Study: Cognitive training may improve brain health after TBI

A study in Neuropsychological Rehabilitation says strategy-based cognitive training can improve the cognitive performance and brain health of those with traumatic brain injury, even long after the injury occurred. The Huffington Post

DC: What it means when your back "goes out"

The nerve supply to the spine has a relatively high threshold, writes Dr. Michael Noonan, so the pain from a back problem builds over time but can seem to come out of nowhere. The spasms generally associated with a back attack often come from the muscles protecting an inflamed or misaligned joint, where the real problem lies, Noonan writes...

(from Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration))

Hamstring Muscles - Video!

Strong hamstring muscles can reduce the strain on the structures in the spine and lessen pain in the lower back.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/hamstring-exercises-low-back-pain-relief-video

Axial Pain

Axial pain represents the most common type of low back pain and is only found in the lower back - it does not extend to the buttocks or legs.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/axial-back-pain-most-common-low-back-pain

Myofascial Therapy

Pain in an area of your body with soft tissue may be helped by treating the myofascia (trigger points) with stretching of the skin and muscles.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/physical-therapy/myofascial-therapy-treatment-acute-and-chronic-pain

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Recovery

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF, is a common type of neck surgery to address pain and other symptoms caused by cervical disc problems. After an ACDF, most patients are able to go home the day of the surgery or the next day, so most of the recovery time is spent at home. Learn the typical considerations and instructions for ACDF postoperative care and rehabilitation.

Featured Article:
ACDF Surgery Postoperative Care

Additional Info

Hospital Care After ACDF Surgery
The goal of the one- or two-day hospital stay following ACDF is to keep the patient as comfortable and mobile as possible while preparing for long-term recovery at home. Learn More...

Getting Adequate Pain Control After Back Surgery
The spine surgeon performing a fusion surgery should have a pain control plan in place prior to surgery and should discuss it with the patient. This includes setting realistic expectations about the type and level of postoperative pain and providing instructions on how to respond when it occurs. Learn More...

Quitting Smoking Before a Spinal Fusion
An extensive amount of research has firmly established that cigarette smoking is bad for patients undergoing spine fusion surgery. But how does it impact a spinal fusion? What do you need to know to help my chances of successfully quitting smoking? Learn More...

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) Video


An anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is an anterior approach to removing a cervical herniated disc in order to relieve spinal cord or root pressure and alleviate corresponding pain, weakness, and numbness. This interactive video provides an overview of anterior cervical discectomy.

Start watching...




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Exercise and Chiropractic Therapy

Cardiovascular and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic care are important in the management of low back pain

If a patient has a history of heart problems, it is important for the patient to consult with not only the doctor of chiropractic but their primary care physician to be certain that they can tolerate cardiovascular fitness-promoting activities. Specific instructions are given by the chiropractor with respect to proper exercise for the patient's condition before beginning any exercise program.

In general, a reasonable amount of exercise performed daily and utilizing enjoyable activities is recommended for patients undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Exercise Benefits

Many studies have reported the importance of exercises in managing acute and chronic low back pain, strengthening the low back, preventing and keeping back patients working, and to improve quality of life. The strength of the abdominal muscles was also found to be able to differentiate between those with vs. without chronic LBP.

Overall and when combined with chiropractic care, aerobic exercise helps promote proper digestion, keeps the muscles in proper tone and promotes better circulation. Walking briskly around the block at least once or twice is a convenient and popular activity.
Also, many forms of work and/or household tasks can function as an exercise program. The important point is to exercise!

Types of Exercises

There are many applicable back exercises that are available for patients also undergoing chiropractic care for lower back pain. One can classify the chiropractic patient into a flexion or extension biased category to determine the variety that is best for that patient. For example:

- If a patient feels best when bending over (flexion biased), exercises that promote low back flexion such as pulling the knees to the chest, posterior pelvic tilts, bending forward from a sitting position and others are usually helpful.

