April 4, 2006 [Volume 7, Issue 8]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
In this issue of To Your Health:
- How Chiropractors Diagnose and Treat Back Pain: A Closer Look
- Vegetables for Your Asthma
- Lack of Sleep Ups Obesity Risk in Kids
How Chiropractors Diagnose and Treat Back Pain: A Closer Look
We all know that back pain is a common occurrence; according to some estimates, up to 80 percent of all people will suffer from back pain at some point in life. We also know that chiropractors are experts in the care and treatment of back pain. Exactly how do chiropractors treat back pain, and does the treatment they offer vary in different parts of the country? A new survey has produced interesting answers to those questions.
In the survey, researchers reviewed the records of more than 500 patient visits to chiropractors in two states: Arizona and Massachusetts. Specifically, the researchers analyzed information related to the diagnosis and treatment of back pain, along with recommendations for care.
Chronic back pain was the most common reason for visiting a chiropractor, with the typical visit for a chronic back pain patient lasting an average of 15 minutes. More than 85 percent of the visits in both states involved at least one spinal adjustment; other common therapies included soft tissue techniques, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and hot/cold packs. Chiropractors in Arizona were more likely to adjust the spine using the Diversified technique, while DCs in Massachusetts used hot/cold packs, ultrasound and electrical stimulation far more frequently than DCs in Arizona.
While the results of this study show that there are slight variations in the care chiropractors provide from state to state, they also show that people who seek out a DC for relief will receive the same high-quality treatments and commitment to care no matter where they live. If you suffer from back pain, now is the perfect time to visit your local doctor of chiropractic. For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/musculoskeletal/backpain.
Sherman KJ, Cherkin DC, Deyo RA, et al. The diagnosis and treatment of chronic back pain by acupuncturists, chiropractors, and massage therapists. Clinical Journal of Pain March/April 2006;22(3):227-34.
Vegetables for Your Asthma
An estimated 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. Several items can trigger an asthma attack, ranging from dust and pollen to exercise, stress, and certain foods. Just as some foods can cause asthma, a new study has found that some types of food may also be effective in reducing asthma attacks, or even preventing them from occurring.
To find out which foods may influence the risk of asthma, scientists analyzed data on more than 68,000 French women using a food frequency questionnaire that tracked their consumption of 238 different foods. Overall, 3.1 percent of the women reported having asthma.
When the results were broken down by specific foods, the analysis found that women who reported consuming the highest amounts of leafy, green vegetables such as spinach and lettuce were 22 percent less likely to say they had asthma compared to women with the lowest intakes. Women who ate the largest amounts of carrots had a 20 percent decreased risk of asthma, and women eating the most tomatoes had an 18 percent reduced risk. These results were seen even after other factors, such as smoking, weight and caloric intake, were accounted for.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that people consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day for overall health. If you suffer from asthma, or if you're just interested in improving your diet, talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to increase your intake of carrots, tomatoes and other healthy foods. You'll feel better for it!
Romieu I, Varraso R, Avenel V, et al. Fruit and vegetable intakes and asthma in the E3N study. Thorax March 2006;61(3):209-215.
Lack of Sleep Ups Obesity Risk in Kids
Recent studies have shown that the number of overweight children between the ages of 6 and 11 in the United States has doubled in the past 20 years. At the same time, research has shown that an increasing number of children and adolescents are suffering from sleep deprivation. Are the two events related? A study published in the International Journal of Obesity suggests so.
To confirm the link between a lack of sleep and childhood obesity, researchers in Quebec collected information on 422 grade-school students between the ages of 5 and 10. The scientists measured each of the children's height, weight and waist size. Information on the children's sleep patterns and lifestyle was obtained through phone interviews with their parents.
Based on body mass index measurements, 20 percent of the boys and 24 percent of the girls were considered overweight. Children who slept less than 10 hours a night were 3.5 times more likely to become overweight or obese than children who slept 12 or more hours. No other factor analyzed in the study had as much of an impact on obesity levels as the amount of time spent sleeping.
There are plenty of reasons for getting good night's sleep. Quality sleep improves a person's mood, increases their performance at work or school, and reduces their risk of getting injured or being in an accident. Now it appears that a good night's sleep can help people of all ages control their weight, too. For more information, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general.
Chaput JP, Brunet M, Tremblay A. Relationship between short sleeping hours and childhood overweight/obesity: results from the Quebec en Forme project. International Journal of Obesity advance publication March 14, 2006; doi: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803291.
Unsubscribe
Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this
newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from
our e-mail subscription list at www.chiroweb.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php.
If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at www.chiroweb.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.