Massage Therapy and Low Back Pain

Massage therapy can be useful for many different types of ailments, in particular chronic low back pain. Gia Miller discusses the benefits of massage in her article titled, “Healing Hands: Massage May Ease Chronic Back Pain”. Guidelines suggest that massage therapy should be used prior to opiod use for lower back pain but many providers are not necessarily following these suggestions. Those that are suffering from low back pain typically experience symptoms short-term, but they can become chronic (lasting longer than three months) for about 15 percent of sufferers. It can be challenging to find a treatment that works for those with low back pain and oftentimes providers will prescribe painkillers but those can become addictive. The U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease suggest that exercise, steroid injections, behavioral changes, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture and surgery can also be viable options for relieving pain. It is always best to speak with your provider before starting any type of treatment. 

A study was completed using over 100 participants to meet with a massage therapist to develop a treatment plan for their low back pain. Participants received 10 massages from therapists. Subjects reported less pain after a 12 week period and continued to have reduced pain after a three month period. In general, those that were older than 50 years of age reported better results than those that were younger. Massage in particular is helpful for soft tissue injuries, which include muscles and ligaments. 

Subjects of the study received massages free of charge but typically massages can be expensive. Insurance companies typically do not cover massages and this may explain why opioids are prescribed more by providers. Niki Munk, who is a licensed massage therapist, stated that massage is most effective when it is done regularly to reduce pain. Once back pain has been reduced, massages can be done every month or every other month to maintain functionality. She suggests finding a therapist that patients can develop a therapeutic relationship with over each visit and one that will develop an effective treatment plan. To find out more ways to keep your body healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=202892

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Rachael Rettner explains in her article titled, “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked With Differences in Gut Bacteria” how people are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome due to imbalances in their gut bacteria. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme fatigue that does not improve through measures like sleeping and is not caused by another disease process. Research has found that those with chronic fatigue syndrome were found to have higher or lower levels of particular bacteria in their guts as compared to those that do not have chronic fatigue syndrome. In this particular study, researchers looked at the subpopulation of participants in this research who also had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Gut bacteria amounts did depend on whether patients just had chronic fatigue syndrome or both conditions. Researchers found then that they could potentially divide people into different groups depending on their gut bacteria make-up, which could aid in helping to diagnose and treat chronic fatigue syndrome. 

It has been found that 35 to 90 percent of people that have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome also have symptoms of abdominal discomfort, which could correlate with irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers are unsure how both of these conditions are directly related to each other. It is hypothesized that either chronic fatigue syndrome can predispose someone to developing IBS or that both of the conditions may have a similar cause. In a study that analyzed fecal samples of 50 people with chronic fatigue syndrome and 50 without, it was discovered that 21 out of the 50 people with chronic fatigue syndrome also had irritable bowel syndrome. There are six different kinds of bacteria that have been correlated with chronic fatigue syndrome, and they can actually help predict if someone has chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut bacteria has been found to have effects on the central nervous system and immune system, which could cause chronic fatigue syndrome to develop or it could be changes in someone's gut bacteria that could be caused by chronic fatigue syndrome. Research needs to still be done to understand other gastrointestinal symptoms and how gut bacteria imbalances can affect these disease processes. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/04/28/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-linked-with-differences-in-gut-bacteria.html