Low Back Pain: Not Just for Adults Anymore

Although back pain is usually thought of as an "adult" problem (research shows that up to 80 percent of all adults worldwide will suffer low back pain at least once in their lifetime) new evidence suggests that back pain is becoming an increasing problem for children and teenagers, and that a variety of factors can lead to this condition.

Researchers questioned more than 10,000 Israeli schoolchildren in 1st through 6th grade regarding their average weight, average weight of backpacks, if there were on-campus facilities to store backpacks, the height of chairs and desks in relation to

student height, seating arrangements, and physical activity during recess.

Results: Between 30 percent and 54 percent of the students carried bags containing 15 percent or more of their body weight; almost 15 percent of the 1st graders and 20 percent of 6th graders sat in chairs of "inappropriate" height; in 74 percent of the classes, students sat with their sides facing the instructor and in another 35 percent, students sat with their backs to the teacher; 30 percent of the schools did not have storage facilities for backpacks; in 48 percent of the schools, there was no organized play activity during recess and in another 6 percent there was no provision for any type of physical activity during recess.

Parents, your children may be at risk of developing low back pain. Fortunately, you can take several steps to maintain your child's health: Monitor your child's backpack for weight; talk to the school about repositioning desks and physical activity; and of course, have your child examined regularly by a doctor of chiropractic - it could prevent years of unwanted back pain.

To learn more about back pain and the chiropractic approach to its prevention click here.

Reference: Limon S, Valinsky LJ, Ben-Shalom Y. Children at risk. Risk factors for low back pain in the elementary school environment. Spine, March 15, 2004;29(6):697-702.

To Everything There Is a Season -- Even Cholesterol

In 1968, The Zombies made it to #3 on the Billboard charts with a song that reminded listeners it was "the time of the season for loving." It's highly unlikely that any group is going to top the musical charts writing about the following subject, but a new study suggests that winter may not be the best "time of the season" when it comes to high cholesterol levels.

Researchers examined 517 healthy people over a 12-month period, documenting their cholesterol levels, diet, activity, exposure to light, and general behavior. While there were no significant changes in diet and calorie intake, cholesterol levels varied an average of 3.9 points per season in men, with a peak increase in December; in women, seasonal cholesterol levels varied as much as 5.4 points, peaking in January.

Overall, 22 percent more participants had total cholesterol levels of 240 or higher (considered high cholesterol) in the winter than in the summer. According to the researchers, the changes in blood cholesterol levels were due in large part to seasonal changes in blood plasma volume, which resulted from changes in temperature and/or physical activity levels between the winter and summer months.

Now that you know the affect of the seasons, have your cholesterol checked. And talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to change your diet or increase your activity levels year round.

For more on general health and wellness click here.

Reference: Ockene IS, Chiriboga DE, Stanek EJ, et al. Seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels. Archives of Internal Medicine, April 26, 2004;164:863-870.

Sometimes, Going to Work Just Doesn't Pay

Some people like to "tough it out" and come to work every day, regardless of how under the weather they feel; however, this might not be the best idea: Employees who work while sick are often less productive than healthy employees. Research is showing that in some instances, this slowdown in production - known as "presenteeism" - may cost a company more than if an employee stays home for the day.

Researchers tried to estimate the losses in productivity caused by common health conditions such as allergies and headaches, and compared that estimate with other costs associated with the condition. The estimates were based on about 375,000 employees, including claims for medical care and disability over a three-year period.

The analysis showed that for many conditions, the costs of presenteeism were greater than other health care costs, such as absenteeism or health benefits. When other costs were added to losses from presenteeism, absenteeism, health benefits and disability benefits, the most expensive condition for employers was high blood pressure ($392 per employee per year), followed by heart disease ($368), mental health problems ($348), arthritis ($327) and allergies ($271).

If you're an employer, consider examining your company's sick-time policy and adjust it if necessary so employees don't feel burdened to come to work when they are sick. As an employee, take the day off the next time you are sick. Toughing it out will likely prolong your illness, and you'll be less productive and end up costing your company money in the long run.

