high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique

The high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) technique is among the oldest and most frequently used chiropractic techniques. Most chiropractic clinical research has focused on the evaluating efficacy of this form of spinal manipulation.

A 2010 review of clinical data concluded that spinal manipulation is helpful for several conditions in addition to back pain, including migraine and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches, neck pain, upper- and lower-extremity joint conditions, and whiplash-associated disorders. *1

There are many types of HVLA manipulation approaches. This article describes just the most HVLA spinal manipulation techniques:

Diversified technique: This technique is the form of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust that is traditionally associated with chiropractic manual adjustments. For this method, chiropractors apply a short (low-amplitude), quick (high-velocity) thrust over restricted joints (one at a time) with the goal of restoring normal range of motion in the joint. The patient’s body is positioned in specific ways to optimize the adjustment of the spine.

Thompson Terminal Point (or Drop) technique: This technique is the one that I use the most in my office due to the least amount of pain and the most effective adjustment.

Doctor Clay Thompson patented the Thompson Drop Table in 1957, and today it is used by chiropractors around the world to help patients improve posture, gain strength and flexibility and prevent injuries.The Thompson Drop provides a full-spine technique through use of an adjusting table equipped with a pneumatically driven drop system. This system quickly lowers the section of your body that corresponds with the area of the spine that’s being adjusted. This includes the dorsal, lumber and pelvic areas.

Doctor David Thomson offers patients high-speed thrusts, while using minimal force. While the thrust begins needed movement, the quick drop brings your joint through the rest of its range of motion.

This involves specialized treatment tables that have sections that drop a short distance during an HVLA thrust, with the premise that the dropping of the table piece facilitates the movement of the joint. This adjustment approach is sometimes used in addition to or, in place of, a more traditional diversified HVLA adjustment. Here, the traditional "cracking sound" may or may not occur and therefore this type of manipulation may also be considered a form of mobilization, or a gentle adjustment approach.

The sound often heard during an HVLA manipulation is called cavitation. The pop is caused by a release of gas when the joint is pushed a short distance past its passive range of motion of the joint. The mechanism is similar to cracking ones knuckles.

Some clinicians and patients consider an audible pop necessary for the treatment to be successful, although there is no scientific physiological data from studies with large patient populations to confirm this belief. This poping sound is truly just a side effect not true. The objective is to first align the pelvis, then the mid back with the pelvis and then finally to align the neck or cervical spine with the rest of the body.

Thomson Chiropractic and Acupuncture Can Treat Whiplash Caused by Auto Accidents in Kaysville, UT

Thomson Chiropractic and Acupuncture Can Treat Whiplash Caused by Auto Accidents in Kaysville, UT

Auto accidents can be stressful, from dealing with insurance to taking your car to the mechanic to possibly missing work, and pain can often take a back seat to everything you have to deal with. However, seeking medical attention should always be a priority after an accident. When your body is jerked forward and then backward suddenly, whiplash can occur, and if left untreated, this injury can become chronic pain or lead to a worse injury down the line. At Thomson Chiropractic and Acupuncture, Dr. David Thomson has extensive experience and skill with treating whiplash and other injuries related to automobile accidents in Kaysville, UT.

Whiplash is a term applied to injuries that occur to the neck when it is whipped in one direction and jolted in another. Although this injury is common during auto accidents, it can also be incredibly damaging. Many whiplash injuries involve sprains—which happen when the ligaments that support, protect and restrict vertebral movement are torn—and strains—which occur when muscles and tendons in the neck are stretched beyond their normal limits. Even the discs between vertebrae in the cervical spine can be torn with whiplash, resulting in disc herniation.

The most common symptoms of whiplash include pain and stiffness in the neck and headaches at the base of the skull, and these symptoms can last for weeks or months, and even years if left untreated. Dr. Thomson can accelerate healing and ensure that your injury does not persist by providing quality chiropractic care. With adjustments, therapeutic exercise, soft tissue treatment and massage, the chiropractor can help control your pain and reduce muscle spasms.

If you’ve been in an automobile accident, schedule an appointment with Dr. David Thomson at Thomson Chiropractic and Acupuncture in Kaysville, UT to ensure that your accident doesn’t cause you pain long after it is over. Call 801-547-6688 for an appointment. For more information about the chiropractor, his practice or his services, visit www.thespineline.com.

