For older individuals, experiencing frequent low back pain could turn out to be a sacral fracture. They tend to occur in individuals over the age of 60 often because there has been a degree of bone loss. Sacral fractures tend not to be the first thing doctors think of when low back pain symptoms are presenting. They are often not picked up on X-rays and are either not diagnosed early enough to take steps or not diagnosed at all. However, they are common.
Sacrum
The sacrum is shaped like a triangle and comprises five segments fused into one large bone. It sits at the base of the spine, between the two halves of the pelvis, connecting the spine to the lower half of the body. It stabilizes the body when walking, sitting, or standing. The nerves in the lower spine control the bowels bladder and provide sensation to the region.
The two dimples that can be seen on individuals’ backs are where the sacrum joins the hipbones or the sacroiliac joint.
The point where the low back joins the sacrum can develop discomfort, soreness, and pain.
This area experiences stress from bending, twisting, reaching, lifting, carrying during physical activities or sitting for long periods.
Sacral Fracture
Most sacral fractures result from trauma, like slips, falls, and automobile accidents. Stress fractures that happen without a specific injury are also called insufficiency fractures.
Types of Sacral Fractures
Low-energy fractures usually happen to older individuals with weak bones due to osteoporosis.
An individual trips on something, lands hard on their butt, lifts a heavy object awkwardly, or over-exerts themselves from some physical activity.
Then persistent back or buttock pain begins to present.
The pain is often centered in the lower back, the hips, and butt.
It is more than just back achiness.
The individual goes to the doctor, and X-rays are ordered.
A lot of the time, these fractures are missed on X-rays.
The doctor may diagnose a sprain, but the pain symptoms do not improve.
Sometimes there is no apparent cause for the pain.
It can be misdiagnosed as a lower back compression fracture or urinary tract infection.
High-energy fractures are due to trauma and are more common among the young.
The individual sustains injuries from an auto accident, has fallen from a significant height, or suffers a sports injury.
It results in severe pain.
A woman who has just had a baby and gone through some bone loss because of the pregnancy can experience a sacral stress fracture.
For individuals that have been to a doctor and had an X-ray that reveals no fracture, and there is no improvement after 5 to 7 days, it is recommended to schedule another appointment and ask for a CAT scan or MRI, which is highly effective at finding a sacral fracture.
Treatment
Treatment consists of resting the bone but still being safely active in most cases.
Medication is prescribed for pain relief.
Many individuals have been found to do well with anti-inflammatory medications, topical medications, and lidocaine patches.
Older individuals may be recommended to use a walker during the treatment/healing process.
Depending on the severity, crutches may be recommended.
Engaging in regular exercise is not recommended, but too much bed rest is also not recommended.
Too much rest may not allow the injury to heal correctly, worsen the injury, and/or cause new injuries.
Chiropractic and physical therapy are not recommended to let the sacrum naturally heal.
After the pain subsides, chiropractic and physical therapy can be implemented to maintain agility and flexibility and strengthen the pelvic and core muscles.
In some cases, if the bone does not heal correctly or some other issue, sacroplasty could be recommended. This is a minimally invasive procedure that injects bone cement into the fracture. It offers quick and long-lasting pain relief with a low percentage of complications. It is considered low risk and can be done by an interventional radiologist or spine surgeon.
Prevention
To minimize the risk of a sacral fracture, it is highly recommended to maintain bone strength. This consists of:
Try to keep moving with different exercise stretches, or take a lap around the building.
References
Gibbs, Wende Nocton, and Amish Doshi. “Sacral Fractures and Sacroplasty.” Neuroimaging clinics of North America vol. 29,4 (2019): 515-527. doi:10.1016/j.nic.2019.07.003
Holmes, Michael W R, et al. “Evaluating Abdominal and Lower-Back Muscle Activity While Performing Core Exercises on a Stability Ball and a Dynamic Office Chair.” Human factors vol. 57,7 (2015): 1149-61. doi:10.1177/0018720815593184
Santolini, Emmanuele et al. “Sacral fractures: issues, challenges, solutions.” EFORT open reviews vol. 5,5 299-311. 5 May. 2020, doi:10.1302/2058-5241.5.190064
The hips are highly active joints. Hip sprains are rare but do occur. A hip sprain is caused by tearing or stretching the ligaments that surround the hip and join the bones to each other. This is different from a hip strain, which is an injury to the muscles and is generally caused by over-use of the hip flexor muscles and tendons, causing them to tear. Hip sprains usually happen after a fall or a sudden twisting motion, which can occur during sports or an accident.
