BACK PAIN and INFLAMMATION: Link & Test
The exam for the diagnosis of back pain
conditions has a new tool: urine testing! Why? Inflammation. Inflammation can
be spotted via serum tests like this that test for
biomarker activity. The association
between inflammation and back pain has been studied.
A rat study documented that, compared to sham treatment, manipulation
and mobilization relieved sciatic radicular pain by possibly
decreasing neuroinflammation and inhibiting nitric
oxide synthase expression. (1) Lately, chiropractic
researchers have studied specifically the outcome
of chiropractic care on levels of the biomarker cytokine called tumor necrosis
factor alpha (TNF-α) via urine tests. Described as a strong
pro-inflammatory cytokine closely linked with intervertebral
disc degeneration that may trigger other cytokines’ (interleukin-6
or interleukin-1β) reactions as well, TNF-α levels were discovered
to be elevated in patients with severe sciatica and chronic low
back pain compared with milder symptomatic patients and healthy volunteers. Particularly,
the urine tests of chronic low back pain patients showed
significantly higher baseline levels of TNF-α. The good news:
These levels were significantly lower after 4-6 weeks of
chiropractic care! These levels did not relate to pain
intensity or disability. (2) Chiropractic care including
spinal manipulation like the gentle form of Cox® Technic Flexion Distraction
Decompression your McHenry chiropractor uses has been documented
as pain-relieving in a mean of 12 visits and 30 days. (3) Bring your back pain and
its related inflammation to OrthoIllinois Chiropractic!
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Jeremy Heidt on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes his pain-alleviating
chiropractic care with the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management of a
female patient with severe sciatica.
McHenry CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE
MONTH: The Anti-Inflammatory Blueberry
Researchers have detailed the blueberry as
anti-inflammatory as well as anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant,
neuroprotective and more. Studies have shown that the
blueberry facilitated how nuclear receptors act. (4) More
specifically, the anti-inflammatory action of the blueberry was found to inhibit
inflammation by reducing the production of inflammatory factors
and enhancing immunity. The main targets of the blueberry’s
anti-inflammatory efforts were TNF, ESR1, AGTR1 and IGF1. (5) See
TNF is in that list? OrthoIllinois Chiropractic hopes you like blueberries! They are
good for you, our McHenry back pain patient, and all of us.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Thank you for entrusting us with your spinal
health. Schedule your McHenry chiropractic appointment
with OrthoIllinois Chiropractic now!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."