Exercise and Chiropractic Therapy

Cardiovascular and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic care are important in the management of low back pain.

If a patient has a history of heart problems, it is important for the patient to consult with not only the doctor of chiropractic but their primary care physician to be certain that they can tolerate cardiovascular fitness-promoting activities. Specific instructions are given by the chiropractic with respect to proper exercise for the patient's condition before beginning any exercise program. 

Exercise Benefits

Many studies have reported the importance of exercises in managing acute and chronic low back pain, strengthening the low back, preventing and keeping back patients working, and to improve quality of life. The strength of the abdominal muscles was also found to be able to differentiate between those with vs. without chronic LBP.

Overall and when combined with chiropractic care, aerobic exercise helps promote proper digestion, keeps the muscles in proper tome and promotes better circulation. Walking briskly around the block at least once or twice is a convenient and proper activity.

Also, many forms of work and/or household tasks can function as an exercise program. The important point is to exercise!

Types of exercises

There are many applicable back exercises that are available for patients also undergoing chiropractic care for lower back pain. One can classify the chiropractic patient into a flexion or extension biased category to determine the variety that is best for that patient.

Other exercises that can help reduce lower back pain include:

•         Strengthening of the pelvic stabilizing muscles (trunk mussel)    
•         Stretching of the hamstrings, adductors, and other overly short or tight postural muscle
• 
  

Reported efficacy of exercise in chiropractic care

According to the scientific commission of the council on chiropractic guidelines and practice parameters (CCGPP): 

As with any chiropractic treatment, it is important for chiropractors to perform a focused reevaluation of an exercise program following its initial therapeutic trial to determine its effectiveness. Using spinal range of motion as a measurement of the effectiveness of exercise is just one way in which chiropractors can make such determinations.

References

1. Globe G, Morris C, Whalen W, et al, " chiropractic Management of Low Back Disorders: Report from a Consensus Process".

2. Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al, "Acute low back problems in adults".

Sitting a little less each day can reap big health benefits

Sitting a little less each day can reap big health benefits

In a recent study participants were able to significantly reduce back and neck pain and improve their mood by sitting just 66 minutes fewer each day.

Participants in the study were sedentary office workers of average health, height, and weight. Researchers provided them with a device that allowed them to sit or stand at their desks throughout the day during the 7 week duration of the study. They were given free choice to sit or stand as much - or as little - as they felt comfortable. The group ended up sitting around one hour less each day - enough to realize statistically significant health benefits.
The necessary equipment is easy to find; a quick online search will give you hundreds of ideas for sit-to-stand devices for your desk.

See Ergonomics of the Office and Workplace: An Overview

In that relatively short period of 7 weeks, the office workers reported a statistically significant reduction in upper back and neck pain. They also reported feeling generally more comfortable, less low back pain, and less wrist pain.

References: Spine-Health.com

Here is the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:

A slip on the sidewalk, in the winter, is a SMALL thing. It happens to millions. A fall off a ladder, in summer, is a SMALL thing. This happens to millions.

The slip or fall has the potential to misalign a bone in the spine called a subluxation. That specific subluxation is a small thing. The subluxation produces pressure upon the brain stem, with its trillions of nerve fibers. That pressure is a SMALL thing. This specific pressure produces interferences and reduces flow over the nerves. That decreased flow is a SMALL thing. That decreased quantity flow of nerve supply produces a specific dis-eased brain or body. THAT is a BIG thing to THAT person.

Multiply THAT man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a state. Multiply THAT man by 315 million and you forecast and prophesy the mental and physical status of a nation.

So, the slip or the fall; the creation of a specific subluxation, consequent pressure, reduce nerve flow and dis-ease IS BIG enough to control the thoughts and actions of a nation.

Now comes a man; and any one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives a specific adjustment upon the specific subluxation; and that adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the bone back in normal alignment, and that is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves; and that is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to A man, and THAT is a BIG thing to THAT man.

Multiply THAT man by a thousand men, and you step up the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a state. Multiply THAT well man by 315 million, and you produce a healthy, wealthy, better race for posterity, in a nation.

Man is a SMALL thing, worlds considered. A subluxation is small, man considered. The alignment of bones in the spine, is small. The neural canal, in a spine, is also SMALL. Yet, that bone, small as it is; crowding in upon the neural canal, small as it is, acts as a governor to the destiny of man’s thots and functions; for it, in normal position permits a free flow, or in subluxation interferes with a free flow of all that force with which man thinks and acts. Man lives when he CAN think and act. Man dies when he CEASES to create thot and perform motion. Man becomes sick when thot and function are below par. Therefore, the alignment of the spine may be a SMALL thing, but it is the BIGGEST thing in man.

