What are Primitive Reflexes?
Babies in the womb and newborns do not have a fully developed ability to make decisions. Several reflexes develop to help a baby to grow properly and safely. Reflexes help in the birthing process, with breastfeeding and gripping onto things. Examples of these reflexes include Moro, Juvenile Suck, Rooting, Palmar, Asymmetrical Tonic Neck, Spinal Galant and few more….
 
What is Retained Neonatal Reflexes (RNR)?
As a baby matures and grows, these reflexes are no longer needed. They should take a “back seat” as higher order brain control takes control. Those reflexes should “go away” as the baby grows at certain age. However, issues such as birth trauma and various factors that lead to developmental restrictions can cause those reflexes to remain dominant. Consequently, the nervous system will automatically react inappropriately and undesirably in certain situations.
Signs of RNR?
There are many signs of RNR. Some are “soft”, some are “hard”, many are often overlooked because perhaps it’s just “part of life” or “part of growing up” or “that’s just how he/she is”. Below are some of the signs of RNR:

• Poor Coordination
• Low Gross and Fine Motor Skill
• Chronic neck/shoulder pain
• Poor balance
• Temper Tantrums
• Anxiousness / Separation anxiety
• Hyperactive / Easily distracted
• Impulsive
• Speech/Articulation problems
• Poor concentration / Lack of retention
• Chewing on objects
• Poor bladder control
• Inability to sit still
• Just to name a few….

 
What can be done about it?
Chiropractic care helps in regulating the nervous system by promoting balance, ensuring the system to not be “overactive” or “underactive”. It removes signal interference for the brain and body to communicate appropriately which can affect coordination and motor functions. Specific RNR techniques and exercises can also be applied to integrate RNR. If you are curious about RNR on whether or not it is affecting your kids and perhaps even you! Book in a consult with us!

​
Reference:

• Walker, S – Retained Neonatal Reflexes: A revolutionary approach to treating children with learning difficulties and behavioural problems. Booklet. 

Headache disorders in 2019 ranked 14th among global causes of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) counting all ages and all genders.(1) The World Health Organization reported headache disorders are among the most common disorders of the nervous system and many of these don’t get diagnosed appropriately.(2) Clinically, people who have acute headache often get a better outcome versus people who have chronic headache. The better outcome is believed to be a result of early intervention.
 
More known causes of headache include stress, infection, trauma and injuries. Headache is common after concussion; especially headaches experienced post car accident or injuries in contact sport. Furthermore, abnormal muscle tension around the head and neck region could be to blame. Headache can often be a result from bad posture, prolonged period of inactivity or an inappropriate fit of your pillow. Spinal manipulation including chiropractic care is recommended in migraine sufferers’ and in cases where headaches are originated from the cervical (neck) region.(3)
 
There are some lesser known causes of chronic headaches we often see in practice. We know identifying the cause of a headache is the foundation to a resolution! These are 3 tips that not many people think that can contribute to headaches.
 
1. Dehydration
With less water intake, the concentration of toxins (metabolic waste) within our body goes up, think about alcohol consumption! This can create general hypertonicity (high tone) in human body and sometimes leads to headaches.
 
2. Lack of sleep
A study in 2011 suggested lack of sleep is linked to more painful headaches due to the decrease in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.(4) REM sleep is believed to be helpful in long term memories, learning and mood regulation. This study found lack of sleep increase the chronic inflammation, reducing pain threshold; especially for headache.
 
3. Vitamin B2
​Vitamin B group plays an important role in supporting a healthy nervous system. Gut bacteria can produce a small amount of Vitamin B2 but far from enough for a suggested daily intake. As the human body doesn’t store vitamins, dietary intake becomes the main source for our body. In a recent systematic review, supplementation of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is found to significantly reduce migraine days, duration and pain intensity.(5)
 
These are great tips to stay away from headaches, there are many more reasons that can cause a headache, some can be life threatening. Newly developed headache should be taken seriously and it is recommended to consult your health professional/s. If you or your loved ones experience chronic headache, give us a call and see how we can help manage your concerns!

