Breakthrough Medical Plus

02/19/2026

Gestational Diabetes Rate Up 36% from 2016.

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and can have long-term effects on a woman’s cardiovascular and metabolic health. From 2016 to 2024, its incidence increased each year, rising from 58 to 79 cases per 1,000 births. Researchers suggest this upward trend may reflect worsening cardiometabolic health among young adults, including poorer dietary patterns, lower physical activity levels, and rising obesity rates.

02/19/2026

Exercises for Improving Cervical Posture

Is there a “normal” or “best posture” out there? If so, what is it? Posture is largely inherited; however, there are also environmental, social, and other forces that can affect posture. Some say “good posture” is the position that places the least amount of strain on the body, particularly the muscles and ligaments that hold the body together.

Is there a “normal” or “best posture” out there? If so, what is it? Posture is largely inherited; however, there are also environmental, social, and other forces that can affect posture. Some say “good posture” is the position that places the least amount of strain on the body,

02/18/2026

It Isn’t Always Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

When symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness affect the hand, the first condition that comes to mind for most people is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While CTS is the most common nerve entrapment affecting the upper extremity, it is far from the only possible cause of these symptoms. So how does a chiropractor determine whether the problem is CTS or something else?

When symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness affect the hand, the first condition that comes to mind for most people is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). While CTS is the most common nerve entrapment affecting the upper extremity, it is far from the only possible cause of these sympto

02/18/2026

Chiropractic Care of the Elderly with Neck Pain

One-in-five adults over the age of 70 suffer from neck pain, which can dramatically affect their overall quality of life. So how effective is chiropractic care for a senior’s neck pain?

One-in-five adults over the age of 70 suffer from neck pain, which can dramatically affect their overall quality of life. So how effective is chiropractic care for a senior’s neck pain? A 2019 study published in the journal Chiropractic & Manual Therapies surveyed 288 Australian chi

02/17/2026

Effective Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain.

A recent study found that myofascial release combined with stabilization exercises is an effective combination to improve pain, balance, muscle function, flexibility, muscle tone, disability, and autonomic regulation in chronic low back pain patients. Doctors of chiropractic often use these and other conservative treatments in the management of chronic low back pain.

02/17/2026

Chiropractic Care AFTER Knee Replacement

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most performed operating room procedure in the United States, and the number of surgeries is projected to increase by 400% (to 3.5 million a year) in the next twenty years due to prolonged longevity, the rise in obesity, and increasing rates of osteoarthritis. The surgery itself traumatizes the surrounding tissues resulting in significant whole leg swelling that increases by 10% per day for the first three days after surgery, reaching an average peak increase of 35% within six-to-eight days. The swelling overloads the lymphatic system, and the increase in pressure results in joint and soft tissue tightness, tension, and pain, which restricts venous blood return to the heart. Post-operative swelling after TKA may persist for six months or longer causing multiple functional deficits including (but not limited to) reduced strength, decreased range of motion (ROM), and slower walking speeds. Can chiropractic care play a role in a TKA patient’s post-surgical care plan?

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most performed operating room procedure in the United States, and the number of surgeries is projected to increase by 400% (to 3.5 million a year) in the next twenty years due to prolonged longevity, the rise in obesity, and increasing rates of osteoarthritis.

02/17/2026

Choose Chiropractic FIRST for Low Back Pain

When it comes to a condition like low back pain, does it matter what type of healthcare provider a patient initially visits for treatment? A study published in 2015 looked at this question and found that the type of healthcare provider a patient initially consulted had a dramatic effect on both their short-term and long-term prognosis.

When it comes to a condition like low back pain, does it matter what type of healthcare provider a patient initially visits for treatment? A study published in 2015 looked at this question and found that the type of healthcare provider a patient initially consulted had a dramatic effect on both t

02/16/2026

Conservative Management of Patellar Tendinopathy

The act of straightening the leg during walking, running, jumping, or standing is accomplished through a coordinated anatomical mechanism involving the quadriceps muscles that attach to the patella (kneecap), which is connected to the tibia (shin bone) via the patellar tendon. Repetitive and forceful knee-extension movements can overload this tendon, leading to injury or inflammation known as patellar tendinopathy, commonly referred to as jumper’s knee. This raises an important question: can conservative treatments such as chiropractic care effectively manage this condition or is surgery required?

The act of straightening the leg during walking, running, jumping, or standing is accomplished through a coordinated anatomical mechanism involving the quadriceps muscles that attach to the patella (kneecap), which is connected to the tibia (shin bone) via the patellar tendon. Repetitive and forc

02/16/2026

Excessive Smartphone Use Can Be a Pain in the Neck

Since their introduction and rapid adoption in the mid-2000s, smartphones have become an integral part of daily life—not only by consolidating multiple technologies into a single device, but also by helping us stay connected with family, friends, clients, and colleagues. However, alongside these benefits, a growing body of evidence points to significant downsides. Excessive smartphone use has been linked to poorer mental health—particularly among teens and young adults—and may also negatively affect physica

Since their introduction and rapid adoption in the mid-2000s, smartphones have become an integral part of daily life—not only by consolidating multiple technologies into a single device, but also by helping us stay connected with family, friends, clients, and colleagues. However, alongside

02/12/2026

Hands-On Care for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a very common cause of shoulder pain that affects about half of adults at some point in life. Essentially, the condition describes the pinching of pain-sensitive structures in the shoulder that restricts normal use or function, with raising the shoulder being a very common activity that triggers a painful reaction.

Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a very common cause of shoulder pain that affects about half of adults at some point in life. Essentially, the condition describes the pinching of pain-sensitive structures in the shoulder that restricts normal use or function, with raising the shoulde

02/11/2026

Chronic Whiplash and Neck Muscle Endurance

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) is an umbrella term used to characterize the myriad symptoms that can occur when soft tissues are injured during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck in a whiplash event, such as a rear-end automobile collision. Despite advances in the understanding and treatment of WAD, it is estimated that nearly half of whiplash patients continue to experience ongoing pain and disability for a year or longer. Recent studies have identified reduced neck muscle endurance as a risk factor for chronic WAD, but what happens in a real-world setting when neck muscle strengthening is included as part of treatment?

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) is an umbrella term used to characterize the myriad symptoms that can occur when soft tissues are injured during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck in a whiplash event, such as a rear-end automobile collision. Despite advances in the under

02/10/2026

Potential Causes of Post-Surgical Neck Pain

Assuming patients and healthcare providers follow clinical guidelines for managing neck pain, most neck pain sufferers can experience resolution of their pain and disability with the aid of a conservative, multimodal treatment approach, such as those provided by chiropractors. However, for a variety of reasons, some patients may still undergo surgical intervention, and it is estimated that up to 40% may continue to experience persistent or disabling neck pain. Why is this the case, and is there anything chiropractic care can do to help these patients?

Assuming patients and healthcare providers follow clinical guidelines for managing neck pain, most neck pain sufferers can experience resolution of their pain and disability with the aid of a conservative, multimodal treatment approach, such as those provided by chiropractors. However, for a vari