So, the specific adjustment of the bone in a specific subluxation, to release pressures upon the nerves, to restore normal quantity nerve flow, to restore health IS BIG enough to rebuild the thoughts and actions of the world.

Here is the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:

What pill or drug is ever going to get that bone to MOVE back in place?

NONE!

By Dr. Robert Moore - http://www.awesomedr.com

Acupuncture and Stress

Many people think of the causes of stress as being mental or emotional, such as having financial difficulty or losing a loved one.  You may not realize that stress can also be caused by numerous physical factors.  Examples of physical stress include visible conditions such as a broken foot or migraine headaches.  Physical stress also includes invisible conditions such as parasitic infections and food sensitivities.  Invisible physical stress can take the greatest toll on your health, because it can persist for years without any symptoms, and often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Adrenal Hormone
Your adrenal gland produces hormones that help your body to cope with stress.  Under chronic stress these glands becomes fatigued, impairing hormone production and balance.  To resolve stress-related symptoms and health problems, the adrenal hormones must be balanced.  It is now possible to assess the health of your adrenal glands and pinpoint hormone imbalances.  This saliva test is inexpensive, easy to use and it evaluates the adrenal glands and identifies hormone imbalances.  It provides scientific guidance, so that I can develop a specific treatment plan to balance your adrenal hormones and correct health problems caused by stress.

Sex Hormones
The adrenal stress profile evaluates cortisol and DHEA levels and directs therapies that help your body handle stress.  I may also choose to measure levels of sex-specific hormones-helping women through menstrual cycles or menopause, and assisting men with their own midlife challenge, commonly referred to as andropause.

Symptoms of Stress
If you are suffering with any of the following, please contact my office, schedule a time for a consultation and complete this non-invasive and convenient test to identify and treat the causes of stress.        

Depression            Fatigue            Sleep Disorders            Allergies          Weight Gain
PMS                    Headache         Sinus Problems            Diminished Sex Drive  

Dr David Thomson BS DC

Pain-Free Travel Tips

For many people with back pain or neck pain, the prospect of a long trip can be daunting.  The seat in cars, airplanes, buses, and trains aren’t always the most comfortable and sitting still for an extended time can in and of itself aggravate painful areas in the back and neck.  The following tips are offered to help reduce or avoid overall back pain and discomfort while traveling.

Lift Luggage in Stages

Back strain often occurs near the end of one’s range of motion when lifting a heavy item.  For this reason, experts recommend moving slowly when lifting a heavy piece of luggage and breaking the action into smaller parts whenever possible.  For example, when lifting a bag into an overhead bin, it can first be lifted to the top of the seat, then into the bin in a separate motion.  Similarly, loading a suitcase in the trunk of a car can be broken into steps, such as lifting it first to a chair or stepstool, then lifting it into the trunk.  Other important lifting tips include:

Bend at the knees and use leg muscles rather than back muscles to lift

Avoid twisting the low back while lifting; instead, pivot with the feet;

Carry heavy items as close to the body as possible;

Distribute weigh evenly on each side of the body;

If carrying one shoulder bag, switch sides often to avoid stressing one side of the back.

Bring Your Own Back Support

Seats in cars, trains, planes etc. often don’t provide the right type of support for the lower back and/or neck. A lumbar support pillow can be used to make your seat more comfortable and support your lower back.  If you don’t have one or forget to bring it, a jacket, sweater or blanket rolled up can also provide support for the inward curve of the low back.  This is often particularly important if traveling coach class on a long flight, as many airplane eats lack low back support.  In this case, an airplane pillow or blanket placed between the seat and low back can work well.  An inflatable travel pillow that fits around the neck can help avoid neck strain by providing head support while resting or sleeping in a sitting position during travel.

Support Your Feet

Proper support for the low back also requires bottom-up leverage from your feet.  If your feet are not placed on a firm surface while sitting, additional stress is transferred to your low back.  Therefore, if your seat is too high, try to rest your feet on a footrest (or something that can act as a footrest) to keep your knees at a right angle and avoid stressing the low back.  While driving, resting both feet on the floor provides more support for your lower back than if one foots is on the gas, so you may consider using cruise control for longer drives.

