Author: Andre Broussard, D.C.
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Neck Pain: Manipulation vs. Mobilization – What’s Better?
Does mobilization (MOB) get less, the same, or better results when compared to spinal manipulative therapy (SMT)? To answer this question, let’s first discuss the difference between the two treatment approaches. Mobilization (MOB) of the spine can be “technically” defined as a “low velocity, low amplitude” force applied to the tissues of the cervical spine…
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Whiplash: Where’s the Pain Coming From?
Whiplash commonly occurs as a result of a motor vehicle collision when, typically, there is hyper-motion in one direction followed by motion in the opposite direction in a “crack the whip” like manner. The direction of the strike typically dictates the direction of movement of the head so in a rear end collision, the strike…
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Is Spinal Manipulation an Effective Treatment for Low Back Pain?
Yes: Evidence Shows Benefit in Most Patients JAMES J. ARNOLD, DO, and SHANNON R. EHLERINGER, DO, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, California Am Fam Physician. 2012 Apr 15;85(8):756-758. This is one in a series of pro/con editorials discussing controversial issues in family medicine. Manual manipulation of the spine has been used by clinicians for thousands…
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Neck Pain: Manipulation vs. Other Treatments?
Mechanical neck pain affects an estimated 70% of people at some point in their lives. Many different treatment approaches are available for neck pain, making it very difficult for those suffering from neck pain to know which treatment approach(es) to choose. Research in this topic has revealed some very interesting information that places chiropractic and…
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Fibromyalgia: What Resources are Available?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition that impacts its victims in every aspect of their lives. The day has to be planned around how one might feel at certain times of the day and is always in the foreground of a FM victim’s mind. Many patients who present for treatment of FM ask us about…
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic Management
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by pinching of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel in the wrist resulting numbness, tingling, and sometimes pain into the hand affecting the index, 3rd, and thumb-side of the 4th finger. Grip strength weakness may occur (usually later in the process), making dropping of items and fine motor…
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Neck Pain & Headaches & The “Power of Placebo”
We have all heard about the “placebo effect” and the “power of positive thinking.” A placebo, according to Wikipedia, is “…a simulated or otherwise medically ineffectual treatment for a disease or other medical condition intended to deceive the recipient.” When a placebo is used, it will sometimes have a perceived beneficial effect. When this occurs,…
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Fibromyalgia: The Challenge of Treatment
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder involving chronic pain that has no known cause. It is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbance, fatigue and mood disorders. FM affects about 2% of the US population and ranges between 1% and 11% in other countries. It is more prevalent in adult women than men (3.4% vs. 0.5%)…
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Inversion Therapy For Disc Disease
In an article published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation, the authors compared patients with back pain due to disc disease that had physical therapy only, and physical therapy PLUS INVERSION therapy. The found that the patients that had PT PLUS INVERSION had less need for back surgery than the patients that had physical therapy…
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Sleeping
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and noticed your hand sleeping to the point where you had to get out of bed and shake or flick your fingers to alleviate the numbness? If the numbness was primarily on the thumb-side half of your hand, it may have been carpal tunnel…