The first association many of us have with the term “Trigger finger” is that of Western movies and stand-off scenes, perhaps with a tumbleweed rolling by. But for many, trigger finger is actually a disorder called “stenosing tenosynovitis” which causes one of the fingers to get stuck in a bent position. Not fun for anyone,…
It’s no big secret that forward head carriage is bad news. In fact, some may say it is a leading postural concern for chiropractors who deal with it almost every day. We know that it can contribute to disc degeneration due to the abnormal weight distribution on the vertebra. We also know it can contribute…
We often think of labor as a physical (and emotional) ordeal for the mother, but in truth the great adventure of life kicks off with a big ordeal for baby too. In this big ordeal, sometimes a little-known body part is injured. It’s one many of us may not have heard of, and it’s called…
Coeliac’s Disease is a monster we know well these days. It’s an autoimmune disease provoked by proteins present in gluten-containing foods such as wheat, rye, and barley, and sometimes even similar proteins, such as those found in oats. These proteins cause the flattening of villi (villous atrophy) leading to malabsorption and gastrointestinal issues. It also…
Yes, we are talking about period pain today. Sadly, period pain is a reality for many people. While there are levels to that, dysmenorrhea lies at the extreme end of the spectrum, where severe pain and tenderness interferes with daily activities. Sufferers may be forced to miss days of work or school, and often have…
Autoimmune disorders are a broad family of illnesses and syndromes, and their management is a serious issue for consideration as the pain and inflammation that comes with the disorders is ongoing in its nature. Thus, when a new study comes out looking at neurodynamic interventions for Multiple Sclerosis (delivered via manual therapy), we are all…
A new case report has just hit the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal, covering a novel presentation of facial paralysis in a 13-month-old child. Facial palsy is a rare and complex condition, that differs greatly in its prognosis depending on whether it is congenital or due to a birth trauma. Either way, the chiropractic management of…
Auriculotemporal Neuralgia (or ATN) is a relatively rare condition that many people wouldn’t have heard of. However, for sufferers it is marked by severe pain running from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) up near the ear, and down through the face. It can cause excruciating pain, often one-sided, in the face and ear radiating out to…
When most of us are asked to put our hand on our heart, the right hand goes to the left side. It’s a rule of anatomy that is just assumed: our heart is on the left side of our body. Around that is a natural fit for the different organs that sit inside the human…
We have been keenly awaiting the latest instalment in the stroke research emerging from the New Zealand College of Chiropractic. Dr Kelly Holt’s exciting work on the topic was first published in 2019, following collaboration with colleagues as far as Pakistan. The ground-breaking study looked at plantar muscle strength in stroke patients before and after…
Although it may have not always been the case, we now accept that trust between patient and health practitioner can greatly impact how a patient perceives the quality of their treatment and the clinical outcomes. This is potentially as true for chiropractors and the people under they care for as it is for other health…
With opioid misuse or overuse remaining a major concern in Australia, the USA and other developed countries, it seems the light is shining on other ways to manage pain and improve function in chronic pain patients. Devotees of chiropractic and other manual therapies may already be reaping the rewards of care, but it seems we…
With all we know about the brain, you’d think we’d have the full picture when it comes to memories. Yet research is still revealing more about things like Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD and other disorders. A paper recently appearing in the Asia Pacific Chiropractic Journal has thrown a new consideration into the fray…
Migraine sufferers know the beast well. The throbbing pain, nausea, extreme sensitivity to light and noise goes far beyond the bounds of tension headaches. Lasting from hours to days, these painful events can render the sufferer unable to go about the activities of daily life. And by that we mean huddling in the quietest, darkest…
When it comes to bearing the brunt of life’s hormonal injustices, it is perhaps fair to say that women got the raw end of the deal. Period pain, irregular periods, endometriosis, infertility and more are conditions that plague many women. But what can chiropractic care do about it, if anything? Often, these issues are ones…
The opioid crisis has been a topic of concern for health practitioners for a number of years now. While the USA is the most affected country with 70% of all overdose deaths in 2018 involving opioids, many of the same issues exist in Australia and other countries, prompting calls for proactive intervention from health professionals.…
Chronic low back pain is an issue contributing significantly to the burden of disease around the world. This fact isn’t a new or surprising one. But as the study of pain and its impact on the brain moves forward, we are discovering increasingly that pain alters the brain in many different ways. It is no…
One of the things we tend to take for granted in life is the balance of the curves of the spine. From the first months in utero, to learning to hold our heads up, crawl and then walk, the body is ever so intelligently working towards a spinal shape that will carry us through the…
