The Illusive Pop of Spinal Manipulation
“To Pop or Not to Pop” is understandably a twist on an age-old Shakespearean quote for an age-old chiropractic spinal manipulation question. Today’s answer is that it is not a necessary indicator of back pain relief via spinal manipulation treatment (SMT), but back pain and neck pain patients undergoing SMT want and need to know all they can. Present-day guidelines for handling low back pain stress patient education and exercise as important topics of discussion. Healthcare practitioners are pretty good (72% overall) at sharing information. By profession, though, chiropractors lead in providing patient education for 76% of patients with physical therapists at 74% and general practitioners at only 44%. The more emotionally distressed a patient was or the pain was below the knee, information was shared with 78% of patients. (1) A valuable topic for Southern New Hampshire back pain and neck pain patients undergoing spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) is this sometimes-audible pop. A systematic review of published studies found that regardless of the spinal area or follow-up time after the SMT, there was no research evidence of improved pain outcomes or success of the treatment associated with an audible pop. (2) This is good to know since some patients have it, and some don’t. Patients whose practitioners explained the audible pop to them - and others who were not spinal manipulation patients - reported interesting theories of what created that sound and had overemphasized ideas of its importance. (3) Instead of the question “To pop or not to pop?” the more appropriate question for you and your Southern New Hampshire chiropractor might “Is there pain relief or not?” With our gentle chiropractic care, there is pain relief for many Southern New Hampshire back pain and neck pain sufferers. Let’s talk about all of this at your next chiropractic visit at New Hampshire Spine and Sport!
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the gentle spinal manipulation treatment of spinal stenosis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
[[CHIROPRACTIC]] TIP OF THE MONTH:
Vitamin D for Adrenal Gland Support
Vitamin D is in favor and well- researched beyond its longer term reputation in supporting phospho-calcium metabolism and skeletal bone disorders. Today, research has well-established vitamin D as a hormone and recounted vitamin D as influential for various diseases from cancer, inflammation, and autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s, Graves’, diabetes) to adrenal gland health and disease (Cushing’s, Addison’s). (4) The adrenal gland has two main parts: (A) The adrenal cortex produces cortisol which controls the sleep/wake cycle, body’s use of fats/proteins/carbs, inflammation, blood pressure as well as raises blood sugar and decreases bone formation. (B) The adrenal medulla manufactures “stress hormones” epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in charge of the fight or flight response. (5) Adrenal gland issues keep people awake at night…for real! Although not yet conclusive, 800-2000IU a day was suggested in one new study to support adrenal health. (6) New Hampshire Spine and Sport is excited to discuss vitamin D and any adrenal gland issues you may be experiencing.
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Set your next Southern New Hampshire chiropractic appointment with New Hampshire Spine and Sport soon! We have a lot to talk about!