Let’s talk about the latest research on low back pain, posture awareness month, the benefits of dark chocolate, and the importance of stretching the psoas muscle,
The Lancet Defines Low Back Pain and Calls for Effective Care in Brand-New Three-Part Series
San Jose, Calif. – March 23, 2018 – This week, The Lancet, a peer-reviewed medical journal, published a three-part series on low back pain, which addresses the associated ailment, the disability caused by low back pain and provides call-to-actions to meet the challenges associated with the prevention and management of low back pain. The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about the value of chiropractic care, notes that Good Morning America – the most watched morning show for most of 2017– referred to The Lancet’s series as the Magnum Opus of low back pain, and referenced spinal manipulation as a recommended approach to manage low back pain.
“Ninety-four percent of spinal manipulations in the U.S. are performed by a doctor of chiropractic,” shares Sherry McAllister, DC, executive vice president, F4CP, who notes that chiropractic care is proven to yield improved clinical outcomes, reduced costs and high patient satisfaction. “With approximately 80 percent of the population bound to experience back pain at some point in their lives, the Foundation commends The Lancet for publishing a series that accurately communicates the education and action items necessary to establish more effective, patient-centered care, which may include spinal manipulation, surrounding low back pain to a global audience.”
Key findings from each of the three papers published in The Lancet:
-
What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention
- Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and is common among individuals of all ages, demographics and socio-economic statuses. The burden of low back pain must be addressed through amplified research and global initiatives.
- Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions
- Potential solutions to effectively manage low back pain may include but are not limited to focused strategies that can implement best practice, the redesign of clinical pathways, integrated health and occupational interventions to reduce work disability, changes in compensation and disability claims policies, and public health and prevention strategies.
- Low back pain: a call for action
- One call to action encourages the promotion of living well with low back pain through enhanced, patient-centered care which focuses on self-management and healthy lifestyles as a means of restoring and maintaining function and high-quality of life.
Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) receive a minimum of seven years of higher education and are specifically trained to diagnose, evaluate and provide non-pharmaceutical care and rehabilitation to individuals suffering from acute and chronic back, low back and neck pain, headaches, neuro-musculoskeletal conditions and general health and wellness. Dr. McAllister continues, “With the number of individuals effected worldwide by low back pain, The Lancet’s new published series should spark an interest among providers across all disciplines to collaborate and provide patients with the safest, most effective care for the management of low back pain.”
MAY IS POSTURE AWARENESS MONTH
You can’t get around it; people notice your clothes and your posture, which are a major influence on what image you portray to others. While you can always improve both, your posture isn’t just about looking good, but about reducing physical stress and improving your health. Correct posture is any position in which minimum stress is placed on each joint. Faulty posture is any position that increases stress on joints.
You waste energy and increase stress on your body when you sit slouched over the computer; when you stand with your knees locked and when you walk and text at the same time. Guess who’s watching you? Your children. They imitate the way you sit and move, and it has translated into a dramatic increase of pain in adolescents. In the 2015 European Spine Journal article Association between home posture and LBP in high school adolescents, the study found that the prevalence of low back pain in adolescents was now equal to that of adults, and if LBP starts in adolescence, there is a four-fold increase in risk of developing LBP as an adult.
Additional studies have found that 23 to 51% of today’s children suffer from headaches, 14 to 24% suffer from low back pain, and 4 to 40% suffer musculoskeletal pain, depending upon the region. Worldwide, new ailments like text claw, cell phone elbow and text neck are now troubling both children and adults. It is imperative that you commit to making small and simple changes to your present habits with sitting, standing and walking and improve the postural influence that will keep you healthy and young-looking for all of your life. For help and advice, consult your local chiropractor.
NUTRITION
New studies show dark chocolate consumption reduces stress and inflammation, while improving memory, immunity and mood.