Individuals involved in sports that require quick stops, body shifting, and sudden direction changes, like soccer, football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc., have an increased risk. Most hip sprains can be effectively treated with conservative treatments like self-massage, rest, ice, and nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications. For more severe cases, physical therapy and chiropractic can treat the condition.
Hip Sprain Symptoms
Tenderness in the hip increases when lifting the thigh.
Cramping sensation/s in the muscles of the upper leg.
Swelling in the hip or thigh
Bruising in the hip or thigh.
Sudden pain in the hip or pelvis.
Sharp pain in the hip or pelvis.
Pain that worsens when walking, running, or stretching the hip muscles.
Loss of strength in the front of the groin.
Tugging or pulling sensation.
Limping.
Diagnosis
The doctor or chiropractor will:
Look into medical history.
Inquire about symptoms.
Inquire about activities that could cause symptoms.
Perform a physical examination.
Ask the individual to perform a variety of movements to determine what type of injury has been sustained.
Pain in one or both hips might not have anything to do with the hips but a pinched nerve root in the lower back.
Sciatica can develop when certain nerve roots in the lower back are irritated or compressed, causing symptoms to travel down the sciatic nerve and radiate around the pelvis and leg.
X-rays can help rule out hip stress fractures, which can have similar symptoms.
MRI or CT scans are used to see if any soft tissue damage has occurred.
Hip Sprain Treatment
Treatment usually begins with over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Resting the hip will help prevent further damage.
Applying ice will help prevent tissue damage and reduce swelling.
It is recommended to use an ice pack several times a day for the first 48 hours after an injury.
Once the swelling goes down, a chiropractor and physical therapy team will create a personalized treatment plan that includes:
Adjustments.
Exercise therapy.
Posture training.
Stretching.
Massage.
Treatment/Rehabilitation Objectives
Reduce inflammation.
Relax muscle spasms.
Strengthen weakened muscles.
Improve joint mobility.
Individuals will be shown how to prevent the risk of sprains in the future. This includes:
Avoiding exercising when the body is tired
Wearing proper footwear and protective equipment
Warming up properly before exercise/physical activities.
Depending on the severity of the sprain, surgery could be the last resort to repair the ruptured or torn ligaments.
Body Composition
Realistic Goals
Not seeing results after putting in the work through exercise and diet can be frustrating. Setting realistic goals can help when results are not showing.
Realistic Fat Loss
Do not expect actual fat loss without being in a caloric deficit.
The body needs to use more energy than the amount of food/energy taken in; otherwise, excess energy/food gets stored, primarily as adipose tissue.
There are caloric deficit variations, but most doctors, dieticians, trainers, and fitness experts agree that a caloric deficit of around 500 calories a day that equals to about 3,500 calories a week will result in a pound of fat loss per week.
One pound of fat a week lost might seem slow, but the one pound of fat is a real pound removed.
The long-term goal is not to fall back into unhealthy habits and develop and maintain new healthy ones.
References
Brantingham JW, Globe GA, Cassa TK, et al. A single-group pretest posttest design using full kinetic chain manipulative therapy with rehabilitation in the treatment of 18 patients with hip osteoarthritis. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy 2012; 33(6): 445-57.
Kamali, Fahimeh and Esmaeil Shokri. The effect of two manipulative therapy techniques and their outcome in patients with the sacroiliac joint syndrome. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2012; 16: 29-35.
McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiscectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010; 33(8): 576-584.
Tibor, Lisa M, and Jon K Sekiya. “Differential diagnosis of pain around the hip joint.” Arthroscopy: the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery: official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association vol. 24,12 (2008): 1407-21. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2008.06.019
Wedro, Benjamin. “Hip Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Information and Diagnosis-eMedicineHealth.” http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hip_pain/article_em.htm.
Tremors are extremely rare, but they can result from spinal compression and not necessarily a brain condition like Parkinson’s disease. Tremors are abnormal, involuntary body movements with various causes, most of which are connected to the brain and not the spine. A study reports that more than 75% of individuals with Parkinson’s experienced a resting tremor, and about 60% experience tremors while moving. Sometimes the spine is the contributor caused by compression of the spinal cord.
