Diary of a NJ Chiropractor

Is it worth it to buy a $500 marathon running shoe you can race in only once?

Is it worth it to buy a $500 marathon running shoe you can race in only once? A few years ago, Nike made a shoe that they claimed helped a runner on a specialized course complete a sub-2-hour marathon.  Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya broke the two-hour marathon barrier with a time of 1:59:40 in a park in Vienna.  The Zoom Vaporfly 4% or ZoomX Vaporfly Next% and they are about $250 per pair. These shoes could be worn multiple times. Most recently, Addidas released their Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, a new ultra-light marathon race shoe with an eye-popping $500 Read More »

The mystery of dizziness can often have many causes, but one of the most common is relieved with chiropractic care.

The mystery of dizziness can often have many causes, but one of the most common is relieved with chiropractic care. You wake up one morning and the world is spinning.  It makes you nauseous and you are unable to walk straight or lay down in certain positions. Many people immediately think they have an inner ear problem and are instructed in the Epley maneuver which is a series of stretches that is supposed to help but often is only able to temporarily relieve the condition. It is based on a theory of inner ear crystals moving with these positions.   It Read More »

How can four people in the same car accident have different symptoms?

How can four people in the same car accident have different symptoms? If you have ever been in a car accident, it can be quite traumatic both physically and emotionally as well. Understanding the forces involved can explain why you feel a certain way. For example, a front-head collision with another vehicle may discharge airbags subjecting you to further forces as the bags discharge with significant forces against your body to protect you from injury. The crumple zones of the car are also designed to help you avoid injury by absorbing much of the impact before it is felt by Read More »

A new sickle cell anemia cure is coming soon.

A new sickle cell anemia cure is coming soon. Sickle Cell Anemia affects one in 368 people of African descent, leading to painful episodes and a shorter lifespan.  I first heard about this cure on Freakonomics MD, a podcast that covers the economics of medical care. It is the first treatment using the CRISPR gene-editing system. In the episode I listened to, they interviewed a study participant who had been fully cured of the disease using this approach to care. Recently, the NY Times covered the progress of the treatment after a  panel of experts deemed it safe for clinical Read More »

A recent study shows that the first provider you visit for acute lower back pain influences utilization and cost.

A recent study shows that the first provider you visit for acute lower back pain influences utilization and cost. Keeping things simple by choosing the right provider first has a marked influence on your experiences, the treatment effectiveness, and the cost of care. With regard to acute lower back pain, a new study in the Journal of Physical Therapy was published in June 2023 with a number of PhD researchers as well as a colleague of mine, Mike Schneider DC, Ph.D. The study recognized that the cost of treating low back pain episodes continues to rise and it has been Read More »