Reference

1.         Steiner T, Stovner L, Jensen R, Uluduz D, Katsarava Z. Migraine remains second among the world’s causes of disability, and first among young women: findings from GBD2019. BioMed Central; 2020. p. 1-4.
2.         Organisation WH. Headache Disorder 2016 [updated 8 April 2016. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders.
3.         Bryans R, Descarreaux M, Duranleau M, Marcoux H, Potter B, Ruegg R, et al. Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2011;34(5):274-89.
4.         Durham P, Garrrett F, Hawkins J, Hayden J, Campos J. REM sleep deprivation promotes sustained levels of proteins implicated in peripheral and central sensitization of trigeminal nerves: role in pain chronification. The Journal of Pain. 2011;12(4):P31.
5.         Chen Y-S, Lee H-F, Tsai C-H, Hsu Y-Y, Fang C-J, Chen C-J, et al. Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutritional Neuroscience. 2021:1-12.

​There is mounting evidence for the positive effect of chiropractic adjustments to shift your autonomic system which may help you manage stress and boost your mood.
 
Chiropractic care has been shown to have an impact on our autonomic nervous system comprising of both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  These systems are vital for regulating normal function of our bodies including our stress response to external stimuli. Interestingly, parasympathetic stimulation is also considered an effective therapy for major depression as it releases various chemicals and hormones such as neurotrophins which are essential for anti-depressive therapies, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor.(1)
 
Many studies have explored chiropractic cranial and vertebral adjustments, and spinal manipulative therapy in relation to autonomic functions. The parasympathetic nervous system arises from the cell bodies of cranial nerves III, VII, IX, X, and XI in the brainstem and from the second, third, and fourth sacral segments of the spinal cord. The cell bodies of the sympathetic fibers are in the lateral horns of the spinal cord of segments T1 through L2.(2)
The parasympathetic nervous system is related to the upper cervical region, so a cervical manipulation or adjustment results in a parasympathetic response (lowering of heart beat, reduction of blood pressure, pupil constriction), whereas manual adjustment of spinal regions with significant sympathetic innervation, i.e. the upper thoracic and lumbar regions, produces a sympathetic response (heart beat stimulation, blood pressure increase, pupil dilation).(1)
Several studies have been done observing the change in the autonomic nervous system after an adjustment by measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) before and after manipulation showing a clear shift to parasympathetic predominance due to the change in HRV values post adjustment.(3)
In a different study, Diastolic pressure was observed (indicating a sympathetic response) which dropped significantly post-adjustment among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a moderate clinical effect (0.50). Pulse pressure increased significantly among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a large effect size (0.82), suggesting that cervical adjustments may result in parasympathetic responses, whereas thoracic adjustments result in sympathetic responses.(2)
More research is needed in this area- however these early findings are exciting! If you or you know anyone who is interested in this give us a call for a consult!
 
References
1.         Kiani AK, Maltese PE, Dautaj A, Paolacci S, Kurti D, Picotti PM, et al. Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression. Acta Biomed. 2020;91(13-s):e2020006.
2.         Welch A, Boone R. Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to specific diversified adjustments to chiropractic vertebral subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine. Journal of chiropractic medicine. 2008;7(3):86-93.
3.         Roy RA, Boucher JP, Comtois AS. Heart rate variability modulation after manipulation in pain-free patients vs patients in pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2009;32(4):277-86.
 

​Ankle pain can be commonly related to back issues due to our body’s compensatory mechanisms, it also of course may be a result of injury. A common diagnosis of ankle pain is Achilles’ tendinopathy which is located at the back of your foot. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, and serves as the conjoined tendon for the calve muscles consisting of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.(1)
 
Causes are multi-factorial, with both extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors likely contributing. Extrinsic risk factors include training errors, increased training volume or physical activity, environmental variables or improper footwear. Intrinsic risk factors to consider include abnormal ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, abnormal subtalar joint range of motion, decreased ankle plantar flexion strength, increased foot pronation, increasing age, and genetic factors. Co-morbidities of obesity, hypertension, hypercholesteremia, and diabetes can also contribute, and the presence of systemic inflammatory disease.(2)
 
In a recent study completed this year, the application of lumbar spine manipulation may help manage improvements in Achilles’ tendinopathy. Improvement in all outcome measures was noted 6-months post intervention. Outcome measures indicated substantial improvements in both the patient's pain and disability. The patient was able to perform activities of daily living without difficulties, suggesting higher level of function and quality of life at 6-months post initial evaluation.(3)
 
Beyond strictly manipulating a location of dysfunction, it was believed that improving lumbar mobility would improve gait mechanics by decreasing compensation. The patient was able to perform more heel raises with less pain reported, and with improved pain values noted at the Achilles tendon.
 
