Does Maintained Chiropractic Adjustments for chronic low back pain result in better long term outcome?

This is a study that was found online on PubMed from the Spine Journal from January 2011

A prospective single blinded placebo controlled study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) for the management of chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) and to determine the effectiveness of maintenance SMT in long-term reduction of pain and disability levels associated with chronic low-back conditions after an initial phase of treatments.  It has already been documented that for acute lower back pain, SMT is proven to reduce the intensity of the pain.  Continued care for long term effects and preventative care has not been studied for chronic pain. 
60 patients with non specific low back pain were randomized to receive either 1.  12 treatments of sham SMT over a one month period or 2.  12 treatments, consisting of SMT over a one-month period, but no treatments for the subsequent 9 months. or 3.  12 treatments over a one-month period, along with "maintenance spinal manipulation" every two weeks for the following 9 months.  Pain scores, disability scores, generic health status, and back specific patient satisfaction were measured at baseline and at 1-month, 4-month, 7-month and 10-month intervals.
RESULTS:  The patients in the 2nd and 3rd groups experienced significantly lower pain and disability scores than the first group after a one-month period.  Awesome!  Chiropractic does work!  However, only the third group that was given spinal manipulations during the follow-up period showed more improvement in pain and disability scores at the 10-month evaluation.  The pain and disability scores in the group that discontinued "maintenance SMT" returned back near to their pretreatment level. 
CONCLUSION:  SMT is effective for the treatment of chronic non specific LBP.  To obtain long-term benefit, this study suggest maintenance spinal manipulations after the initial intensive manipulative therapy. 

If you suffer from chronic non specific LBP don't quit your treatment plan early.  Getting adjusted on a periodic basis, even if you are not in exquisite pain, is proven to obtain the best results!

ARP Therapy

The Scientific Explanation of the ARP (Accelerated Recovery Performance) Trainer

The cellular processes of tissue and bone healing are complex and multifactorial. The scientific basis for ARP treatment is the positive cellular effects of direct current electrical fields on these processes. Direct current has been shown to affect cellular migration and orientation, endothelialization, protein synthesis, and calcium regulation, as well as stimulation of new bone formation and fracture healing.(4,6,7,10,18,19,21,22,24,25)

The initial response after injury is coagulation modulated by plasma platelet cells that form fibrin clots to stop bleeding. The clots attract polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and fibroblasts that, in turn, adhere to the clots forming a fibrin gel. The PMNs consume bacteria and wound debris by secreting proteases. 

Platelets also release growth factors that attract monocytes to the site of injury. Monocytes mature into macrophages that become the controlling cells in tissue healing. Macrophages continue the process of bacteria phagocytosis and cleaning of wound debris and also secrete growth factors that attract and activate fibroblasts.

Fibroblasts proliferate and migrate, and produce a collagen matrix. Concomitantly, endothelial cells migrate to the collagen matrix to produce new blood vessels in this matrix. Granulation tissue is formed composed of fibroblasts, endothelial cells, PMNs, and a collagen matrix. 

Direct current electrical fields can modulate a number of factors involved in the healing response. A major process that is affected by direct current is cellular migration and orientation. Cooper and Keller, working with amphibian neural crest cells exposed to a direct current field, demonstrated a migration of cells towards the cathode with a resultant perpendicular cellular orientation.(7) In further studies, Cooper and Schliwa concluded that cell locomotion could be controlled with manipulation of the direct current field.(8) This process, called galvanotaxis, has been demonstrated also in neutrophils, macrophages, and fibroblasts.(10,18,21,22,23)

Direct current can also produce changes in endothelialization. Nannmark et al reported an increased permeability to macromolecules, and changes in capillary permeability to white blood cells with exposure to low levels of direct current.(19) Direct current can affect the migration of endothelial cells in vitro.(24)

Intracellular processes are also affected by exposure to direct current. Cheng et al established that relatively low levels of direct current can raise the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level almost 500 % and increase protein synthesis and membrane transport.(6) Bourguignon et al demonstrated an uncapping of insulin receptors on the cell membrane and enhancement of protein and DNA synthesis within the first minute after direct current stimulation.(4)                                                             