LOMA LINDA, CA— April 24, 2018 —New research shows there might be health benefits to eating certain types of dark chocolate. Findings from two studies being presented today at the Experimental Biology 2018 annual meeting in San Diego show that consuming dark chocolate that has a high concentration of cacao (minimally 70% cacao, 30% organic cane sugar) has positive effects on stress levels, inflammation, mood, memory and immunity. While it is well known that cacao is a major source of flavonoids, this is the first time the effect has been studied in human subjects to determine how it can support cognitive, endocrine and cardiovascular health.
Lee S. Berk, DrPH, associate dean of research affairs, School of Allied Health Professions and a researcher in psychoneuroimmunology and food science from Loma Linda University, served as principal investigator on both studies.
“For years, we have looked at the influence of dark chocolate on neurological functions from the standpoint of sugar content – the more sugar, the happier we are,” Berk said. “This is the first time that we have looked at the impact of large amounts of cacao in doses as small as a regular-sized chocolate bar in humans over short or long periods of time, and are encouraged by the findings. These studies show us that the higher the concentration of cacao, the more positive the impact on cognition, memory, mood, immunity and other beneficial effects.”
The flavonoids found in cacao are extremely potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, with known mechanisms beneficial for brain and cardiovascular health. The following results will be presented in live poster sessions during the Experimental Biology 2018 meeting.
Dark Chocolate (70% Cacao) Effects Human Gene Expression: Cacao Regulates Cellular Immune Response, Neural Signaling, and Sensory Perception (Monday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., San Diego Convention Center, Exhibit Halls A – D)
• This pilot feasibility experimental trial examined the impact of 70 percent cacao chocolate consumption on human immune and dendritic cell gene expression, with focus on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Study findings show cacao consumption up-regulates multiple intracellular signaling pathways involved in T-cell activation, cellular immune response and genes involved in neural signaling and sensory perception – the latter potentially associated with the phenomena of brain hyperplasticity.
Dark Chocolate (70% Organic Cacao) Increases Acute and Chronic EEG Power Spectral Density (μv2) Response of Gamma Frequency (25-40Hz) for Brain Health: Enhancement of Neuroplasticity, Neural Synchrony, Cognitive Processing, Learning, Memory, Recall, and Mindfulness Meditation (Tuesday, April 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., San Diego Convention Center, Exhibit Halls A – D)
• This study assessed the electroencephalography (EEG) response to consuming 48 g of dark chocolate (70% cacao) after an acute period of time (30 mins) and after a chronic period of time (120 mins), on modulating brain frequencies 0-40Hz, specifically beneficial gamma frequency (25-40Hz). Findings show that this superfood of 70 percent cacao enhances neuroplasticity for behavioral and brain health benefits.
Berk said the studies require further investigation, specifically to determine the significance of these effects for immune cells and the brain in larger study populations. Further research is in progress to elaborate on the mechanisms that may be involved in the cause-and-effect brain-behavior relationship with cacao at this high concentration.
To support the scientific effort, I think we should all start eating 70% dark chocolate and see if it helps our mood and our memory.
EXERCISE FOR THE MONTH
The Lunge Stretch helps stretch your hip flexors, the psoas muscles, which attach to the front of your spine from L1 to L5, then cross over the pelvic bone and attach to the inside of your femur bone. This allows you to either bend forward at the waist or lift your leg up. The more you sit, either at your desk, in your car or at home on the couch, the tighter this muscle gets, so this muscle should be stretched every day at least once.
Stand with one leg in front and the other behind, bend the front knee to 90 degrees and feel a stretch in the front of the back leg. Hold this position for 20 – 30 seconds, then repeat with the other leg. If you feel a “burn” in the front of the leg, you’re doing it correctly.
STANDING DESKS – We represent Flexispot standing desks, and for a look at their full line of desks, please log on to: http://flexispot.refr.cc/yourhealthmyconcern You will receive a $10 discount on your order.
CBD OIL. As mentioned last month, we now have CBD oil, which can help reduce inflammation, anxiety, depression, seizures and improve gut health. Call or come in for more information, and you may try one dose first before committing to buying multiple doses. It appears to be working for a number of people on a variety of problems.
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Confucius
Mistakes are proof that you are trying. – Unknown
A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others. – Ayn Rand
Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinions drown out your inner voice. – Steve Jobs