Posts by Dr. David Basco

Low back pain is a common complaint among golfers. In a recent study, professional golfers with a history of chronic low back pain received a one-month regimen of spinal manipulation and corrective core exercises to improve their spinal shape/curvature. After the four-week program concluded, the researchers observed a significant change in pelvic tilt among the participants, indicating the benefits of a combination of spinal manipulation and corrective core exercises in establishing correct spinal curvature.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science, September 2015

Early exposure to dogs may reduce the risk of asthma in children. A new study found children in homes with a family dog during their first year of life had a 13% lower risk of asthma by the time they were old enough for school. The researchers speculate early exposure to a wider variety of microorganisms (via the family dog, in this case) helps build a more robust immune system that is less susceptible to some of the environmental causes of asthma attacks.
JAMA Pediatrics, November 2015

A research review of 51 trials has found evidence that multiple sessions of manipulation performed by a doctor of chiropractic may provide greater pain relief and functional improvement over both the short-term and long-term for patients with neck pain when compared with other treatment options including massage, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and some medications.
Cochrane Database Systematic Review, September 2015

The Weight-Control Information Network suggest the following to help women stay healthy both while they are pregnant and after their child is born: speak to your healthcare provider about what exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy, return to normal exercise after the baby is born (as soon as your doctor approves such activities), drink plenty of fluids when exercising, use caution when exercising in warm weather, eat a balanced diet both during and after the pregnancy, and if possible, breast feed to aid in burning calories.
National Institutes of Health, October 2015

According to a new report, vitamin D supplementation can significantly increase muscle strength and reduce the loss of body muscle mass in women years after menopause. Researchers found older women who received vitamin D supplements experienced a significant increase (+25.3%) in muscle strength, while those receiving a placebo lost an average of 6.8% of their muscle mass during the course of the multi-year study. The study also revealed that those who did not receive vitamin D supplements were nearly two times more likely to experience a fall. Dr. Wulf H. Utian, the Executive Director of The North American Menopause Society adds, “While this study is unlikely to decide the debate over Vitamin D, it provides further evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplements by postmenopausal women in an effort to reduce frailty and an increased risk of falling.”
The North American Menopause Society, September 2015

Even if you’re not an athlete, knowing your heart rate can help you keep tabs on your fitness level. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness.
American Heart Association, October 2015

Radiation therapy for neck and head cancers can often result in neck pain and loss of motion. A small study involving five participants suggests that the use of manual therapies, treatments commonly performed by doctors of chiropractic, can help reduce pain and improve mobility in this class of patients without adverse outcomes.
Clinical Otolaryngology, September 2015

Health officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in some major American cities. CRE, or Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are a class of common bacteria that have become resistant to some of the most widely used antibiotics. According to the CDC, experts have recorded higher-than-expected levels of this bacteria in Atlanta, Baltimore, and New York. Most CRE infections occur in hospitals, but officials from the CDC are worried that havoc could ensue if CRE starts to become transmitted outside of healthcare settings since enterobacteriaceae are so common.
Journal of the American Medical Association, October 2015

Research from 2000 and 2003 found that auto injury patients who got early treatment focused on mobilizing the injured area recovered faster and had fewer residual symptoms from the crash. Chiropractic does this: a chiropractic adjustment gets the joints in your spine moving the way they’re supposed to, helping to prevent chronic pain.

Patients who suffer from sciatica are at risk for developing muscle atrophy. A recent British study found that patients with sciatica had decreased muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy.

Muscle atrophy occurs in people that have a restricted range of motion due to an injury or medical condition. Developing atrophy can further reduce muscle strength and mobility. In patients with low-back pain, weakened muscles can cause patients to compensate in other ways leading to further injury.

That’s why it’s important to seek treatment for sciatica before it worsens. Unlike medications, chiropractic treatment actually addresses the cause of sciatica – an injury or disc herniation pinching the sciatica nerve. Chiropractors adjust and realign the spine to reduce pressure on the sciatica nerve, and in doing so, significantly relieve the pain. Chiropractic treatment, along with strong core and back muscles, is a powerful way to recover and prevent sciatica.

Ploumis A, Michailidis N, Christodoulou P, Kalaitzoglou I, Gouvas G, Beris A. Ipsilateral atrophy of paraspinal and psoas muscle in unilateral back pain patients with monosegmental degenerative disc disease. British Journal of Radiology. November 2010.0: 58136533