Move as Much as Possible

The spine is designed to move. Sitting in one position for extended periods of time stiffens the back muscles, which can put stress on the spine.  Get up and stretch and move around frequently – every 20 to 30 minutes if possible – to move your core body muscles.  Importantly, movement stimulates blood flow and blood brings important nutrients and oxygen to th4e structures of the back which helps prevent soft tissues in the low back from stiffening and aching after sitting for a long time.  Even 10 seconds of movement and stretching is better than sitting still.  Movement also helps prevent blood clots from forming in the leg (called deep vein thrombosis), which is one of the most dangerous risks of sitting sill for long periods.

Quick and Easy Pain Relief

If back pain does flare up while you’re traveling, one of the fastest ways to get relief is applying a cold pack or alternating ice and heat.  When traveling, materials such as ice and hot packs are usually easily accessible and affordable.  For example, you can fill any type of plastic bag with ice and apply to the painful area such as placing a small bag of ice between your low back and he seatback while you’re driving or sitting in a plane or train.  There are also disposable, portable hot packs that heat up after you open them, so you can bring them on your travels and open and apply them as needed.  Commercial heat wraps are available that wrap around the middle of the body and incorporate heating units in the low back area of the band.  Such types of heat wraps last for several hours, making them ideal to provide back comfort during lengthy travel.  However, too much heat can cause swelling and therefore, alternating ice and heat for 10-15 minutes each, and avoiding prolonged heat is best.

full article see - http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/pain-free-travel-tips

Understanding Osteoarthritis: The Most Common Form of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, affects up to 30 million Americans, mostly women and usually those over 45 or 50 years of age.  The goal of any osteoarthritis treatment plan is to increase the strength of the joints, relieve pain, improve or maintain joint movement and reduce the debilitating effects of the disease.

Osteoarthritis Overview

For many, osteoarthritis pain may become markedly worse over time or with specific activities.  Characteristic signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Stiffness. A common marker of osteoarthritis is stiffness in the joint that is most pronounced first thing is the morning, or after a prolonged period of inactivity (such as sitting in a car or airplane).  The stiffness usually resolves within 30 minutes of light activity, as the joints “warm up” through gentle movement.

Pain.  Another common symptom is pain in the joint that worsens during or after too much movement.  The pain may be experienced as a dull and aching, or sharp and piercing.  In the most severe cases of osteoarthritis, patients may also feel pain when the joints are at rest only moving slightly.

Soreness.  The joint may feel tender to touch or with slight pressure.

Inflexibility.  Patients may experience loss of full range of motion in the affected joint.

Swelling.  The joint may swell due to excess fluid buildup.  This type of swelling is clinically referred to as effusion.  If the swelling is severe, the joint may also feel warm to the touch.

Grating or creaking.  There might be a sensation of grating or slight grinding when moving the joint, as the surfaces of the articulating points of the joint no longer move smoothly against each other.

Bone spurs.  Sometimes, bone bumps – which are points of the bone that grow outward as a result of the joint friction and dysfunction – can be felt under the skin.  Bone spurs may also be referred to as osteophytes.

Deformity.  In some types of osteoarthritis, physical deformity may be noticeable.  For example, enlarged finger joints may result from the friction which causes bony enlargements of the finger joints, or advanced degeneration of knee cartilage can lead to an outward, or bowlegged, curvature of the knee.

While osteoarthritis pain is usually felt in the affected join, for some patients the pain may be referred to other areas of the body.  For example, hip osteoarthritis may lead to knee pain, or spinal osteoarthritis may affect nerves that cause pain, numbness or other symptoms in the part of the body that the nerve leads to.

When the hips or knees are affected, walking can be a significant source of pain,  and accommodation pain may induce a limp.  Pain can be felt in areas outside the damaged joints, including the buttocks, groin, or thigh and may vary in severity from a dull ache to a sharp pain.

Cervical Osteoarthritis (Neck Arthritis)

Just as the lumbar spine, the facet joints in the cervical spine can degenerate and lead to arthritis in the neck.  Many terms are used interchangeably to refer to cervical osteoarthritis, including cervical spondylosis, degenerative joint disease, or simply neck arthritis.

