Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Women Who Work Night Shift May Be at Elevated Risk of Asthma. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that women who routinely work nights have a 50% increased risk of asthma. Interestingly, the risk is even greater for postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy, suggesting
the underlying cause may be hormonal in nature. The research team did not observe a link between night shifts and asthma in men.                                                                              ERJ Open Research, June 2025

Diet: Ultra-Processed Food Intake in Early Adulthood May Raise Diabetes Risk. Altered glucose homeostasis refers to a disruption in the body’s ability to maintain stable blood sugar levels, often involving impaired insulin production, insulin resistance, or abnormal glucose metabolism—which can set the stage for type 2 diabetes. An
analysis of data from the Meta-AIR study revealed that a high intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with altered glucose homeostasis in early adulthood. The findings are especially alarming as ultra-processed foods account for the majority of calories in the average young adult’s diet.                                                                                                    Research Square, July 2025               

Exercise: Fitness May Protect Against Depression. An analysis of data pooled from national cohort studies in the United States and United Kingdom revealed that depression affects about 22% of the population, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a reduced risk for the mood disorder.                                                                BMC Medicine, July 2025

Chiropractic: Buttock Pain May Be a Symptom of Lumbar Disk Herniation. Examinations of 321 disk herniation patients revealed that buttock pain is a common and independent symptom affecting three out of four such individuals—particularly those with contained herniations and an intact annulus.
Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, March 2025

Mental Attitude: Frequent Nightmares May Increase Risk of Premature Death. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, acting as a biological clock that contributes to cellular and overall aging. A recent study found that individuals who experience recurring nightmares show accelerated telomere shortening, likely driven by elevated cortisol levels released in response to stress inducing dreams. This faster cellular aging is linked to a higher risk of chronic diseases at younger ages and may increase the likelihood of premature death.                                                                                                                  European Academy of Neurology, June 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Locomotive Syndrome Linked to Metabolic Syndrome. Locomotive syndrome is a condition characterized by reduced mobility due to impaired musculoskeletal function. A study that included 4,301 middle-aged and older adults revealed that locomotive syndrome raises the risk of metabolic syndrome by up to 34%. The findings suggest that efforts to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders may also benefit the metabolic health of the population.                                                             Preventative Medicine, June 2025

Quote: “Unhappiness is not knowing what we want and killing ourselves to get it.” ~ Don Herold

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: About One-in-Nine Seniors Suffer a Fall Each Year. Among a group of nearly 3,000 older adults, researchers observed that 12% had experienced at least one fall during the previous year, and one-in-seven fall episodes resulted in a fracture, most often the wrist, knee, or hip. A review of mortality data revealed falls are
associated with a 65% increased risk of death within the following five years.
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025

Diet: Tea and Dark Chocolate May Help Lower Blood Pressure. Flavanols are natural compounds found in fruit, tea, and chocolate that help plants defend against pests, fungal infections, and ultraviolet radiation. A meta-analysis of data from 145 randomized clinical trials revealed that a high intake of flavanols is associated with enhanced endothelial function, benefiting blood pressure and cardiovascular health.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, May 2025

Exercise: Women’s Physical Activity is More Consistent Than Men’s. An analysis of six months of data collected from nearly 600 adults revealed that women have less variability in their physical activity levels than men. Interestingly, the data also show that menstrual cycles do not significantly affect a woman’s physical activity levels,
contrary to long-standing assumptions.                                                                              Journal of Medical Internet Research, May 2025

Chiropractic: Hunched Posture Raises Neck Pain Risk in Low Back Pain Patients. Compared with a normal seated posture, working at a desk in a hunched posture for just 30 minutes significantly increased fatigue in the sternocleidomastoid neck muscle among individuals with chronic low back pain, potentially raising their risk of developing co-occurring neck pain.                                                                            Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, February 2025

Mental Attitude: Early-Life Risk Factors for Dementia. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that several early-life factors are associated with an increased risk of dementia, including maternal smoking during the perinatal period, below-average height at age ten, low or high birth weight, and childhood physical
neglect.                                                                                                                                        Journal of Affective Disorders, June 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Affordable Blood Test May Detect Alzheimer’s Early. Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a low-cost blood test that detects five proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. In a study involving 63 participants, the test accurately distinguished individuals with Alzheimer’s from
those without the condition. With further refinement and validation, the test could improve early screening— potentially identifying the disease before symptoms appear—allowing for earlier intervention and preventative strategies.                                          Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 2025

Quote: “As long as you don’t forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind.”
~ Isabelle Holland

