Chiropractic History

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this descriptive report is to describe the development of a preparticipation risk assessment screening process for incoming students prior to participation in practical labs. METHODS: A committee at the Palmer College of Chiropractic, Florida met to discuss a health history questionnaire, physical examination process, and course of action to have second-year students use their current knowledge to screen incoming students for possible clinical considerations of practice lab participation...

The primary insult in vertebral artery dissections (VADs) involves a tear in the vertebral artery intima, resulting in potential thrombus formation and an elevated risk of cerebrovascular events, such as stroke. Despite its relatively low overall incidence rate, VADs contribute to a significant proportion of ischemic strokes within the younger population. VAD has been associated with various risk factors including but not limited to neck trauma from chiropractic manipulation and significant neck movements. Our patient initially presented with a worsening occipital headache but was discharged due to the absence of any red-flag symptoms...

In a previous paper, we presented some important weaknesses of and threats to the chiropractic profession as we see them. We further argued that the chiropractic profession's relationship with its principal clinical tool (spinal manual therapy) is at the core of the ideological divide that fractures the profession and prevents professional development towards greater integration in the healthcare landscape. In this manuscript, we shall argue that the historical predilection for spinal manipulation also gifts the profession with some obvious strengths and opportunities, and that these are inextricably linked to the management of musculoskeletal disorders...

Spinal manual therapy is central to chiropractic history, clinical practice, and professional identity. That chiropractors have developed an expertise in this domain has provided some considerable advantages. However, we contend it is also at the crux of the ideological schism that fractures the chiropractic profession. In this article, which is the first in a series of two, we discuss chiropractors' understanding and use of spinal manual therapy and do so with particular emphasis on what we see as weaknesses it creates and threats it gives rise to...

Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a chronic cutaneous neuropathy characterized by localized pruritus and pain, numbness, and/or paresthesia, often linked to degenerative cervicothoracic changes. Treatment options for NP are limited. This case report details a 54-year-old woman with a six-year history of right-sided periscapular pruritus and cervicothoracic discomfort who presented to a chiropractor upon referral with a prior diagnosis of NP. Prior topical treatments yielded minimal relief. Radiographs revealed degenerative spinal changes at C5/6 and C6/7 which correlated with her periscapular symptom distribution...

BACKGROUND: Retinacula of the ankle are thickening of the deep fascia of the leg (crural fascia) and foot i.e. inseparable structures. Recent studies report their crucial role in functional stability and proprioception of the ankle. CASE PRESENTATION: A 38-yr-old Caucasian man - with a history of lateral malleolus fracture 12 years ago, obesity and right ankle osteoarthritis - was referred to a physiatrist for a right ankle pain that had significantly worsened over the last year...

BACKGROUND: The burden of caring for patients who have survived COVID-19 will be enormous in the coming years, especially with respect to physical function. Physical function has been routinely assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale. AIM: This study built prediction models for the PCFS scale using sociodemographic data, clinical findings, lung function, and muscle strength. METHOD: Two hundred and one patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) completed the PCFS scale to assess physical function...

INTRODUCTION: Restricted ankle dorsiflexion is common after lower limb injury. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of passive ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle massage on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion in adults with residual restricted dorsiflexion. The secondary aim was to assess the methodology of the pilot study to inform a larger clinical trial. METHOD: The study design was a randomized crossover trial with assessor blinding...

The fascial system is the focus of multiple scientific disciplines, and its nomenclature is debated. What tissue should fall under the definition of fascia? Considering university anatomy books where what is considered connective tissue is described as a fact, and through the science of embryology, which allows us to identify the origin of different body tissues, the article reviews and updates the fascial nomenclature. The text is not a point of arrival but rather a basis from which to start again, with the aim of understanding the function of the fascial continuum in the living...

OBJECTIVE: In 2008, an interprofessional education (IPE) working group was formed to develop a module on interdisciplinary low-back pain management to fill a curricular gap at our institution. This article describes the program evaluation outcomes and highlights factors contributing to its successful implementation over 8 years through reference to Brigg's Presage-Process-Product (3-P) Model of Teaching and Learning. METHODS: Program evaluation occurred through administration of a pre- and postmodule Health Professional Collaborative Competency Perception Scale, with scores compared using paired t tests...

