This is your musculoskeletal (muscle, bone, joint, neck, back, etc) update for the week from your friendly Toronto chiropractor, Dr. David Koivuranta!
Some interesting news and views to get you thinking about your own health and wellness.
Enjoy…
Upper Extremity Pain Associated with Neck Muscles.
Superficial and deep flexor muscle impairment is common among neck pain sufferers. However, a recent study that used CT scans to measure neck muscle cross sections was done. It found that atrophy of these muscles is also present in patients with upper extremity pain. The more reduced the cross-section area of the muscle, the greater the patient’s upper-limb pain intensity and disability. The findings suggest evaluating upper extremity pain patients for weak neck muscles. This will help to prescribe exercises to strengthen them as part of the treatment plan.
Spine, July 2021
Ankle Pain information for you.
Mobilization for Ankle Sprains.
Among a group of 45 amateur soccer players with acute lateral ankle sprains, researchers observed that distal fibula mobilization — a treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic — was effective for improving sport function. It also helped athletes carry out activities of daily living. A Toronto chiropractor may be just what you need to help keep you in the game!
Physical Therapy, April 2021
Are Soft-Collars Beneficial for Whiplash?
The result of a systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that an active or act-as-usual approach is more effective in reducing pain intensity in whiplash associated disorders (WAD) patients. More so than immobilization with a soft cervical collar. This finding confirms that an active treatment approach, such as that provided by doctors of chiropractic, is advised for WAD patients.
Sleep is an important part of your health.
Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, July 2021
Sleep Disturbance and Low Back Pain in Postpartum Women.
Assessments of 124 new mothers revealed that low back and pelvic pain often accompany postpartum sleep disorders. While this study was unable to determine the nature of this association, past research has shown that sleep disturbance and low back pain can have a bi-directional relationship. Both conditions may need to be addressed concurrently to achieve a successful treatment outcome. When appropriate, doctors of chiropractic team up with other healthcare providers to manage patients with co-occurring musculoskeletal pain and sleep disorders.
European Spine Journal, May 2021
Proper Use of the Headrest Can Reduce Neck Injury Risk During a Car Accident.
A recent study found that a distance between the back of the head and the headrest larger than 7.2 cm (~2.83 inches) during a rear automobile collision is associated with an increased risk for injury. This can range from tearing of a few muscle fibers to complete rupture of the rectus posterior minor muscle. Also common was separation of the tendon from the atlas (first cervical vertebra). Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the diagnosis and active management of whiplash associated disorders.
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, June 2021