To learn more about how to stay healthy - on the job and off - talk to your chiropractor and click here.

Maintaining Musculoskeletal Health With Vitamin D

Stunt doubles in the motion picture industry make a living out of falling off buildings, out of windows -- you name it. For the elderly, however, a fall isn't something you see in the movies; it's a serious matter with serious consequences. Previous research indicates that up to one-third of all people age 65 and older - and up to half of those over age 80 - suffer injuries from falls.

Researchers examined the role vitamin D plays in reducing the risk of falls in the elderly. The analysis reviewed five studies involving more than 1,200 patients in which patients took a certain amount of vitamin D per day, usually with calcium.

After adjusting for study differences, researchers concluded that vitamin D intake reduced the odds of falling by 22 percent, compared with patients who received either calcium or placebo. Patients who took higher doses of vitamin D (700 to 800 international units daily) seemed to fare better than patients receiving 400 IU per day. In at least one study, vitamin D appeared to reduce the risk of falls.

Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about other forms of nutritional and structural support for your bones and muscles, and how to maintain a healthy musculoskeletal system.

To learn more about the benefits of chiropractic click here.

Reference: Bischoff-Ferrari H, Dawson-Hughes B, Willett W, et al. Effect of vitamin D on falls. A meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association, April 28, 2004;291:1999-2006.

Get With the Program - and Stay on It!

The phrase "use it or lose it" can apply to almost anything. And Researchers in Ohio have found that this phrase rings especially true when it comes to maintaining good exercise habits. Simply put, if you start exercising and then stop, or only exercise sporadically, you'll lose the physical gains you've made along the way - and you could lose some of the accrued psychological benefits as well.

Scientists looked at the exercise habits of 28 people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a lung disorder. Participants completed a 10-week exercise rehabilitation program and were given a home exercise program to continue on their own. A year later, the researchers contacted the participants to see if they had continued exercising.

At the end of the initial program, all of the participants showed gains in physical endurance, as well as in cognitive and psychological functioning. Subjects who continued to exercise during the following year maintained these benefits, but those who had stopped exercising regularly showed "significant declines" on all physical and mental tests.

The message here is simple: If you want to improve yourself, physically, mentally and emotionally, start an exercise program and stick with it. Your doctor of chiropractic can help design an exercise program that will help you get your mind and body in better shape over the long haul.

For more information on the benefits of exercise click here.

Reference:Emery CF, Shermer RL, Hauck ER, et al. Cognitive and psychological outcomes of exercise in a 1-year follow-up study of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Health Psychology November 2003;22(6).

Childhood Ear Infections: "Wait-and-See" Approach May Be Best

Otitis media with effusion (OME), more commonly known as fluid in the middle ears, is a common childhood condition. It is estimated that more than 2 million cases of OME are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. OME does not involve any type of infection or inflammation to the ears and usually clears up on its own, without treatment, but that doesn't stop many pediatricians from prescribing antibiotics on a regular basis.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a new series of guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of OME in children ages 2 months through 12 years. The guidelines recommend that children with OME should be managed with "watchful waiting" for at least three months before recommending other treatment.

After three months, children should be re-examined at three- to six-month intervals until: a) the fluid is no longer present, b) significant hearing loss is identified, or c) the practitioner suspects the child has a structural abnormality in the eardrum or middle ear. The guidelines are not intended to be the "sole source of guidance," but rather a tool to assist health care providers, including doctors of chiropractic.If your child suffers from ear infections, make sure he or she receives a comprehensive evaluation before antibiotics are prescribed.

To learn more about common childhood conditions click here.

Reference: Academy of Pediatrics. Otitis media with effusion. Clinical practice guideline. Pediatrics May 2004;113(5):1412-29.

RECOMMENDED READING

Keeping you aware of the latest resources that will provide the information you need to make wise decisions about your health.