Primary spinal tumors such as schwannomas are uncommon causes of back pain that can be easily missed during the initial workup. Delayed diagnosis is associated with further neurological impairment. A 46-year-old man presented with a six-month history of progressive lower back pain and left leg radiculopathy. Previous treatments failed, including medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulations. Examination revealed weakness (4/5) in left knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 2-cm intraspinal schwannoma at the L4 level with nerve root compression...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report was to describe a patient with a Pancoast tumor who presented for chiropractic care with neck and arm pain. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 52-year-old male patient with right-sided cervicothoracic pain and numbness in the right upper extremity presented to a chiropractic office for care. The patient reported an occupational history of repetitive lifting motions and overuse injuries. The patient denied history of smoking at the time of presentation...

A case involving a patient with an impacted and angulated femoral neck fracture presenting to a chiropractic physician is rare. This unique case contributes an account of a challenging differential diagnosis to the literature. A 65-year-old female, reporting no history of trauma, presented with a two-week history of right lower back and right anterior hip pain radiating down the front of the right thigh in the L2-L4 dermatome. The differential diagnosis included lumbar spine disc herniation and nerve root compression or a right hip abnormality...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore a systemwide process for assessing components of low back pain (LBP) care quality in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) chiropractic visits using electronic health record (EHR) data. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional quality improvement project. We randomly sampled 1000 on-station VHA chiropractic initial visits occurring from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, for patients with no such visits within the prior 12 months...

OBJECTIVE: The International Consortium on Manual Therapies (ICMT) is a grassroots interprofessional association open to any formally trained practitioner of manual therapy (MT) and basic scientists promoting research related to the practice of MT. Currently, MT research is impeded by professions' lack of communication with other MT professions, biases, and vernacular. Current ICMT goals are to minimize these barriers, compare MT techniques, and establish an interprofessional MT glossary...

Background Vertebral subluxation (VS) is a clinical entity defined as a misalignment of the spine affecting biomechanical and neurological function. The identification and correction of VS is the primary focus of the chiropractic profession. The purpose of this study is to estimate VS prevalence using a sample of individuals presenting for chiropractic care and explore the preventative public health implications of VS through the promotion of overall health and function. Methodology A brief review of the literature was conducted to support an operational definition for VS that incorporated neurologic and kinesiologic exam components...

CASE: We present a case of an anteroposterior compression (APC) type pelvic ring injury that occurred after chiropractic manipulation in a patient with a history of quadriplegia. Emergent surgical stabilization was undertaken, and he had an excellent outcome with no complications at 3.5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: APC type pelvic ring injuries usually occur to high-energy mechanisms. We describe a case of a patient with quadriplegia and osteopenia that suffered a pelvic ring injury because of a unique mechanism...

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhea represents one of the most common causes of pelvic and low back pain. Pharmacological treatment can present some side effects, and non-pharmacological treatments should be considered to improve the symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy (MT), pelvic floor exercises (PFE), and their combination (MT + PFE) to improve clinical outcomes and pain sensitivity in women with primary dysmenorrhea...

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that mechanical neck pain results in respiratory dysfunction. Physiotherapy management for mechanical neck pain is well documented but the evidence regarding inclusion of breathing strategies to improve pulmonary functions in mechanical neck pain patients is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory muscles stretch gymnastics (RMSG) and conventional physiotherapy on chest expansion, pulmonary function and pain in patient with mechanical neck pain...

INTRODUCTION: Firefighting is a high-risk job with a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The aim of his study was to determine the prevalence of WMSDs, estimate the likelihood of subsequent disorders, and investigate the effect of NASM-based training protocol on firefighters function. METHOD: First, prevalence and region of WMSDs in all 524 male Isfahan firefighters were determined by Medical-history-questionnaire. Then, functional movement screen (FMS) separated firefighters to the 2-dimension FMS score (FMSCS≤14 or FMSCS>14) to show at risk firefighters...