Headache Relief
With Regular Chiropractic Care
Nobody likes headaches. They can strike with
little warning and cause debilitating pain -- especially cervicogenic
headaches (HA), which are defined as pain that originates in the cervical
spine, or neck area, and refers up to the head.
 Researchers
investigated the effect of chiropractic treatment on HA in 20 randomized
patients, specifically focusing on the relationship between the number of
chiropractic treatments and pain relief. Participants were assigned to one
of three treatment groups for comparison: Group one received a total of
three office visits, one visit per week, for chiropractic manipulation;
group two received a total of nine office visits, three visits per week, for
chiropractic manipulation; and group three received 12 total visits, four
visits per week.
Researchers discovered a correlation between
the number of chiropractic visits and positive outcome in headache patients.
"For HA pain, substantial differences were found between participants
receiving 1 treatment per week and those receiving either 3 or 4 treatments
per week," the researchers wrote. The researchers indicated that a larger
clinical trial testing the relationship of HA and chiropractic treatment is
warranted, and concluded that there are benefits to "9 to 12 [chiropractic]
visits over 3 weeks for the treatment of HA/neck pain and disability. A
larger number of visits than 12 in 3 weeks may be required for maximum
relief and durability of outcomes."
If you suffer from headaches, your doctor of
chiropractic can help. Make an appointment for a chiropractic evaluation
today.
Reference: Haas M, Groupp E, Aickin M,
et al. Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache
and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study. JMPT
2004;27(9):547-553.
Go Nuts for Your Health
Many people avoid eating peanuts and other
nuts because of their high fat content; however, a large body of evidence
also associates nut consumption with a reduced risk of coronary heart
disease (CHD).
Using data collected in a continuing food
survey from 1994-1996, researchers sorted respondents by "use" or "nonuse"
of peanuts. Data were based on a national sample of 14,262 men, women and
children who completed two-day food intake records. Differences between
peanut users/nonusers were analyzed relative to energy and nutrient intake,
health eating index (HEI) scores, and body mass index (BMI). Peanut
consumption included peanuts, peanut products, peanut butter, peanuts as
part of a sweet snack, peanuts as part of a savory snack, and peanuts or
peanut oil as ingredients in a meal.
 Respondents tended to
have generally good diets, with higher HEI scores among individuals
consuming peanuts than non-consumers. Results demonstrated improved diet
quality of peanuts users indicated by higher vitamin A, vitamin E, folate,
calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and dietary fiber intake, and lower intake of
saturated fat and cholesterol. Energy intake was significantly higher for
peanut users compared with nonusers, and BMI was lower in users compared
with nonusers.
Conclusion: "In summary, the results
of the present study have shown that peanuts and peanut products enhance the
nutrient profile of the diet," note the authors. "Moreover, inclusion of
this energy dense food can be done in a manner that does not result in
weight gain provided that energy intake does not exceed energy expended over
time. … Encouraging the use of peanuts and peanut butter, both popular and
familiar foods, gives additional options that may promote adherence to a
healthy diet that reduces risk of chronic disease."
So go nuts! And remember that peanuts are
relatively high in protein, which means that in addition to the health
benefits, they are a satisfying snack.
Reference: Griel AE, Eissenstat B,
Juturu V, et al. Improved diet quality with peanut consumption. Journal
of the American College of Nutrition 2004;23(6): 660-68.
Say "Yes" to Exercise,
"No" to Surgery for Shoulder Injury
Shoulder injuries are common and often
referred for treatment through surgical means. Researchers compared surgery
vs. exercise training in patients suffering from shoulder pain to determine
which has the more positive outcome. Shoulder pain in this study was defined
as rotator cuff disease and nerve impingement.
Eighty-four participants were randomized into
a surgical intervention group (41 patients) or physiotherapeutic exercise
group (43 patients). All patients were evaluated before intervention and
filled out a questionnaire regarding pain and impairment. The exercise group
received 19, 60-minute sessions consisting of the application of heat, cold
packs, or soft-tissue treatments, followed by muscle training and rotator
cuff strengthening exercises.
 Results: Both
groups were evaluated at three, six and 12 months. Pain was measured using
the Constant score totaling 100, which includes pain measured on a visual
analogue scale, as well as measures in daily activity limitations, range of
motion and shoulder strength. Before intervention, the exercise group
Constant score was 34.8, while the surgery group was 33.7. After
intervention, the exercise group Constant score improved to 54.8, 55.5, and
57.0 after three, six and 12 months, respectively, while the surgery group’s
scores were 49.2, 53.8 and 52.7. After one year, 20 participants (10 in each
group) reported a score of 80 or higher.
Although the researchers note some study
limitations, they ultimately concluded that they "are now more reluctant to
recommend surgery" for shoulder impingement.
Reference: Haahr JP, Østergaard S,
Dalsgaard J, et al. Exercises versus arthroscopic decompression in patients
with subacromial impingement: a randomised, controlled study in 90 cases
with a one year follow up. Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:760-764.
|
