VOLUME 26 - 7 Osteoporosis

PIC Spinal Decompression Study Concludes with Great Success! - Patients May enroll for treatment now.

14 patients were admitted into the study on May 17, 2004. Two candidatew were eliminated from the study and one dropped out. The group is divided into the neck and arm pain group and the low back and leg pain group. These are patients who have had extensive chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy, and have not responded. Three in the study group have already had back surgery that has failed. Intake measurements include modified Oswestry low back and neck pain questionnaires, Activities Discomfort Scale and a quadruple visual analogue pain scale. Each item is scored and a total is recorded against which the exit scores are compared. Here are the results of the initial phase of the study after only 3 weeks reporting only the revised Oswestry scores:.

Low Back and Leg Pain Patients:

Average Intake Score = 43
Average Exit Score = 24
Improvement = 54%

Neck and Arm Pain Patients:

Average Intake Score = 24
Average Exit Score = 14
Improvement = 46%

Protocols for resolution of presurgical conditions are from 5-8 weeks with results around 86%. With just three weeks completed, these result are on track to exceed even that projection. We expect, however that 60% of the improvement will occur within the first three weeks of treatment and expect to see the remaining 20-30% during the second half of the treatment protocol. To review the published article on this study, click here.

Interseted patients may enroll in phase two of the study by calling the clinic at 801-272-8471 or by email to Dr. Gundersen.

Health Tips

Osteoporosis: Not Just An Elderly Disease

It used to be that osteoporosis was considered a disease that affected only the elderly. We particularly associated osteoporosis with older women whose backs were slightly hunched over or those who could no longer stand up straight.

Today, the truth is that an estimated 20 million American women suffer from osteoporosis, and 80 percent of them don't even know it. Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive condition that steals bone from the body, leading to fractures of the hip, spine and wrist.

Older people can suffer disability and even death from osteoporosis-related fractures. Alarmingly, one in two women and one in eight men will suffer from an osteoporosis-related fracture in his or her lifetime. Many people confuse osteoporosis with arthritis, and wait for swollen joints and discomfort before being tested. Even though osteoporosis is painless until a bone fracture occurs, it is important to find out how healthy your bones are now and if need be, adjust your lifestyle to avoid this brittle bone disease.

We recommend the following tips to maintain healthy bones:

• Start a regular exercise program. Walking, skipping rope, jogging, playing racquet sports, swimming and aerobics are all helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Exercising for 20 minutes, three times a week, is helpful.
• Although weight lifting exercises are generally recommended, the National Osteoporosis Foundation says those suffering from osteoporosis should consult their health care practitioner before beginning a weight lifting program because excessive strain on the bones could result.
• Those with severe osteoporosis and who have suffered from fractures may find Tai Chi, a form of martial arts, to be a beneficial strength training exercise system.
• People suffering from osteoporosis should be careful when bending and lifting heavy objects, including grandchildren. Bend from the knees, not the waist, when lifting, and try to avoid hunching while sitting or standing.
• Diet - make certain you have protein in your diet. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone and bones are made up largely of protein.
• Make certain you are not on a salt free diet - salt is necessary for the formation of normal stomach acid needed to digest some parts of protein---potassium chloride is better than sodium chloride.
• Be sure to include calcium in your daily diet. The National Institutes of Health's recommendations are 1,000 mg/day for post-menopausal women taking estrogen; 1,500 mg/day for postmenopausal women not taking estrogen, and 1,500 mg/day for men and women over 65 years of age.
• If you are looking for a calcium supplement, try one that's highly absorbable, such as microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC), or one of the malates, fumarates, succinates, glutarates, or citrates. But don't overdo it. Taking more than the recommended amount of calcium may cause kidney stones.
• Consider taking additional nutritional supplements, such as vitamin D, C, magnesium, zinc and silica after consulting with your doctor of chiropractic.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet, including fresh vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds. Try broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage and turnip greens. Experiment with tofu, salmon, sardines and grains. Low-fat milk and/or yogurt are good sources of calcium. (A glass of low-fat milk and a cup of yogurt add 600 mg of calcium to your daily diet.)
• Drink 8 eight-ounce glasses of water a day (herb teas, juices and coffee are not a substitute for water.) Avoid caffeine, carbonated sodas, alcohol, baked goods and junk food.
• Watch your animal protein intake.

Chiropractic Care Can Help... Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to improve the health of your bones. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed and trained to treat patients of all ages and can help people suffering from osteoporosis lead healthier lives.

Our Patients Get Results
Click above to see how patients have responded.

