Tag Archives: mechanicsburg pa chiropractor

How Overall Health Relates to Back Pain

2 Nov

The majority of low back pain cases are classified as nonspecific low back pain, meaning
the pain is thought to have a musculoskeletal origin rather than an identifiable pathology such as
infection, cancer, or fracture. While these cases often involve the joints, muscles, and other soft
tissues of the lower back, research suggests that a patient’s overall well-being may also be
relevant.
One connection involves chronic inflammation, a prolonged state of increased immune
system activity. While inflammation normally helps the body respond to infection or injury, poor
diet, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and chronic stress can create metabolic
and cellular stress that keeps inflammatory processes active. An analysis of more than 17,200
adults published in January 2026 found that those with higher levels of inflammation-related
markers in their blood were 66% more likely to report low back pain. This does not prove that
inflammation causes back pain, but persistent inflammation may affect how tissues respond to
injury and recover.
Habits commonly recommended to protect the heart may also provide benefits that
extend to musculoskeletal health. A November 2025 study using data from the UK Biobank
found that people who followed more heart-healthy behaviors—including not smoking, adequate
sleep, healthy weight, nutritious diet, and regular exercise, along with healthy blood glucose,
cholesterol, and blood pressure levels—were about 12% less likely to develop low back pain.
Metabolic health—how well the body processes and uses energy from food, including
regulating blood sugar and fats—may provide another piece of the puzzle. Researchers studied
over 5,300 adults using the Fatty Liver Index, a 0-to-100 score based on body mass index, waist
circumference, triglycerides, and a liver enzyme that estimates the likelihood of fatty liver. For
every 20-point increase, the risk of low back pain rose by about 9%. While this does not
establish cause and effect, it adds to a growing body of evidence that musculoskeletal health may
be connected with processes throughout the body.
Taken together, these findings offer a broader way to think about low back pain. Joint
mobility, muscle strength, previous injuries, and physical demands remain important, but they
may be only part of the picture. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, weight management, and
cardiovascular and metabolic health may also be relevant to back pain risk and recovery.
Addressing these areas cannot guarantee that back pain will resolve or never return, but it can
provide a healthier foundation for recovery and long-term well-being.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr.

Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Five Healthy Habits to Build in Young Adulthood

29 Oct

The habits developed in a person’s 20s and 30s can have a lasting impact on their health decades
later. According to experts at Stanford Medicine, five key lifestyle habits established during young
adulthood can help build a stronger foundation for healthy aging:

  • Regular strength training. Early adulthood is when most people reach their peak bone density
    and muscle mass. Building strength during these years creates a reserve that can help protect
    against osteoporosis and age-related muscle loss while helping preserve physical function later in
    life. Resistance exercises at least twice a week using free weights, resistance bands, machines, or
    body weight help strengthen muscles and bones while supporting balance and metabolism.
  • Regular cardiovascular activity. Activities such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming, jogging,
    or dancing strengthen the heart and lungs while supporting healthy blood pressure, blood sugar,
    and overall fitness. Just as important is reducing the amount of time spent sitting. Even people
    who exercise regularly can experience negative health effects from sitting for long, uninterrupted
    periods. Regularly standing up, stretching, or taking a brief walk helps keep the body moving and
    breaks up sedentary time. Together, regular aerobic exercise (around 150 minutes of moderate-tovigorous-intensity physical activity) and frequent movement throughout the day support heart
    health, improve fitness, and reduce the risk of chronic disease over time.
  • Whole-food diet. Experts recommend adopting a healthy eating pattern like the Mediterranean
    diet—an eating approach that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, healthy
    fats such as olive oil, fish, and lean sources of protein while limiting ultra-processed foods high in
    added sugar and sodium—to support cardiovascular and metabolic health.
  • Getting enough high-quality sleep. Most adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each
    night. During sleep, the body repairs tissues, supports immune function, consolidates memories,
    and regulates hormones that influence appetite and metabolism. Regularly getting too little sleep
    has been linked to a greater risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mood disorders.
    Establishing a consistent bedtime routine and limiting screen time before bed can help improve
    both sleep quality and overall health.
  • Managing stress. While stress is a normal part of life, ongoing stress can affect both physical and
    emotional well-being if left unmanaged. Healthy coping strategies such as regular exercise,
    meditation, deep breathing, spending time outdoors, connecting with friends and family, or
    practicing mindfulness can help the body recover from daily challenges. Stress management is
    not about eliminating stress altogether but developing healthy ways to respond to it.
    While the best time to invest in healthy behaviors that can pay off throughout life may be early
    adulthood, the second-best time is now, regardless of your current age. You don’t need to tackle all five
    habits at once. Just pick one and look for ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle. Once that habit
    becomes part of your routine, you may find it easier to build another. If pain or stiffness is making it
    difficult to exercise or stay active, consider making an appointment with your doctor of chiropractic.
    Conservative care may help improve movement and function, reduce musculoskeletal discomfort, and
    make it easier to participate in the healthy activities that can pay dividends for years to come.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Trigger Points May Contribute to Chronic Whiplash Pain

