Michael Zola, D.C.

Activities of daily living (ADL) are defined as essential tasks a person would need to perform to maintain their own health and wellbeing. This encompasses both fundamental self-care tasks (like getting dressed, feeding oneself, bathing, using the restroom, and sitting, standing, and moving from one location to another) and more complex activities necessary for meeting [..]

Individuals suffering from chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) may experience ongoing symptoms beyond neck pain such as dizziness, impaired balance, and difficulty with fine motor control of the upper limbs. It’s suspected that muscle activation patterns can change in response to injury to the soft tissues in the neck, which can hinder the function of the [..]

Despite being considered a low-impact physical activity, many recreational and professional cyclists suffer from low back pain. Past studies have found the annual prevalence of low back pain among cyclists of all levels to be roughly 50%. The United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive report noted cycling-related low back pain accounts for roughly 233,000 missed [..]

After low back pain, neck pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek out chiropractic care. In the absence of red flags like suspected cancer, infection, severe neurological loss, or a sudden headache, among others, guidelines for the management of neck pain support the use of manual therapies as an initial treatment approach, [..]

Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation for low back pain has a long and rich history. The purpose of this publication is to look back at some of the highlights and to add new evidence (2024). In 1958, a study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, titled (1): Manipulation in Back Pain The authors [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy, affecting upward of 6% of adults in their lifetime. In some occupational groups, the prevalence jumps to nearly 20%! While carpal tunnel syndrome can be simply described as the symptoms that result from compression or restriction of the median nerve as it passes through the [..]

Among the roles the hip joints play in the human body, perhaps none is as important as the ability to perform everyday activities like standing, walking, and running. Of course, these actions involve multiple other body parts, so it’s no surprise that when a patient presents with hip pain, they often have additional issues. In [..]

The Global Burden of Disease Group reports that the prevalence of obesity has doubled in over 70 countries since 1980 and has continually increased in most others. It’s currently estimated that nearly 30% of the world population—more than two billion people—meet the criteria for obesity. It’s unclear if any government top-down interventions have slowed the [..]

During the last several decades, various organizations have published clinical practice guidelines to help steer providers in an evidence-based direction in the management of whiplash associated disorders (WAD). As new evidence is published and confirmed by subsequent studies, guidelines are updated to optimize recovery in a timely and economic manner, as well as reduce the [..]

Deconditioned and tight muscles are often observed in patients with chronic low back pain and must be addressed for the patient to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Research on physical activity to manage chronic low back pain typically involves land-based exercises—like brisk walks or cycling, for example—but what about aquatic exercises? Do water-based exercises have a [..]

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a common condition characterized by pain and discomfort while chewing. Traditionally, when patients complain of jaw pain, the focus has been on structures like the temporomandibular joint or the masseter muscles. However, there’s a growing body of research suggesting the intimate relationship between the jaw and the neck may be a [..]

The primary reason (93%) patients go to chiropractors is for the management of spinal pain (1). Specifically, 63% go to chiropractors for low back pain, and 30% due so for neck pain. The effectiveness of chiropractic care for spinal pain is well-documented. Chiropractic care (spinal manipulation) is routinely included in spine pain clinical practice guidelines [..]