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Broken Heart Syndrome More Common in Women, More Fatal to Men. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as stress-induced or “broken heart” syndrome, is a temporary heart condition characterized by sudden weakening of the left ventricle, often triggered by intense emotional or physical stress. It’s estimated that between 6,000 and 7,000 people are diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy each year. While 83% of broken heart syndrome cases occur in female patients, the risk of death from the condition is more than doubled in men (11% vs 5%).                    American Heart Association, May 2025

Diet: Try Matcha? Matcha is a powdered green tea that contains less caffeine than coffee but is rich in antioxidants and L-theanine—a compound that may reduce caffeine-related jitters and promote relaxation. Because it offers similar cardiovascular benefits to coffee but with a gentler stimulant effect, matcha may be a preferred choice for
individuals sensitive to caffeine.                                                                                                  The Conversation, May 2025

Exercise: Lifting Weights Benefits Future Moms. A systematic review of nine clinical trials found that strength training during pregnancy may help mitigate excessive weight gain, alleviate low back and sciatic pain, and improve both mental and physical health in expectant mothers.                                                                                                      Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, July 2025

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Trends Attributable to High Body Mass Index. Past research has established high body mass index (BMI) as a significant risk factor for low back pain. Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease study, researchers reported a 171% increase in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)—a metric that reflects
years lost to illness, disability, or premature death—attributable to obesity-related low back pain between 1990 and 2021. This substantial rise highlights the growing public health burden of obesity and its contribution to chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Frontiers in Nutrition, January 2025

Mental Attitude: Hearing Loss May Contribute to Dementia. Following an analysis of data from 49 studies, researchers report that even mild hearing loss in both ears raises the risk of dementia by 32%, and the risk rises to 66% in more severe cases. It’s suspected the risk may be a combination of pathological processes common to
hearing loss and dementia, as well as factors like social withdrawal.                                  Aging & Mental Health, June 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Are Half of Dementia Cases Preventable? Nearly half of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing modifiable risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking. Yet, most research and interventions tend to focus on midlife, despite the fact that many of these risk factors emerge much earlier. Experts emphasize that promoting healthier lifestyle habits across the entire lifespan—not just in middle age—could significantly enhance brain health and reduce the overall incidence of cognitive decline and dementia.
The Conversation, May 2025

Quote: “Doubt is the origin of wisdom.” ~ René Descartes

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Remnant Cholesterol Linked to Cardiovascular Disease. Using data from the Shanghai Suburban Adult Cohort and Biobank study, researchers report that high levels of remnant cholesterol—the cholesterol found in leftover blood particles after fat is processed—are associated with a 32% increased risk of cardiovascular disease
over a five-year period, independent of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) levels. Elevated remnant cholesterol is commonly linked to high triglycerides, insulin resistance, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet.
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, June 2025

Diet: Ultra-Processed Foods and Diabetes. Ultra-processed foods are food products that include added sugars, fats, and salt to enhance flavor and prolong shelf life. An analysis of data from the 2001-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that ultra-processed foods account for more than 50% of total caloric intake in individuals with either pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes, and for one-in-five such individuals, ultra-processed foods account for 75% of their daily calories. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, July 2025

Exercise: What Is Grip Strength? Grip strength is commonly used in scientific studies as a proxy for overall muscular fitness, much like body mass index (BMI) utilizes height and weight to provide a general indication of body fat. While grip strength doesn’t capture the full picture of an individual’s health, it has been associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
The Conversation, May 2025

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain and Hip Asymmetries. Examinations of 93 middle-aged and older adults revealed that those with low back pain were more likely to exhibit asymmetries between their hips, suggesting altered biomechanics. Prior research has shown that hip and low back dysfunction often co-occur, with impairment in one
region potentially increasing the risk of issues in the other.                                              North American Spine Society Journal, March 2025

Mental Attitude: Quieter Classrooms May Help Calm Kids. According to a recent study, installing sound absorbing ceilings in preschool classrooms reduces noise and helps calm children, which may support early language development and emotional regulation.                                                                                                                                Acoustical Society of America, May 2025

Wellness/Prevention: A Less Invasive Option for Prostate Cancer Treatment? Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles report that combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with focal therapy—such as ultrasound, cryotherapy, or laser ablation—to identify and target only the cancerous portion of the prostate can reduce the need for more invasive treatments like surgery or radiation, while significantly lowering the risk of side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and bowel problems.                                                                                                  Journal of Urology, May 2025

