The Benefit of Thoracic Spine Treatment for Mechanical Neck Pain

Great study demonstrating the benefit of mid back or thoracic spine treatment for mechanical neck pain.  Potentially an argument for having the entire spine treated even though only one area is affected.  You don't go to the dentist to get one tooth cleaned, do you?

Examination of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Identify Patients With Neck Pain Likely to Benefit From Thoracic Spine Thrust Manipulation and a General Cervical Range of Motion Exercise: Multi-Center Randomized Clinical Trial

 

from Physical Therapy current issue by Cleland, J. A., Mintken, P. E., Carpenter, K., Fritz, J. M., Glynn, P., Whitman, J., Childs, J. D.

Background

A clinical prediction rule (CPR) purported to identify patients with neck pain who are likely to respond to thoracic spine thrust manipulation has recently been developed, but has yet to be validated.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of this CPR.

Design

This was a multi-center randomized clinical trial.

Methods

One hundred forty patients with a primary report of neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either 5 sessions of stretching and strengthening exercise (exercise-only group) or 2 sessions of thoracic spinemanipulation and cervical range of motion exercise followed by 3 sessions of stretching and strengthening exercise (manipulation + exercise group). Data on disability and pain were collected at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months. The primary aim (treatment group x time x status on the prediction rule) was examined using a linear mixed model with repeated measures. Time, treatment group, and status on the rule, as well as all possible 2-way and 3-way interactions, were modeled as fixed effects, with disability (and pain) as the dependent variable. Effect sizes were calculated for both pain and disability at each follow-up period.

Results

There was no 3-way interaction for either disability or pain. A 2-way (group x time) interaction existed for both disability and pain. Pair-wise comparisons of disability demonstrated that significant differences existed at each follow-up period between the manipulation + exercise group and the exercise-only group. The patients who received manipulation exhibited lower pain scores at the 1-week follow-up period. The effect sizes were moderate for disability at each follow-up period and were moderate for pain at the 1-week follow-up.

Limitations

Different exercise approaches may have resulted in a different outcome.

Conclusions

The results of the current study did not support the validity of the previously developed CPR. However, the results demonstrated that patients with mechanical neck pain who received thoracic spine manipulation and exercise exhibited significantly greater improvements in disability at both the short- and long-term follow-up periods and in pain at the 1-week follow-up compared with patients who received exercise only.

 

Joshua M. Brooks, D.C.

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ABC Clinics

Rosa Family Chiropractic

2750 Prosperity Ave, Suite 550

Fairfax, VA  22031

703.876.5600

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www.RosaChiropracticFairfax.com

www.RecoveryDoc.net

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The Benefits of Exercise with Traumatic Brain Injury

Interesting study regarding the benefits of exercise with traumatic brain injury.  Benefits of exercise should not be underestimated as it is key to a healthy lifestyle.  Here at Rosa Family Chiropractic, we encourage all, yes all, of our patients to engage in some form of exercise.

Abstract: Wise EK, Hoffman JM, Powell JM, Bombardier CH, Bell KR. Benefits of exercise maintenance after traumatic brain injury. Objective: To examine the effect of exercise intervention on exercise maintenance, depression, quality of life, and mental health at 6 months for people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with at least mild depression. 

Design: Treatment group participants were assessed at baseline, after a 10-week exercise intervention, and 6 months after completion of the intervention. Setting: Community. Participants: Participants (N=40) with self-reported TBI from 6 months to 5 years prior to study enrollment and a score of 5 or greater on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Interventions: Ten-week exercise intervention program consisting of supervised weekly 60-minute sessions and unsupervised 30 minutes of aerobic exercises 4 times each week. Telephone follow-up was conducted every 2 weeks for an additional 6 months to promote exercise maintenance for individuals randomized to the intervention group. 

Main Outcome Measure: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) comparing participant outcomes over time. Post hoc analyses included comparison among those who exercised more or less than 90 minutes per week. Results: Participants reduced their scores on the BDI from baseline to 10 weeks and maintained improvement over time. Many participants (48%) demonstrated increased physical activity at 6 months compared with baseline. Those who exercised more than 90 minutes had lower scores on the BDI at the 10-week and 6-month assessments and reported higher perceived quality of life and mental health. 

Conclusions: Exercise may contribute to improvement in mood and quality of life for people with TBI and should be considered as part of the approach to depression treatment.

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Another Reason to Supplement Calcium

Another reason to supplement calcium. In our office in Fairfax we offer one if the best supplemental farms of calcium with a very efficient absorption rate.

Check this link below: 

http://www.rttnews.com/1954033/calcium-scan-best-heart-risk-diagnosis-tool-study.aspx?type=hnr&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap

Rosa Family Chiropractic maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us.