Smoking Leads to Spine Surgery

Many of my patients are surprised when I inform them that smoking is a risk factor for spinal disorders and back pain because it restricts blood flow and promotes inflammation in the spine. A recent study in the Spine Journal found that smokers are up to 46% more likely to get surgery for spinal stenosis.
Does this surprise anyone?
Smoking Leads to Spine Surgery

He tried to hold in a sneeze and ended up in the hospital on a feeding tube

I frequently tell patients that coughing and sneezing is a very powerful action. I have seen many patients injury their backs and necks and even cause disc herniations from these actions. 
Had a patient bring me this article about a person who recently tried to hold in a sneeze and ruptured his throat!
Has anyone injured themselves coughing or sneezing?
He tried to hold in a sneeze and ended up in the hospital on a feeding tube

President Signs Bill Expanding Chiropractic Role in VA

I am a certified medical examiner for the DOT and it was good to see that the president just signed a bill allowing doctors of chiropractic in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to perform physical exams on veterans needing a medical certificate necessary to operate a commercial motor vehicle. 
Did you know that DC's perform DOT trucker safety examinations?
President Signs Bill Expanding Chiropractic Role in VA

Commonly prescribed drugs for back pain often ineffective, review says

Now that opioid (narcotic) prescribing is coming under more scrutiny, many medical physicians are starting to prescribe drugs known as gabapentinoids for back pain. These are drugs that were approved for seizures and nerve pain. There is no research showing they are efffective for back disorders and they can have negative side effects. 
Why are these being prescribed off label for back pain?
Commonly prescribed drugs for back pain often ineffective, review says

7 Ways To Prevent Lower Back Pain

Noninvasive, Non-drug Treatment for Chronic Pain Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research

The US Dept of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Qualtity and Research (ACQH) has released the draft of a report that assesses evidence on noninvasive, non-drug treatments for common chronic pain conditions. It states that exercise, acupuncture, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, mind-body and mindfulness practices and psychological therapies may improve function or pain outcomes for specific chronic pain conditions.
Do you see more use of the above treatments helping with the opioid crisis in our country?
Noninvasive, Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review

What Patients Love About Chiropractic: NHIS Survey

Findings from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, "the most recent source providing data on the use of complementary health care approaches by adults in the United States," The survey showed that 24% of Americans have received chiropractic care and that 90.3% said it helped with their problem. 
Do you know of any other types of treatment with a 90% satisfaction rating?

What Patients Love About Chiropractic: NHIS Survey