Quote: “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” ~ Blaise Pascal

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: City Living Raises Asthma Risk. A meta-analysis of data from 14 studies featuring a total of nearly 350,000 participants across seven European countries found that about 12% of asthma cases are linked to urban environmental factors such as air pollution, high-density development, and lack of greenery.
Karolinska Institute, May 2025

Diet: Daily Tea Drinkers May Have Lower Risk for Type 2 Diabetes. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers observed that drinking two or more cups of tea a day may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 14%.                                        Journal of American Nutrition Association, April 2025

Exercise: Exercise Characteristics of Fit Seniors. Among a group of nearly 800 older adults who wore activity trackers for a week, researchers observed that those who exercised daily, especially at higher intensity levels and earlier in the day, exhibited better cardiorespiratory fitness and walking efficiency than participants who exercised
less often, at lower intensity, and/or later in the day.                                                    Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, April 2025

Chiropractic: Do MDs Follow the Guidelines on Acute Non-Specific Low Back Pain? A survey that included 1,253 Swiss medical doctors (MDs) revealed that only 61% were aware of the current clinical guidelines on the management of acute non-specific low back pain. When presented with two hypothetical and routine cases of acute
non-specific low back pain, respondents recommended several inappropriate treatment approaches including x-rays and MRI in the absence of red flags, muscle relaxants, oral steroids, strong opioids, spinal injections, and activity restrictions, including bed rest. Swiss Medical Weekly, January 2025

Mental Attitude: Curiosity May Protect Brain Health. According to a recent study, trait curiosity—the consistent tendency to seek new information—tends to decline with age. However, state curiosity, which refers to the momentary desire to learn triggered by novel, ambiguous, or surprising events, appears to increase after midlife.
Researchers suggest that this distinction could help inform strategies to promote healthy brain aging.
PLOS One, May 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D Might Fend Off Biological Aging. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, serving as a biological clock that contributes to cellular aging and the overall aging process. In a recent study that included more than 25,000 participants,
researchers observed that taking a daily 2,000 IU vitamin D3 supplement resulted in less telomere shortening over a four-year period, suggesting that improved vitamin D status may slow biological aging.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2025

Quote: “Advice is one of those things it is far more blessed to give than to receive.” ~ Carolyn Wells

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Stiff Arteries Linked to Stroke Risk in Patients with High Blood Pressure. Among patients with hypertension, a recent study found that arterial stiffness—as indicated by elevated central systolic blood pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity—is associated with a 78% higher risk of stroke. These findings highlight the importance of lifestyle interventions that support cardiovascular health and improve arterial flexibility, including a low-sodium, high-potassium diet; regular physical activity; smoking cessation; limiting alcohol; adequate sleep; stress management; and maintaining a healthy weight.                                                                  European Journal of Neurology, May 2025

Diet: Gut Bacteria May Be Key to Managing IBD. A recent animal study found that certain gut bacteria can metabolize resveratrol—a compound found in grapes—producing small molecules that help regulate intestinal inflammation and enhance resistance to gastrointestinal pathogens associated with inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD). These findings may lead to new microbiome-based approaches for preventing or treating IBD.
Cell, January 2025

Exercise: Move More, Sit Less! For individuals with a history of coronary heart disease, a recent study found that keeping sedentary time under seven hours a day and engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a week can reduce the risk for a subsequent major adverse cardiovascular event in the following 8.3
years by up to 48%.                                                                                                                        American Journal of Preventative Cardiology, April 2025

Chiropractic: Low Back Pain Will Increasingly Be a Problem for Decades to Come. According to a recent study, 628.8 million people worldwide experienced at least one episode of low back pain in 2021. If current trends persist, the total number of low back pain episodes worldwide per year is projected to rise to 890 million by 2050.
Spine, April 2025

Mental Attitude: Apathy May Hint at Future Dementia Risk. In a medical context, apathy is a neuropsychiatric symptom characterized by diminished motivation, reduced emotional responsiveness, and lack of interest or initiative, often observed in conditions like depression, dementia, and brain injury. Using data from the preDIVA
study, researchers report that higher levels of apathy are associated with a 49% increased risk for dementia diagnosis in the following twelve years.                                  International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, May 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Blood Test Can Predict Fatty Liver Disease Years in Advance. Scientists have identified five specific proteins that, when present at certain levels in the blood, can predict the likelihood of developing fatty liver disease—with 84% accuracy for onset within five years and 76% accuracy for onset within 16 years. With
further refinement, this test could potentially be integrated into routine blood panels to assess liver health and prompt preventive lifestyle changes well before symptoms appear.                                                                                                                                                    Digestive Diseases Week, May 2025

Quote: “You can’t do it unless you can imagine it.” ~ George Lucas

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

 