Joint mobilization and manipulation were utilized in addition to eccentric exercise, with immediate improvements in symptoms and function noted, which were maintained at discharge (12 weeks) and follow-up (nine months). Healing may take several months in chronic conditions and may partially be due to the lack of vascularity to the tendon. Initial conservative treatment measures should begin with relative rest and activity modification to provide pain relief and time for the tendon to heal.(2)
 
According to recent literature Chiropractic mamangement appears to be a safe and effective intervention in the rehabilitation of chronic tendinopathic dysfunction.(1)
 
If you would also like to talk about in shoe foot support have a chat to one of our Doctors of Chiropractic.
 
 
REFERENCES
1.         Jayaseelan DJ, Kecman M, Alcorn D, Sault JD. Manual therapy and eccentric exercise in the management of Achilles tendinopathy. J Man Manip Ther. 2017;25(2):106-14.
2.         Papa JA. Conservative management of Achilles Tendinopathy: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012;56(3):216-24.
3.         Savva C, Kleitou M, Efstathiou M, Korakakis V, Stasinopoulos D, Karayiannis C. The effect of lumbar spine manipulation on pain and disability in Achilles tendinopathy. A case report. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies. 2021;26:214-9.

​In the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle, building muscle strength is often hailed for its aesthetic benefits and the boost it provides to overall fitness. However, an equally crucial yet sometimes overlooked advantage of stronger muscles is their role in injury prevention. Whether you're an athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone simply looking to enhance your physical well-being, understanding how muscle strength can shield you from injuries is key to a sustainable fitness journey.
 
Strong muscles contribute significantly to joint stability. When muscles around a joint are well-developed, they provide better support, reducing the risk of sprains and dislocations. For instance, strong quadriceps and hamstrings help stabilise the knee, which is vital for everyone.
 
Stronger muscles contribute to better body mechanics and movement patterns. This means that with enhanced muscle strength, you're less likely to perform movements incorrectly or inefficiently, which is a common cause of injury.
 
Building muscle strength also improves neuromuscular coordination and balance. Strong muscles and a well-tuned neuromuscular system allow for more precise and controlled movements. This is particularly beneficial in preventing falls and related injuries, which are a major concern, especially as we age.
 
In the unfortunate event of an injury, having a strong muscular foundation can significantly speed up the recovery process. Muscles that are in good condition tend to heal more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, strong muscles around an injured area can help compensate for temporary weakness or instability during the rehabilitation period.
 
Chiropractic impact on muscle strength
 
A randomise controlled trial in 2020 has investigated whether chiropractic care influences strength, balance, and/or endurance in active-duty United States military personnel with low back pain.(1) The result was rather predictable. The mean maximum pulling strength in the chiropractic group increased by 5.08 kgs and decreased by 7.43 kgs in the wait-list control group. The chiropractic group also showed significant improvement in core muscles endurance and better balance with eyes closed compared to the control group.
 
Another randomised clinical trial looked at hand grip strength in national level Judo athletes pre and post adjustments, the difference in hand grip strength after adjustment are up to 17% improvement after 3 treatments.(2)
 
 
Practical Tips for Building Muscle Strength
 
To reap the injury-prevention benefits of stronger muscles, incorporating strength training into your regular fitness routine is essential. Here are a few practical tips:
 
1. Consistency is Key: Engage in strength training exercises at least two to three times per week.
2. Balanced Approach: Focus on building strength in all major muscle groups to ensure balanced support across your body.
3. Proper Form: Always prioritise proper form and technique to maximise effectiveness and reduce injury risk during workouts.
4. Rest and Recovery: Allow adequate time for muscles to recover between sessions to prevent overtraining and injury.
5. See your Chiropractor: Your Chiropractor can often treat and help manage your injuries, as well as help mmanage your nervous system to be healthy and in tune.
 