Related Research

Benefits of 2 Years of Intense Exercise on Bone Density, Physical Fitness, and Blood Lipids in Early Postmenopausal Osteopenic Women

Background: Growing evidence indicates that physical exercise can prevent at least some of the negative effects on health associated with early menopause. Here we determine the effects of intense exercise on physical fitness, bone mineral density (BMD), back pain, and blood lipids in early postmenopausal women.

Methods: The study population comprised 50 fully compliant women, with no medication or illness affecting bone metabolism, who exercised over 26 months (exercise group [EG]), and 33 women who served as a nontraining control group (CG). Two group training sessions per week and 2 home training sessions per week were performed in the EG. Both groups were individually supplemented with calcium and cholecalciferol. Physical fitness was determined by maximum strength and cardiovascular performance. Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DXA] and quantitative computed tomography [QCT]), the proximal femur (DXA), and the forearm (DXA). In serum samples taken from a subset of the study participants, we determined bone formation (serum osteocalcin) and resorption (serum cross-links) markers as well as blood lipid levels. Vasomotor symptoms related to menopause and pain were also assessed.

Results: After 26 months, significant exercise effects determined as percentage changes compared with baseline were observed for physical fitness (isometric strength: trunk extensors [EG +36.5% vs CG +1.7%], trunk flexors [EG +39.3% vs CG -0.4%], and maximum oxygen consumption [EG +12.4% vs CG -2.3%]); BMD (lumbar spine [DXA L1-L4, EG +0.7% vs CG -2.3%], QCT L1-L3 trabecular region of interest [EG +0.4% vs CG -6.6%], QCT L1-L3 cortical region of interest [EG +3.1% vs CG -1.7%], and total hip [DXA, EG -0.3% vs CG -1.7%]); serum levels (total cholesterol [EG -5.0% vs CG +4.1%] and triglycerides [EG -14.2% vs CG +23.2%]); and pain indexes at the spine.

Conclusion: General purpose exercise programs with special emphasis on bone density can significantly improve strength and endurance and reduce bone loss, back pain, and lipid levels in osteopenic women in their critical early postmenopausal years.

Kemmler W, et al. Archives of Internal Medicine. May 24, 2004; Vol. 164, No. 10, pp. 1084-1091.

Determining the Stabilizing Role of Individual Torso Muscles During Rehabilitation Exercises

Study Design: A systematic biomechanical analysis involving an artificial perturbation applied to individual lumbar muscles in order to assess their potential stabilizing role.

Objectives: To identify which torso muscles stabilize the spine during different loading conditions and to identify possible mechanisms of function. Summary of Background Data: Stabilization exercises are thought to train muscle patterns that ensure spine stability; however, little quantification and no consensus exists as to which muscles contribute to stability.

Methods: Spine kinematics, external forces, and 14 channels of torso electromyography were recorded for seven stabilization exercises in order to capture the individual motor control strategies adopted by different people. Data were input into a detailed model of the lumbar spine to quantify spine joint forces and stability. The EMG signal for a particular muscle was replaced either unilaterally or bilaterally by a sinusoid, and the resultant change in the stability index was quantified.

Results: A direction-dependent-stabilizing role was noticed in the larger, multisegmental muscles, whereas a specific subtle efficiency to generate stability was observed for the smaller, intersegmental spinal muscles.

Conclusions: No single muscle dominated in the enhancement of spine stability, and their individual roles were continuously changing across tasks. Clinically, if the goal is to train for stability, enhancing motor patterns that incorporate many muscles rather than targeting just a few is justifiable.

Kavcic N, et al. Spine. June 1, 2004; Vol. 29, No. 11, pp. 1254-1265.

In The News

The Rear End Collision

These are becoming more frequent now and you need to know what to do if you are hit from behind or slip into someonw else. Follow these simple rules if you are involved in a car accident and are not hospitalized:

• Stay calm and reduce movements of the spine
• Ice packs on the spine and neck for 5 minutes per hour will help for the first few days
• See your chiropractic physiciain right away - He is the only provider trained to evlauate spinal subluxations

For more information, click here!

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL OFFERS

Spinal Decompression Study: Enroll now if you have arm or leg pain, numbness or loss of strength.

Family Vouchers are now avilable on request. Give any family member or close freind a voucher for a compimentary consultation and spinal examination, spinal screening, blood pressure screen, or body composition screen. Click Here and ask for a family voucher to be sent to you.

We have a new exercise program sheets for all parts of the body. These protocols range from simple stretching for increased range of motion to resistive movements for strength and rehabilitation. We can print simple descriptions for you at your next visit. Arth Aid - Detox now at bulk rates. Many people are requesting several pouches at a time for consistent relief. We have a bulk rate. Call to ask how you can save.

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OUR STAFF
Dr. Bruce Gundersen - Chiropractic Orthopedics
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Lou Gundersen - Courier

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