Optimal Health Center

10/23/2026

Low back pain and sleep problems are common in older adults, and a new systematic review suggests they are more connected than many clinicians may realize. In adults aged 60 and older, chronic low back pain was consistently associated with poorer sleep quality, though the relationship was modest in size.

What the Review Found:
This systematic review included 13 studies, but only 5 were retained for the final synthesis after risk-of-bias assessment. Across those studies, the pattern was consistent: older adults with chronic low back pain tended to report poorer sleep, more difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and less refreshing sleep...

Read more about sleep and back problems: https://ow.ly/5Au55100BNU

A new systematic review shows chronic low back pain and poor sleep quality are linked in older adults — and the relationship may go both ways.

10/22/2026

Just a reminder: OHC will be closed today Thursday 10/22 for educational purposes. We will be open on Saturday 10/24 from 8am-12pm

Can you guess what city we are in?

10/16/2026

Whiplash happens in an instant, but the effects of the injury can continue long afterward. The sudden movement of the head and neck can injure muscles, joints, and other tissues, resulting in pain, stiffness, and difficulty with everyday head and neck movements. While recovery varies from person to person, research suggests that introducing appropriate manual therapy early on may help some patients improve faster.

Read more about early whiplash treatment: https://ow.ly/gAwh50ZYskI

Whiplash happens in an instant, but the effects of the injury can continue long afterward. The sudden movement of the head and neck can injure muscles, joints, and other tissues, resulting in pain, stiffness, and

10/09/2026

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the hybrid worker is at risk, like everyone else. Hybrid workers are looking for solutions that are accessible and effective, and the solutions span from ergonomics to increasing proprioception and intrinsic core stability.

Before discussing the variable-height desk (which presents issues of its own), the demands of sitting need to be addressed. We have known for decades that 30 degrees of lumbar flexion puts the greatest load on the lumbar discs, and sitting in slight lumbar flexion has a significant negative impact on the lumbar spine. Therefore, the first step is to maintain neutral spine while sitting throughout the day, not just for a five-minute stretch break.

Read more about low back pain prevention: https://dynamicchiropractic.com/article/103246-low-back-pain-prevention-strategies-for-the-hybrid-worker

Discover essential ergonomics, corrective exercises, and chiropractic strategies to prevent low back pain and microtrauma in hybrid and remote workers.

10/02/2026

Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. The pain is typically described as dull, aching, or pressure-like rather than throbbing, and it may feel as though a tight band is wrapped around the head. Some people also experience tenderness in the muscles around the head, neck, or shoulders. Episodes can vary considerably, occurring occasionally in some people and frequently or even chronically in others. While tension-type headaches are generally not dangerous, frequent episodes can interfere with quality of life.

Learn more: https://chiro-trust.org/headaches/spinal-manipulation-supported-for-tension-type-headaches/

Tension-type headaches are the most common type of headache. The pain is typically described as dull, aching, or pressure-like rather than throbbing, and it may feel as though a tight band is wrapped around the

09/25/2026

Tech neck (also called text neck and forward head posture) results from frequently gazing down at electronic devices and their keyboards. Repetition of tech neck body movements and positions strains the neck and spine, causing neck muscles to tighten and shorten and chest muscles to weaken.

If not addressed, tech neck’s long-term consequences include...

Learn more about tech neck: https://ow.ly/ls4q50ZPSFk

09/21/2026

Aging is a journey—one that comes with many ups, a few downs, and a whole lot of changes in how the body feels and functions.

Waking up with stiffness or dealing with aches after a simple walk also becomes common. And while that might feel like an inevitable part of aging, it doesn’t necessarily have to be. Just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you should settle for constant discomfort.

Medicines and supplements are often the go-to for seniors dealing with age-related issues. But these just mask the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

Chiropractic care, however, is a powerful, natural way to boost your well-being as you age. It is not just about back cracking and neck adjustments; it’s about keeping your whole body moving freely, reducing pain, and making day-to-day activities easier.

Here are some of the top ways chiropractic care can make a difference

Read more: https://ow.ly/uSX450ZPS0T

  Aging is a journey—one that comes with many ups, a few downs, and a whole lot of changes in how the body feels and functions. Waking up with stiffness or dealing with aches after a simple walk also becomes common. And while that might feel like an inevitable part of aging, it doesn’t necessar...

09/14/2026

Back pain is pervasive among American adults, but they are not alone: Young children are suffering from back pain much earlier than previous generations, and the use of overweight backpacks is a contributing factor for some.

“In my own practice, I have noticed an increase in the number of young children who are complaining about back, neck and shoulder pain,” said ACA member Dr. Scott Bautch, who practices in Wausau, Wis., and is president of ACA’s Council on Occupational Health. “The first question I ask these patients is, ‘Do you carry a backpack to school?’ Almost always the answer is ‘yes.’”

This back pain trend among young people isn’t surprising when you consider the disproportionate amounts of weight they carry in their backpacks—often slung over just one shoulder. Surveys show children today carry everything from books, laptops and school supplies to sports uniforms, shoes and water bottles in their backpacks at any given time.

Learn more: https://handsdownbetter.org/is-your-childs-backpack-causing-pain/

09/08/2026

Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common complaints among women in perimenopause and menopause, yet it remains underrecognized and frequently mischaracterized. Women often present with shoulder pain, hip stiffness, tendon discomfort, or diffuse joint aches without a clear history of injury.

These symptoms are typically approached as isolated orthopedic conditions. However, the timing, progression and systemic nature of these presentations suggest a broader physiologic origin.

Increasing evidence supports that musculoskeletal symptoms in midlife are influenced by hormonal decline, inflammatory changes, metabolic dysfunction, and alterations in nervous system regulation. Recognizing this interconnected physiology is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/RF3x50ZL3KP

Learn how estrogen decline, inflammation, and metabolic shifts drive midlife female musculoskeletal pain, requiring a systems-based clinical care approach.

09/05/2026

Chiropractic Works!