By understanding and leveraging the protective benefits of stronger muscles, you can enhance your athletic performance, maintain an active lifestyle, and most importantly, keep injuries at bay. If you are interested in how chiropractic care could help improve your overall well-being and injury prevention, talk to one of our chiropractors for more information and tips!

Reference

1.         Vining R, Long CR, Minkalis A, Gudavalli MR, Xia T, Walter J, et al. Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty US Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2020;26(7):592-601.
2.         Botelho MB, Andrade BB. Effect of cervical spine manipulative therapy on judo athletes' grip strength. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics. 2012;35(1):38-44.

Including but not limited to prozac, zoloft, celexa, lexapro …

​Did you know that 10-20% of women will present with a major depressive disorder during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period and 5 to 13% of these women will be treated with an SSRI.

Through research, SSRIs have been shown to cross the placenta. Especially during the 3rd trimester which leads to an increased risk in SSRI withdrawal like syndrome in the newborn. The symptoms are as follows:

• Temperature instability
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Poor suck
• Poor feeding
• Hypertonia
• Respiratory distress
• Seizures
• Sleep disturbances
• Increased tremulousness
• Exaggerated startle reflex (which we know as the moro reflex)
• Persisting tremors 6-40 months of age
• Reduced range of state of less than half (asleep or awake - sluggish)
• Increased motor activity during sleep
• Greater autonomic dysregulation

Exposure to SSRI in pregnancy has been associated with

• Miscarriage
• Premature delivery
• Neonatal complications
• Birth defects- specifically autism spectrum disorders
• Significant association with fetal brain development

So what can you do?
Its important you weigh up all options and research yourself to understand the risks. However sometimes you have to do what you need to do, because the other option could be worse for you. If you must use these during pregnancy then pregnant women exposed to any SSRI in early pregnancy can ask to be offered options through regular ultrasound examination and fetal echocardiography to detect the presence of birth defects.
At Sprouting Health we all practice using Neuro Emotional technique which can help make manage your stress physiology. We are here to help you at any step in your journey of pregnancy and life. Please talk to the team about this if it interests you.


References:
Alwan, S., Friedman, J. M., & Chambers, C. (2016). Safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Pregnancy: A Review of
Current Evidence. CNS drugs, 30(6), 499–515. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-016-0338-3
Lugo-Candelas, C., Cha, J., Hong, S., Bastidas, V., Weissman, M., Fifer, W. P., Myers, M., Talati, A., Bansal, R., Peterson, B. S., Monk, C., Gingrich, J. A., & Posner, J. (2018). Associations Between Brain Structure and Connectivity in Infants and Exposure to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors During Pregnancy. JAMA pediatrics, 172(6), 525–533.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5227

​Bruxism, also referred to as teeth clenching and grinding affects both children and adult populations worldwide. This can lead to a range of dental and general health problems when left untreated. To understand bruxism, it can be defined as the involuntary grinding, clenching, or gnashing of the teeth often occurring during sleep (nocturnal bruxism).
Symptoms of bruxism can include:

• Headaches
• Jaw pain and discomfort
• Tooth sensitivity
• Worn teeth.
• Facial pain
• Earaches
• Sleeping disturbances.

Can Chiropractic Care help with Bruxism?:

• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction: According to a review of literature by the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation in 2018, it was found that chiropractic care can be effective in managing TMJ dysfunction and issues. As TMJ issues are closely related to bruxism, in addressing this dysfunction through chiropractic adjustments this may contribute to a reduction in teeth grinding [1].
• Nervous System and Bruxism: The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2020 published information indicating that chiropractic care was shown to enhance nervous system function which was associated with a decrease in the occurrence of bruxism episodes for their study participants [2].
• Muscle Tension and Posture: The journal of Oral Rehabilitation in 2016 investigated the association of posture, muscle tension and bruxism; revealing chiropractic adjustments targeting the neck and spine improved posture and reduced muscle tension. This subsequently led to a reduction in bruxism symptoms to study participants [3].  

