tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 %ISSUE_DATE%T09:25:32-07:00 Research and opinion on causes and cures. Techniques and how-to's. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55740 2012-01-27T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-27T12:00:07-07:00

Building on a recently established multi-year affiliation with Foot Levelers, Inc., New York Chiropractic College is launching a research initiative headed by Professor Dr. Paul Dougherty. The initiative features a randomized, controlled trial at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center to assess the effectiveness of custom foot orthotics in veterans with chronic lower back pain, and to evaluate the effect of custom foot orthotics on improvement in pain and disability in this patient population.

Building on a recently established multi-year affiliation with Foot Levelers, Inc., New York Chiropractic College is launching a research initiative headed by Professor Dr. Paul Dougherty. The initiative features a randomized, controlled trial at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center to assess the effectiveness of custom foot orthotics in veterans with chronic lower back pain, and to evaluate the effect of custom foot orthotics on improvement in pain and disability in this patient population. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55729 2012-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

Protecting Our Nation's Heroes From Back Pain; Texas Chiropractic College Partners With PA University; AECC Student Awarded Scholarship by FICS; Palmer Toys for Tots Drive: Nearly $2,000 in Donations; New Career Path for Foot Levelers' Jamie Greenawalt; ChiroTouch: $25,000 to FCP; New Face at CLA.

By Editorial Staff Protecting Our Nation's Heroes From Back Pain; Texas Chiropractic College Partners With PA University; AECC Student Awarded Scholarship by FICS; Palmer Toys for Tots Drive: Nearly $2,000 in Donations; New Career Path for Foot Levelers' Jamie Greenawalt; ChiroTouch: $25,000 to FCP; New Face at CLA. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55712 2012-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2012-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

Congenital anomalies of the spine are common radiographic findings - common enough, in fact, that the developers of the ICD-9-CM coding system thought it necessary to assign diagnosis codes to a small group of them. This select list of anomalies is found in the ICD-9-CM under congenital disorders and codes 756.10 through 756.19.

By K. Jeffrey Miller, DC, DABCO and Ray Tuck, DC Congenital anomalies of the spine are common radiographic findings - common enough, in fact, that the developers of the ICD-9-CM coding system thought it necessary to assign diagnosis codes to a small group of them. This select list of anomalies is found in the ICD-9-CM under congenital disorders and codes 756.10 through 756.19. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55609 2011-11-04T12:00:32-07:00 2011-11-04T12:00:07-07:00

I have noticed (and I suspect you have, too) that the thoracolumbar (T-L) junction is almost always tight in lower back pain patients. I used to think this was a compensation, something to be noted and maybe treated, but not a key restriction; not a source of lumbar and pelvic pain. In hindsight, I was wrong; dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction is critical and can be the direct source of lower back pain. The sensory cutaneous nerves (the superior cluneal nerves) can get irritated and cause a referred pain far from the nerve origin.

By Marc Heller, DC I have noticed (and I suspect you have, too) that the thoracolumbar (T-L) junction is almost always tight in lower back pain patients. I used to think this was a compensation, something to be noted and maybe treated, but not a key restriction; not a source of lumbar and pelvic pain. In hindsight, I was wrong; dysfunction at the thoracolumbar junction is critical and can be the direct source of lower back pain. The sensory cutaneous nerves (the superior cluneal nerves) can get irritated and cause a referred pain far from the nerve origin. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55608 2011-11-04T12:00:32-07:00 2011-11-04T12:00:07-07:00

One of the frustrations chiropractors face in practice is treating spinal and associated extremity pain that does not resolve. Often our patients will ask our opinion about epidural steroid injections, or we will refer the patient to a neurologist or orthopedist, who will then suggest the procedure. Like many procedures performed for unremitting pain when neither the medical nor the chiropractic profession is able to relieve the patient by other means, it is important for our patient's sake that we become familiar with the validity of these procedures.

By Warren Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO One of the frustrations chiropractors face in practice is treating spinal and associated extremity pain that does not resolve. Often our patients will ask our opinion about epidural steroid injections, or we will refer the patient to a neurologist or orthopedist, who will then suggest the procedure. Like many procedures performed for unremitting pain when neither the medical nor the chiropractic profession is able to relieve the patient by other means, it is important for our patient's sake that we become familiar with the validity of these procedures. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55521 2011-09-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-09-09T12:00:07-07:00

In 1986, Nortin Hadler commented in The New England Journal of Medicine that regional back pain had a tendency to become worse the more it was treated. And the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology quotes Aage Indahl: " The multitude of different treatments offered to patients must be regarded as pain-modulating modalities and not as cures for low back pain.

