Marathon Spine & Wellness

01/29/2026

Sciatic pain shooting down your leg? 😣

If you’re searching for a chiropractor for sciatica, we just published a new article explaining:

✅ What sciatica really is
✅ What to expect at Marathon Spine & Wellness
✅ Evidence-based treatment options
✅ Why we focus on time, outcomes, and personalized care

Most cases don’t start with imaging or injections—they start with a thorough exam and a smart, conservative plan.

👉 Read the full article and learn how we help Marathon get back to moving comfortably.

Sciatica is one of the most common—and frustrating—causes of leg pain we see in our Marathon community. Sharp, burning, or electric sensations traveling from the low back into the buttock and down the leg can interfere with work, farming, athletics, and daily life.If you’re searching for a chi...

01/21/2026

Neck pain and stiffness aren’t just an inconvenience—they can quietly impact your sleep, work, and overall quality of life.

A recent randomized controlled trial involving over 300 patients looked at focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) for people with cervical spondylosis (age-related wear and tear of the neck).

Here’s what the researchers found:
• Less neck pain
• Improved neck movement
• Better daily function
• Higher quality of life scores
• No increase in side effects compared to placebo

In fact, over 90% of patients receiving real shockwave therapy saw meaningful improvement—significantly more than those who received a sham treatment.

This matters because many people with chronic neck pain are looking for non-surgical, evidence-based options that go beyond medication alone. Research like this helps guide smarter, more targeted care focused on restoring motion and function—not just masking symptoms.

If chronic neck pain has been limiting you, understanding your options is the first step toward lasting relief.

01/19/2026

Chronic pain is becoming more common — and it’s showing up closer to home.

A large national study following U.S. adults over more than two decades found that chronic pain is increasing across the country. Interestingly, suburban areas are now emerging as pain “hotspots,” not just rural communities.

This matters because chronic pain is one of the leading causes of disability and loss of independence as we age. And while age plays a role, pain is often influenced by how we move, how we work, how we recover, and how long we wait to address small issues before they become bigger ones.

Pain doesn’t always start with an injury — sometimes it slowly becomes the “new normal.”

Paying attention early, staying active, and understanding your body can make a meaningful difference.

01/16/2026

Shoulder Pain That Just Won’t Go Away? The Labrum Might Be the Reason.

New research in The American Journal of Sports Medicine helps explain why labral tears can be so painful. After a SLAP or Bankart tear, the labrum develops new nerve fibers, which may directly drive the pain patients feel—not just the structural damage itself.

So how do we approach this clinically?

🔍 How labral tears are identified
A proper shoulder exam matters. We use:

-Targeted orthopedic labral tests
-Strength and stability assessments
-Movement analysis to identify instability patterns

This helps determine whether the labrum is truly the pain driver—or if something else is contributing.

🖥️ Imaging options
Advanced imaging (like MRI or MR-arthrogram) can be helpful in certain cases, especially when symptoms persist or surgical decisions are being considered. Imaging should support the exam—not replace it.

⚙️ Conservative treatment options we often start with
Many patients improve without surgery using a structured plan that may include:

1. Shockwave therapy to stimulate healing and reduce pain signaling
2. Dry needling to address surrounding muscular dysfunction
3. Laser therapy to support tissue recovery
4. Stability and strengthening exercises focused on the rotator cuff and scapular control

🏥 What about surgery?
Long-term data from the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery shows that not all labral repairs have the same outcome. Recurrence of instability is more likely in:

-Patients under 20 years old
-Certain labral tear types (like ALPSA lesions)
-Tears located between 3–5 o’clock on the labrum
-This highlights why careful patient selection and conservative care first are often critical steps.

📌 Bottom line:
Labral tears aren’t “just structural”—they’re neurological, mechanical, and stability-related. A thorough exam and smart treatment plan can often reduce pain and improve function without rushing to surgery.

If shoulder pain is limiting your work, workouts, or sleep, getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward the right solution.

