1.) Women have a better sense of smell than men. 2.) When you take a step, you use up to 200 muscles. 3.) Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren’t. 4.) The human brain has the capacity to store everything you experience. 5.) It takes twice as long to lose new muscle if you stop working out than it did to gain it. 6.) The average person’s skin weighs twice as much as their brain. 7.) Every year your body replaces 98% of your atoms. 8.) On average, there are 100 billion neurons in the human brain. 9.) The lifespan of a taste bud is ten days. 10.) Dentists recommend you keep your toothbrush at least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles caused by flushing. 11.) Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end. 12.) Your stomach produces a new layer of mucus every two weeks so that it doesn’t digest itself. 13.) It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body. 14.) The pupil of the eye expands as much as 45% when a person looks at something pleasing. 15.) Your heart rate can rise as much as 30% during a yawn. 16.) Your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood each day. 17.) Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day. 18.) Your hair grows faster in the morning than at any other time of day. 19.) Your body is creating and killing 15 million red blood cells per second. 20.) You’re born with 300 bones, but when you reach adulthood, you only have 206!
Potential Causes of Post-Surgical Neck Pain
4 FebAssuming 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?
The first potential cause of persistent post-surgical neck pain is an incomplete or
incorrect diagnosis. This can occur when imaging reveals positive findings—such as a disk
herniation—that are attributed to the patient’s symptoms but may not, in fact, be the underlying
cause. In some cases, a disk herniation may play a role; however, other contributing factors that
are not visible on imaging or are missed during a physical examination may also be involved.
There are also cases in which the pain generator is correctly identified and treated, but
complications from surgery result in ongoing neck pain. For example, scar tissue formation
around nerves and soft tissues can tether nerves or create a chronic inflammatory environment
that triggers pain. In addition, a decompressed nerve may continue to experience impaired
function as though it were still compressed.
Finally, a new source of neck pain may develop following an otherwise successful
surgical procedure. This can occur when spinal alignment is restored but the joints and soft
tissues are not accustomed to supporting the altered loads and forces and subsequently become
injured. Additionally, in cases of surgical fusion that restrict movement at a cervical spinal level,
the vertebrae above and below the fusion may become hypermobile to compensate, pushing them
beyond their normal range of motion and increasing the risk of injury.
With all of this in mind, how can a doctor of chiropractic help manage post-surgical neck
pain? The first step is a thorough review of the patient’s history, which guides the physical
examination. The examination not only seeks to identify potential pain generators but also helps
detect red flags that contraindicate chiropractic treatment. In addition to traditional red flags
(such as fracture, infection, tumor, severe osteoporosis, and vascular abnormalities), the
chiropractor will also assess for signs of cervical instability or incomplete healing. To help
restore normal movement and function of the cervical spine, a doctor of chiropractic will often
employ a multimodal approach that combines low-force manual therapies, gentle traction,
therapeutic exercises, and physiotherapy modalities.
Brent Binder, D.C. 4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888
Ten Persistent Myths About Low Back Pain in the Elderly
2 FebLow back pain (LBP) is one of the costliest and most disabling conditions affecting older adults. Not only
can pain and disability interfere with the ability to carry out activities of daily living, but proprioceptive deficits
associated with low back pain can impair balance, increasing the risk of serious falls and injuries that can
dramatically affect long-term health and independence. Despite clinical guidelines on effective management of low
back pain in the senior population, these ten prominent myths persist and continue to hinder recovery:
- MYTH: Back pain is inevitable with aging. FACT: Back pain is common but not inevitable. Prevalence
increases with age and then levels off after approximately age 60. - MYTH: Back pain usually indicates serious disease in older adults. FACT: Serious underlying conditions
account for fewer than 5% of cases. Most low back pain is classified as “non-specific” and is not associated
with serious pathology. - MYTH: Imaging is necessary in adults over age 50 with low back pain. FACT: Imaging in the absence of
“red flags” (such as cancer, fracture, infection, or cauda equina syndrome) can lead to unnecessary
interventions and can cause more harm than benefit. - MYTH: Pain should guide behavior—avoid lifting, twisting, and bending when experiencing low back
pain. FACT: Physical activity promotes recovery, while prolonged avoidance and inactivity are associated
with worse outcomes. Pain during activity does not usually indicate tissue damage. - MYTH: Bed rest is recommended for low back pain in older adults. FACT: Bed rest can cause more harm
than good, particularly when prolonged, and may contribute to deconditioning and delayed recovery. - MYTH: Medication should be the first-line treatment for low back pain. FACT: Clinical guidelines support
nonpharmacological treatments as first-line approaches, including manual therapies such as those provided
by chiropractors. - MYTH: Surgery is effective for primary back-dominant low back pain. FACT: Surgery is not
recommended for primary back-dominant pain and may result in worse outcomes or unnecessary
complications. - MYTH: Chronic low back pain in older adults is always caused by structural damage. FACT: Structural
changes seen on imaging correlate poorly with pain severity or disability. Psychosocial factors play a
substantial role in persistent pain. - MYTH: Injections, ablation, and nerve blocks are highly effective treatments. FACT: For nonspecific low
back pain, these interventions often provide no greater benefit than sham treatments and are associated with
increased adverse events in older adults. - MYTH: Disk herniations commonly cause leg pain in older adults. FACT: Disk herniations are less
common in this population; clinical findings are often more reliable than imaging alone.
