Journal of Chiropractic Medicine

Effect of chiropractic treatment on hip extension ability and running velocity among young male running athletes

Jörgen Sandell, Per J. Palmgren, Lars Björndahl — 2008-06-01

Abstract: Objective: This study investigates the effect of chiropractic treatment on hip joint extension ability and running velocity.Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental pilot study. Seventeen healthy male junior athletes (age, 17-20 years) training in middle distance running were recruited from local Swedish athletic associations. Hip extension ability and running velocity were measured before and after the study period. Chiropractic investigations comprised motion palpation of the sacroiliac and hip joints and modified Thomas test of the ability to extend the leg. In the treatment group, findings of restrictive joint dysfunctions formed the basis for the choice of chiropractic treatment. The interventions were based on a pragmatic approach consisting of high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulations targeted toward, but not exclusively to, the sacroiliac joints.Results: The treatment group showed significantly greater hip extension ability after chiropractic treatment than did controls (P < .05). Participants in the treatment group did not show a significant decrease in time for running 30 m after treatment (average, −0.065 seconds; P = .0572), whereas the difference was even smaller for the control subjects (average, −0.003; P = .7344).Conclusions: The results imply that chiropractic treatment can improve hip extensibility in subjects with restriction as measured by the modified Thomas test. It could be speculated that the running step was amplified by increasing the angle of step through facilitated hip joint extension ability. The possible effect of chiropractic treatment to enhance the running velocity, by increasing the hip joint extension ability and thereby increasing the running step, remains unproven.

Vitamin C supplementation lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials

Marc P. McRae — 2008-06-01

Abstract: Objective: Vitamin C has been shown to be an effective therapeutic for reducing total serum cholesterol, but epidemiologic studies have determined that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are actually better predictive measures of coronary heart disease risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to investigate the effect of vitamin C supplementation on LDL and HDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides in patients with hypercholesterolemia.Methods: Thirteen randomized controlled trials published between 1970 and June 2007 were identified using Medline and a manual search. From the 13 trials, 14 separate group populations with hypercholesterolemia and who were supplemented with at least 500 mg/d of vitamin C for between 3 and 24 weeks were entered into the meta-analysis. This meta-analysis used a random-effects model; and the overall effect sizes were calculated for changes in LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as triglyceride concentrations.Results: The pooled estimate of effect for vitamin C supplementation on LDL and HDL cholesterol was −7.9 mg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], −12.3 to −3.5; P = .000) and 1.1 mg/dL (95% CI, −0.2 to 2.3; not significant), respectively. The pooled estimate of effect for vitamin C supplementation on triglycerides was −20.1 mg/dL (95% CI, −33.3 to −6.8; P < .003).Conclusion: Supplementation with at least 500 mg/d of vitamin C, for a minimum of 4 weeks, can result in a significant decrease in serum LDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. However, there was a nonsignificant elevation of serum HDL cholesterol.

Effects of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments on acute low back pain: a pilot study

John Zhang, Dennis Enix, Brian Snyder, Kristan Giggey, Rodger Tepe — 2008-06-01

Abstract: Objective: This randomized controlled study was designed to determine the pain-relieving effect of Biofreeze (Performance Health Inc., Export, PA) body surface application and chiropractic adjustments on subjects with acute low back pain (LBP).Methods: The data were collected at the baseline, 2 weeks after treatment, and 4 weeks after treatment for final analyses. Diversified manual adjustments were provided by licensed chiropractors twice a week for 4 weeks to both control and experimental groups. Biofreeze was applied to the lower back area 3 times a day for 4 weeks in the experimental group. Outcome assessments included visual analog scale, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, heart rate variability for stress, and electromyography for low back muscle activity.Results: A total of 36 subjects were recruited in the study (25 male). The average age was 34 years. Significant pain reduction was found after each week of treatment in the experimental group (P < .05). The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire did not show significant changes in both groups. There were no significant differences for pain reduction in the control group. Heart rate variability analysis showed no significant change (P > .05) in the experimental group after 4 weeks of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments. There were no statistically significant changes in the electromyography readings between the 2 groups.Conclusion: Biofreeze combined with chiropractic adjustment showed significant reduction in LBP.

A case of chronic migraine remission after chiropractic care

Peter J. Tuchin — 2008-06-01

Abstract: Objective: To present a case study of migraine sufferer who had a dramatic improvement after chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT).Clinical features: The case presented is a 72-year–old woman with a 60-year history of migraine headaches, which included nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia.Intervention and outcome: The average frequency of migraine episodes before treatment was 1 to 2 per week, including nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia; and the average duration of each episode was 1 to 3 days. The patient was treated with CSMT. She reported all episodes being eliminated after CSMT. The patient was certain there had been no other lifestyle changes that could have contributed to her improvement. She also noted that the use of her medication was reduced by 100%. A 7-year follow-up revealed that the person had still not had a single migraine episode in this period.Conclusion: This case highlights that a subgroup of migraine patients may respond favorably to CSMT. While a case study does not represent significant scientific evidence, in context with other studies conducted, this study suggests that a trial of CSMT should be considered for chronic, nonresponsive migraine headache, especially if migraine patients are nonresponsive to pharmaceuticals or prefer to use other treatment methods.

Public health advocacy and chiropractic: a guide to helping your community reach its health objectives

Marion W. Evans, Ronald D. Williams, Michael Perko — 2008-06-01

Abstract: Objective: Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) provide health educational and promotion efforts in the communities they serve by counseling patients at the individual level. This article outlines a method and model in which DCs can effectively serve as public health advocates within their community.Discussion: The social ecological model of health education and health promotion serves as an excellent template for taking into account every antecedent to disease within a community and how to prevent it through health promotion. A step-by-step guide to getting the DC involved in the community can be centered on this model, with the DC serving as a health advocate for his or her community. Resources are provided to assist in this process.Conclusion: The DC can and should engage his or her community in areas that are conducive to health through involvement and advocacy roles where these are suitable. A community's health can be enhanced with greater health care provider involvement, and DCs need to consider themselves a part of this process.

Editorial Board

2008-06-01

Masthead

2008-06-01

Instructions for Authors

2008-06-01

AUTHORSHIP COPYRIGHT FORM

2008-06-01

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine

Effect of chiropractic treatment on hip extension ability and running velocity among young male running athletes

Vitamin C supplementation lowers serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides: a meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials

Effects of Biofreeze and chiropractic adjustments on acute low back pain: a pilot study

A case of chronic migraine remission after chiropractic care

Public health advocacy and chiropractic: a guide to helping your community reach its health objectives

Editorial Board

Masthead

Table of Contents

Instructions for Authors

AUTHORSHIP COPYRIGHT FORM