By David J. Brunarski, DC, MSc, FCCS(C) In 1986, Nortin Hadler commented in The New England Journal of Medicine that regional back pain had a tendency to become worse the more it was treated. And the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology quotes Aage Indahl: " The multitude of different treatments offered to patients must be regarded as pain-modulating modalities and not as cures for low back pain. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55508 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

As health care providers, we have been trained to take a thorough history and perform physical, orthopedic and neurological examinations, as well as utilize radiography or MRI when there are indications of serious spinal pathology, to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Traditionally, determining the precise diagnosis has been considered essential in order to determine the appropriate treatment plan. This, of course, is perhaps even more true in allopathic medicine than in chiropractic. Enormous amounts of time and money can be spent on specialized and technologically sophisticated tests that have been integrated into the diagnostic process.

By Malik Slosberg, DC, MS As health care providers, we have been trained to take a thorough history and perform physical, orthopedic and neurological examinations, as well as utilize radiography or MRI when there are indications of serious spinal pathology, to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Traditionally, determining the precise diagnosis has been considered essential in order to determine the appropriate treatment plan. This, of course, is perhaps even more true in allopathic medicine than in chiropractic. Enormous amounts of time and money can be spent on specialized and technologically sophisticated tests that have been integrated into the diagnostic process. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55495 2011-08-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-08-26T12:00:07-07:00

Whenever a concern about low back pain brings a person in to see a chiropractor, a careful examination of the spine is required. Often neglected, however, is the importance of the feet to normal spinal function - especially in the lower back. When patients don't respond as well as expected to their chiropractic care, a source of interference is frequently located in the pedal foundation. No matter the cause, an abnormal gait contributes to musculoskeletal imbalances throughout the lower extremities, and eventually back pain develops.

By Mark Charrette, DC Whenever a concern about low back pain brings a person in to see a chiropractor, a careful examination of the spine is required. Often neglected, however, is the importance of the feet to normal spinal function - especially in the lower back. When patients don't respond as well as expected to their chiropractic care, a source of interference is frequently located in the pedal foundation. No matter the cause, an abnormal gait contributes to musculoskeletal imbalances throughout the lower extremities, and eventually back pain develops. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55421 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Immediate Effects of Cervical Manipulation for Mechanical Neck Pain; Kinematic Analysis of the Lumbar Spine by Digital Videofluoroscopy; Validity of the Straight-Leg-Raise Test for Patients With Sciatic Pain; Interexaminer Reliability of Supine Leg Checks for Discriminating Leg-Length Inequality; Interrater Reliability of the Craniocervical Flexion Test in Asymptomatic Individuals; Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study.

Immediate Effects of Cervical Manipulation for Mechanical Neck Pain; Kinematic Analysis of the Lumbar Spine by Digital Videofluoroscopy; Validity of the Straight-Leg-Raise Test for Patients With Sciatic Pain; Interexaminer Reliability of Supine Leg Checks for Discriminating Leg-Length Inequality; Interrater Reliability of the Craniocervical Flexion Test in Asymptomatic Individuals; Shoe Orthotics for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55405 2011-07-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-07-01T12:00:07-07:00

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) can be debilitating, often requiring multimodal intervention including manual therapy (manipulation, soft-tissue therapy), general and specific exercise modalities, acupuncture, tissue-sparing strategies, ergonomic advice, and so on. One aspect that is frequently ignored (I admit that I am often guilty of this) is the assessment and rehabilitation of breathing patterns.

By Shawn Thistle, DC, BKin (hons), CSCS Chronic low back pain (CLBP) can be debilitating, often requiring multimodal intervention including manual therapy (manipulation, soft-tissue therapy), general and specific exercise modalities, acupuncture, tissue-sparing strategies, ergonomic advice, and so on. One aspect that is frequently ignored (I admit that I am often guilty of this) is the assessment and rehabilitation of breathing patterns. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55393 2011-06-17T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-17T12:00:07-07:00

It was reported by Zigler in 2011 that 200,000 spinal fusion surgeries are performed each year in the United States alone. An equal number of microdiscectomies are performed, according to Mayer (2006), and is considered by many to be a conservative number. Let's consider the chiropractic impact of exposing the public to treatment that could avoid needless surgeries, using the 400,000 disc surgeries as a conservative number, not to mention how this could reduce the unnecessary cost to government and private insurers and lost revenue to both government agencies and workers from absenteeism.