27 Oct

Whiplash-associated disorders refer to a collection of symptoms—commonly neck pain,
stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and reduced range of motion—that can develop after the neck is
suddenly forced backward and forward, such as during a rear-end vehicle collision. It’s estimated
that up to 50% of whiplash patients may continue to experience symptoms that last for months or
even years. This longer-lasting condition is known as chronic whiplash-associated disorder. New
research suggests that small, sensitive areas within muscles may be one factor associated with
persistent symptoms in people with chronic whiplash.
Trigger points are tight, sensitive spots within a muscle that can be painful when pressed and
may also cause pain to spread into nearby areas. In the study, researchers compared 32 adults with
chronic whiplash-associated disorder with 32 healthy adults to better understand the role of trigger
points in ongoing pain. The study found that participants with chronic whiplash had significantly
more active trigger points in several neck muscles than those without a history of whiplash. These
active trigger points were commonly found in muscles involved in supporting the head and
controlling neck movement, suggesting they may play a role in persistent symptoms.
The researchers also discovered that participants with a greater number of active trigger
points tended to report higher pain intensity, more symptoms associated with nerve-related pain, and
greater disability in daily life. This does not necessarily mean that trigger points cause chronic
whiplash pain, but the findings suggest they may be an important part of the overall problem.
Researchers have proposed that persistent pain and muscle sensitivity may interact with changes in
how the nervous system processes pain, potentially contributing to symptoms that become more
intense or widespread over time. Additional studies are needed to better understand these
relationships and determine how they may influence treatment.
Although not everyone who experiences whiplash develops chronic symptoms, persistent
neck pain following a whiplash injury can involve muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, and other
tissues. This makes a thorough evaluation important for identifying potential factors contributing to
each person’s symptoms and determining an appropriate course of care. When symptoms persist or
interfere with sleep, work, or daily activities, addressing these contributing factors may help improve
movement, function, and quality of life.
Chiropractors are trained to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries related to
whiplash, and provide conservative care that may include manual therapy, soft tissue techniques,
therapeutic exercises, and education to improve movement and function while addressing
contributing factors such as muscle tension and joint stiffness, depending on the patient’s unique
circumstances and specific needs.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Linked to Psychiatric Disorders?

20 Oct

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the median nerve becomes compressed as it
travels through the wrist, resulting in numbness, tingling, burning pain, and weakness affecting
the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger. However, its effects
can extend well beyond symptoms localized to the hand. Over time, CTS may interfere with
sleep, work, hobbies, and everyday activities in ways that can influence a person’s emotional
well-being.
In a nationwide study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service,
researchers found that individuals diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome were more likely to
develop several mental health and sleep disorders than those without CTS. Specifically, the risk
of depressive disorders was about 59% higher, anxiety disorders 41% higher, somatoform
disorders 38% higher, and sleep disorders 36% higher during the follow-up period. The
increased risk was especially noticeable in people younger than 60 years of age. These findings
do not mean that carpal tunnel syndrome directly causes these disorders, but they do suggest an
important relationship between CTS and mental and emotional well-being.
The study authors suggested several possible reasons for this relationship. Chronic pain
can place ongoing stress on the body and mind, while numbness and weakness may make work,
household tasks, and hobbies more difficult. Many people with carpal tunnel syndrome also
experience interrupted sleep. Over weeks or months, poor sleep, persistent discomfort, and
reduced hand function can affect mood, increase stress, and diminish quality of life. The study
also noted that mental health conditions may, in turn, influence how people experience pain and
respond to treatment, emphasizing the close connection between physical and emotional health.
These findings reinforce the importance of taking even mild carpal tunnel symptoms
seriously rather than dismissing them as a minor inconvenience. Prompt evaluation can help
determine the cause of numbness, tingling, or weakness and identify an appropriate course of
care. Addressing CTS may not only improve hand symptoms and function but also reduce some
of the ways persistent pain, sleep disruption, and difficulty with everyday activities can affect
quality of life.
Conservative care for carpal tunnel syndrome is often multimodal and may include
manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, ergonomic recommendations, and guidance on activity
modification to help improve function and reduce stress on affected tissues. When findings
suggest that additional evaluation or treatment is needed, a chiropractor can refer to or comanage the condition with a medical physician or appropriate specialist.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Potential Treatment Option for Morton’s Neuroma