Unfortunately, this misinformation is frequently reinforced by family members, friends, social media,
pharmaceutical companies, other industries, and even healthcare providers. These myths about back pain foster
inaccurate attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that can lead to inappropriate, costly, and sometimes harmful treatments.
Additionally, such misconceptions can result in psychological consequences—including fear of movement, poor
self-efficacy, low motivation, anxiety, stress, and depression—all of which contribute to greater disability and
slower recovery. The good news is that, in most cases, chiropractic care serves as a conservative treatment option
that can help reduce pain and disability, enabling older adults to more easily maintain independence and perform
activities of daily living.
Brent Binder, D.C. 4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888
The Inflammation and Depression Connection
26 JanDepression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and disruptions in thinking, energy, or daily functioning that interfere with one’s ability to carry out daily activities. For years, depression was widely believed to result primarily from a “chemical imbalance” related to serotonin. However, a major umbrella review in the early 2020s found no consistent evidence that low serotonin levels cause depression—helping explain why many patients experience limited improvement from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). As a result, researchers have shifted toward a broader understanding of depression, including the possibility that chronic inflammation—particularly in the brain—may play a meaningful role.
Although this link between inflammation and depression may sound new, it’s actually well established in scientific literature. A meta-analysis of 38 studies involving more than 58,000 participants sought to clarify the direction of this relationship. The authors found that elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) predicted a higher risk of developing depression later on—and the higher these levels were, the more severe the depressive symptoms tended to be. Current evidence suggests that inflammatory signals can influence the brain by disrupting neurotransmitter function, stress-response pathways, and neuroplasticity, all of which contribute to mood regulation. Still, researchers continue working to determine exactly how much a role inflammation plays in overall depression risk and which individuals are most affected.
Growing evidence also suggests that people with depression (or at risk for it) may benefit from lifestyle habits known to reduce systemic inflammation. These include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing sedentary time, limiting screen time, getting quality sleep, spending time outdoors, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, managing stress, limiting alcohol intake, and not smoking. In fact, a 2024 study reported that individuals with the healthiest, lowest-inflammation lifestyles had up to a 55% lower risk of depression compared to those with the unhealthiest lifestyles.
These findings are encouraging, especially given current trends. According to recent Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and Gallup data, nearly one-third of Americans will experience an episode of clinical depression at some point in their lives, and about 17% report symptoms at any given time—a rate nearly double what was seen a decade ago. While these statistics are concerning, they also highlight the importance of addressing the factors that can reduce risk. And if pain or stiffness is keeping you from exercising or adopting healthier routines, consider seeing your chiropractor. Sometimes just a handful of visits can make it easier to move comfortably and stay active.
Pain Relief Chiropractic
4909 Louise Drive Suite 102
Mechanicsburg PA 17055
Whiplash and the Four Phases of Injury Potential
19 JanBecause rear-end motor vehicle collisions are the most common cause of whiplash injury, researchers have continuously sought to better understand this unique injury process, not only to derive more effective treatment strategies, but also to implement safety mechanisms in automobiles to reduce the risk of injury in the event of a car accident. As such, investigators have identified four phases of injury potential during the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck: retraction, extension, rebound, and protraction.
- RETRACTION PHASE: Immediately after impact, the upper torso is pushed forward by the seat back while the occupant’s head remains relatively stationary, creating head retraction similar to tucking in the chin. This produces an S-shape of the cervical spine in which the upper cervical segments flex while the lower cervical segments extend. Maximal retraction may occur at or near the point of head restraint contact (depending on headrest position). A primary injury mechanism believed to be associated with this phase is a rapid pressure spike within the spinal canal caused by the sudden differential motion between the upper and lower cervical spine.
- EXTENSION PHASE: This phase occurs immediately after the head reaches maximum retraction, sometimes even before striking the headrest, causing the occupant’s head to extend rearward as if looking upward. This places the entire cervical spine into extension. Excessive extension can also occur when no headrest is present or when the headrest is positioned too low or too far behind the occupant’s head, contributing to a hyperextension mechanism of injury.
- REBOUND PHASE: Here, the occupant’s head reverses direction after reaching peak extension and rebounds forward. This rebound action produces some of the highest axial and shear forces measured in whiplash testing, making the cervical spine particularly vulnerable to excessive flexion forces.
- PROTRACTION PHASE: Injury can occur after rebound when the differential motion between the head and torso is reversed—for example, when the seatbelt and shoulder harness restrain the upper torso while the head continues its forward motion. Similar to the transition from the S-shaped curve into full extension during the retraction-to-extension phase, the cervical spine here rapidly shifts into flexion, producing another pressure spike within the spinal canal like that observed during a front-end impact.