By Mark Studin, DC, FASBE(C), DAAPM, DAAMLP It was reported by Zigler in 2011 that 200,000 spinal fusion surgeries are performed each year in the United States alone. An equal number of microdiscectomies are performed, according to Mayer (2006), and is considered by many to be a conservative number. Let's consider the chiropractic impact of exposing the public to treatment that could avoid needless surgeries, using the 400,000 disc surgeries as a conservative number, not to mention how this could reduce the unnecessary cost to government and private insurers and lost revenue to both government agencies and workers from absenteeism. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55374 2011-06-03T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-03T12:00:07-07:00

In previous articles, I have written about normal postural alignment versus abnormal postural alignment, and how abnormal postural alignment can be detrimental to muscle function, is aesthetically unpleasing and might contribute to joint pain. Now let's discuss lengthening, dynamic mobility and strengthening exercises that can help improve faulty posture related to excessive thoracic kyphosis.

By Jeffrey Tucker, DC, DACRB In previous articles, I have written about normal postural alignment versus abnormal postural alignment, and how abnormal postural alignment can be detrimental to muscle function, is aesthetically unpleasing and might contribute to joint pain. Now let's discuss lengthening, dynamic mobility and strengthening exercises that can help improve faulty posture related to excessive thoracic kyphosis. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55321 2011-05-06T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-06T12:00:07-07:00

Treatment of Choice - The truth is now emerging. There is now broad agreement internationally that surgery should not generally be considered until there has been a trial of conservative nonsurgical care. Pran Manga conducted two studies in the 1990s and noted, "There should be a shift in policy now to encourage the utilization of chiropractic services for the management of low back pain, given the impressive body of evidence on the effectiveness and comparative cost-effectiveness of these services, and on the high levels of patient satisfaction."

By J.C. Smith, MA, DC Treatment of Choice - The truth is now emerging. There is now broad agreement internationally that surgery should not generally be considered until there has been a trial of conservative nonsurgical care. Pran Manga conducted two studies in the 1990s and noted, "There should be a shift in policy now to encourage the utilization of chiropractic services for the management of low back pain, given the impressive body of evidence on the effectiveness and comparative cost-effectiveness of these services, and on the high levels of patient satisfaction." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55311 2011-05-06T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-06T12:00:07-07:00

The patient is a 14-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of scoliosis received on medical referral. She reports her actual pain onset started at menarche around 11-12 years of age, worsening in the past 6-9 months, during which time she underwent a growth spurt. Written parental consent is obtained and an initial evaluation is provided with radiographic spinal record review performed. She hand-carried her medical radiograph report, dated six months prior.

By Nancy Martin-Molina, DC, QME, MBA The patient is a 14-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of scoliosis received on medical referral. She reports her actual pain onset started at menarche around 11-12 years of age, worsening in the past 6-9 months, during which time she underwent a growth spurt. Written parental consent is obtained and an initial evaluation is provided with radiographic spinal record review performed. She hand-carried her medical radiograph report, dated six months prior. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55301 2011-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

I attended the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's 54th Annual Conference in San Francisco this past summer as both a certified professional ergonomist and a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Occupational Health. To my great pleasure, the conference included a session titled "Occupational Safety: The Past, Present and Future," organized by Dr. Thurman Lockhart, that included the "legends" of industrial ergonomics and the creators of the "most used" risk assessment tool for manual materials handling and back injury prevention of all time.

By David P. Gilkey, DC, PhD, CPE, DACBOH; guest author for Joseph J. Sweere, DC, DABCO, DACBOH, FICC I attended the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's 54th Annual Conference in San Francisco this past summer as both a certified professional ergonomist and a diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Occupational Health. To my great pleasure, the conference included a session titled "Occupational Safety: The Past, Present and Future," organized by Dr. Thurman Lockhart, that included the "legends" of industrial ergonomics and the creators of the "most used" risk assessment tool for manual materials handling and back injury prevention of all time. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55289 2011-05-20T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-20T12:00:07-07:00

A study published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that when it comes to work-related low back pain, the risk of disability recurrence is lower for patients treated primarily ("only or mostly") by a doctor of chiropractic than patients treated only/mostly by a physical therapist or a physician. The study defined recurrence in terms of disability following return to work, while patients were under "health maintenance care" by their provider. From a cost perspective, the study also found that average costs of care per disability episode and during the "health maintenance phase" following return to work were higher for patients with recurrent episodes of LBP compared to those with no such recurrence.

