Back Pain Is So Depressing
Back pain and depression are two of the most common physical and mental health issues experienced by people today. While the two conditions may seem unrelated, growing research has revealed a likely connection between the two. New findings suggest that people who suffer from major depression are more likely to experience back pain, and people with back pain are more likely to suffer from major depression. Considering this new information, it appears even more important to immediately seek treatment for any back pain as aside from the physical ailments, it now appears it can negatively impact one’s overall mental health. Given the success of chiropractic care in treating and managing back pain, it follows that when back pain is properly managed and pain eliminated, any related depression might also improve or perhaps be eliminated. However, additional research is needed to determine the extent of this impact. The good news is, this is an important finding as it will assist healthcare professionals - which includes doctors of chiropractic - better understand the link between mental health and physical health, and how both can be managed together. If you suffer from back pain and depression, talking to your doctor is the best way to learn more about your back pain and any associated depression and find out what treatments are available. Your doctor will work with you to develop an individualized plan that takes into account your health history, lifestyle, and other factors. With the right treatment plan, you can manage or even eliminate back pain and depression.
Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar; 20(5): 4217.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2023
June is Scoliosis Awareness Month
With the arrival of summer, June also heralds the start of Scoliosis Awareness Month. The Scoliosis Research Society declared this month a key time to focus on detection and early treatment for this condition, which affects nearly 3% of Americans. Typically detected between the ages of 10 and 15, scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine. Curvature can range from mild to severe, and may cause pain, low self-esteem, and in severe cases, issues with movement or breathing. In children, bones are still growing and developing, which presents an opportunity to prevent further progression of scoliosis with a back brace. For teens and adults, however, the adult bone structure has set, and braces are not common interventions.
Early detection of scoliosis is the very best way to minimize progression of spinal curvature or the need for surgery later on. Methods of detection can include in-school screenings, regular pediatric physical exams, and evaluations by a DC (Doctor of Chiropractic). In fact, DCs can play an important role in both detection and treatment for scoliosis. In a study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, adults with moderate-severe scoliosis enrolled in an exercise-based chiropractic treatment program saw significant improvements after six months. Not only did more than 75 percent of participants experience reduced Cobb angles (decreased curvature), but pain and disability scores also improved and maintained this improvement even after a two-year follow-up.
Chiropractic treatment shows promise for non-surgical and non-invasive treatments for scoliosis. June is a key time to raise awareness about the importance of scoliosis detection and treatment, and advances in non-surgical alternatives such as chiropractic treatment are offering individuals with this condition more options than ever to manage scoliosis safely and effectively, and improve their quality of life.
Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF)
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2016
Seniors: Eat More Vitamins, Lower Your Risk of Frailty
A recent study has linked eating a vitamin-rich, balanced diet with a lower risk of developing frailty for adults age 65 and up. The research comes from the School of Medicine at Universidad de La Frontera in Chile. The study looked at over 1,600 adults over the age of 65, none of which had developed frailty as they got older. All of the participants offered in-depth information about their diet and food habits. After the end of a follow-up period of about 3.5 years, 5.4% of participants (89 adults) had developed frailty. Frailty is defined as a lowered amount of physiological health and functioning. It often includes issues like fatigue, weakness, low activity, and slowness. Most people expect older adults to develop frailty as a byproduct of old age, but frailty isn't totally age-dependent. The Chilean study revealed that the seniors with the lowest levels of vitamin B6 at the beginning were 2.8 times likelier to develop some measure of frailty by the end of the research period. This is in comparison with participants who regularly ate vitamin B6-rich foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, fish, tofu, and chicken. Additionally, participants with the lowest vitamin E levels were 2.3 times likelier to develop some kind of frailty as opposed to those adults with diets rich in vitamin E. Finally, the seniors who ate the least amount of vitamin C were 93% likelier to become frail than their counterparts who regularly ate vitamin C-packed foods like dark leafy greens, broccoli, and lemons.
Author: ChiroPlanet.com
Source: Age & Ageing, online July 25, 2018.
Copyright: ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC 2019