Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Is Back Pain in Your Genes?"

This research done by, Prof. Gregory Livshits of Tel Aviv University's Department of Anatomy and Anthropology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, sheds some interesting light on another overlooked cause of back pain; your genes! This study appeared in the journal; Annals of Rheumatic Diseases and looked to determine a genetic link to back pain. What it found suggests that back pain can indeed run in families.

The study in question looked at over 2500 participants from the UK made up of identical and non-identical female twins! Professor Livshits and his team looked at several risk factors including; smoking, weight, physical work, vertebral disc degeneration and genetic predisposition. It is commonly thought that as mostly upright beings, humans are very susceptible to degeneration of the spinal discs, especially in the lower back region. This degeneration and injury over time can often lead to increased bouts of pain. 

Researchers relied on MRIs of the spine; radiographic assessment of the body lean, fat and bone mass; and blood samples for DNA extraction, genotyping and testing blood for potential biomarkers associated with joint disease.What the team found was very interesting indeed. They concluded that in non-identical twins, those who only share half of their genetic material, patients were 3 times more likely to suffer from back pain if their twin did as well. However, with identical twins, those who share all of their genes, the likelihood of suffering from back pain if your twin did as well jumped to 6 times!

Another interesting finding from the study is that intervertebral disc degeneration is often thought to be directly associated with low back pain. However, this study suggests that's not always the case.

These researchers found that these two factors could be independent of each other and each could have a unique genetic component. This study could have a significant impact on the future treatment, diagnosis and even screening of low back pain patients. But even Prof. Livshits admits more research of a broader nature is required. 

The take home message is that the causes of low back pain can be very obvious and clear in many cases. Unfortunately, in other situations, the cause can be baffling and very obscure for a patient. Risk factors such as smoking, weight, poor mattresses and now genetics are not often obvious causes of back pain but it just goes to show that with so many potential factors, pinpointing an exact cause can be extremely difficult. 

From a clinicians standpoint I would recommend that you look around at your family members to gauge your risk of developing back pain. Look at your brothers, sisters and even your parents. If you notice that a lot of them suffer or have suffered from severe bouts of back pain or arthritis, you probably should be taking better care of your back. But remember, if you ever find yourself suffering from back pain, your Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor is just a click or a phone call away!

Visit the website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC


Reference:
 Lumbar disc degeneration and genetic factors are the main risk factors for low back pain in women: the UK Twin Spine Study
 Gregory Livshits et al.

  Ann Rheum Dis doi:10.1136/ard.2010.137836

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Causes of Back Pain; SAGGY MATTRESS"

This is an all too common contributor of back pain that almost everyone overlooks. However if you wake up first thing in the morning and you're already suffering from bodily aches and pains, it might just be time to have a look at what you're sleeping on! (As a related issue, an improper pillow can also contribute to neck, shoulder and back pain as well)

The problem is an old mattress or a mattress that is too soft will have a tendency to sag in the middle while you're lying down. This in turn causes your spine to take an unhealthy 'bent' or curved position. This position actually puts strain and pressure on the discs in your spine while you're asleep. In addition, the unsupportive mattress prevents the muscles around your back from relaxing completely. With these factors in mind, it's easy to see how this could easily cause muscles aches and back pain. 

The 7-9 hours of sleep a night is your body's opportunity to rest and restore itself from the stresses of the day before. Sleep allows your muscles to relax and also allows the discs in your spine to re-hydrate overnight. (Ever had the feeling that first thing in the morning that you're a bit taller? Well that's the reason why) Not allowing your body the chance to rest and restore itself is seen as stress on the body. Unfortunately, like other forms of stress, the effects can be cumulative. Meaning that losing an hour here and there every night adds up over weeks and months!

It was once thought that the firmer the mattress, the better for your body. However, now it's believed that a mattress should have firm coils for support but also a 'topper' or layer of cushioning on top to add comfort for your body. This combination is now thought to be the best combination for people looking for a good mattress that will help eliminate back pain.

As an aside, the pillow also makes a difference for shoulder and neck pain sufferers. For people that sleep on their backs, a lower pillow is recommended. For side sleepers, a pillow that is higher is better. From my experience, I wouldn't recommend sleeping on your stomach. I've seen too many patients that have complained of severe neck and shoulder pain after spending a night on their stomachs. This posture forces you to turn your head all night just so you can breathe, thus putting your joints in a compromising position.

The next time you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, stop by the office or visit my website here; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC HERE!!!!! 

Commercial Drive - East Vancouver Chiropractor; Dr. Dominic Chan DC - "Study Finds Even a Little Too Much Tylenol Can Lead to Overdose"

I came across this article and it immediately made me think of a few patients I have come across in the last few weeks. In that time I have seen a couple of patients who have reported taking 6-8 extra strength Tylenols everyday for a few days straight prior to seeing me. Understandably, these patients were in so much pain that they felt they needed all this Tylenol to ease their pain. To clarify, the recommended dosage for extra strength Tylenol is no more than 8 tablets every 24 hours for an adult. Now with the amount of pain these patients were in, I can easily imagine a scenario where they may have taken 'just a little more' than recommended.  

A new study suggests that all that extra Acetominophen can add up over several days and lead to a dangerous overdose. Researchers from University of Edinburgh in Scotland found that these smaller, "staggered overdoses" can even be more harmful than a single large overdose.
This study only reinforces the idea that, "...maximum recommended daily doses should be strictly adhered to." said  Dr. Joshua Lenchus, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The researchers also found that these people who suffered "staggered overdoses" were also the ones most likely to have brain or liver problems, need kidney dialysis and die from complications. This problem surprisingly, is not a new one. The potential harm that can be a result of acetominophen, especially in large doses, has been known for quite a while now. In fact, even the manufacturers know about the risk! This is such a problem that the Food and Drug administration asked acetominophen manufacturers to lower the dosage of the drug in pills to a maximum of 325mg. Later, the makers of Extra-strength Tylenol announced that they were LOWERING the maximum daily dose of their product to help curb the incidences of accidental overdoses. 


Now if you think that just because you don't take Tylenol, that you're safe....well you'd be wrong. Acetominophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol,  is a very common pain killer. Along with drug-store brands, Acetominophen is also found in a myriad of other products. Here's a list of just some of the other products; Triaminic Fever & Pain, Alka-Seltzer Cold and Sinus, Bayer Select, Benadryl Sinus Headache, Dayquil, Excedrin, Robitussin Cold Cough and Flu, and Theraflu Cold & Sore Throat. Remember, this is only a short list too!

If you are suffering from pain that is musculoskeletal related and requires you to take 4-8 painkillers a day, please consider a safer alternative! Chiropractic is more effective than any of these drugs because it addresses the root CAUSE  of the pain and not just the symptom of pain itself. Like I've told patients before, if your bedroom door is squeeking, the solution is not to go to the living room and pretend there's no problem. Fix that darn door and be happier that you did!

If you're in the Commercial Drive neighborhood of East Vancouver, come visit my clinic of visit my website; COMMERCIAL DRIVE - EAST VANCOUVER CHIROPRACTOR; DR. DOMINIC CHAN DC!!!!  

Reference:   
Staggered overdose pattern and delay to hospital presentation are associated with adverse outcomes following paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity

1. Darren G N Craig¹,
2. Caroline M Bates¹,
3. Janice S Davidson¹,
4. Kirsty G Martin¹,
5. Peter C Hayes²,
6. Kenneth J Simpson^2,*

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04067.x