By Peter W. Crownfield, Executive Editor A study published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine suggests that when it comes to work-related low back pain, the risk of disability recurrence is lower for patients treated primarily ("only or mostly") by a doctor of chiropractic than patients treated only/mostly by a physical therapist or a physician. The study defined recurrence in terms of disability following return to work, while patients were under "health maintenance care" by their provider. From a cost perspective, the study also found that average costs of care per disability episode and during the "health maintenance phase" following return to work were higher for patients with recurrent episodes of LBP compared to those with no such recurrence. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55285 2011-04-22T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-22T12:00:07-07:00

The reason for the ineffectiveness of spine surgeries in general for nonspecific back pain, which constitutes 85 percent of all low back pain cases, is not due to faulty surgical methods as much as it has to do with an outdated understanding of back pain itself. Spine researcher Chien-Jen Hsu, MD, admitted in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, "By far the number one reason back surgeries are not effective and some patients experience continued pain after surgery is because the disc lesion that was operated on is not, in fact, the cause of the patient's pain."

By J.C. Smith, MA, DC The reason for the ineffectiveness of spine surgeries in general for nonspecific back pain, which constitutes 85 percent of all low back pain cases, is not due to faulty surgical methods as much as it has to do with an outdated understanding of back pain itself. Spine researcher Chien-Jen Hsu, MD, admitted in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, "By far the number one reason back surgeries are not effective and some patients experience continued pain after surgery is because the disc lesion that was operated on is not, in fact, the cause of the patient's pain." tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55274 2011-05-06T12:00:32-07:00 2011-05-06T12:00:07-07:00

Third-party payers, medical-model providers and other health care stakeholders who question the value of maintenance care, particularly for low back pain, should consider findings from a new study published in Spine, which asks (and then answers) the question, "Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Result in Better Long-Term Outcome?"

By Editorial Staff Third-party payers, medical-model providers and other health care stakeholders who question the value of maintenance care, particularly for low back pain, should consider findings from a new study published in Spine, which asks (and then answers) the question, "Does Maintained Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain Result in Better Long-Term Outcome?" tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55257 2011-04-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-09T12:00:07-07:00

Sacroiliac motion mainly involves movement of the ilia anteriorly and superiorly, and posteriorly and inferiorly. The process occurs during the processes of nutation and counternutation of the sacrum. Nutation is the motion of the sacral base anteriorly while the ilium moves posteriorly and inferiorly, with the PSIS as the point of reference during hip flexion. Counternutation is the motion of the sacral base posteriorly while the PSIS moves anteriorly and superiorly during forward flexion of the lumbar region during sitting or standing.

By Joseph D. Kurnik, DC Sacroiliac motion mainly involves movement of the ilia anteriorly and superiorly, and posteriorly and inferiorly. The process occurs during the processes of nutation and counternutation of the sacrum. Nutation is the motion of the sacral base anteriorly while the ilium moves posteriorly and inferiorly, with the PSIS as the point of reference during hip flexion. Counternutation is the motion of the sacral base posteriorly while the PSIS moves anteriorly and superiorly during forward flexion of the lumbar region during sitting or standing. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55255 2011-04-09T12:00:32-07:00 2011-04-09T12:00:07-07:00

David Spodick, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts, has stated: "Surgery is the sacred cow of our health-care system and surgeons are the sacred cowboys who milk it." Indeed, spine surgery has become the cash cow in the medical world and will only grow larger unless sensibility prevails over profiteering.

By J.C. Smith, MA, DC David Spodick, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts, has stated: "Surgery is the sacred cow of our health-care system and surgeons are the sacred cowboys who milk it." Indeed, spine surgery has become the cash cow in the medical world and will only grow larger unless sensibility prevails over profiteering. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55236 2011-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

As systematic as Walker, et al.'s recent Cochrane review of combined chiropractic interventions for low back pain may seem, it cannot be disputed that it remains only a single and possibly myopic lens through which the most appropriate clinical interventions for chronic low-back pain may actually be viewed.