This month's featured title is Opportunities in Chiropractic Careers by Bart Green, DC; Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd; and Louis Sportelli, DC. Authored by three well-known and respected voices in the chiropractic profession, Opportunities in Chiropractic Careers is an eye-opening look at this rapidly growing health care profession, and should interest readers of all disciplines and chosen occupations. This book introduces the readers to the various schools and organizations, qualifications, and background of the chiropractic profession. The authors provide a detailed history of how the profession came to be and subsequently evolved into its current state. In addition to this overview, the book discusses the advantages of being a doctor of chiropractic, including competitive wages, independence, image, and "the gratification in contributing to human betterment." Essential to this book is the discussion related to what goes into chiropractic education. For those considering a career in chiropractic, or those simply interested in the journey of the chiropractic profession, this is an excellent resource.

Getting Hip to Chiropractic

An estimated 85 percent of people between the ages of 55 and 64 suffer from osteoarthritis - a debilitating condition that causes extreme joint pain and stiffness in the knees, hip, hands and spine. But osteoarthritis of the hip can be especially debilitating, since pain around the hip joint can radiate to the groin and thigh, and impede walking and other movement.

In a small pilot study, researchers assessed the effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Eight patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis or suffering from hip pain were assigned to a chiropractic group or a sham treatment group. Patients in the chiropractic group were assessed for limitation in hip range of motion and joint-play restriction, and received chiropractic manipulation six times over a three-week period. Patients in the sham group did not receive any hands-on assessment, but were treated with a device modified to deliver a series of "thrusts" without any real force.

While the sham group reported some positive benefits, the study showed that at least six chiropractic treatments over a three-week period could benefit patients suffering from hip osteoarthritis. Researchers noted, however, that additional research on such treatment for the condition is still warranted.

This study adds to the growing body of evidence that affirms the benefits of chiropractic in treating more than just back and neck pain. If you suffer from osteoarthritis or any other debilitating condition, pain relief may be as close as your doctor of chiropractic.

Reference: Brantingham JW, Williams AM, Parkin-Smith GF, et al. A controlled, prospective pilot study of the possible effects of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of osteo-arthritis of the hip. European Journal of Chiropractic 2003;51(3):149-166.

Exercise and Pregnancy: Can You Do Both?

Over the years, there has been considerable debate regarding the importance (and safety) of physical activity during pregnancy. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published new guidelines for exercise during pregnancy and the period immediately after giving birth.

This article examines various recommendations related to exercise during pregnancy, but the authors' conclusion sums it up best: "Pregnancy should not be a state of confinement, and pregnant women should be encouraged to continue and engage in physical activities. ... Despite the fact that pregnancy is associated with profound anatomical and physiological changes, exercise has minimal risks and confirmed benefits for most women."

As these guidelines emphasize, if you're expecting a child, certain physical activities are safe and even beneficial; on the other hand, some activities may be dangerous. Before you begin any exercise program during pregnancy, talk to your doctor to ensure that you and your growing child stay as healthy as possible.

Eat Soy: Prevent Baldness and Prostate Cancer?

A naturally occurring substance, DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone that helps control the development and functioning of the prostate gland; in most men, DHT is relatively harmless. However, some studies have shown that high levels of DHT can damage hair follicles, leading to male pattern baldness, or lead to an enlarged prostate or, in extreme cases, cancer of the prostate gland.

Researchers in the U.S. and China recently discovered that the answer to stopping DHT may be as easy as eating soy. The scientists conducted a pair of experiments in which two sets of rats were injected with "equol," a molecule abundant in soybeans and other soy-based products. While the equol did not prevent DHT from being made, it "handcuffed" the hormone by binding to and deactivating it.

"Directly binding and inactivating DHT without influencing testosterone gives equol the ability to reduce many of the harmful effects of androgens [male hormones] without affecting the beneficial ones," said the study's lead researcher. Another one of the study authors added that the findings "are of immense clinical importance."

Additional information about the benefits of sound nutrition can be found at www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/nutrition.

Reference: Lund TD, Munson DJ, Haldy ME, et al. Equol is a novel anti-androgen that inhibits prostate growth and hormone feedback. Biology of Reproduction 2004;70:1188-1195.