Treatments for cervical osteoarthritis are usually nonsurgical and may include one or a combination of the following: 

When the pain is severe, Acupuncture will help. In our office we also us Biopuncture, this is very effective in controlling the pain. It is a natural homeopathic injection into the acupuncture points that assist the bodies ability to heal with out the need for artificial steroids and pain medication.

Traction and/or chiropractic manipulations will help control chronic symptoms or provide relief for more sever episodes of pain from osteoarthritis.Nutritional intervention is very critical when the symptoms begin, do not hesitate to begin using a Anti-inflammatory diet.  For tips and help please contact my office.

Dr. David B. Thomson BS, DC

Evolution of Chiropractic Medicine in Health Care

The scientific merit of spinal dysfunction and therapeutic benefits of spinal manipulation for neuromusculoskeletal conditions were challenged in the early days of chiropractic. Manipulation has been generally accepted for back pain, neck pain, sciatica, joint problems, sprains, strains, osteoarthritis, herniated discs and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions

.

Scientific evidence has indicated that spinal manipulation is safe and effective for treatment for lower back pain, neck pain and headache, and recent health care guidelines have listed it as a viable treatment option for symptoms that do not respond to self-care.

Spinal manipulation in chiropractic medicine has evolved greatly since the first high-velocity adjustment performed by D.D. Palmer in the late 1800s. In addition, chiropractors have begun to embrace a variety of other evidence-based approaches to spine problems. Now, techniques include low-velocity adjustments involving the hands and even instruments and machines, and various other adjustments incorporating many specialized and individualized thrusts

See Spinal Manipulation: High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (HVLA)

Modern chiropractic research has started to focus more on the efficacy of specific types of spinal manipulation, including when certain adjustments are performed and how long they are included as part of chiropractic treatment plans. Besides chiropractors, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and some Medical Doctors (MD) and Physical Therapists (PT) also perform spinal manipulation.

Concerns about the safety of manipulating the cervical spine for neck pain have been raised in relation to strokes. The medical literature does not substantiate that manipulation increases the risk of or causes strokes, but rather indicates that the reported stroke cases were patients who already had signs of impending stroke prior to manipulation. The literature shows no statistical difference in stroke occurrence among medical specialties, regardless if someone sees a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Chiropractic, and reports that chiropractic is generally and equally as safe of a treatment for neck pain as other nonsurgical care.

Chiropractic health care has also grown beyond spinal manipulation to include other manual therapy like soft-tissue mobilization and massage, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, the McKenzie approach to mechanical diagnosis and therapy, as well as stabilization and strength training exercise, nutrition and postural programs, and the incorporation of a cognitive-behavioral context to treatment regimens.

The appropriateness and effectiveness of some newer treatments (like spinal decompression) used by some chiropractors are a subject of debate among chiropractors and others, as are some other more recent developments, including treating children with spinal manipulation and marketing chiropractic as a holistic treatment of allergies, asthma, acid reflux, digestive disorders, ear infections, colic and other conditions that are less commonly treated with spinal manipulation.

Modern Recognition and Use of Chiropractic Medicine

Eighteen years after its founding in America, chiropractic received its first state licensing in 1913. In the following 18 years, chiropractic medicine became recognized in 39 states. Chiropractic is now recognized as a health care profession in not only all 50 states but the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and many other countries. Chiropractic colleges are located in many countries in addition to the United States and Canada.

Chiropractic licensing is handled on a state-by-state basis according to specific state laws. There are currently more than 60,000 licensed chiropractors in the United States, making chiropractic the third largest doctoral level health care profession behind medicine and dentistry.

Efficacy of Chiropractic Medicine

A 2007 survey estimated that more than 18 million adults (8 percent of the U.S. adult population) and 2 million children (nearly 3 percent of American children) visited a chiropractor the previous year.15 Chiropractic may be fully or partially covered by private insurance plans, and Medicare may cover manual manipulation for subluxation of the spine in certain circumstances.

A 2009 evidence-based report on population, health and total health care spending suggested that chiropractic care of back pain and neck pain provides higher satisfaction, superior outcomes and more cost-effectiveness than other commonly-utilized back and neck pain treatments, which can include simple rest, medications, surgery and more.

This report also reviewed the scientific literature on chiropractic care, which was noted in other findings to be at least as effective as other widely-used therapies for lower back pain and more effective (when combined with exercise) than other common treatments for neck pain.