13 Oct

Morton’s neuroma is a common condition caused by irritation and thickening of a
nerve that runs between the metatarsal bones, most often between the third and fourth toes.
As the nerve becomes irritated, it can produce burning pain, numbness, tingling, or a feeling
that there is a small object inside the shoe. Although the exact cause is not always clear,
repeated stress on the forefoot, certain foot mechanics, and footwear choices may all
contribute to the condition.
For people with Morton’s neuroma, walking or exercising may trigger pain, tingling,
or the sensation of standing on a pebble. Although treatments such as shoe modifications,
orthotics, and corticosteroid injections are commonly used, new research suggests that
manual therapy directed at the joints of the toes may offer another conservative option for
some patients.
In the study, researchers compared two treatment approaches in a randomized clinical
trial involving 61 adults with Morton’s neuroma. One group received six weekly sessions of
targeted manipulation of the metatarsophalangeal joints—the joints where the toes meet the
foot. The other group received a corticosteroid injection, a commonly used treatment for the
condition.
The patients treated with joint manipulation reported greater improvements than the
injection group, including an 84% reduction in pain immediately after completing treatment
and a 53% improvement in foot function, with benefits continuing through a one-year
follow-up appointment. These findings suggest that joint-based manual therapy may offer a
promising noninvasive treatment option for some patients with Morton’s neuroma. Improving
the way the joints of the forefoot move may help reduce mechanical stress on the irritated
nerve and support better function, although additional research is needed to better understand
how the treatment works and which patients are most likely to benefit.
Chiropractors are trained to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions affecting the feet and
lower extremities and can identify findings that may require referral to another healthcare
provider when appropriate. For some patients, conservative chiropractic care may include
manual therapy, recommendations for footwear or activity modification, and exercises
designed to improve foot mechanics and mobility.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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Jaw Mobilization May Improve Balance in Vertigo Patients

6 Oct

For people with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), dizziness often occurs when
changing head position during everyday activities. The condition develops when tiny calcium crystals
inside the inner ear become displaced and enter one of the semicircular canals involved in balance. As the
head changes position, these crystals interfere with normal signals from the inner ear to the brain, creating
the sensation that the room is spinning.
Standard treatment for BPPV focuses on canalith repositioning maneuvers, which are specific
head and body movements designed to move displaced inner-ear crystals out of the affected canal and
back to where they belong, relieving vertigo symptoms. While this approach is effective for many people,
researchers continue to investigate whether addressing nearby muscles and joints may further improve
balance and recovery.
A recent randomized controlled trial explored whether treating the jaw and surrounding soft
tissues could enhance recovery. The study included 41 adults with BPPV who all received standard
treatment. Half of the participants also received temporomandibular joint (TMJ) mobilization and soft
tissue therapy once a week for four weeks. Both groups experienced significant improvements in
dizziness. However, the group receiving the additional TMJ mobilization and soft tissue therapy
demonstrated significantly greater improvements in jaw function and balance performance. These
findings suggest that addressing jaw dysfunction may improve certain aspects of balance, even though it
did not produce additional reductions in dizziness compared with standard care alone.
The connection between the jaw and balance may seem surprising. Maintaining balance depends
on the brain integrating information from several sources, including the inner ear, vision, and sensory
signals from muscles and joints. Researchers have proposed that dysfunction involving the
temporomandibular joint or nearby muscles could alter some of this sensory information and potentially
influence balance. However, the mechanisms behind this relationship are not yet well understood, and the
study does not establish that TMJ dysfunction causes or contributes to BPPV itself.
For people recovering from BPPV, a comprehensive evaluation may look beyond the inner ear,
especially if balance problems persist after the vertigo has improved. Because each person’s symptoms
and contributing factors are different, treatment decisions should always be based on a thorough
evaluation and individualized care plan.
Chiropractors are trained to evaluate musculoskeletal conditions that may influence movement,
posture, and balance. They can identify findings that may require referral to another healthcare provider
when appropriate and provide conservative care based on each patient’s needs. For some individuals, this
may include manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, and exercises designed to improve movement and
function as part of a coordinated approach to recovery.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

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