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Health Alert: Life’s Essential 8 Also Lowers Cancer Risk. The American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 is a set of health-related behaviors and clinical measures—including not smoking, good sleep hygiene, maintaining a healthy weight, a nutritious diet, regular physical activity, and healthy levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, and blood
pressure—that are linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. According to data from the REGARDS study, meeting these eight criteria is also associated with a 52% lower risk of developing cancer over a 14-year period.
JACC. Advances, April 2025

Diet: High-Salt Diet Linked to Depression? A recent animal study found that high sodium intake increases production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17A, which was associated with depression-like behaviors in mice. If these findings translate to humans, reducing salt intake could become a consideration in the management or prevention of certain mood disorders.                                                                                                          Journal of Immunology, March 2025

Exercise: Getting Active in Midlife May Improve Brain Health Too. Among a group of 337 middle-aged adults, those who increased their physical activity levels to meet or exceed exercise guidelines (at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity a week) exhibited less beat-amyloid accumulation and greater cortical
thickness, which are key indicators of brain health.                                                                  Alzheimer’s & Dementia, April 2025

Chiropractic: Treatment for Acute Neck Pain. A systematic review that included eight clinical trials found that spinal manipulative therapy is a safe and effective intervention for improving pain, disability, and range of motion in patients with acute neck pain. Spinal manipulative therapy is the primary form of treatment provided by
chiropractors.                                                                                                                                        Systematic Reviews, May 2025

Mental Attitude: Early Menopause May Indicate Future Cognitive Issues. Researchers from Tohoku University report that middle-aged women in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing who experienced menopause before age 40 showed greater declines in thinking and memory skills over a two-year period than those who entered menopause after age 50.                                                                                                    Alzheimer’s & Dementia, April 2025

Wellness/Prevention: AI May Help Detect Heart Problems During Routine Visits. Heart muscle weakness, defined as a left ventricular ejection fraction below 50%, affects an estimated 1-3% of women of childbearing age and can significantly increase the risk of complications during pregnancy for both mother and baby. A recent study
conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers found that tools like digital stethoscopes, when combined with artificial intelligence (AI), can detect heart dysfunction during routine primary care visits—even before symptoms appear— allowing for earlier interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
Annals of Family Medicine, April 2025

Quote: “A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.” ~ Mary Kay Ash

 

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Is Poor Sleep Linked to Elevated Risk of Organ Failure? Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is an interconnected cluster of conditions—including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity—that collectively increase the risk of organ failure and premature death. An analysis of data concerning more than 10,600 adults revealed an association between poor sleep quality and advanced stages of CKM syndrome. The findings suggest that poor sleep hygiene may hasten the progression of CKM syndrome, though further studies are needed to better understand the relationship.
Journal of the American Heart Association, March 2025

Diet: Time-Restricted Eating May Improve Benefits of Exercise. New research suggests that combining time restricted eating—such as only eating during an eight-hour window, for example—with exercise provides greater results with respect to fat loss and reduced body fat percentage than exercise alone, without a loss of lean muscle mass. International Journal of Obesity, April 2025

Exercise: Exercise Has Role in Cancer Treatment. An umbrella reviews that pooled findings from 80 previously published articles found that exercise not only reduces harmful side effects of cancer treatments like heart and nerve damage, brain fog, and fatigue, but it also provides benefits such as improved sleep, mood, social functioning, and overall quality of life.                                                                                          British Journal of Sports Medicine, April 2025

Chiropractic: Text Neck Syndrome Common Among Medical Students. Text neck syndrome is a repetitive strain injury caused by prolonged forward head posture—typically from looking down at phones or screens—which leads to neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes headaches or shoulder discomfort. Questionnaires completed by 555
medical students revealed about 1 in 4 suffer from text neck syndrome, and the condition is associated with using digital devices in excess of four hours a day, especially among those who are overweight and sedentary.
Work, March 2025

Mental Attitude: Liver Disease Linked to Dementia? Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MAFLD) is a form of liver disease caused by poor metabolic health rather than excessive alcohol consumption. Using data from the UK Biobank study, researchers report that MAFLD is associated with a 52% elevated risk of
dementia.                                                                                                                                  Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, March 2025

Wellness/Prevention: School-Based Asthma Programs Improve Kids’ Health. A pilot program conducted in two Ohio school districts found that students with asthma who received daily medication from school nurses had better asthma control and were approximately 50% less likely to visit the emergency room for breathing-related issues.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global, May 2025

Quote: “Nothing is harder than to accept oneself.” ~ Max Frisch

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Courtesy of: Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

