http://cdi.edu.au/index.htmlClinical Clarity Blogenmatthew@cdi.edu.auCopyright 2010 CDI2011-12-07T11:32:28+11:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 12:30:20 +1000matthew@cdi.edu.auFrom the Research2011-12-07T11:32:28+11:00http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/81d5881ae7057b3f191f2fb41a20dcae-19.html#unique-entry-id-19http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/81d5881ae7057b3f191f2fb41a20dcae-19.html#unique-entry-id-19I have written previously about the role that expectation plays in clinical practice. Indeed, mastering 'expectation management' is a core part of effective 'doctoring' and can easily make the difference between the success and failure of most forms of treatment, particularly when pain is involved. But there's more to this phenomenon than simply recognising the possibility of placebo analgesia. Recent studies have shown that a patient's expectation of treatment success influences their nociceptive system all the way from the cortex to the brainstem and spinal cord...

]]>matthew@cdi.edu.auFrom the Research2011-07-30T21:07:47+10:00http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/a645b658ff009f1e15d9c839b7514842-18.html#unique-entry-id-18http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/a645b658ff009f1e15d9c839b7514842-18.html#unique-entry-id-18
]]>matthew@cdi.edu.auFrom the Research2011-05-05T12:03:18+10:00http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/3797f3c4d2fc083b4674f0381794b0f9-17.html#unique-entry-id-17http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/3797f3c4d2fc083b4674f0381794b0f9-17.html#unique-entry-id-17What does an adjustment actually do?"

Every chiropractor would be aware of the most common theories regarding spinal manipulation and how it exerts its effects upon the human body. However, the detail is often somewhat sketchy. Fortunately the research literature is increasingly building a body of evidence as to the mechanics of manual treatment and how it is transduced into neurological effects. Some of these seem well understood; the analgesic effects occurring at the dorsal horn, the increased sympathetic activity following mobilisation, changes in joint perception and proprioception, and altered patterns of muscle recruitment. We have discussed this last item recently, specifically the changes to multifidus muscle activity that arise following a spinal adjustment, and it has returned again as the subject of a new study published in Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy...

]]>matthew@cdi.edu.auFrom the Research2011-03-24T12:45:15+11:00http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/97fe5d9e04f20846711c59c3f7a87573-16.html#unique-entry-id-16http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/97fe5d9e04f20846711c59c3f7a87573-16.html#unique-entry-id-16What's that cracking sound?" Typically, you'd have no trouble explaining the mechanism of cavitation and its relevance to an adjustment. Often this line of questioning is followed by a secondary probe such as, "But doesn't it cause arthritis?" Again, you may have no difficulty refuting the suggestion, but do you actually have any evidence for your assertion?

]]>matthew@cdi.edu.auClinical Pearls2011-03-22T21:39:40+11:00http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/98ce8087f8a1f13a92cec80686e0fbb9-15.html#unique-entry-id-15http://cdi.edu.au/blog/files/98ce8087f8a1f13a92cec80686e0fbb9-15.html#unique-entry-id-15 et al in the journal Rheumatology looked at whether a unique pattern of pain accompanied thoracic osteoporotic compression fractures.

The possibility of osteoporotic compression fracture is usually raised in post-menopausal women suffering from thoracic pain. But is the pain typically felt in the midline, or even over the spine at all?

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