A further review of scientific literature indicated that patients with chiropractic coverage as part of their insurance benefits had lower costs and reduced imaging studies, fewer hospitalizations and less surgeries than patients without chiropractic included in their insurance.

Today, chiropractors enjoy hospital privileges in many hospitals, practice in multidisciplinary practices, work within the Department of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) systems, and treat both Medicare and Medicaid patients. The profession continues to become more mainstream and integrated.

References

Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCAM).

Chiropractor Profession. Medline Plus.

Special thanks to the following individuals for their contributions to this article:

Dr. Thomas E. Hyde, DC

Dr. Donald R. Murphy, DC, DACAN

Dr. Stephen M. Perle, D.C., M.S.

Sports Injuries, Back Injuries, and Back Pain

Sports Injuries, Back Injuries, and Back Pain

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and sports are one approach many people choose to use to get their exercise.

For people with back pain, sports can still be a viable option if they pay attention to their back.

For others who participate in sports, knowing the type of strain various sports place on the back may help prevent a back injury.

This article give specific information about sports injuries and back pain.

Types of Sports-Related Back Injuries

When participating in any sport, injuries to any part of the spine are possible, as well as injuries to the soft tissue and fascia that help comprise the makeup of the body.  Up to 20% of all injuries that occur in sports involve an injury to the lower back or neck.

Lower Back injury

The lower back is subject to a great deal of strain in many sports.  Sports that use repetitive impact (e.g., running), a twisting motion (e.g., golf), or weight loading at the end of a range-of-motion (e.g., weightlifting) commonly cause damage to the lower back.

Neck Injury

The neck is most commonly injured in sports that involve contact (e.g., football), which place the cervical spine (neck) at risk of injury. Whiplash common in an auto accident can be caused by impact's im any contact sport.

Upper Back Injury

The thoracic spine (mid portion of the spine at the level of the rib cage) is less likely to be injured because it is relatively immobile and has extra support.  Injuries seen here can involve rib fracture and intercostals neuralgia as well as intercostals muscle strains in sports that involve rotation of the torso (e.g., weight training with rotation), swimming, golf, tennis and even skiing.

Stretching and Warm-Up Prior to Exercise

For every sport, a thorough warm-up should be completed before starting to play.  The warm-up will target the muscles used in that sport, but it should also prepare the back for the stresses to come.

The warm-up used should be specific to the sport to be played.  A typical warm-up should include:

-Increase circulation gradually by doing some easy movement (such as walking) to increase blood circulation to the muscles and ligaments of the back;

-Stretch the lower and upper back and related muscles, including hamstrings and quadriceps

-Start slowly with the sport movements (e.g., swing the golf club, serve the ball)

If you have questions please talk with me. I can help you determine what your limits might be and suggest an appropriate amount of exercise and exertion.  I can also help you with up to date information on the latest evidence related to stretching, exercise routines for specific sports and additional information designed to benefit your personal routine.

Sports Injuries

Back Injuries, and Back Pain

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and sports are one approach many people choose to use to get their exercise.

For people with back pain, sports can still be a viable option if they pay attention to their back.

For others who participate in sports, knowing the type of strain various sports place on the back may help prevent a back injury.

This article give specific information about sports injuries and back pain.

Types of Sports-Related Back Injuries

When participating in any sport, injuries to any part of the spine are possible, as well as injuries to the soft tissue and fascia that help comprise the makeup of the body.  Up to 20% of all injuries that occur in sports involve an injury to the lower back or neck.

Lower Back injury

The lower back is subject to a great deal of strain in many sports.  Sports that use repetitive impact (e.g., running), a twisting motion (e.g., golf), or weight loading at the end of a range-of-motion (e.g., weightlifting) commonly cause damage to the lower back.

Neck Injury

The neck is most commonly injured in sports that involve contact (e.g., football), which place the cervical spine (neck) at risk of injury.

Upper Back Injury

The thoracic spine (mid portion of the spine at the level of the rib cage) is less likely to be injured because it is relatively immobile and has extra support.  Injuries seen here can involve rib fracture and intercostals neuralgia as well as intercostals muscle strains in sports that involve rotation of the torso (e.g., weight training with rotation), swimming, golf, tennis and even skiing.

Stretching and Warm-Up Prior to Exercise

While static stretching prior to any type of exercise used to be recommended, a number of studies in recent years have shown that stretching the muscles prior to exercise is not needed.  A number of studies have shown that it does not help prevent injury, and likely does no harm either.

