Given that the diaphragm provides added anti-reflux capacity to the lower esophageal sphincter, chiropractic physicians should consider specific rehabilitative techniques to support abdominal respiration for a large subset of patients with GERD.
Neurophysiology of Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling
Here are the notes from my presentation about the neurophysiology of myofascial trigger point dry needling delivered during the 2016 ChiroAdvance Symposium. References: Probable Mechanisms of Needling Therapies for Myofascial Pain Control Dry needling — peripheral and central considerations Discrete changes in cortical activation during experimentally induced referred muscle pain: a single-trial fMRI study. Dry Needling Related […]
7 Step Movement Prep
The purpose of the 7 Step Movement Prep is to provide a quick, accurate, self-administered movement audit so athletes can prioritize their warm-up. There are thousands of mobilization techniques and activation drills. Athletes don’t need more drills, but rather need to know on which areas they should focus prior to training. Athletes don’t need to […]
The Best Treatment for Back Pain According to the Best Evidence
The vast majority of back pain is functional- meaning the pain is because the back is not functioning correctly. Accordingly, it makes since that back pain treatment strategies should focus on discovering and addressing the movement-related back pain from it not functioning properly. Unfortunately, many people with back pain are over diagnosed with a structural […]
Functional Assessment and Rehabilitation of the Cervical Spine
The majority of neck pain cases are due to a failure of the movement system. To effectively treat the pain, one must look outside of the neck to assess the function of the entire movement system. Professor Sahrmann’s first textbook regarding functional impairments explains the kinesiopathologic model rehabilitation. This model attributes degeneration, pain, and limited […]
The Art and Science of Treatment Selection
As one who treats the movement systems (neuromusculoskeletal), I have several tools at my disposal: joint mobilization, spine and joint manipulation, soft tissue manual therapy, stretching, stabilization exercises, instrument assisted soft tissue manipulation, kinesiotaping, athletic taping, dry needle therapy, ice massage, traction, corrective exercise, education, listening, and encouraging (to name a few). The problem is […]
3 Myths About Core Strengthening for Back Pain
About 20 years ago, the principle of core strengthening started to gain wide acceptance as a strategy for preventing injury and treating various musculoskeletal conditions, especially back pain. This grew out of research studies that demonstrated a change in the timing and firing pattern of various muscles between groups of people with and without back […]
How Chiropractic Therapy Can Prevent Injury and Improve Performance in CrossFit
Had a lot of fun talking with Mike and Doug- two excellent coaches and athletes in their own areas. Most readers know that CrossFit has exploded as a sport. The functional movements required of CrossFit leave no room for inefficiencies of motion. As one who evaluates and treats the movement system, I have a strong appreciation […]
Chronic Occipital Nerve Headache- Case Report
Patient History Sue came to my office for evaluation of chronic headache and chronic neck pain. 6 years earlier, she had suffered a laceration and fracture at the right occipital area of the skull. Over the next 2 years, complete numbness at the distribution of the greater occipital nerve (area of the scalp on one […]
The Top 5 Supplements for Everybody
Even the most nutritious diets fail to provide essential nutrients at optimal levels. A diet that is 75% fruits/vegetables and %25 lean meat is best, yet because of modern agriculture and lifestyles, whole food is not enough for most people. There is an important role for supplements. I’m often asked what supplements are most important. […]
The Knee Stability Audit
Your knee is the trash can of your lower extremity. It collects all the garbage of poor stability and starts causing pain. It is painful during or after activity because of improper use. While poor movement drives inflammation and pain, proper movement is like massage for our joints. Too often, I hear people explain that […]
The Foot Stability Audit
In terms of rehabilitation and sports performance, foot stability is a complex issue. Ideally, different regions of the foot/ankle transition between rigid and supple during walking. Regions of the foot that move too much in a certain direction at the wrong time are “unstable”. Likewise, regions that move too little are “fixated”. Thus I most […]