Breakthrough Medical Plus

04/23/2026

The Cost of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy—or pinching of a nerve outside of the spine—affecting between 3-6% of the population. While we usually focus on how carpal tunnel syndrome is managed, in this article we’re going to focus on why CTS is one of the costliest musculoskeletal disorders.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy—or pinching of a nerve outside of the spine—affecting between 3-6% of the population. While we usually focus on how carpal tunnel syndrome is managed, in this article we’re going to focus on why CTS is one of

04/23/2026

Recovering from Whiplash

A whiplash neck injury occurs when the head is abruptly thrown backward and then forward. This violent motion, which happens faster than the body can brace against, can damage soft tissues—including ligaments, muscles, nerves, and disks—as well as cause bone injury or fracture with or without dislocation. Symptoms typically develop within days and may include neck pain and stiffness, reduced motion, headaches (often starting at the base of the skull), shoulder or upper back tenderness, dizziness, fatigue, tingling or numbness in the arms, and pain that worsens with movement. Each case is unique, making recovery time highly variable and difficult to predict.

A whiplash neck injury occurs when the head is abruptly thrown backward and then forward. This violent motion, which happens faster than the body can brace against, can damage soft tissues—including ligaments, muscles, nerves, and disks—as well as cause bone injury or fracture with or

04/22/2026

Lumbar Disk Herniation Size and Surgery

It stands to reason the more an intervertebral disk herniates, the more it will compress the spinal nerves, leading to a greater likelihood for surgical intervention. But what if that isn’t the case?

It stands to reason the more an intervertebral disk herniates, the more it will compress the spinal nerves, leading to a greater likelihood for surgical intervention. But what if that isn’t the case? The current standard treatment of lumbar disk herniation (LDH) involves FIRST the i

04/22/2026

Hands-On Treatment May Benefit Bruxism Patients.

Bruxism is a condition characterized by involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth, typically occurring during sleep or periods of stress, and is often associated with jaw muscle pain, tooth wear, and temporomandibular joint symptoms. In a recent study, researchers found that applying myofascial release—a hands-on technique in which a doctor of chiropractic uses manual pressure (with the hands, elbow, or a tool) to reduce muscle tension and improve tissue mobility—to the masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles led to significant improvements in jaw and neck pain, as well as maximal mouth opening, in individuals with bruxism. These findings support the use of myofascial release as part of a multimodal approach to managing bruxism.

04/22/2026

Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain Saves Money

Each year, nearly 1-in-4 women and 1-in-6 men experience an episode of neck pain. In particular, the risk is highest for working-age adults aged 30 to 59 years. Interestingly, past research suggests that indirect costs associated with a condition like neck pain—such as missing work or lost productivity—often exceed direct healthcare expenditures. Thus, when it comes to a recommended course of care, it’s important for care to improve pain and function so that the patient can return to work, with a reduced risk for relapse or recurrence of their neck pain.

Each year, nearly 1-in-4 women and 1-in-6 men experience an episode of neck pain. In particular, the risk is highest for working-age adults aged 30 to 59 years. Interestingly, past research suggests that indirect costs associated with a condition like neck pain—such as missing work or lost

04/21/2026

The Various Causes of Hip Pain

Hip pain is a VERY common problem among older adults that can affect their ability to remain independent. While it’s common to assume that hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is responsible for the prevalence of hip pain in the aging population, the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study (FOS) found this isn’t always the case.

Hip pain is a VERY common problem among older adults that can affect their ability to remain independent. While it’s common to assume that hip osteoarthritis (HOA) is responsible for the prevalence of hip pain in the aging population, the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study (FOS) found this isn

04/21/2026

Chiropractic Care for Migraines

Migraine headaches can have a serious impact on one’s quality of life and their ability to carry out their daily activities, both at home and at work. While chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be effective for tension-type and cervicogenic headaches, what does the literature say about its effect on migraines?

Migraine headaches can have a serious impact on one’s quality of life and their ability to carry out their daily activities, both at home and at work. While chiropractic care has been demonstrated to be effective for tension-type and cervicogenic headaches, what does the literature say abou

04/21/2026

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Linked to Migraine Headaches

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist that’s characterized by pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in select parts of the hand. The result of a 2019 study suggests that CTS may be associated with migraine headaches. How can these two seemingly disparate conditions be related?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist that’s characterized by pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in select parts of the hand. The result of a 2019 study suggests that CTS may be associated with migraine heada

04/20/2026

Knee Injuries in Youth Soccer Players

There are over 3 million registered youth soccer players in the United States. While playing organized sports offers many benefits to children and teens, the activity also comes with the possibility of injury—especially knee injuries among female players.

There are over 3 million registered youth soccer players in the United States. While playing organized sports offers many benefits to children and teens, the activity also comes with the possibility of injury—especially knee injuries among female players. There are two types of inju

04/16/2026

Is Internet Addiction Linked to Psychological Distress?

Assessments completed by 7,278 university students revealed that 38.6% exhibited signs of Internet addiction, which was associated with higher levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. These findings suggest that strategies aimed at reducing time spent online could benefit college students, particularly those under treatment for psychological disorders.

04/15/2026

Exercises to Reduce Neck Pain Risk

As desktop computers, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and smartphones take greater importance in our lives, more and more people are consulting with healthcare providers for musculoskeletal conditions like neck pain. Why is this the case, and are there things that can be done to reduce one’s risk for neck pain in today’s modern world?

As desktop computers, laptops, tablets, e-readers, and smartphones take greater importance in our lives, more and more people are consulting with healthcare providers for musculoskeletal conditions like neck pain. Why is this the case, and are there things that can be done to reduce one’s r

04/15/2026

Hip Pain Characteristics That Can Inform Diagnosis

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint in which the femoral head meets the pelvis, supported by several layers of cartilage and other soft tissues that allow for a wide range of motion. While this design provides mobility, it also creates multiple opportunities for instability and irritation that can result in what is generally referred to as hip pain. However, there are many potential causes of hip pain, and the specific characteristics of a patient’s symptoms can help guide the healthcare provider—such as a doctor of chiropractic—on what to evaluate during the physical examination.