By Anthony Rosner, PhD, LLD [Hon.], LLC As systematic as Walker, et al.'s recent Cochrane review of combined chiropractic interventions for low back pain may seem, it cannot be disputed that it remains only a single and possibly myopic lens through which the most appropriate clinical interventions for chronic low-back pain may actually be viewed. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55229 2011-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

It is apparent by the myriad studies over the past decade that "diagnosing" back pain is probably not possible in the vast majority of cases. According to the work of Deyo and others, at least 70 percent of pain is generated from sprained tissues and overall 90 percent of LBP is at present idiopathic. Grieves suggested in his book Mobilization of the Spine (1986) that the term prediction is probably more accurate than diagnosis when it comes to back pain.

By Jay Kennedy, DC It is apparent by the myriad studies over the past decade that "diagnosing" back pain is probably not possible in the vast majority of cases. According to the work of Deyo and others, at least 70 percent of pain is generated from sprained tissues and overall 90 percent of LBP is at present idiopathic. Grieves suggested in his book Mobilization of the Spine (1986) that the term prediction is probably more accurate than diagnosis when it comes to back pain. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55225 2011-03-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-26T12:00:07-07:00

If the present course for health care does not radically change, America will be financially crippled as President Obama warned: "paying more, getting less, and going broke." As example, recently Blue Shield of California announced its plans to raise rates by as much as 59 percent, and as the bellwether Golden State goes, so does the nation.

By J.C. Smith, MA, DC If the present course for health care does not radically change, America will be financially crippled as President Obama warned: "paying more, getting less, and going broke." As example, recently Blue Shield of California announced its plans to raise rates by as much as 59 percent, and as the bellwether Golden State goes, so does the nation. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55180 2011-02-26T12:00:32-07:00 2011-02-26T12:00:07-07:00

We'll start with self-correction for the patient. I try to teach the patient self-mobilization exercises for any chronic joint problem. This is relevant and useful even when there is a hypermobility component to the SI problem. There are two self-mobilizations that I teach for the SI (if you have another, let me know). For an ilium that continually slips anterior-superior, as seen from the front (evaluate the ASIS levels), Don Tigny's basic SI self correction seems to work pretty well. See my article describing this ["Sacroiliac Joint Correction: A Different Model," Dec. 17, 2005] for details.

By Marc Heller, DC We'll start with self-correction for the patient. I try to teach the patient self-mobilization exercises for any chronic joint problem. This is relevant and useful even when there is a hypermobility component to the SI problem. There are two self-mobilizations that I teach for the SI (if you have another, let me know). For an ilium that continually slips anterior-superior, as seen from the front (evaluate the ASIS levels), Don Tigny's basic SI self correction seems to work pretty well. See my article describing this ["Sacroiliac Joint Correction: A Different Model," Dec. 17, 2005] for details. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55152 2011-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

The multifidus muscle has garnered increased attention over the years as an important contributor to low back pain because it has been shown to atrophy following LBP. Although symptoms may improve, multifidus wasting persists, leading to the premise that recurring low back pain may be due to this lumbar stabilizer. Treatments directed at normalizing its level of function have been formulated to effectively address low back pain. This has led to an increasing amount of "spinal stabilization" training programs to address multifidus muscle dysfunctions. However, not all "recommended" exercises have proven to be effective. Let's explore the latest research findings regarding the role of the multifidus muscle in chronic recurrent low back pain, as well as the value of spinal manipulation and exercise programs you can easily integrate within your practice.

By Jasper Sidhu, BSc, DC The multifidus muscle has garnered increased attention over the years as an important contributor to low back pain because it has been shown to atrophy following LBP. Although symptoms may improve, multifidus wasting persists, leading to the premise that recurring low back pain may be due to this lumbar stabilizer. Treatments directed at normalizing its level of function have been formulated to effectively address low back pain. This has led to an increasing amount of "spinal stabilization" training programs to address multifidus muscle dysfunctions. However, not all "recommended" exercises have proven to be effective. Let's explore the latest research findings regarding the role of the multifidus muscle in chronic recurrent low back pain, as well as the value of spinal manipulation and exercise programs you can easily integrate within your practice. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55150 2011-03-12T12:00:32-07:00 2011-03-12T12:00:07-07:00

With the publication of the Chiropractic Hospital-based Interventions Research Outcomes (CHIRO) Study in The Spine Journal, one of the most frequently cited spine research journals in the world,2 the health care community at large may finally appreciate what the chiropractic profession has known for more than a century: Patients with acute mechanical low back pain enjoy significant improvement with chiropractic care, but little to no improvement with the usual care they receive from a family physician.

