Back pain and gastrointestinal problems commonly related….

A study published in The Clinical Journal of Pain in it’s March/April, 2008 issue links back pain to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. This Australian study analyzed data from 38.050 women of different ages who had varying GI symptoms ranging from constipation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea and other bowel problems.

The results showed that with an increase of back pain frequency from “rarely” to “sometimes” to “often”, there was a direct increase in GI symptoms. While the study did not evaluate the cause for this link, it does seem to be strong. Clinically, I have found this to be the case.

Are chiropractors treating GI symptoms with adjustments? Some may make this claim. I would like to point out that some or maybe even many of our back pain patients, especially women, may have concomitant GI problems that are going undetected and maybe even untreated.

At Optimum Function, I have made it my goal to always take this into consideration. This is one of the main reasons that I have spend the time and effort to receive post-graduate training in functional medicine and nutrition and have come up with functional medicine and nutritional programs.

To learn more about these programs, click here

To learn more about my manual medicine programs, click here

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