Spinal Compression Study
A 90-year-old man was hospitalized after having tremors, with Parkinson’s being the initial diagnosis. The tremors progressed to the point where the man could not feed himself or walk without support. The case became the focus of a medical report published by physicians in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of the Spine, Singapore Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Along with the tremors, symptoms progressed to:
Difficulty with fine motor skills like buttoning a shirt.
However, it was ruled out because the patient was not presenting with other Parkinson’s symptoms.
For individuals with cervical spondylotic myelopathy tremors, surgery can be used to help the condition. However, with cervical myelopathy, there is often some permanent damage. Individuals have shown that post-surgery and decompression, symptoms still present, maybe not as much, but there will be a need for a symptom management plan.
Prevention
The best way to prevent tremors associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy is to minimize the strain on the spine that can lead to herniated discs and/or other spinal injuries. The discs in the spine degenerate, dry out and start cracking with age, increasing the risk of rupture. If a tremor develops, contact a doctor, spine specialist, or chiropractor to help diagnose the condition. These doctors can perform physical and neurological tests to determine the cause and treatment options.
Body Composition
Aging Health
Steady weight gain throughout life can lead to adult-onset diabetes. This is partly caused by having more body fat and progressive muscle loss. Loss of skeletal muscle mass is linked to insulin resistance that involves:
The less muscle is available, the less insulin sensitive the body becomes.
As insulin sensitivity decreases, the body becomes more resistant, increasing risk factors for type II diabetes.
This can lead to osteoporosis, where the old bone is reabsorbed more and less new bone is created.
Both men and women can experience decreased muscle mass that can lead to:
Thinner bones
Weaker bones
Increased risk of osteoporosis and severe injury from falls.
To help prevent these issues, it is recommended to:
It is recommended to space out protein intake across meals rather than consuming it all at once. This helps to ensure the proper amount is acquired.
Monitoring body composition regularly can help minimize muscle mass loss and fat mass gain as the body ages.
A regular strength training routine will help strengthen bones muscles and maintain optimal circulation.
References
Heusinkveld, Lauren E et al. “Impact of Tremor on Patients With Early Stage Parkinson’s Disease.” Frontiers in neurology vol. 9 628. 3 Aug. 2018, doi:10.3389/fneur.2018.00628
Jancso, Z et al. “Differences in weight gain in hypertensive and diabetic elderly patients primary care study.” The Journal of nutrition, health & aging vol. 16,6 (2012): 592-6. doi:10.1007/s12603-011-0360-6
Srikanthan, Preethi, and Arun S Karlamangla. “Relative muscle mass is inversely associated with insulin resistance and prediabetes. Findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.” The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism vol. 96,9 (2011): 2898-903. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-0435
Tapia Perez, Jorge Humberto et al. “Treatment of Spinal Myoclonus Due to Degenerative Compression Myelopathy with Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Report of 2 Cases.” World neurosurgery vol. 136 (2020): 44-48. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2019.12.170
Neuroregenerationcould become an option for spinal cord injury treatments in the future. A spinal cord injury or SCI is when there is damage to the bundle of nerves and cells that send and receive signals from the brain and body. A spinal cord injury can be caused by direct trauma/injury to the cord or damage to the tissue and vertebrae. The damage can result in temporary or permanent changes in:
Sensation
Movement
Strength
Body function/s below the injury site.
There are incomplete and complete injuries. Injuries that cause limited or no cell death can achieve a full recovery. Injuries that are more serious and/or are higher on the spinal cord can cause permanent damage and/or paralysis. Automobile crashes, accidents, and serious falls are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.
An incomplete injury means the cord can still transmit messages, but there is interference/disturbance.
A complete injury means communication and motor function/voluntary body movement is not transmitting.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:
Unnatural or awkward positioning of the spine or head.
Pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back.
Numbness
Tingling
Loss of or changes in sensation in the hands and feet.
Problems with walking.
Weakness or inability to move parts of the body.
Loss of movement.
Paralysis can occur immediately or develop over time as swelling and bleeding affect the cord.
Loss of bladder and bowel control.
Changes in sexual function.
Difficulty breathing.
