered – taking
into account age, symptoms that come along with back pain
and related conditions, willingness to cooperate with the treatment
plan - is so essential. (5) What do you want? Ready to get
started on the path to symptom relief? Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is!!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Nate McKee on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about the benefit of The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management for spinal stenosis sufferers
and their balance.
TIP OF THE MONTH: Lift (and Lower)
Properly
“Keep your back straight when you
lift! Bend your knees!” You have heard such recommendations about lifting
properly. A recent study tested other factors and found that
externally rotating the feet while keeping the spine
straight made further reach possible while lifting
with a straight spine. (6) Another study describes how lumbar
spine extensor muscle force control – weaker in back pain patients yet very
important in daily activities like lifting – is associated with
increased multiplanar knee movement throughout the lifting process. (7) We really must think about the knees, too! In an interesting twist on proper lifting, a study described
that postural control was more challenged during load-lowering than
load-lifting! (8) Thinking before lifting and lowering is important! We’ll
talk more on your next Sitka chiropractic visit.
Happy November! We give thanks for
you! Set up your next appointment soon!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Schedule your next
Sitka chiropractic appointment with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka today.
We look forward to your visit!