Feature Articles:
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• Less Pain and Disability, Higher Patient Satisfaction •
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In a recent study comparing low back pain patients who received either chiropractic care or traditional medical care, those receiving chiropractic care faired better in a number of areas. In fact, those who received chiropractic care for their acute and chronic low back pain, “experienced better outcomes in pain, functional disability, and patient satisfaction.” Researchers also stated, “Chiropractic care appeared relatively cost-effective for the treatment of chronic LBP.”
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| SOURCE: JMPT. October 2005; Vol. 28, No. 8 |
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• Incidence and Course of Low Back Pain •
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A study recently published in Spine examined the typical course and incidence rates of low back pain (lbp) in the general population over a 6 and 12-month period. Their findings revealed the following:
- 19 percent were experiencing an episode of lbp
- Most lbp episodes were mild
- 1 percent developed intense lbp
- 0.4 percent developed disabling lbp
- 40 percent of lbp episodes persisted
- 14 percent had an increased severity of their lbp
- 36 percent had improvement of their lbp
- 27 percent had a resolution of their lbp
- Of those who recovered, 29 percent had a recurrence of lbp within 6 months
- Lbp episodes tended to be more recurrent and persistent in older adults
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| SOURCE: Spine. 30(24) - December 15, 2005. |
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• Eat Fish, Stay Smarter Longer •
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According to the experts, eating fish can keep your mentally sharp. In a recent study, researchers found elderly people who eat fish at least once per week had the mental functioning of a person three years younger than their chronological age. Those eating fish twice or more weekly functioned at four years their younger. Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids, one of which is DHA. DHA is essential for brain development early in life and may be beneficial later in life as well. However, a separate analysis of omega-3 fatty acid consumption did not find it affected cognitive function. Researchers felt this could have been because their information may not have been precise enough. The researchers have since launched another study to look specifically at the effect of these nutrients on mental function. In any event, the findings do suggest eating fish protects the brain, either through its own fatty acid content or by knocking foods high in saturated fat, like red meat, off the menu.
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| SOURCE: Archives of Neurology, December 2005. |
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• Blink, Don’t Squint •
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According to Ohio State University researchers, those who squint their eyes, blink their eyelids less than normal; from around 15 blinks per minute to 7.5. Squinting is common during computer use and reading as it allows things to become visually clearer and reduce any glare. However, squinting results in less blinking that can cause the eyes to dry, resulting in aching, burning, stinging eye symptoms. A good idea is to rest your eyes often and to consider increasing your monitor size, or, reducing your monitor resolution settings which in turn increases the size of fonts and images on your computer screen making you less likely to squint and thus, less likely to suffer from aching, burning, stinging eyes.
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| SOURCE: Reuters. December 2005. |
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