As chiropractors we use a number of techniques uniquely tailored to the individual patient to treat bruxism and TMJ dysfunctions including adjustments, soft tissue therapies, exercises, and rehabilitation. Chiropractic care can be considered a valuable complementary conservative therapy to traditional dental treatments. Consult one of our Chiropractors today to see if we can assist in providing relief from the pains of bruxism.
References:

1. DeVocht, J. W., Goertz, C. M., Hondras, M. A., Long, C. R., Schaeffer, W., and Thomann, L. (2018). A Systematic Review of Nomenclature in the Spine Journal Literature. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 45(4), 347-360
2. Lauro, A., Mouch, B. (2020). Chiropractic Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Retrospective Case Series. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 19(2), 71-76
3. Lui, J. K., and Chow, D. H. (2016). The Effect of Chiropractic Treatment on Students with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 43(12), 895-902

 
 

​We are often asked - “what is it that you do and how can it help me?”.
We use Applied Kinesiology (AK). Applied kinesiology is the study of muscles and the relationship of muscle strength to health. It incorporates a system of manual muscle testing and therapy. AK is based on the theory that body dysfunction is accompanied by a set or pattern of specific muscle findings.
When you visit Sprouting Health we efficiently test 80 individual muscles, look over your set of unique symptoms and then formulate a healing plan using both Eastern and Western medicine modalities.
For example, from gentle basic body muscle tests and your history we can usually investigate why a particular soreness or symptom may be present.
Eg. If you have a sore elbow or neck, we examine nerve supply and muscles around that specific area. These muscles may be malfunctioning, that is they may be over tight or they may be weak. This will cause the joint to become imbalanced and lead to wear and tear and hence ultimately cause pain.
If more complicated patterns or history present, we might then order a blood test or a urine sample to help us further investigate. We might then use chiropractic care, acupuncture systems, soft tissue therapies, or stress relieving techniques to help you, all based on information from the tests we get.  We do not confine our practice to one form of therapy, we are directed by your unique set of symptoms and findings from our thorough investigation.
We also work with other health practitioners if required to help you achieve your Best Life Possible!
If you would like help with a niggling injury or you are not satisfied with the results you are getting contact us here at Sprouting health and we would love to see if we can help you. It’s our passion!

​Some people are worried about seeing a chiropractor because they think that chiropractic adjustments might be harmful or dangerous. However, the research relating to chiropractic care shows us that it is remarkably safe1, especially compared to a lot of other healthcare interventions and it’s effective2 and it’s associated with high levels of patient satisfaction.3
Virtually all forms of healthcare are associated with some risk.5 With the sort of manual or ‘hands-on’ procedures that chiropractors use in everyday practice, it’s logical that there is at least some risk that on rare occasions some people may suffer from an adverse event after seeing their chiropractor.
A number of researchers have reviewed all the published literature relating to the safety of chiropractic care.6-8 According to these reviews, serious adverse events are very rare and most of the time the scientists weren’t sure if the chiropractic care actually caused the event or not.6-8
 
“Chiropractic care has an enviable safety record compared to most other healthcare interventions.1,4. “
 
What is more common with chiropractic care is that some people can feel a bit stiff and sore after they’ve been adjusted, but this usually goes away by itself.1, 6, 7
So, according to the best reviews of all the science literature on this topic, we know that being seriously hurt from seeing your chiropractor is extremely rare.4, 8, 9 In fact, the statistics tell us that you are about 10 times more likely to be seriously injured driving to and from your chiropractor’s office than you are from being seriously injured while seeing your chiropractor.10 
Stroke Research Study
Despite all of these studies showing how rare adverse events are with chiropractic care, there are still some people who are worried a chiropractic adjustment could cause a stroke. This has also been studied very carefully.8, 11 In two separate studies researchers looked at extremely large patient databases from insurance plans in Canada and America and compared over 2600 patients who had actually suffered from a stroke involving arteries in their neck and they compared them to people who hadn’t had a stroke.8, 11 They looked to see whether the people who had suffered a stroke were more likely to have seen a chiropractor or a medical doctor before suffering from the stroke.
What they found was that people who had suffered from one of these strokes were no more likely to have seen a chiropractor than a medical doctor before the stroke occurred. In some groups, they were actually more likely to have visited a medical doctor than a chiropractor before the stroke.
What does this mean?
These studies suggest that patients who suffer from a stroke after seeing a chiropractor probably went to see the chiropractor because they had neck pain or headaches that had been caused by the early stages of the blood vessel damage that ultimately caused the stroke. So, the stroke had already started before they went to see the chiropractor. It also means that there is no greater risk of suffering from a stroke if you choose to visit a chiropractor compared to the risks of visiting a medical doctor.
So, if you or someone you know is worried about seeing a chiropractor, you can rest assured that chiropractic care is associated with very low risk of causing serious harm.6, 7 The risks are so rare that they cannot accurately be estimated,5, 11 and of the risk estimates that have been made, most suggest that serious adverse events associated with chiropractic care happen perhaps every several hundred thousand visits.5, 6 Like any healthcare intervention, some  adverse  events do of course occur with chiropractic care5, 6 and these adverse events are generally minor and go away by themselves5, 6 and don’t take away from the high levels of patient satisfaction associated with chiropractic care.3 
So, despite what some people think, chiropractic has an enviable safety record and you can rest assured that if you go see your chiropractor, you’re in safe hands.
If you have any further questions make sure to talk to one of our Drs (DC) at Sprouting Health Chiropractic and Kinesiology.
 