- If a patient is least symptomatic in extension, especially if leg pain centralizes or diminishes (extension biased), prone press- up type exercises usually yield the best results.

Other exercises that can help reduce lower back pain include:

-Strengthening of the pelvic (trunk) stabilizing muscles

-Stretching of the hamstrings, adductors, and other overly short or tight postural muscles

-Proprioceptive or balance promoting.

Benefits of Back and Abdominal Exercise

Weak and/or overly tight supporting muscles can have painful spasms and suffer injuries themselves,
which then prevent them from supporting the spine as needed. Compromised muscles can also lead to problems with bone structure of the spine due to poor posture from the weak muscles, thereby creating an increased risk of back pain/ injury.

Consequently, developing combined strength in stomach muscles and back muscles can:

- Reduce the likelihood of back pain episodes

- Reduce the severity of back pain

- Protect against injury by responding efficiently to stresses

- Help avoid back surgery in some cases

- Facilitate healing from a back problem or after spine surgery

- Improve posture.

Reported Efficacy of Exercise in Chiropractic Care

According to the Scientific Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP):

- Strong evidence supports exercise as being at least as effective as other non-surgical treatments for chronic low back pain

- Moderate evidence supports use of a graded-activity exercise program in occupational settings for subacute lower back pain

- Some evidence shows that exercises are no more effective than other nonsurgical treatments for acute lower back pain.

As with any chiropractic treatment, it is important for chiropractors to perform a focused reevaluation of an exercise program following its initial therapeutic trial to determine its effectiveness. Using spinal range of motion as a measurement of the effectiveness of exercise is just one way in which chiropractors can make such determinations.

Learn more about exercise and back pain. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/back-exercises

VIDEO: Sacroiliac Joint

Sacroiliac joint problems can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain and is often treated first with chiropractic care.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-sacroiliac-joint-video

Cold Laser Therapy for Pain Management

The light from low level lasers can penetrate the skin and tissues between 2-5 cm and those photons are absorbed by the tissue cells to generate more energy, which is believed to help those tissues heal faster.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/pain-management/cold-laser-therapy-pain-management-treatment

Low Impact Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise increases the blood flow in the body, which helps speed up healing, but high-impact exercises may cause additional stress or trauma to the structures of the spine.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/low-impact-aerobic-exercise

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Exercise and Chiro

Exercise and chiropractic care go hand in hand as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to back or neck recovery.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/exercise-and-chiropractic-therapy

Degenerative Disk Disease

Degenerative disc disease refers to any condition where the spinal discs are degenerating or degrading, often causing back pain. This interactive video provides information on spinal anatomy and how degenerative disc disease affects the vertebrae and spinal discs. It also gives an in-depth overview of symptoms associated with degenerative disc disease.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/degenerative-disc-disease-interactive-video

Guide on Depression, Chronic Pain

It's not a surprise that most people suffering from chronic pain also experience depression, but did you know the reverse can be true as well? Check out the Depression Guide from Spine-Health:

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/depression/depression-guide

VIDEO: Neck Stiffness - Short & Long Term Causes

VIDEO: Soreness in the neck and difficulty moving the neck is usually a short-term issue, but may be a symptom of a more serious problem. This video explains the reason why the neck becomes stiff, when this is a serious symptom. Schedule time with chiropractor to have your stiff neck evaluated.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/video-what-causes-a-stiff-neck

Decrease Sitting Time & Feel Healthier

Decrease your sitting time by 66 minutes per day and feel healthier. In a recent study 87% of people reported feeling more comfortable and energized when they were alternating between standing and sitting. Read more below:

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/one-hour-ease-your-back-ache-and-boost-your-mood

How are You Sleeping? 11 Tips to Stay Regular with Sleep

How are you sleeping these days? Check out these 11 tips on how to get to sleep and stay asleep. Consult your chiropractor for additional tips!

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/11-unconventional-sleep-tips-how-get-sleep-and-stay-asleep