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 associated with neurological disorders – leading causes of disability globally – noted an important finding: SMT improved quality of life, balance, and cerebral palsy. 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 condition 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 alongside NSAIDs and baclofen. (2) Research and experience demonstrate that multidisciplinary integrative care for low back pain has its benefits in reducing disability, improving pain, and reducing symptom frequency. One study showed that the difference was just 4% though: 43% for chiropractic care alone and 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! (4) (Imagine how younger stenosis sufferers may do!) Improving balance is so important for older folks! We know that making musculoskeletal pain care person-centered – considering age, symptomatology that comes with back pain and related conditions, willingness to cooperate with the treatment plan – is so important. (5) What do you want? Ready to get started on the path to symptom relief? We are!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’ve heard such recommendations about lifting properly. A new study tested other factors and found that externally rotating the feet while keeping the spine straight allowed further reach while lifting with a straight spine. (6) Another study explains how lumbar spine extensor muscle force control – weaker in back pain patients yet very important in daily activities like lifting – is linked to increased multiplanar knee movement during lifting. (7) We need to think about the knees, too! In an interesting twist on proper lifting, a study found that postural control was more challenged during load-lowering than load-lifting! (8) Thinking before lifting and lowering is important! Let’s talk more on your next visit.

Happy November! We give thanks for you!
Set up your next appointment soon!

References for HEALTHY NEWS – November 2023Kushnir A, Fedchyshyn B, Kachmar O. Review of effects of spinal manipulative therapy on neurological symptoms. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2023 Apr;34:66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2023.04.009. Epub 2023 Apr 12. PMID: 37301560.Chu EC, Huang KHK, Cheng K, Chu VKY, Lin A. Chiropractic Care in a Patient With Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Chronic Pain. Cureus. 2023 Mar 23;15(3):e36602. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36602. PMID: 36968681; PMCID: PMC10037221.Bronfort G, Maiers M, Schulz C, Leininger B, Westrom K, Angstman G, Evans R. Multidisciplinary integrative care versus chiropractic care for low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Chiropr Man Therap. 2022 Mar 1;30(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s12998-022-00419-3. PMID: 35232482; PMCID: PMC8886833.Smith DL, Olding K, Malaya CA, McCarty M, Haworth J, Pohlman KA. The influence of flexion distraction spinal manipulation on patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A prospective, open-label, single-arm, pilot study. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2022 Oct;32:60-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2022.05.012. Epub 2022 May 18. PMID: 36180160.Fritz JM, Kongsted A. A new paradigm for musculoskeletal pain care: moving beyond structural impairments. Conclusion of a chiropractic and manual therapies thematic series. Chiropr Man Therap. 2023 Jun 1;31(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s12998-023-00484-2. PMID: 37264395; PMCID: PMC10233974.Carnegie DR, Hirsch SM, Howarth SJ, Beach TAC. Can we enable individuals to reach further down without rounding their backs before beginning a lift? Examining the influence of starting foot and trunk position on reach depth. Ergonomics. 2023 Nov 13:1-30. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2282953. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37955653.Pranata A, Farragher J, Perraton L, El-Ansary D, Clark R, Meyer D, Han J, Mentiplay B, Bryant AL. Impaired Lumbar Extensor Force Control Is Associated with Increased Lifting Knee Velocity in People with Chronic Low-Back Pain. Sensors (Basel). 2023 Oct 31;23(21):8855. doi: 10.3390/s23218855. PMID: 37960555.Shahbazi M, Sarrafzadeh J, Takamjani IE, Akhlaghi S, Negahban H. Comparison of the Dynamic Postural Control During Lifting and Lowering an External Load in Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2023 Jan;46(1):52-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2023.05.002. Epub 2023 Jul 7. PMID: 37422750