Breakthrough Medical Plus

03/17/2026

A Multi-Pronged Treatment Approach for Neck Pain

Non-specific mechanical neck pain is a common condition that affects up to 70% of the population at some point during their lifetime, and between 15-20% may have some degree neck pain at any given moment. The descriptor non-specific refers to the fact the condition arises from musculoskeletal strain or dysfunction in the neck region in the absence of a specific underlying medical pathology like degenerative disk disease, meningitis, rheumatoid arthritis, tumors, osteoporosis, and more. Because of the musculoskeletal nature of non-specific mechanical neck pain, patients often seek out chiropractic care; in fact, neck pain is the second most common reason people visit a chiropractor. When managing the condition, chiropractors will often use a combination of treatments, with manual therapies and stabilization exercises providing an excellent option.

Non-specific mechanical neck pain is a common condition that affects up to 70% of the population at some point during their lifetime, and between 15-20% may have some degree neck pain at any given moment. The descriptor non-specific refers to the fact the condition arises from

03/16/2026

Electronic Tablet-Related Neck Pain

When individuals use their smartphone, they often adopt an awkward posture in which their head rests forward of their shoulders. This forward head posture, or “text neck,” places added strain on the muscles in the back of the neck, shoulders, and upper back, which can lead to musculoskeletal pain. Researchers are now looking into how electronic tablet use affects posture and can elevate the risk for pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

When individuals use their smartphone, they often adopt an awkward posture in which their head rests forward of their shoulders. This forward head posture, or “text neck,” places added strain on the muscles in the back of the neck, shoulders, and upper back, which can lead to musculos

03/16/2026

A Practical Tool for Assessing Health and Longevity

As we age, it is natural to become more concerned about our longevity, especially if we have experienced health challenges or engaged in unhealthy behaviors earlier in life. One way to assess probabilistic near-term (under five years) and long-term (10–25 years) mortality risk is to use an assessment known as the Deficit Index, also called the Frailty Index. Essentially, the index evaluates health across many different domains. Each item is scored as 0 (not present), 0.5 (a mild or partial problem), or 1 (a severe or fully present problem). The individual deficit scores are added together and then divided by the total number of items assessed (61 in this example) to produce a final index value between 0 and 1. Below are commonly included deficit domains

03/16/2026

Unprocessed Carbs Linked to Lower Dementia Risk.

Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that a diet rich in fruits, legumes, and whole grains was associated with a 16% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, whereas a high intake of ultra-processed carbohydrates was linked to a 14% higher risk of the neurodegenerative condition. These findings suggest that diets emphasizing slower-digesting carbohydrates that minimize blood glucose spikes may help support brain health and reduce dementia risk as part of broader healthy aging strategies.

03/12/2026

Whiplash-Related Somatosensory Tinnitus

Most people associate tinnitus with excessive noise exposure, such as the ringing that can follow a rock concert. However, tinnitus can also develop following a whiplash event, such as the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck that occurs during a motor vehicle collision. While a crash may involve loud noises that can temporarily affect hearing, the persistent nature of tinnitus associated with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) suggests a different underlying mechanism.

Most people associate tinnitus with excessive noise exposure, such as the ringing that can follow a rock concert. However, tinnitus can also develop following a whiplash event, such as the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck that occurs during a motor vehicle collision. While

03/11/2026

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Really Does Reduce Heart Attack Risk.

The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 is a set of health-related behaviors and clinical measures—including not smoking, achieving adequate sleep duration, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and having healthy levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure—that are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Using data from the UK Biobank, researchers found that individuals who met all eight metrics did indeed have a substantially lower risk of heart attack, and among those who did experience myocardial infarction, the event occurred later in life compared with individuals with fewer optimal metrics.

03/11/2026

Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Seniors with Low Back Pain

While low back pain can affect people of all ages, it’s particularly problematic for older adults and is one of the top three reasons they see a doctor. Despite this, low back pain among seniors often persists for longer than three months, and in the presence of multiple comorbidities (which is often the case with advancing age), low back pain may be under treated or mismanaged. While guidelines for the management of low back pain often emphasize conservative approaches first and foremost, older patients tend to be underrepresented in the studies used to formulate such recommendations. Let’s take a look at the current research on the utilization of spinal manipulative therapy—the primary form of treatment provided by doctors of chiropractic—for the management of low back pain in older adults.

While low back pain can affect people of all ages, it’s particularly problematic for older adults and is one of the top three reasons they see a doctor. Despite this, low back pain among seniors often persists for longer than three months, and in the presence of multiple comorbidities (whic

03/10/2026

Low Back Adjustment May Help Treat Common Knee Disorder.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition characterized by anterior knee pain that can range from mild to severe and is often associated with abnormal contact or tracking of the posterior surface of the patella (kneecap) against the femur (thigh bone). In a study involving 30 individuals with PFPS, researchers found that spinal manipulative therapy applied to the lumbar spine twice weekly for four weeks was associated with improvements in knee pain and quadriceps strength. These findings suggest that spinal manipulation may play a supportive role in the management of PFPS.

03/10/2026

Treatment for Vertebral Compression Fracture

While there are many potential causes of low back pain in older adults, one of the most common—especially among women—is vertebral compression fracture (VCF). By age 80, up to 30% of women and 20% of men will have sustained at least one VCF. Interestingly, only about one-third of cases produce acute, noticeable pain. The remainder are either asymptomatic or go undiagnosed due to lack of imaging or because other pain-generating conditions such as osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis may mask the fracture. The type of treatment to address the injury depends largely on whether the fracture is stable or unstable.

While there are many potential causes of low back pain in older adults, one of the most common—especially among women—is vertebral compression fracture (VCF). By age 80, up to 30% of women and 20% of men will have sustained at least one VCF. Interestingly, only about one-third of case

03/09/2026

Repetitive Movement and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Of all the potential contributing factors for carpal tunnel syndrome—diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, inflammatory arthritis, pregnancy, birth control usage, and obesity—perhaps the most well-known is participating in jobs and activities that require fast, repetitive hand movements that can place increased pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. What can someone do if they begin experiencing tingling and numbness or pain and weakness associated with carpal tunnel syndrome without giving up their livelihood or their hobby?

Of all the potential contributing factors for carpal tunnel syndrome—diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, inflammatory arthritis, pregnancy, birth control usage, and obesity—perhaps the most well-known is participating in jobs and activities that require fast, repetitive hand movements that

03/09/2026

Footwear Changes for the Knee Osteoarthritis Patient

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of knee pain and disability in the elderly population. While treatment to address knee OA will often focus on the knee itself, a patient may also need to change their footwear. Why is that?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of knee pain and disability in the elderly population. While treatment to address knee OA will often focus on the knee itself, a patient may also need to change their footwear. Why is that? During normal walking, joint loading is NOT evenly distrib

03/05/2026

How Older Individuals Can Manage Hip Pain

Hip pain is a condition that becomes more common with age. It’s reported that 1 in 7 seniors experience significant hip pain on most days, particularly with simple movements such as sitting and standing. In addition to being painful, these individuals are also likely to report a diminished ability to carry out their regular activities. As such, it’s not unusual for a hip pain sufferer to schedule a visit with a doctor of chiropractic to see if a conservative course of care can benefit them without the need for medications, injections, or surgical intervention.

Hip pain is a condition that becomes more common with age. It’s reported that 1 in 7 seniors experience significant hip pain on most days, particularly with simple movements such as sitting and standing. In addition to being painful, these individuals are also likely to report a diminished