The Evidence Based Chiropractor Blog

Hundreds of chiropractic marketing and research articles to help you grow.

Jeff Langmaid 9/26/14 Jeff Langmaid 9/26/14

Bed Rest for Back Pain? by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Long gone are the days of bed rest for back pain. As a matter of fact, bed rest is one of the worst things you can do when suffering from back pain. Even patients who have back surgery are encouraged to start moving as soon as possible. Nutrition and blood flow to the discs of the spine (and the very small nerves around the vertebrae) are facilitated by movement. The limited mobility of the spine during bed rest inhibits this important process. When our discs do not have adequate motion, the nutrients needed for healing are not delivered, and our recovery can take longer. If we are not moving the spine, then the ability for the spine to rehabilitate and heal is hindered. This is also why chiropractic care can be so essential to facilitating the healing of spine conditions. Chiropractors are trained to assist you in restoring proper motion to the spine. This has the potential to speed up the healing process, getting you active, and feeling good as quickly as possible!

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the leading DC/MD marketing and outreach group in the world. Our service is dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research. Marketing to medical doctors through research is efficient, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us. Lets grow chiropractic together.

Jeff Langmaid 9/25/14 Jeff Langmaid 9/25/14

Leg Pain from My Back? - by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Can my leg and/or buttock pain actually be coming from a back problem? The answer is yes.

Here is how-

The bones (vertebrae) of your spine serve as the protection for your spinal cord. Between each vertebra is a disc which acts like a ball bearing; allowing motion and providing cushioning. Towards the back of the vertebrae is an arch which provides space for a nerve to branch off from the spinal cord and exit the spine. The nerves that exit the spine in the low back (lumbar spine) travel down the buttocks, thighs, legs, and all the way into the foot and toes. In some instances, injured tissue in the low back can affect these nerves and cause pain that seems to be coming from where the nerve ends (foot, calf, thigh, etc). While many people are familiar with sciatic pain or herniated discs; often pain in the knee, groin, foot, calf, and thigh can be traced back to the spine. This is why a detailed history and thorough examination are essential in determining the exact cause of your pain. By pinpointing the exact cause, your chiropractor is able to make a determination regarding the best treatment to reduce your pain and increase your function!

Jeff Langmaid 9/16/14 Jeff Langmaid 9/16/14

Chiropractic Care Reduces Radicular Back Pain- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

Earlier today MedPage Today released an article which highlighted a piece of new research from the Annals of Internal Medicine. This research showed that chiropractic care (with exercise and advice) reduced back-related leg pain (radicular pain) more than exercise and advice alone at 12 weeks. At 1 year the patients experienced more global improvement, higher satisfaction, and lower medication use.

According to the report from MedPage, "Prior to this study, SMT was considered a viable treatment option of what is known as 'uncomplicated low back pain,' which is low back pain without radiating pain to the leg," authors Bronfort and Roni Evans, DC, PhD, at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, wrote in an email toMedPage Today.

"This study shows that for patients without progressive neurological deficits and serious identifiable causes (e.g., spinal fracture, etc.) SMT, coupled with home exercise and advice, may be helpful, and should be considered," they added."

The Evidence Based Chiropractor will be fast-tracking this research study to be included in an upcoming Monthly MD Research Brief.

Jeff Langmaid 9/11/14 Jeff Langmaid 9/11/14

Reduced ROM and Proprioception Directly Linked to Back Pain- by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

New research from the BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found a direct link between reduced lumbar range of motion and proprioception with low back pain. They conducted a database search and examined over 40 independent studies.

As a chiropractor this is important because we evaluate proprioception and range of motion for every patient that enters our office. This is invaluable information not only for diagnosis related thought processes', but also for our choice of technique during treatment.

-The Evidence Based Chiropractor is the fastest growing chiropractic marketing group in the profession. We are dedicated to increasing chiropractic utilization by showcasing research. Marketing to medical doctors through research is proven, cost effective, and can dramatically improve your incoming referrals. Join us. Lets grow chiropractic together.

Jeff Langmaid 9/5/14 Jeff Langmaid 9/5/14

Flexion-Distraction, How Much Treatment is Sufficient? - by The Evidence Based Chiropractor

The latest JMPT has a very interesting study examining the dosage effects of flexion-distraction technique for patients with lumbar stenosis. As we know from previous studies, flexion-distraction has been proven to decrease intradiscal pressure and relieve radicular complaints. Additionally, this chiropractic technique has proven to be a safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with lumbar stenosis. Currently, 60% of the chiropractic profession utilizes flexion-distraction.

The patients in the JMPT study were all over the age of 50 with MRI confirmed signs of Lumbar Stenosis. They were randomized to groups either received flexion-distraction, or placebo treatment. The researchers found that a "dosage" of 12 visits appears to produce the most clinical benefit while also retaining high adherence to schedule. Regardless of the treatment schedule they found that patients had positive trends of pain outcomes with treatment compared to placebo. Additionally, there were no adverse effects recorded for any of the patients receiving treatment.

Studies like this truly "set the stage" for future research. Using their dosage model, a future study will be able to closely examine clinical outcomes when measuring flexion distraction against other treatment options.