Michael Zola, D.C.

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 [..]

Whiplash injuries involving the head and neck constitute the most common non-fatal injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions. Unfortunately, these injuries often result in persistent, chronic pain and poor work outcomes including sick leave, delayed return to work, and impaired work ability. Among working-age adult chiropractic patients, resuming usual work activities is a treatment goal [..]

Overuse injuries in baseball—particularly in the shoulder and elbow—are a significant problem at both amateur and professional levels. Studies have shown that shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints among amateur baseball players, with a prevalence ranging from 13.4% to 20.6% of players. Elbow injuries are also very common and affect from about [..]

The National Golf Foundation reports there are approximately 36.9 million golfers in the United States, averaging more than 500 million rounds of golf each year. Golf is one of the most popular sports in the country with participants of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Interestingly, unlike many other sports, golfers tend to spend more [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that occurs when the median nerve is compressed or restricted as it passes through the carpal tunnel located at the wrist, resulting in symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb-side of the ring finger. During their initial appointment, [..]

Back pain refers to pain or discomfort in the dorsal (back) region of the body, which can arise from abnormalities in spinal vertebrae, back muscles, tendons, ligaments, or neural structures.  While back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries can usually be linked to an identifiable event, like lifting with improper form, there is often a history [..]

Postprandial headaches are headaches that occur after eating a meal. While this type of headache is fairly common, there are myriad potential causes. For individuals who suffer from postprandial headaches, it’s recommended they keep a food diary and track food intake and when headaches occur to help isolate potential triggers. Some of the most common [..]

A recent large and comprehensive review of the chiropractic profession establishes that 93% of patients initially go to chiropractors for spine pain complaints (1). The same review documents that chiropractic care is exceptionally effective and safe for these spine pain patients. As a consequence of the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic care for spine pain [..]