SCI Damage Control
A spinal cord injury affects the central nervous system, the body’s central headquarters. Damage can cause complications through what’s called the secondary injury cascade, which is a series of chemical reactions the body activates to help the situation. However, if the chemical response does not stop and stays active, it can worsen the injury. The body recognizes that an emergency has occurred and tries to go into a shut-down mode that kills off some of the cells in the central nervous system. When a spinal injury happens, treatment focuses on stopping the damage as quickly as possible to stop the injury cascade and prevent as much cell death as possible. This act is called neuropreservation, meaning that the team is trying to preserve and save as many nerve cells as possible.
Injury Neuroregeneration Treatment Studies
While current treatment primarily focuses on stopping as much damage as possible then going through physical therapies to maintain spinal alignment and rehabilitate the body, the future of injury treatment is looking towards regrowing and repairing the damaged nerve cells through a process known as neuroregeneration. Repairing nerves that have been damaged could change life for many. Neuroregeneration Treatments being studied include:
Surgery
A study in The Lancet Neurology presents how getting surgery as soon as possible after an injury can provide significant benefits.
The findings could change all of the guidelines for spinal cord injury.
Medication
A study on Riluzole, a medication that has shown promise to slow down nerve cell damage.
A team completed a randomized controlled trial for the medication; soon, the final results will be available.
Scientists are studying ways to grow new nerve cells from an individual’s stem cells without the need for embryonic stem cells.
Specialized stem cells could also be used to help other nerve cells regenerate.
Electrical stimulation
Another approach is using electrical stimulation to restore function in the spinal cord.
Therapy that could help a paralyzed individual walk again.
The Future of Neuroregeneration
Aside from early surgery intervention, most neuroregenerative treatments are not ready or accessible yet. There’s still much more research before it can become a mainstream treatment option. Treatment that involves regenerating nerve cells will take longer than a treatment designed to protect nerve cells. However, more clinical trials are expected to be done in the next few years, with stem cell therapies taking the longest. Some of these therapies could be ready to be used on actual patients in 5-10 years.
Body Composition
The Importance of Measuring Body Composition
Most diet and fitness programs focus on weight loss or gain. However, they tend to overlook that individuals have completely different body compositions. Body composition describes the amount of:
Fat
Bone
Water
Muscle
In the body.
Measuring body composition can tell a body’s unique makeup and help identify areas to work on to improve overall health and wellness. Body composition analysis provides a snapshot of an individual’s health/fitness levels to help achieve health goals from the inside out.
References
Aguilar, Juan et al. “Spinal cord injury immediately changes the state of the brain.” The Journal of neuroscience: the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience vol. 30,22 (2010): 7528-37. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0379-10.2010
Badhiwala, Jetan H; Wilson, Jefferson R; Witiw, Christopher D; et al. (February 2021). The Lancet Neurology Vol. 20, No. 2, P. 117. The Influence of Timing of Surgical Decompression for Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Pooled Analysis of Individual Patient Data. DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30406-3
Chari, Aswin et al. “Surgical Neurostimulation for Spinal Cord Injury.” Brain sciences vol. 7,2 18. 10 Feb. 2017, doi:10.3390/brainsci7020018
Post spine surgery physical therapy or PT is the next phase after a discectomy, laminectomy, fusion, etc., to gain optimal mobility and ease the transition for a full recovery. A chiropractor and physical therapist team will help with proper muscle training and activation, pain and inflammation relief, postural training, exercises, stretches, and educate the individual on an anti-inflammatory diet. Physical therapy post spine surgery reduces:
Scar tissue
Inflammation
Muscle weakness
Muscle tightness
Joint stiffness
The therapy also identifies and treats any issues that caused or contributed to the spinal damage/injury. A study found physical therapy to improve postoperative ambulation, pain, disability, and decreased surgical complications.
Post Spine Surgery Physical Therapy Goals
Physical therapy goals are to return the individual to full function before chronic pain or injury. These include:
Decrease pain and stress around the surgical site.
Loosen and stretch the muscles surrounding the surgical site.
Strengthen the back and neck muscles.
Stabilize the back and neck muscles.
Learn to move around safely.
Prepare for everyday physical activities like standing up or sitting down, lifting, and carrying objects.
Improve posture.
The therapy team will develop a customized treatment/rehabilitation plan as well as post-surgical recovery at home to help the individual and family to understand what to expect, including psychological factors like not wanting to perform the exercises or stretches to avoid pain, frustration, anger, depression, and wanting to give up. However, individuals can maximize the benefits to ensure an optimal outcome before surgery by pre-conditioning identifying structural and functional issues contributing to the injury.