                                                           

New bone formation and fracture healing are positively affected by theapplication of a direct current electrical field.(11,12,14,17) The net effect of direct current on bone is an increase in osteoblastic activity and new bone formation around the cathode. These effects are optimally demonstrated with a current level of 5 to 20 micro amps. Studies have shown increased spinal fusion rates, and increased healing of fracture nonunions.(5,9,13)

The scientific basis for the use of direct current stimulation in tissue healing has long been established. The clinical problem has been in the application of the direct current without severe discomfort and skin damage. With precise application of an ingenious, patented background waveform, ARP technology allows clinically appropriate levels of direct current to be delivered to tissues safely.

Reasons to choose our nutritional products.

Reasons to choose our supplement company

Metagenics is the only nutritional company selling to health care professionals that strictly adheres to the 5 most identifiable standards for quality.

1.  GMP – certified manufacturing – the ultimate quality marker.  If it’s on the label, it’s in the bottle-guaranteed.  There manufacturing facility is certified for good manufacturing practices (GMP) by the Natural Products Association (NPA), National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia (TGA) to ensure the highest quality standards.

• Good Manufacturing Practices are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures, and documentation to assure the product produced has the identity, strength, composition, quality, and purity that it is represented to possess

2.  Scientific evaluation of Ingredients to verify formula quality and the presence and concentration of active factors to ensure efficacy.

3.  Comprehensive Safety Reviews before a formula is developed – because they put their patient’s health first.

4.  Human Clinical Evaluations by the Functional Medicine Research Center SM to document predicted safety and efficacy for reliable patient outcomes.

5.  Advanced Scientific Staff and Research Facilities, such as the MetaProteomics Nutrigenomics Research Center, to help shape the future of nutraceuticals.

Metagenics formulas are more than a simple blend of nutrients – they are scientifically developed to improve health outcomes! 

We want the best nutrients to help maximize your potential for Health.  With Metagenics products we truly believe we are providing that!

Detoxification!

4$ Billion chemicals and pollutants added to our environment each year!  That is an astronomical amount of toxins!  Overtime, these toxins can and will build up in our bodies and affect our vitality and cause other health issues like chronic fatigue and pain syndromes.  So what can you do about this buildup of junk?  Well, you can help your body eliminate unwanted junk!  The bodies ability to detoxify harmful substances is critical for overall health.  But the body's normally efficient detoxification process may be compromised by increased toxin exposure or a lack of nutrients necessary to fuel this filtering process.
A well designed metabolic detoxification program can significantly enhance the detoxification process for better health and vitality.  Think of it as a spring cleaning or tune-up to clear out some of the junk and get your body back to its peak cleansing performance again.
Not all detox programs are "healthy."  Water or juice fasting programs can cause muscle wasting and further energy depletion.  Your body needs proper nutrients to fuel its toxin clearance activities.
The detoxification program we use was scientifically developed and includes a simple eating plan (with unlimited amounts of suggested foods), targeted nutritional support, and lifestyle tips to enhance the body's natural metabolic detoxification process.
The following are some of the common symptoms in which we have someone go through with a detoxification:  fatigue, achy, poor concentration, irritable/moody, sleep disturbances, bloating, indigestion, learning disorders, fibromyalgia, fertility problems, memory loss, abnormal pregnancy outcomes, depression, muscles weakness, panic attacks, chronic immune system issues, and an overall unhealthy feeling.

If you have any questions, concerns, or want additional information please call our office at 605-334-6656 and we will be glad to help!

Treating whole body health inside and out!
ChiroSport

New ChiroSport Blog!

Welcome to the Blog of ChiroSport, formerly known as The Center for Chiropractic and Athletic Medicine.  We feel our new name will be more recognizable and memorable than our previous name yet we still think it conveys the message of treating individuals with an active lifestyle.  Tell us what you think of our new name in the comment section below.  We hope you enjoy it and we look forward to treating you in 2011!