Autism’s Trendiest Alternative Treatment Has No Plausible Explanation

There is no good evidence that manipulating or adjusting the spine is of any benefit for people with autism. There is no conceivable mechanism and a recent review article only found 11 case studies (one of the lowest types of published evidence) and one very small study of only 14 people in the medical literature. Below is a link to a good article on this topic.Autism’s Trendiest Alternative Treatment Has No Plausible Explanation

Debunked: The absurd story about smartphones causing kids to sprout horns

The Washington Post published an article last week entitled “Horns are growing on young people’s skulls. Phone use is to blame, research suggests.” This is another sensationalized media medical article. In most cases bone spurs are no cause for concern except that the tissues may be undergoing increased stress. There is no evidence bone spurs from the skull are increasing or any are related to cell phone use.
Debunked: The absurd story about smartphones causing kids to sprout horns

What is the difference between a theory and a scientific theory?

How many times do we hear "it's just a theory". Well, what is a theory? It unfortunately is one of those words with two definitions, which creates quite a bit of confusion. The legal and common use is that of a hunch (what in science is a hypothesis). The scientific use is of a concept with overwhelming evidence. 
So it is important that the next time you here about a scientific theory you know that it is backed by significant evidence.What is the difference between a theory and a scientific theory?

Can I crack my own neck. Do I need a chiropractor?

One of the hypotheses for the benefits of spinal manipulation (adjusting) is that is frees up restricted areas of the spine thus reducing the compensatory increased motion of the neighboring areas. It is thought that manipulation by a trained practitioner is more specific and more effective than self manipulation.
Do you think this is true?

Where to turn for low back pain relief

Harvard Health Letter states that primary doc or chiropractic doc are good places to start for management of low back disorders. This article also quotes my former chiropractic classmate Dr. Matt Kowalski who works at the Harvard associated Brigham and Women's Hospital.
Would it surprise anyone to know that primary docs and chiropractic docs each treat a third of all low back cases?
Where to turn for low back pain relief

Better Sleep Month Tip: Visit a Doctor of Chiropractic

Did you know that lack of sleep has been shown to increase sensitivity to pain and decrease in productivity? 
The research group Rand Corp has findings that sleep deprivation is linked to higher mortality risk and lower productivity, decreasing the U.S. Gross Domestic Product by 2.28 percent, or $411 billion each year.
Have you found your life impacted by sleep problems?Better Sleep Month Tip: Visit a Doctor of Chiropractic

The Puzzling Popularity of Back Surgery in Certain Regions

Did you know that the rate of back surgery can vary dramatically in different regions of the country. A study on Medicare patients found up to a fourfold difference. Unfortunately there is nothing scientific about these large differences in surgical rates. 

The Puzzling Popularity of Back Surgery in Certain Regions

Low Back Pain Advice from JAMA Network

This article from the a Journal of the American Medical Association website states than low back pain can often be helped with chiropractic care, exercise, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Also that surgery is usually not needed and should only be considered when other therapies have failed. 
Do you think this is good advice?
Low Back Pain Advice from JAMA Network

One-Third of U.S. Kids Have Back Pain, Study Says

Another study, this one presented at the recent American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons' annual meeting, showing a high incidence of back pain in kids. This study showed the back pain is most associated with age, weight, participation in sports, and using only one back pack strap instead of both straps.
Would you think addressing this issue early would be beneficial?

One-Third of U.S. Kids Have Back Pain, Study Says

University of Minnesota to lead $14M national NIH study of non-drug therapies to prevent chronic back pain

The University of Minnesota has been awarded the first phase of a $11.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study non-drug approaches to prevent chronic low back pain, which could lead to reduced opioid use.The study has brought together some of the most experienced researchers in the low back pain field representing medical, osteopathy, psychology, physical therapy and chiropractic professions.
Do you see this type of research being valuable to find alternatives to opioids and other drugs?University of Minnesota to lead $14M national NIH study of non-drug therapies to prevent chronic back pain

Insurer Coverage of Nonpharmacological Treatments for Low Back Pain—Time for a Change

A recent Gallup poll conducted found that 78% of US adults would prefer to use nonpharmacological treatment for back and neck pain before considering pharmaceutical options. This article in JAMANetwork by two chiropractic and physical therapy researchers argues for better insurance coverage for non-drug treatments.
Why do you think insurers have better coverage for surgeries, injections, and drugs than other safer alternatives?Insurer Coverage of Nonpharmacological Treatments for Low Back Pain—Time for a Change

The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

New systematic review from the Journal of Head and Face Pain of 6 randomized controlled trials of spinal manipulation for migraine headaches shows that it may be an effective therapeutic technique to reduce migraine days and pain/intensity. 
Has anyone had success with chiropractic treatment for migraine or other type of headache such as tension or cervicogenic headache?

The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Migraine Pain and Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of people with chronic pain conditions

I am getting more and more questions about the effectiveness of cannabis and cannabinoids for pain relief. Below is a recent systematic review from the journal Pain which reviewd 104 previous studies. It concluded that it seems unlikely that cannabinoids are highly effective medicines for chronic non cancer pain.
Does this surprise anyone?
Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of people with chronic noncancer pain conditions

Exercise can help treat mood disorders. Here’s why, and how to get started

Did you know that exercise is just as effective as drug therapy for helping with mild and moderate depression and anxiety. As a doctor board certified in rehabilitation, I frequently talk to my patients about these and other benefits of exercise. 
Has anyone found benefit from exercise for these conditions?

Exercise can help treat mood disorders. Here’s why, and how to get started

Spinal manipulative therapy and exercise for seniors with chronic neck pain.

Here is a study from the medical journal Spine on seniors over 65 years old with chronic neck pain. After 12 weeks of treatment, over 60% of the spinal manipulation group had at least a 75% improvement in pain, compared to approximately 25% of patients in the supervised exercise group, and nearly 20% of the home exercise-only group.

Spinal manipulative therapy and exercise for seniors with chronic neck pain

People are already falling on the ice. Here are a few tips to avoid falling

I have another patient coming in tomorrow for a low back injury from falling on some ice. Here is some good advice for walking safer and avoiding falling on the ice. 
Remember, think of yourself as a penguin 🙂
Has anyone been injured falling on ice?

People are already falling on the ice. Here are a few tips to avoid falling

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/back-pain-broken-vertebrae-spinal-fracture/2019/01/25/id/899781/

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research global task force reports vertebroplasty ( injection of cement into fractured spinal bones) shows no clearly significant benefit in pain control over placebo procedures in five randomized placebo-controlled trials. 
They recommend treatments that mobilize patients such as physical therapy.
Has anyone had a spinal fracture?

https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/back-pain-broken-vertebrae-spinal-fracture/2019/01/25/id/899781/

Strong link found between back pain and mortality

The Journal of General Internal Medicine is the latest study to show an association between chronic back pain and mortality. It is postulated that this may be due to to the pain interfering with daily activities which could lead to weight gain, development or progression of other chronic health conditions, and ultimately earlier death.
Although most back pain resolves, about 20% becomes chronic and then can have much more serious effects on overall health.
Strong link found between back pain and mortality

Walking vs. Exercise for Low Back Pain

I often tell my patients that walking can be beneficial for their low back pain. Below is a review of a study from Disability and Rehabilitation Journal which reviewed five previous studes and found that walking was just as effective as intensive exercise for chronic low back pain. 
Has anyone found back relief from walking?
Walking vs. Exercise for Low Back Pain