For every sport, a thorough warm-up should be completed before starting to play.  The warm-up will target the muscles used in that sport, but it should also prepare the back for the stresses to come.

The warm-up used should be specific to the sport to be played.  A typical warm-up should include:

-Increase circulation gradually by doing some easy movement (such as walking) to increase blood circulation to the muscles and ligaments of the back;

-Stretch the lower and upper back and related muscles, including hamstrings and quadriceps

-Start slowly with the sport movements (e.g., swing the golf club, serve the ball)

If you have questions please talk with me. I can help you determine what your limits might be and suggest an appropriate amount of exercise and exertion.  I can also help you with up to date information on the latest evidence related to stretching, exercise routines for specific sports and additional information designed to benefit your personal routine.

After over 20 years in the health field I know professionals or instructors in almost every sport who are willing to share their expertise.  Ideally, someone with this type of expertise can teach the correct form for a new sport or help develop and keep the proper technique for a current sport.

Dr. David B. Thomson

Sources of Whiplash Pain

When the cervical spine (neck) is subject to whiplash (an abrupt backward and/or forward jerking motion of the head), there is usually a combination of factors that contribute to whiplash pain in the neck and back, and ultimately need to be addressed individually by a chiropractor.  The doctor of chiropractic maintains a “holistic” view of the patient’s whiplash pain, specifically focusing on one or more of the following: joint dysfunction, muscle dysfunction, faulty movement patterns, and/or disc derangement.

This newsletter explains how chiropractors approach treating neck pain, back pain, and/or other whiplash symptoms, and help patients

Whiplash Pain Management For Joint Dysfunction

Joint dysfunction from whiplash occurs when one of the joints in the spine or limbs loses its normal joint play (resiliency and shock absorption).  It is detected through motion palpation, a chiropractic technique in which the chiropractor gently moves the joint in different directions and assesses its joint play.  When a joint develops dysfunction, its normal range of movement may be affected and it can become painful.  Additionally, joint dysfunction can lead to muscle imbalance and pain, and a viscous cycle: The loss of joint play can cause abnormal signals to the nervous system (there are an abundance of nerve receptors in the joint) – The muscles related to that joint can subsequently become tense or, conversely, underactive – The resulting muscle imbalance can place increased stress on the joint, aggravating the joint dysfunction that already exists.

Muscle Dysfunction From Whiplash Injuries

When joint dysfunction develops, muscles are affected. Some muscles respond by becoming tense and overactive, while others respond by becoming inhibited and underactive.  In either case, these muscles can develop trigger points that may necessitate whiplash treatment involving muscle relaxation or stimulation.

Trigger points are areas of congestion within the muscle where toxins accumulate.  These toxins can irritate the nerve endings within the muscle and produce pain.  This whiplash pain can occur in the muscle itself or can be referred pain (perceived in other areas of the body).

The muscle can also send abnormal neurological signals into the nervous system, which can then cause disruption of the ability of the nervous system to properly regulate muscles in other parts of the body, leading to the development of faulty movement patterns.

Faulty Movement Patterns and Whiplash Pain

It is thought that the intense barrage of pain signals from a traumatic whiplash injury to the cervical spine can change the way the nervous system controls the coordinated function of muscles.  The disruption of coordinated, stable movement is known as faulty movement patterns.

Faulty movement patterns cause increased strain in the muscles and joints, leading to neck pain and back pain.  They can involve the neck itself or can arise from dysfunction in other areas of the body such as the foot or pelvis.

Instability is also considered part of faulty movement patterns.  There are 2 types of instability that can occur in whiplash: Passive instability- the ligaments of the neck are loosened, making it more susceptible to whiplash pain – Dynamic instability- the nervous system disruption causes a disturbance in the body’s natural muscular response to common, everyday forces.

As a result of instability, even mild, innocuous activities can be difficult to perform as they often exacerbate the whiplash pain.

Whiplash Pain From a Herniated Disc

The force of whiplash can cause injury to the discs between the vertebrae, and small tears can develop. If the gelatinous middle of the disk seeps out, it can irritate the nerve endings in this area.  This is known as disc derangement.

Occasionally, the gel can seep all the way out and press on a nerve root exiting the spinal cord behind the disc, known as disc herniation.

A herniated disc may involve whiplash pain in the neck as well as sharp, shooting pain down the arm and possibly neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.