Physical Therapy Involves
Therapy can be done at home, in a hospital or rehab setting, or at a chiropractic/physical therapy clinic. Therapists use:
A physical therapy session can last 45 minutes to an hour. It’s essential to discuss hopes and expectations post-surgery and after the therapy has finished. The therapists will explain the healing process, the treatment progression, and any questions a patient may have. Understanding the treatment process will help the individual want to engage in the treatment plan. The therapist team will also interface with the surgeon to prevent adverse outcomes.
Optimal Health
The physical therapy team will help the individual feel better with each session and stay motivated. Having a solid relationship with the therapy team makes it easier to share goals, worries, and challenges that the team can adapt to as progress is made. To gain the most from the therapy:
Try working with a therapist that the surgeon recommends can be helpful as they already have a working relationship.
Keep communication open between the surgeon and team.
Adhere to any precautions and restrictions set by the surgeon and therapy team.
Maintain recommended exercises at home between sessions.
Ease into activity and avoid overexertion.
Post spine surgery physical therapy helps accelerate the healing process and serves to help individuals regain their quality of life.
Body Composition
Power Of Protein
Protein is an essential component of muscle development, bone density, muscle mass, and lean tissue when building a healthy body. Protein is necessary for all the body’s physiological functions.
References
Adogwa, Owoicho et al. “Assessing the effectiveness of routine use of postoperative in-patient physical therapy services.” Journal of spine surgery (Hong Kong) vol. 3,2 (2017): 149-154. doi:10.21037/jss.2017.04.03
Atlas, S J, and R A Deyo. “Evaluating and managing acute low back pain in the primary care setting.” Journal of general internal medicine vol. 16,2 (2001): 120-31. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.91141.x
Gellhorn, Alfred Campbell et al. “Management patterns in acute low back pain: the role of physical therapy.” Spine vol. 37,9 (2012): 775-82. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181d79a09
Jack, Kirsten et al. “Barriers to treatment adherence in physiotherapy outpatient clinics: a systematic review.” Manual therapy vol. 15,3 (2010): 220-8. doi:10.1016/j.math.2009.12.004
Lindbäck, Yvonne et al. “PREPARE: Pre-surgery physiotherapy for patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder: a randomized controlled trial protocol.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 17 270. 11 Jul. 2016, doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1126-4
The most common form of pain is the headache. Whether dealing with a mild, dull ache, severe throbbing, or painful tension along the scalp and neck, headaches can disrupt and get in the way of everyday life. Over-the-counter pain medications can offer temporary relief, but they don’t get to the root and solve the cause. Chiropractic is a safe and effective treatment option that will bring head pain relief and treat what is causing the headache/s.
Triggers
Individuals engage in more sedentary activities, and more hours spent in one fixed position combined with poor posture can increase joint irritation and muscle tension in the neck, upper back, and scalp. Headaches can have a variety of causes or triggers. These can include:
Stress is the most common trigger
Muscle tension
Insomnia
Environmental stimuli – noises, lights, smells
Dehydration
Weather changes
Foods
Blood sugar changes
Excessive exercise
Most Common Types
There are two main categories: primary and secondary headaches.
Primary headaches
Primary headaches are when the headache itself is the main problem and is not a symptom of underlying diseases or conditions. These include:
Headache pain comes from interacting signals in the brain, blood vessels, and nerves. A mechanism activates specific nerves that affect the muscles and blood vessels, sending pain signals back to the brain. If any of the following is occurring it is recommended to contact a doctor, headache specialist, or chiropractor.
Three or more headaches a week.
Headaches that get worse or don’t go away.
Having to take a pain reliever every day or almost every day.
Need more than 2-3 doses of over-the-counter medications a week to relieve symptoms.
Headaches triggered by strenuous activity, hard work/exertion, bending, coughing.
What time of day/night the headache usually occurs?
How long does the headache last?
Where the pain is located?
Type of pain – throbbing, comes and goes, dull aching, one-sided, etc.
Does the headache come on suddenly without warning or slowly progress?
Are there other symptoms like weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, decreased appetite, changes in attitude or behavior?
Chiropractic
A chiropractor will assess, diagnose, conduct a physical examination to determine the cause and develop a personalized treatment plan to alleviate the pain and help to manage and prevent headaches. Treatment approaches include:
A combination of chiropractic manipulative therapy.
Activate trigger points to release tension and allow for optimal nerve and blood circulation.
