Foot dysfunction and low-back pain: are they related?

Article Abstract:

The feet can be considered as a point from which low back pain can develop. The foot is the foundation for a series of movements that include the lumbar spine, or lower back. Improper functioning of the feet may cause low back pain due to chronic muscle pain. This may result in pain and impaired function of the muscle and fascia, the fiber-like membrane covering, supporting, and separating the muscles. It may also cause increased stress across the facet joint, leading to abnormalities within the joint, specifically the development of folds of the joint membrane. Treatment consists of restoring normal joint movement at the foot and nearby structures. This can be done by the use of chiropractic manipulation or flexible orthotics, which are orthopedic appliances used to prevent or correct locomotor disorders. Chiropractic manipulation will restore joint motion by releasing the joint membrane folds, thereby reducing muscle spasm. By restoring joint function, manipulation will prevent the proliferation of fibroblasts, cells that develop into connective tissue. Finally, chiropractic manipulation helps to inhibit receptors, or membrane proteins, that are involved in the production of pain. An case where flexible orthotics may be beneficial is in lengthening a short limb. A short limb may result in scoliosis, or curving of the spine to the side of the short leg, which is often associated with low back pain. Devices to lengthen a short leg will prevent scoliosis, and thereby reduce joint strain and muscle overload. This discussion demonstrates the relation between the foot function as a foundation and the function of near-by structures, such as the hip, pelvis, and spine. Treatment must center on each area of impaired function in order to provide long-term relief. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Study and teaching, Biomechanics, Backache, Back pain

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Another new technique

Article Abstract:

Chiropractors are continually bombarded with literature regarding new techniques and equipment for their practices. One of the newer techniques being touted is the Hoagie Boom-A-Range-Technique, which involves strapping a patient onto a table that rotates. The tables cost between $24,000 and $48,000 and fees for patients treated with the table are recommended to be $20 to $80. The tables are supposed to be used for any condition and for any patient. The basic chiropractic adjustment is the chiropractic technique that has proven effective for years, and it is being lost in this maze of often expensive, but usually useless, new techniques. A few more examples illustrate the direction in which the profession is heading. At one conference, a chiropractor claimed he had a new treatment technique which he proceeded to demonstrate. It involved putting his arms around a patient without touching the patient and using his aura to break up any disease. These examples demonstrate why the profession has a credibility problem. It is time that chiropractic got back to basics by making the traditional adjustment the mainstay of treatment. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Medical care, Quality management, Medical care quality, editorial

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