Powell Chiropractic Center

01/30/2026

Poor Lifestyle Choices Raise Neck and Back Pain Risk.

Surveys completed by 3,492 young adults without neck or back pain in the preceding three months revealed that those who engaged in three or more unhealthy behaviors—physical inactivity, high sitting time, meal skipping and risky use of alcohol, to***co, and illicit drugs—were 35% more likely to develop either neck or back pain in the following year.

BMC Public Health, November 2025

01/29/2026

Insufficient Sleep Linked to Shorter Life Expectancy.

Oregon Health & Science University researchers report that aside from smoking, failure to consistently sleep seven to nine hours a night may be the strongest risk factor of early death—even more than poor diet, physical inactivity, and loneliness. The authors note that sufficient sleep is essential for optimal cardiovascular, immune, and brain health.

SLEEP Advances, September 2025

01/28/2026

Benefits of Daily Walks.

The Mayo Clinic notes that increasing daily step counts to 4,000–8,000 steps per day (about 2-4 miles or 3.2-6.4 kilometers) can improve blood pressure, weight control, mood, balance, blood sugar regulation, and overall chronic disease risk.

Mayo Clinic, February 2026

01/27/2026

Mobilization Therapy Effective for Acute Whiplash Neck Pain.

A recent clinical trial that included 120 patients with acute neck pain following a motor vehicle collision found that mobilization therapy resulted in faster and better short-term improvement than standard treatment alone. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the delivery of mobilization and other manual therapies for the management of whiplash-associated neck pain.

Journal of Integrative Medicine, November 2025

01/26/2026

Midlife Depressive Symptoms Linked to Dementia.

Using data from the Whitehall II study, researchers found that the following depressive symptoms at midlife are associated with an elevated risk of dementia in old age: losing confidence, not able to face up to problems, not feeling warmth and affection for others, nervous and strung-up all the time, not satisfied with the way tasks are carried out, and difficulties concentrating.

Lancet Psychiatry, December 2025

01/22/2026

Nearly Three-Quarters of Adults Struggle with Daytime Sleepiness!

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that 72% of adults in the United States experience daytime sleepiness, which can negatively affect mood, stress levels, productivity, and relationships. The Academy notes that chronic daytime tiredness may signal insufficient sleep or poor sleep quality due to an underlying health issue, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine, November 2025

01/21/2026

Therapeutic Climbing Shows Mood and Focus Benefits.

For psychiatric patients under treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, a recent study found that structured therapeutic climbing sessions provided benefits with respect to mood, mental focus, social connection, and physical confidence. Participants found the intervention enjoyable and were likely to continue climbing after the study.

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, December 2025

01/20/2026

Factors Linked to Central Sensitization.

Central sensitization is a state in which the nervous system becomes overly reactive, amplifying pain signals and lowering the threshold at which pain is perceived—an effect that can hinder recovery from chronic low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. A recent study found that central sensitization was not directly associated with psychological distress or pain intensity, but it showed mild associations with higher body mass index and low vitamin D status. These findings suggest that poor metabolic health may contribute to central sensitization and should be considered when patients fail to respond to conservative treatment approaches, such as chiropractic care.

Indian Journal of Anesthesia, October 2025

01/19/2026

Dementia Increasing Worldwide.

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease study, researchers report that the global age-standardized rate of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias increased from 1990 to 2021. Because burden growth was highest in richer nations, the authors suggest that declines in metabolic health may be a contributing factor to the increased incidence of dementia, highlighting the importance of maintaining good metabolic health through regular exercise, a high-quality diet, healthy body weight, adequate sleep, and effective management of stress and inflammation.

Medicine (Baltimore), November 2025

12/25/2025

12/14/2025

Through their initial chiropractic college instruction, as well as continuing education and post-graduate training/certification, doctors of chiropractic are equipped with a variety of techniques and therapies to manage musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain (LBP). Studies have found that a common contributory cause of LBP is dysfunction of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF). The purpose of the TLF is to allow the various muscle groups between the lower rib cage and the pelvic brim on both sides of the low back to smoothly slide independently between each other during normal movement. When adhesions form in the fascia, they can restrict the ability of the muscles to move independently, which can increase the risk for pain and injury in the low back and associated areas of the body.

One treatment option to address issues in the TLF that can cause pain and disability in the lower back is myofascial release (MFR). Myofascial release is a hands-on treatment in which a doctor of chiropractic applies pressure with their hands, elbow, or a tool to stretch the muscles to knead out trigger points or adhesions that may inhibit the ability of the muscles to slide against one another during normal movements.

In a 2021 study, 36 patients with non-specific chronic LBP received either a single 40-minute session of MFR or a sham treatment. The patients in the MFR group experienced improved muscle activity in the lower back (based on diagnostic testing), as well as a reduction in both self-reported pain and disability.

In another study that included 109 patients with chronic LBP, researchers observed that those who received a single 40-minute session of MFR not only experienced improved muscle activity in the lower back immediately following treatment, but these improvements persisted up to one month later at a follow-up visit. No such improvements were recorded among participants who did not receive any treatment.

Because a low back condition may have several underlying causes that need to be addressed together, a doctor of chiropractic will often adopt a multimodal approach to achieve the best outcome for the patient. In addition to MFR, a chiropractor may also employ spinal manipulative therapy, mobilization therapy, soft-tissue therapy, exercise training, activity modification, physiotherapy modalities, nutritional counseling and more. It all depends on the patient’s unique case, as well as their doctor’s training and treatment preferences.

12/14/2025

Music can have a variety of effects on an individual from altering their mood to triggering a memory. But did you know that music can also play a role in protecting the brain and helping it function?

In 2020, the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) gathered a panel of experts to examine the latest research on how music affects and influences brain health. There was strong agreement among the experts that music can play a vital role in promoting mental well-being, increasing social connections, and stimulating cognitive skills—all of which can slow the progression of or even reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

One of the GCBH panel’s main recommendations is to actively engage in singing and/or dancing as these activities provide both physical exercise as well as being a highly effective stress reducer. Although studies show that the strongest response to the brain (and dopamine release) occurs when the music is familiar and enjoyed, listening to new music can also stimulate the brain.

For patients with mild-cognitive impairment or dementia, even its later stages, music therapy has been found to improve mood and quality of life and reduce anxiety and depression as well as agitation. There is also data to suggest that patients with Parkinson’s disease may experience a better ability to talk and move when listening to music. It has even been demonstrated that music, especially singing, can help during recovery from a stroke.

In addition to singing in the shower or in the car, look for more ways to work music into your life. Some suggestions include using apps to suggest new bands or songs that you may enjoy, creating a playlist of songs that are motivating, joining a choir, learning an instrument, and taking dance classes.

Of course, if you find that musculoskeletal pain interferes with your ability to comfortably carry out these musical activities, contact your doctor of chiropractic. The sooner you seek care, the faster you may resume your normal activities.