Chiropractic News and Research by ChiroNexus

Teens Are Being Prescribed Narcotics At An Alarming Rate

April 30, 2014

A recent study revealed that a significant number of children are receiving narcotic prescriptions for their headaches, causing great concern about the negative repercussions if this trend does not stop. After all, these types of medications come with some serious side effects and consequences but are routinely being prescribed to adolescents who aren't always able to make educated, rational decisions regarding their usage. What One Study Reveals One particular study looked at over 8,000 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 who sought medical treatment for their headaches (trauma-related headaches were excluded).

FDA Warns Against Epidural Injections for Back Pain

April 28, 2014

Epidural steroid injections must now carry new warning labels about the possible risks of serious adverse events, according to a new FDA announcement issued last week, as reported by Medpage Today. "Injecting corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine has been a widespread practice for many decades; however, the effectiveness and safety of the drugs for this use have not been established, and FDA has not approved corticosteroids for such use," the agency wrote in a recent safety announcement. After an analysis of the medical literature and its own database, the agency decided that although serious risks of epidural steroids are rare, they are severe enough to require a warning label. Rare serious adverse events include stroke, paralysis, loss of vision, and death. The agency said its new warning is unrelated to an outbreak of fungal meningitis tied to contaminated epidural steroid injections from the New England Compounding Center in 2012-13.The outbreak led to 64 deaths and affected 751 patients who had received the injections for various spinal injections, according to the CDC. Earlier research has questioned the efficacy and safety of epidural steroid injections for the routine treatment of back pain, neck pain, and sciatica.

Case Study Suggests Chiropractic May Dramatically Help Bell's Palsy Patients

April 25, 2014

Individuals diagnosed with Bell's palsy (which is characterized by paralysis of facial nerves, usually on one side of the face that results in a drooping effect) often have limited options when it comes to treatment. Some are medicine-based with the use of steroids and antivirals, others involve the use of electrical stimulation or low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and still others require manipulation of the body via osteopathic techniques, acupuncture, and chiropractic care to improve the function of the nerves. So, which methods offer the most help and hope for those who are diagnosed with this particular condition? One research study suggests that it is a mixture of chiropractic care and LLLT and they have a case study to prove it. The Case Study Lisa M.

Weight Gain May Lead to Bone Loss

April 23, 2014

When it comes to weight, there is no doubt that there are major benefits to getting rid of excess fat in the name of good health. Your heart becomes stronger, your lungs function better and more easily, and your muscles are able to better handle whatever load you place on them. However, researchers have just found yet another reason to entice individuals to lose any extra weight and it's one that has never before been realized. The Old Thought vs.

96% of Patients Say Chiropractic Boosts Overall Wellness

April 21, 2014

As complementary and alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular, researchers have sought to identify whether such therapies are fully addressing patient needs. Despite a growing supply of studies indicating the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies like chiropractic care, less research has answered the question of whether patients are consistently satisfied with these treatments.

Study Reveals Chiropractic Use According to Region

April 17, 2014

When you need a health boost do you turn to your vitamins? A chiropractor? Or a session of yoga? The answer to that question may depend on where you live, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study points to clear regional differences in American preferences for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. If you live in the Pacific West or New England, you're significantly more likely to use yoga as a preventive health strategy compared to the rest of the country.

PTSD Tied to Chronic Pain After Auto Injury

April 16, 2014

A recent study shows yet again that PTSD after mild auto injuries is anything but "minor." The study, published in the Journal of Rheumatology, shows patients with post-traumatic stress disorder are twice as likely to have a poorer quality of life compared to those without the condition. While a host of studies have linked whiplash plus PTSD with chronic symptoms, few have analyzed whether these same linkages exist for patients with other mild auto injuries. Prior to adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, their results showed that 56% of whiplash patients reported non-recovery one year after the car accident, compared to 43% of patients with other mild injuries. Whiplash patients were also more likely to report that their symptoms negatively impacted their occupational status (31% versus 23%).

Wealthier Kids More Likely to Have Overuse Injuries

April 14, 2014

Overuse injuries are often blamed on increasing specialization at young age, with children (or their parents) choosing to master one sport rather than a variety of activities. But a new study suggests that specialization, and its accompanying risk of sports injuries, may be a bigger concern among wealthier families, according to a press release from Loyola University. The study suggests that rates of overuse injuries are 68% higher among athletes whose families can afford private insurance, compared to athletes receiving public health insurance (Medicaid).

Physical Therapy vs. Self Care for Whiplash

April 11, 2014

Up to half of all whiplash patients are plagued with chronic symptoms, and ongoing research seeks to identify affordable, effective methods of preventing chronic pain. The standard treatment for whiplash often includes comprehensive, long-term physical therapy.

Are iPads Making Teens' Bones Weaker?

April 9, 2014

Parents often bemoan the amount of time teenagers spend surfing the web or playing video games, and a new study could add fodder to their worries. The study suggests that increased screen time is tied to significantly lower bone mineral density in boys.