It’s important to note that this entire process occurs within 50–80 milliseconds, roughly three to four times faster than it would take for visual input from the eyes to reach the brain and for the brain to process the information and send signals to the neck muscles to activate in an attempt to brace against injury. As such, strategies employed before a collision can help protect the head and neck from injury. Experts advise positioning the headrest so that its top is at least level with the top of the head and maintaining a distance of less than two inches (five centimeters) between the back of the head and the headrest. Studies also support keeping the seat back at an angle between 100 and 110 degrees to prevent the body from sliding upward during a collision, which can place the head higher than the headrest. Of course, always wear your seatbelt. In the event of a rear-end collision, clinical guidelines consistently identify chiropractic care as an effective conservative treatment option for reducing pain and disability.
Pain Relief Chiropractic
4909 Louise Drive Suite 102
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
The Neck and Low Back Connection
15 JanWhen a patient seeks chiropractic care for a condition like neck pain or low back pain, it’s natural to assume the underlying cause is located in the region where the patient feels symptoms. But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the primary or contributing factor to the patient’s chief complaint can be elsewhere in the body. A July 2024 study involving patients with cervical myelopathy helps illustrate this point.
Cervical myelopathy is a condition in which the spinal canal narrows due to a variety of potential causes—age-related degeneration, cervical spinal stenosis, herniated disks, trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, or even tumors, infections, or congenital narrowing—and compresses the spinal cord. While neck pain is common, irritation of the spinal cord can produce downstream effects in the areas those nerve fibers reach. In this study, which involved 786 individuals with cervical myelopathy, two-thirds also reported low back pain.
Following treatment for cervical myelopathy, about half of those with concurrent low back pain experienced meaningful improvement in both lower back pain and function, and some even reported complete resolution. This suggests that for roughly half of these patients, the issue in their neck was a major contributing factor to their low back symptoms.
Beyond cervical myelopathy itself, several soft-tissue systems span the entire spine—including fascia, long spinal muscles, and ligamentous structures—making it possible for restrictions or dysfunction in the upper spine to influence symptoms in the lower spine. The reverse is also true: issues affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips, or low back can lead to compensatory postural changes that place additional strain on the neck as the body works to keep the eyes level.
This helps underscore the importance of evaluating the whole patient rather than narrowing attention to the immediate area of complaint—something doctors of chiropractic are trained to do. The good news is that the hands-on care chiropractors provide can often help resolve these contributing issues, and when necessary, your doctor of chiropractic will coordinate with allied healthcare providers to support the best possible outcome.
Pain Relief Chiropractic
4909 Louise Drive Suite 102
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Conservative Treatment for Hip Bursitis
12 JanHip bursitis most often refers to trochanteric bursitis, an inflammation of the trochanteric bursa, a small fluid-filled sac located on the outer side of the hip. The primary symptom is pain on the outside of the hip near the greater trochanter—the bony bump at the top of the femur. The pain may be sharp, dull, or throbbing and often worsens with activities that load the hip, such as walking, climbing stairs, or lying on the affected side. Other possible symptoms include swelling and tenderness around the hip, redness (less common), difficulty walking or running, and limping. What role can chiropractic play in managing this condition?
While hip bursitis can result from direct trauma, infection, or complications following hip surgery—which are red flags requiring medical or emergency evaluation—the majority of cases are musculoskeletal in nature and can be managed conservatively. Common contributors include overuse or repetitive stress (friction between the iliotibial band and the greater trochanter), biomechanical abnormalities that alter gait mechanics, prolonged pressure on the hip from poor sitting posture, lumbar spine or sacroiliac joint dysfunction, or tight/overactive musculature that increases tension on the iliotibial band and irritates the bursa. Many of these factors overlap and can work together to inflame the hip bursa.
When a patient presents for chiropractic evaluation, the chiropractor will assess for postural and biomechanical changes beginning with the feet, as excessive pronation, flat feet, knee valgus (“knocking in”), and pelvic imbalance can contribute to functional leg-length differences—one of the factors associated with hip bursitis. The exam typically includes orthopedic tests to assess hip range of motion and pain provocation patterns. Imaging such as X-ray or MRI may be ordered when needed to exclude other pathology.
Short-term management focuses on reducing inflammation through rest, activity modification, and sometimes dietary changes or supplements with anti-inflammatory properties. Applying an ice pack for 15–20 minutes or performing brief ice massage (3–4 minutes) can help reduce pain and swelling. The main treatment goal is to correct the underlying mechanical issues irritating the bursa. This may involve manual therapy to improve mobility in the hip and related joints, targeted stretching and strengthening exercises to address muscle imbalances, and even a heel lift to reduce leg-length inequality, if needed. Because hip bursitis has multiple contributing factors, the specific treatment plan is individualized for each patient. If a patient does not respond to conservative care, they may be referred to their medical physician or a specialist for further evaluation to determine whether more invasive options—such as corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injections, or in rare cases surgery—may be appropriate.
As with many conditions, prevention is key. Maintaining a healthy weight, following an anti-inflammatory diet, stretching the hip muscles regularly, using proper posture and movement strategies during daily activities, keeping the core strong, and staying physically active all support hip health. Periodic chiropractic checkups can also help identify biomechanical issues early—before they become painful or interfere with normal function.
Pain Relief Chiropractic
4909 Louise Drive Suite 102
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Pain Relief Chiropractic 