Author: Andre Broussard, D.C.
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Spinal Manipulation vs. Nerve Root Injections
When comparing how patients with MRI confirmed herniated discs with nerve root impingement improved after spinal manipulation and nerve root injections, they found that there were no significant differences in outcomes between nerve root injections and spinal manipulation therapy. When considering direct procedure costs, the average cost of spinal manipulation was slightly less expensive. ~Dr. Broussard…
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – What Makes My Hands Numb?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) sufferers frequently report a cluster of symptoms, but almost all have one symptom in common – numbness, usually in digits 2-4 on palm-side of the hand. CTS is usually attributed to an over-use type of injury such as repetitive work including (but not limited to): typing, assembly work, packaging jobs, machine…
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Fibromyalgia and the Importance of Diet
Fibromyalgia (FM) management involves many treatment approaches. As was pointed out last month, the importance of sleep quality, hormonal balance, infection management, nutritional supplementation, exercise and more was discussed as the “SHINE” approach. This month, we are going to explore how important diet is in the management of FM. It’s been said that one of…
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Does Neck Surgery Improve Long-Term Outcomes?
How many times have you heard, “I have a pinched nerve in my neck and have to have surgery.” Though there certainly are cases where surgical intervention is required, surgery should ONLY be considered after ALL non-surgical treatment approaches have been tried first (and failed). It is alarming how many cases of cervical radiculopathy (i.e.,…
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Whiplash “Anatomy”
To better understand Whiplash, let’s take a look at the anatomy and what is actually injured in a whiplash injury. Our spine is basically a long chain made up of blocks that are larger at the bottom and smaller at the top. This means the low back vertebra are huge compared to the neck vertebrae.…
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Why not everyone with low back pain chooses chiropractic care
J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2013 Mar; 57(1): 6–9. PMCID: PMC3580998 Simon Dagenais, DC, PhD, MSc Introduction It has been estimated that low back pain (LBP) will affect 84% of the general adult population at some point in their life, with 49% reporting some LBP in the previous 6 months, 23% suffering from chronic LBP, and…
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – 13 Fun Facts!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) results in numbness, tingling, and sometimes weak grip strength due pinching of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. There are many conditions that are similar to CTS, many of which we have discussed in the past. The following is a list of “13 fun…
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Fibromyalgia and “SHINE”
Fibromyalgia (FM) management can be as difficult as making a definitive diagnosis. FM is characterized by generalized body aches and feeling exhausted, and yet, in spite of the exhaustion, the inability to sleep is a “classic” FM complaint. Some have referred to FM as “blowing a fuse” or as an “energy crisis,” as more energy…
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Cervical Traction – The Many Options and How To Use It!
Last month, we looked at the published evidence that overwhelmingly supports the use of cervical traction. As promised, this month’s focus is the proper methods of applying it. The type of traction that this discussion will address will be limited to the kind that can be purchased and then used in the home, usually multiple…
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Whiplash Facts
“Whiplash” is considered a non-medical term that encompasses a range of injuries. These injuries typically affect the neck and are caused by a sudden movement of the neck associated with extension or forceful backward bending. The medical term “cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD) is considered to be a more accurate description of what happens during a car…