Health Alert: Antibiotics Might Increase Risk of Childhood Asthma and Allergies. A large-scale study by Rutgers University found that children who received multiple courses of antibiotics before age two had a 24% higher risk of developing asthma, a 33% increased risk of food allergies, and a 6% greater risk of seasonal allergies by age twelve. These findings suggest that early antibiotic exposure may disrupt immune system development, leading to long-term allergic conditions.                                      Journal of Infectious Diseases, April 2025

Diet: Plant-Based Diet May Benefit Kidney Disease Patients. A recent clinical trial conducted by the University of Wollongong found that for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), adopting a diverse, plant-based diet— comprising over 30 different plant foods per week—significantly improved gut microbiome diversity and reduced levels of harmful toxins in the blood and urine. These findings suggest that such a dietary approach may slow disease progression and enhance quality of life for individuals living with CKD.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, March 2025
Exercise: Physical Activity Lowers Risk of Premature Death in Depression Patients. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers found that among individuals with depression, those who engaged in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had a 40% lower risk of all cause mortality over the next 13 years compared to those who remained inactive.
Frontiers in Public Health, April 2025

Chiropractic: Treatment for Mechanical Neck Pain. For patients with mechanical neck pain, a recent study found cervical spine manipulation—a treatment commonly performed by doctors of chiropractic—combined with neck retraction exercises was more effective at improving pain intensity and cervical range of motion than neck exercises alone.                                                                                            Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, May 2025

Mental Attitude: Brain Pathway May Play Role in Depression. A recent study involving 150 adolescents found that an imbalance in the kynurenine pathway—specifically, reduced levels of the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid and increased levels of the neurotoxic metabolite quinolinic acid—is associated with a higher risk of depression, particularly among teenage girls. The researchers suggest that interventions targeting this pathway, such as dietary modifications, exercise, and inflammation reduction, may help manage or prevent depression in adolescents. Biological Psychiatry, March 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Vitamin D and Colorectal Cancer. Current research suggests that healthy vitamin D status is associated with a lower risk for colorectal cancer, and sufficient vitamin D levels are linked to better outcomes among those who do develop the disease.                                                                                                                    The Conversation, May 2025

Quote: “Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can.” ~ Paul Tournier

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna

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Health Alert: Nearly a Quarter of American Children Affected by Parental Substance Abuse. Using data from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, researchers estimate that nearly 19 million children in the United States live with a parent or primary caregiver who abuses alcohol, cannabis, or illicit or prescription drugs.
JAMA Pediatrics, May 2025

Diet: Nuts and Seeds Safe for Diverticulitis Patients. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report that contrary to long-standing dietary advice, patients with diverticulitis should have no issue consuming nuts, seeds, or even fruits with seeds.                                                                                                                        Annals of Internal Medicine, May 2025

Exercise: One Reason Physical Activity Declines with Age… Northeastern University researchers report that physical activity has a positive effect on the salience network—a part of the brain that regulates attention and self control, including the ability to resist sedentary impulses. In less active individuals, this network begins to lose
integrity around age 50, which may help explain the decline in physical activity commonly seen in midlife. In contrast, individuals who remain physically active throughout life tend to maintain better function in this network, supporting continued engagement in exercise.
Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, May 2025

Chiropractic: Deep Spinal Muscles May Contribute to Chronic Low Back Pain. The lumbar multifidus is a deep spinal stabilizing muscle situated along the vertebrae in the lower back, essential for providing segmental support and controlling precise movements of the lumbar spine. Current research indicates that atrophy, fatty infiltration, and abnormal function of the lumbar multifidus are correlated with non-specific chronic low back pain. These findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess the condition of the lumbar multifidus and incorporate targeted interventions to strengthen and restore its function as part of a comprehensive chronic low back pain management strategy.                                                                                                                    Pain Practice, June 2025

Mental Attitude: ADHD May Slow Concussion Recovery. According to a study that looked at the outcomes of nearly 1,000 student athletes who sustained a concussion, those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) took 17% and 16% longer to return to sports and class, respectively.                                                                              Journal of Athletic Training, May 2025

Wellness/Prevention: Breastfeeding Benefits Mother and Child. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences notes that breast milk provides infants with essential antibodies and beneficial microbes that support the development of their immune system and can protect them from infection and auto-immune-related conditions such as asthma. Additionally, women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Unfortunately, only 24.9% of infants in the United States are exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life.                                                                                                    University of Florida, May 2025

Quote: “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” ~ Margaret Fuller

 

Your Rio Vista Chiropractor Dr. Joseph T. Megna