Feature Articles:
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• Consider Chiropractic First •
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A new survey shows that nearly half of all Americans are concerned about the safety of medical care. It’s no surprise after a recent Institute of Medicine report found hospital-based medical errors were the eighth leading cause of death in America. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), it’s time for the health and insurance industries to consider safer non-drug, non-surgical treatments whenever possible. Chiropractic care is one of the safest health care options available today, boasting high patient satisfaction ratings and shown to be more effective than medication at treating conditions ranging from back pain to headaches.
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| SOURCE: American Chiropractic Association. November 19, 2004. |
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• New Research Supports Preventative Care •
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Researchers set out to study the effects of preventative chiropractic care following an intensive one-month treatment plan for patients suffering from nonspecific low-back pain. After receiving 12 treatments over a month period of time, low-back pain patients received either further chiropractic care every 3 weeks for 9 additional months or no further chiropractic care. It should be noted that both pain and disability levels improved during the initial 12 treatments in both groups. The group receiving the preventative chiropractic care every 3 weeks after their initial 12 treatments were able to maintain their one-month post treatment disability scores – those scores after their initial 12 treatments. Those who did not continue to receive chiropractic care after the initial one-month of treatments reverted back to disability scores prior to the initial 12 treatments.
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| SOURCE: JMPT. October 2004 • Volume 27 • Number 8 |
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• Vitamin D For Arthritic Pain? •
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Boston researchers have discovered a link between vitamin D and arthritic knee problems. 221 subjects were studied during a 30-month period, all of which suffered from arthritic knee pain. Their findings showed lower levels of vitamin D in the body were associated with higher levels of knee pain and disability. Additionally, they discovered approximately 50 percent of the population was deficient in vitamin D; previous studies found almost 100 percent were deficient in Minnesota. While the study was not conducted to determine vitamin D’s success as a treatment for arthritis, researchers stated their findings suggest we may need an increased intake of vitamin D than currently recommended.
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| SOURCE: Reuters Health. October 20, 2004. |
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• Long Computer Use Linked To Eye Disease •
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Eye strain due to computer use can cause more than just headaches. Japanese scientists have found those who are short-sighted (myopic) and who are perched in front of a computer screen all day long may increase their risk of glaucoma. Caused by damage to the optic nerve, glaucoma results in blind spots or visual impairments that can cause decreased vision and blindness. Researchers believed the optic nerve in short-sighted individuals could be more vulnerable to computer stress than in normal eyes.
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| SOURCE: Reuters. Nov 15, 2004. |
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