March 26, 2019
Dr Monique Andrews is a chiropractor, neuroscientist and educator who we recently had the pleasure of interviewing. Taking on the topic of chiropractic and consciousness, Dr Mo brings unique a unique perspective by pairing chiropractic research with basic science knowledge and her lived experience as a practicing Buddhist. Thanks Dr Mo for showing us how chiropractic lights up the brain, and how this links to compassion and consciousness. Check it out below.
March 19, 2019
This month, a study looking at chiropractic and stroke was published, offering insight into how chiropractic may potentially assist patients in their recovery. Dr David Russell (chiropractor and friend of the Foundation) caught up with the brains behind the research, Dr’s Kelly Holt and Imran Niazi, to talk about the clinical applications, complementary case studies, what we can and can’t claim, and where research is going next. Check out the video for more.
March 13, 2019
In 2016, Baarbe et al released a study investigating subclinical neck pain and patients ability to perform a mental rotation task. The study threw light on the connection between subclinical neck pain and slower reaction times when it came to performing such tasks [1]. The study followed work by Kelly, Murphy and Backhouse, which showed the impact of upper cervical adjustments (specifically chiropractic adjustments) on cortical processing [2]. Both studies were instrumental in establishing a link between neck pain and reaction times. But the world of research was not done with this issue of chiropractic and reaction times yet. A […]
March 7, 2019
A long awaited study on the effect of chiropractic care for stroke patients has been released, with the journal ‘Scientific Reports’ carrying Dr Kelly Holts latest offering. The study examined whether or not chiropractic care “could increase strength in weak plantar flexor muscles in chronic stroke patients [1].” Results are in and they are encouraging. The topic of chiropractic and stroke risk has long been the topic of hot debate, but by and large, the focus of those conversations has been on the risk of stroke for chiropractic patients. While research found no evidence for causation when it comes to […]
February 20, 2019
Frontiers in Neuroscience recently published an article that highlighted the links between large muscles in the leg and brain health. It has been reported that the study fundamentally alters brain and nervous system medicine “giving doctors new clues as to why patients with motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy and other neurological diseases often rapidly decline when their movement becomes limited.” [1]. Beyond the ramifications for traditional medicine, the study increases the importance of chiropractic research that also shows the links between the brain and leg muscles. While the relationship between brain activity (especially cognitive ability) and physical […]
February 15, 2019
In 2006, three researchers undertook a study looking at the effect of chiropractic adjustments on movement time [1]. They were looking specifically at Fitt’s Law – a model of human movement based on pointing and manipulation tasks involving computers. The group was small, with just ten participants. But a significant change was noted in the treatment group (who received high-velocity, low-amplitude adjustments to areas of “joint dysfunction.”) There was a significant improvement in movement time with chiropractic care, which suggested that, “spinal adjustments may influence motor behaviour.” It was a pilot study, and it was small, but the results were […]
February 8, 2019
In the last three weeks, we have covered many aspects of chiropractic’s interaction with consciousness, all involving the brain. The brain and consciousness have some level of interaction, and chiropractic could impact that interaction via neurological pathways (as has been reviewed in the previous articles) as well as via other mechanisms, which is the focus of today’s discussion. Chiropractic potentially impacts systems and functions that, in turn, could impact consciousness, such as the autonomic nervous system, glucose metabolism, the endocrine system, and our mental and emotional perception of our environment. These all impact our experience of life (i.e. consciousness) in […]
February 1, 2019
The topic of how chiropractic care influences consciousness may sound like an entirely philosophical subject, but as we take a tour of the research we can see that the two are very much connected. Last week, in the second instalment of this series, we covered how even low back pain and subclinical neck pain can have an effect on consciousness. Now we move into a complex yet fascinating area of research – how chiropractic care can cause neuro-plastic changes in the brain, impacting not only pain and proprioception, but also cerebellar and prefrontal cortex activity. For the sake of this […]
January 24, 2019
