The Bone and Joint Task Force on Neck Pain synthesized evidence from research done between 1999 and 2007 on neck pain. They have found that effective treatments for neck pain consist mainly of active interventions such as manipulation, mobilization, supervised exercises, and acupuncture. Correspondingly, the task force has also documented non-effective treatments to include such passive modalities as heat, cold, ultrasound, TENS, and electrical muscle stimulation. At OC3, we pride ourselves on providing active, hands-on, […]

Researchers have recently studied the Elliptical trainer’s effect on torso and overall body mechanics.  What they found may help explain why some low back pain sufferers can not tolerate this form of exercise. They tested a number of hand positions and varying stride lengths on the elliptical trainer, and concluded that all hand positions and stride lengths tested, resulted in an increased average forward flexion of the lumbar spine when compared to walking.  We already […]

As 2013 comes into full swing, this is the time of year for resolutions. Why not incorporate goal setting into your physiotherapy and chiropractic care to get the most out of your treatment? A 2012 study of UK military personnel with chronic low back pain looked at the value of goal setting as part of the intervention, along with exercise. Not surprisingly, the participants who made goal setting part of their treatment plan for low […]

This comes as no surprise.  The European Spine Journal recently published research results suggesting that a higher muscular and aerobic fitness level is associated with a reduced risk of lower back pain.  Conversely, they also found that either excessive or inadequate exercise levels were associated with an increased risk of lower back pain.   These results were statistically more significant in women than in men. How do we take this information and apply it to […]