References
 

1. Rubinstein SM. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2008;31(6):461-4.
2. Coulter ID, et al. Spine J 2018;18(5):866-79.
3. Gaumer G. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006;29(6):455-62.
4. Rafter N, et al. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians 2014.
5. Jevne J, et al. Chiropr Man Therap 2014;22(1):37.
6. Gouveia LO, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2009;34(11):E405-13.
7. Thiel HW, et al. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2007;32(21):2375-8; discussion 79.
8. Cassidy JD, et al. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2009;32(2, Supplement 1):S201-S08.
9. Makary MA, Daniel M. Bmj 2016;353:i2139.
10. Administration NHTS. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013

 

Spine-related musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work (1). Do you or a loved one experience spine-related musculoskeletal pain? This is an important article that can make the world of difference to you.
 
“As of 2016, health care costs for care related to spinal pain, was estimated at $134.5 billion” (2)
 
Most cases of spine-related musculoskeletal pain can be effectively managed with conservative non-pharmacological and non-invasive approaches, including chiropractic and physical therapists. In the US chiropractic care is one of the most utilized approaches to the treatment of spine-related musculoskeletal pain (3). However, frequently a patient’s course of care is unnecessarily escalated by use of more invasive, hazardous and/or costly procedures which may include surgery, interventional pain medicine techniques and prescription of pharmaceuticals (4). If not taken care of promptly, these issues could become reoccurring and/or chronic and would take longer to resolve or having to result in more invasive procedures.

In recent research literature, a systematic review was done with economic studies, randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Of 2256 citations, 93 articles were screened and 44 studies were included in this review. It was found that spinal pain patients who consulted a chiropractor as their initial provider incurred substantially decreased downstream healthcare services and associated costs compared with medical management (5). Further investigations and studies would help substantiate these findings, but there are positive indications of chiropractic and the management of spine-related musculoskeletal pain being cost efficient and effective.
 
So if you want to find out if chiropractic care may help manage spine-related musculoskeletal pain for you or your loved ones, have a chat with one of our chiropractors to see how they can assist.
 
“With healthcare costs on the rise, it is important to look towards more cost efficient and effective approaches to your health”
 
 
 
1. Global Burden of Disease 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators. Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Lancet (London, England). 2020;396(10258):1204–22.
2. Dieleman JL, Cao J, Chapin A, Chen C, Li Z, Liu A, et al. US health care spending by payer and health condition, 1996–2016. JAMA. 2020;323(9):863–84.
3. Clarke TC, Barnes PM, Black LI, Stussman BJ, Nahin RL. Use of yoga, meditation, and chiropractors among U.S. adults aged 18 and over. NCHS Data Brief. 2018;325:1–8.
4. Whedon JM, Kizhakkeveettil A, Toler AW, Bezdjian S, Rossi D, Uptmor S, et al. Initial choice of spinal manipulation reduces escalation of care for chronic low back pain among older medicare beneficiaries. Spine. 2022;47(4):E142–8.
5. Farabaugh, R., Hawk, C., Taylor, D., Daniels, C., Noll, C., Schneider, M., McGowan, J., Whalen, W., Wilcox, R., Sarnat, R. and Suiter, L., 2024. Cost of chiropractic versus medical management of adults with spine-related musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 32(1), p.8.