By Editorial Staff With the publication of the Chiropractic Hospital-based Interventions Research Outcomes (CHIRO) Study in The Spine Journal, one of the most frequently cited spine research journals in the world,2 the health care community at large may finally appreciate what the chiropractic profession has known for more than a century: Patients with acute mechanical low back pain enjoy significant improvement with chiropractic care, but little to no improvement with the usual care they receive from a family physician. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55137 2011-01-29T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-29T12:00:07-07:00

It's been nearly 20 years since the initial entrance into the chiropractic market of a mechanical traction device marketed as a "spinal/disc decompression" system. I estimate that at least 12 systems, beginning with the VAX-D in 1993, have been presented to our profession. Most ride the coattails of the VAX-D and its contemporaneous competitor, the DRS, first introduced in 1996. I've owned both systems (and at least six others) and have treated several thousand patients beginning in 1994 in two multispecialty clinics. I describe the experience overall as one of distinct benefit (regardless of the overall financial pain and consternation $5,500 a month in lease payments can create).

By Jay Kennedy, DC It's been nearly 20 years since the initial entrance into the chiropractic market of a mechanical traction device marketed as a "spinal/disc decompression" system. I estimate that at least 12 systems, beginning with the VAX-D in 1993, have been presented to our profession. Most ride the coattails of the VAX-D and its contemporaneous competitor, the DRS, first introduced in 1996. I've owned both systems (and at least six others) and have treated several thousand patients beginning in 1994 in two multispecialty clinics. I describe the experience overall as one of distinct benefit (regardless of the overall financial pain and consternation $5,500 a month in lease payments can create). tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55105 2011-01-15T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-15T12:00:07-07:00

The 7th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain took place in Los Angeles, Nov. 9-12, 2010. This is a brief synopsis of some of the papers presented. There was a mix of scientific research and clinical research. I was particularly impressed by some of the clinicians who are doing scientific research. At the end of some sections, I make additional observations/comments in italics.

By Marc Heller, DC The 7th Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Pain took place in Los Angeles, Nov. 9-12, 2010. This is a brief synopsis of some of the papers presented. There was a mix of scientific research and clinical research. I was particularly impressed by some of the clinicians who are doing scientific research. At the end of some sections, I make additional observations/comments in italics. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55062 2010-12-16T12:00:32-07:00 2010-12-16T12:00:07-07:00

I have a memory, now at least 32 years old, of Dr. Hogan, my technique teacher at National. I was a "know it all" back then, but for some reason I paid attention when he said: "Adjust the sacrum, not the ilium." I think he was referring to the tendency of the ilial side of the joint to compensate, and the tendency of practitioners to adjust the easily assessed iliosacral joint. You often have to address the sacral side of the joint separately.

By Marc Heller, DC I have a memory, now at least 32 years old, of Dr. Hogan, my technique teacher at National. I was a "know it all" back then, but for some reason I paid attention when he said: "Adjust the sacrum, not the ilium." I think he was referring to the tendency of the ilial side of the joint to compensate, and the tendency of practitioners to adjust the easily assessed iliosacral joint. You often have to address the sacral side of the joint separately. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-55053 2011-01-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-01-01T12:00:07-07:00

A massive research review and analysis conducted by the University of Ottawa Evidence-Based Practice Center, as commissioned by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and "summarized" in nearly 700 pages, provides insight into the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy. The report relies on data from 265 randomized, controlled trials and five non-RCTs involving CAM use by adults with back, neck and/or thoracic pain.

By Editorial Staff A massive research review and analysis conducted by the University of Ottawa Evidence-Based Practice Center, as commissioned by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and "summarized" in nearly 700 pages, provides insight into the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy. The report relies on data from 265 randomized, controlled trials and five non-RCTs involving CAM use by adults with back, neck and/or thoracic pain.