A new study adds to a growing body of evidence that laser therapy improves ankle sprain recovery.Anatomical StructureThe ankle is made up of two joints, five bones, and four ligaments.  Ligaments are connective tissues that attach bones together, usually at the joints. They help stabilize ankle joints by preventing their over-extension. An ankle sprain injury occurs when the ankle ligaments are...

Can acupuncture treat vertigo/dizziness?A recent study found that one 30-minute acupuncture session immediately relieves vertigo and dizziness symptoms (Chiu et al., 2015).What is vertigo?Contrary to popular belief, vertigo is not a disease. Instead, it is a symptom of diseases like migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), and inner ear infections. Vertigo is characterized by the...

Acute vs Chronic  There are two types of low back pain (LBP): acute and chronic (NIH, 2020). Acute LBP appears suddenly and subsides after a few days or weeks; it is usually caused by a sudden injury such as a fall. If pain persists for longer than 12 weeks, it is considered chronic (Nava, 2022). Since 1990, the prevalence of LBP has increased by more than 50% (Wang et al., 2022). Today, LBP has...

If you are suffering from low-back pain during pregnancy you are not alone. Up to 80% of women suffer from low back pain at some point during their pregnancy (Wedenberg et al., 2000). Moreover, almost all women cited low-back pain as a “significant problem” that negatively impacts their daily routine (Ostgaard et a., 1991; Sabino & Grauer, 2008). Treatment options for pregnancy-related low back...

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back all the way to the foot. If the sciatic nerve becomes pinched and/or irritated, it can result in a painful condition called sciatica.Sciatica Symptoms Sciatica usually causes pain that begins in the buttocks and radiates down one leg. The pain may be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily activities. It is...

What is Achilles tendonitis? Achilles tendonitis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the Achilles tendon – a strong chord of tissues shared by the calf muscles and the heel bone. The Achilles tendon allows people to push their feet down and acts as a shock absorber. Both of which are essential for walking, running, and jumping movements. Achilles tendonitis symptoms The most...