Active and passive exercises.
Massage.
Health coaching.
Body Composition
Water
Most of the body is made up of water with the percentage of body composition that is water changing based on individual functional needs. Essential functions of water include:
Help to build/repair almost every cell in the body.
Regulating body temperature through sweating and respiration.
Energy from carbohydrates and proteins is transported by water through the blood.
Assists in the removal of metabolic waste through urination.
Acts as a shock absorber to protect the brain and spinal cord.
Creates saliva/fluids to lubricate the joints.
The amount of water in the body depends on various factors that include:
The most common water comes from lean body mass. This includes blood, organs, and muscle. Major body organs’ water content:
Lungs – 83%
Muscles and kidneys – 79%
Brain and heart – 73%
Skin – 64%
Bones – 31%
References
Bryans, Roland et al. “Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 34,5 (2011): 274-89. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008
Tyagi, Alok. “New daily persistent headache.” Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology vol. 15,Suppl 1 (2012): S62-5. doi:10.4103/0972-2327.100011
Back pain and soreness are widespread conditions that affect all genders, races, and lifestyles. The causes for back pain are varied from injury, poor posture, arthritis, age, overuse, etc. If back pain is frequent, perhaps the last assumption is that the pain could be caused by cancer. While it’s far from the most common causes, cancer back pain is possible, which makes consulting a doctor that will figure out the root cause, especially if there are other non-related symptoms, and treat the back pain very important.
Cancer Back Pain
Back pain that could be caused by cancer usually occurs with other symptoms and include:
Back pain that is not related to movement.
Pain does not get worse with activity.
Back pain usually presents at night or early in the morning and fades away or improves as the day progresses.
Back pain persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.
Changes in bowel movements or blood in urine or stool.
Like lung cancers, some breast cancer tumors can press on nerves connected to the spine, causing discomfort and pain.
Gastrointestinal
Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can cause back pain.
The pain radiates from where the cancer is to the back.
Tissue and Blood Cancers
Blood and tissue cancers like:
Multiple myeloma
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Can cause back pain.
Diagnosing Cancer and Back Pain
Medical treatments for back pain-related cancer depend on its type and how advanced it is. A doctor will consider symptoms and medical history when diagnosing possible back pain causes. Because cancer is a rare cause of back pain, a doctor may recommend various treatments before a full cancer work-up. The doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing if the pain persists after chiropractic, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications. These tests will help identify potential cancer markers causing back pain.
Treatments usually include chemotherapy and radiation to shrink a tumor.
A doctor will recommend surgery to remove a tumor.
Chiropractic
Cancer patients have found chiropractic treatment to be effective for:
Pain management.
Flexibility improvement.
Mobility improvement.
Strengthening muscles.
Helping to reduce stress.
Helping the body function more efficiently.
Chiropractic physiotherapy benefits patients undergoing chemotherapy, as it helps the body withstand the debilitating effects of the treatment based on the whole-body approach.
Body Composition
Don’t Hate Dieting
Individuals hate dieting, usually because they go about it the wrong way. Individuals do not need to starve themselves and live at the gym. Reaching quick weight loss goals might sound appealing; however, going through it for an extended time can make individuals feel:
Tired
Depressed
Unmotivated
Individuals can find a nutrition plan/exercise balance that works for them and their lifestyle. For some individuals, dieting alone is effective, but more than likely, they have increased metabolisms. Trying to lose fat by only cutting calories can be difficult for individuals with smaller metabolisms. The goal is to find a balance between diet and exercise. This does not mean having to go on an extreme diet, skip meals, or cut out entire macronutrient groups like fat or carbs, as the body needs both of these nutrients. Finding a sustainable long-term nutrition plan takes planning and support. A dietician, nutritionist, or health coach can offer a variety of nutrition and exercise plans customized to the individual.
References
Downie, Aron et al. “Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 347 f7095. 11 Dec. 2013, doi:10.1136/bmj.f7095
Mabry, Lance M et al. “Metastatic cancer mimicking mechanical low back pain: a case report.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 22,3 (2014): 162-9. doi:10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000056
Vasser, Melinda, and Matthew Koroscil. “When Back Pain Turns Deadly: An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer.” Respiratory medicine case reports vol. 29 101009. 28 Jan. 2020, doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101009
Verhagen, Arianne P et al. “Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 25,9 (2016): 2788-802. doi:10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0
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