It seems that the musculoskeletal/pain association is a hard one to shift when it comes to chiropractic, yet research is painting an interesting picture when it comes to how chiropractic can influence neurology. This month’s topic on the blog delves into something that has its roots in both research and philosophy, yet is in some ways an undiscovered frontier – can chiropractic influence consciousness? The unlikely starting point: chronic lower back pain, and subclinical neck pain. For the Foundation, the topic first arose when Nimrod Weiner presented on it at “The Gathering” in September. It was a highlight in a […]
December 13, 2018
It’s a postural phenomenon once driven by age, now arguably driven also by technology. The head drops forward, and the thoracic kyphosis increases beyond normal physiological parameters. Other postural adjustments take place in order to keep the head upright – with the lumbar and cervical curves often implicated. The results can range from low back pain, increased load on the cervical spine, decreased rib excursion, tidal volume and much more. We know the presentation. We know the associated symptoms. But what do we do to restore proper posture and put right the altered thoracic curve? While the answers to this […]
December 10, 2018
To some, functional neurology is somewhat outside the chiropractic modality. To others, it is central to everything we do. When a recent article hit the Journal of Chiropractic and Manual Therapies, alleging that there was no evidence for the effectiveness of functional neurology, it provided an opportunity to reflect on common misunderstandings that surround the practice of functional neurology. We’ve already taken a look at the actual state of the evidence. Now it’s time to take a look at it from a chiropractic specific perspective. Dr Michael Hall, of Brain DC fame, is very much embedded in the chiropractic and […]
November 29, 2018
A new study published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia will be music to the ears of anyone who has been asked, “why on Earth would infants need chiropractic?” The study took in data from 176 infants under 112 days old and found that vacuum-assisted delivery and Caesarean section deliveries were associated with “a higher prevalence of reduced cervical spine ROM [range of motion] when compared to a vaginal delivery without assistance [1].” While the outcome of the study carried the standard ‘further research required’ disclaimer, it is a fascinating look at a topic very pertinent to the Australian chiropractic […]
November 23, 2018
A recent article has hit the Journal of Chiropractic and Manual Therapies concluding that their search parameters found “no acceptable evidence on the effect or benefit of FN [functional neurology] in relation to various conditions and purported indications for intervention [1].“ On face value, it’s a damning review of a practice that spans not only chiropractic, but several other professions. However, a second look shows us that this is not a statement on the state of evidence for functional neurology, but an opportunity to broadly discuss what it comprises, how it can improve human function and where we can find […]
November 13, 2018
The last two instalments of this series have concentrated more heavily on what happens at the northern end of the spine when posture goes awry. Today we move to an issue that affects more than one third of women in the US, and contributes heavily to the burden of disease globally. It is the issue of pelvic floor disorders and it has some very real postural links. While it is possible for men to experience pelvic floor dysfunction, it is an issue that is often thought of as a women’s problem because the burden of pregnancy and childbirth can contribute […]
November 7, 2018
In part one of our posture series, we covered the links between posture and the cardiopulmonary system, including lung function, tidal volumes and cervical/thoracic kyphosis. Today, we arrive at another important issue: how does posture affect the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and potentially link to neuro-degenerative diseases? Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the great liquid cushion that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, protecting it both structurally and immunologically. It’s a feat of nature that “maintains the electrolytic environment of the central nervous system (CNS), influences systemic acid-base balance, serves as a medium for the supply of nutrients to neuronal and […]
October 31, 2018
Is there a day that goes by when a chiropractor doesn’t deal with a postural concern? If we were to sit purely on the orthopaedic wagon, we would have enough to concern us. Poor posture can cause pain – headaches, pain in the shoulders or neck, problems with the gait, uneven distribution of weight resulting in referred pain (i.e. heavy backpacks slung across one shoulder for extended periods of time). These issues are no big surprise. But beyond the banner headlines, there is a deeper story to be told when it comes to posture and the body. Science is now […]