April 25, 2001[Volume 2, Issue 9]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• A Conservative Approach to Treating Ankle Sprains
• Fight Osteoarthritis with Glucosamine and Chondroitin
• Preventing Hip Fractures with Plant Foods
• Too Much Static for Students
• Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  

Ankle sprains, perhaps the most common injury in amateur and professional athletes, account for up to 10% of sports-related injuries. A recent study, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, was conducted to determine the value of chiropractic care in the treatment of ankle injuries.

Thirty individuals participated in the study, with 15 participants receiving five minutes of chiropractic manipulation (a specific adjustment) two times a week, and the remaining 15 patients receiving a placebo in the form of a sham ultrasound treatment. Patients were evaluated at the first treatment, at the final treatment, and at a one-month follow-up exam. Each participant received a maximum of eight treatment sessions spread over four weeks.

Results: Although both groups showed improvement, notable differences were observed in favor of the adjustment group with respect to reduction in pain, increased ankle range of motion, and ankle function. For more information concerning sport-related health issues, talk to your doctor, or visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html.

Reference: Pellow J, Brantingham J. The efficacy of adjusting the ankle in the treatment of subacute and chronic grade I and grade II ankle inversion sprains. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2001:24(1), pp. 17-24.

Fighting Osteoarthritis with Glucosamine and Chondroitin

It has been suggested that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may aid in the management of joint pain, particularly knee pain. Among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), long-term use of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate appears to prevent changes in joint structure and significantly improve arthritis symptoms.

In a recent study involving 93 patients with knee osteoarthritis, a treatment group received preparations of a glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate compound twice a day orally. A control group was given a placebo for comparison, and the two groups were evaluated at baseline and every two months for six months. In addition to physical examinations and functional status questionnaires, x-rays of each patient's knees were taken and evaluated.

A significant improvement was noted in patients with mild or moderate OA in the treatment group, although patients with severe OA did not show significant improvements. The authors note that this study is the first of its kind in the United States, and that their findings suggest that preparations containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and manganese may be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate OA of the knee.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about the most effective ways to manage your condition. For further information on nutritional supplements and nutrition, visit https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.

Reference: Das A, Hammad T. Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH122 low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, September 2000:8, pp343-350.

Preventing Hip Fractures with Plant Foods

Remember the classic Popeye cartoons? Did you notice that Popeye never seemed to age? Sure, he was only a cartoon character, but there's more to the story. Chances are, if Popeye had been a living, breathing human being, he would have faced injury and aging better than many of us do.

What could account for this youthful vitality? Perhaps it's the fact that Popeye ate his spinach. Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach and broccoli, are rich in vitamin K, which may help reduce hip fractures as we age. In a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, individuals with the highest daily vitamin K intake had a significantly lower risk of hip fracture compared with those with the lowest intake. Bone mineral density (BMD) was not influenced by vitamin K intake, suggesting an independent protective effect on bone strength from vitamin K.

We're subject to a variety of physical changes as we get older, and to a point there's not much we can do about it. However, considerable evidence (including this study) points to the value of proper nutrition and exercise in delaying or minimizing the consequences of aging. Talk to your doctor about the essentials of good health. You can also access additional information on line at https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/sports.html and https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/nutrients.html.

Reference: Booth S, Tucker K, Chen H, et al. Dietary vitamin K intakes are associated with hip fracture but not with bone mineral density in elderly men and women. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000: Vol. 71, pp1201-1208.

Too Much Static for Students

Unless you're superhuman, you've probably experienced more than a few neck pains and headaches. The source of these conditions remains unclear, although evidence suggests a potential connection between the two. Evidence also hints at the maintenance of static postures, such as with prolonged reading, writing, or computer work, and stress as contributing factors for neck and headache pain.

Students subject themselves to hours of prolonged reading, writing and computer work, which may make them a high-risk group for neck pain and headaches. To test this hypothesis, a recent study published in the Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System evaluated the effect of neck pain and headache pain on the academic performance of 118 college students. A survey gathered data on head and neck pain, which were then correlated with student grade-point averages (GPA), an indicator of academic performance.

Results showed that a high incidence of neck pain (51.3%) and headaches (73.7%) within the student population; many students also reported problems with concentration as a result of such conditions. Moreover, academic performance diminished in 17.9% of patients suffering from neck pain and 39% of students with headaches.

If these conditions affect student performance, it's a distinct possibility that the general population is likewise affected - work that requires extensive concentration or focus. To find out more about what you can do to ease the pain and frustration of headaches and neck pain, go to https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/headaches.html and https://www.chiroweb.com/tyh/neckpain.html.

Reference: Rose KA. The effect of neck pain and headaches on the academic performance of college students. Journal of the Neuromusculoskeletal System 2000:8(4), pp118-122.

Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after exposure to any frightening or threatening event involving potential or actual physical harm.It's been estimated that nearly one million Vietnam veterans developed PTSD. Tens of thousands of veterans with PTSD receive treatment from the VA in the form of medication and/or talk therapy, but with limited results. Many others continue to live without treatment for their condition.

A program sponsored by the renowned Upledger Foundation in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, may provide a glimpse into the effective treatment of PTSD. The "Vietnam Veteran Intensive Treatment Program," as it was called, initially involved 24 veterans recruited for 10-day intensive programs; 22 patients completed the program.

CranioSacral Therapy involved using a soft touch generally no greater than five grams–about the weight of a nickel–to test and release restrictions in the craniosacral system (the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord) to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. SomatoEmotional Release, an expansion on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy, involved the integration of manual techniques with verbal processing skills and other creative methods.

Overall, statistically significant improvements were noted in all of the variables, suggesting that results were a direct consequence of the treatments delivered. One of the most impressive findings demonstrated a shift in subjects' attitudes from hopelessness to optimism.

For additional information on the benefits of massage therapy, visit https://www.massagetoday.com.

This newsletter conforms to the requirements set by Bill S 1618 Title III, passed by the 105th U.S. Congress.