01/16/2026

🧠 Do You Really Need an X-Ray to Know What’s Causing Your Back or Neck Pain?

It’s one of the most common questions we hear—and the answer may surprise you.

In our latest blog post, we explain why more imaging isn’t always better care, and how a thorough examination often tells us far more than routine X-rays.

We cover:
• Why many painful spine conditions don’t show up well on X-rays
• How pain doesn’t always equal damage
• When imaging truly helps—and when it doesn’t change outcomes

This is our longest blog post yet because it reflects what we’re passionate about as chiropractors: taking time with our patients, practicing the art of diagnosis, and building evidence-based plans focused on real outcomes.

💡 Small “did you know”:
When imaging is needed, we often utilize more MRI's than X-rays —and in most cases, MRIs can be done for around $650 in Wausau!

👉 https://www.marathonspine.com/post/understanding-what-x-rays-can-and-can-t-tell-us-about-pain

If you’ve ever wondered why imaging is—or isn’t—recommended, this one’s worth a few minutes.

01/15/2026

New Research: Shockwave Therapy Shows Strong Results for Chronic Shoulder Pain

A 2025 study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Science looked at patients with calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy—a common cause of long-lasting shoulder pain that doesn’t respond well to rest, injections, or basic rehab.

The researchers found that focused shockwave therapy led to:
✔️ Significant pain and function improvement
✔️ High rates of calcium deposit resorption
✔️ Fewer treatment sessions needed when deposits fully resolved

Most notably, patients whose calcium deposits completely resorbed had better overall outcomes than those with partial improvement.

📖 Hiraoka et al., 2025

Shockwave therapy works by delivering targeted acoustic energy to irritated tendon tissue, helping stimulate healing and, in some cases, break down stubborn calcifications that keep symptoms lingering.

If you’ve been told your shoulder pain is “just arthritis or inflammation” or feel stuck in a cycle of flare-ups, this research highlights why addressing the underlying tendon changes matters—not just masking symptoms.

As always, the right treatment depends on the correct diagnosis, which is why a thorough evaluation is key before starting any intervention.

01/15/2026

Spinal Pain & Brain Health: A Connection Worth Talking About 🧠🦴

A recent study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found a significant association between spinal pain and cognitive impairment in older adults. The link was especially strong in a few subgroups—those who are older, female, or have less formal education.

While this study doesn’t prove cause and effect, it reinforces something we talk about often: spinal and joint health matter far beyond just pain. Chronic spinal pain can limit movement, reduce physical activity, disrupt sleep, and increase stress—all factors that play a role in long-term brain and body health.

👉 One key takeaway:
Healthy aging doesn’t start at retirement—it starts earlier in life.

Regular movement, strength training, mobility work, and staying active help maintain joint health, spinal function, and independence later on. The goal isn’t just to “get out of pain,” but to keep moving well for decades.

How we help at Marathon Spine & Wellness:
✔️ Improve spinal and joint mobility
✔️ Reduce pain that limits activity
✔️ Prescribe individualized exercise and movement plans
✔️ Support long-term function—not just short-term relief

Whether you’re managing current pain or looking to stay active and sharp as you age, investing in your mobility now pays dividends later.

📍 Questions about mobility, spinal pain, or staying active as you age? We’re happy to help.

Yang H, Haldeman S, Hurwitz EL, Tavares PA, Green BN, Dale H, de Luca K. Association of Cognitive Impairment and Spinal Pain in the Older Adult Population in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2025 Sep 11.

01/14/2026

🦵 Tendon Pain? Slowing Down Is Only Part of the Solution.

Current evidence supports high-load, slow-velocity resistance exercise as a cornerstone treatment for patellar and Achilles tendinopathy, especially in active individuals and athletes.

In simple terms: heavy, slow, controlled movement helps tendons get stronger and tolerate load again.

🔬 A 2023 review in the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation reinforces this approach—focusing on slow calf raises, controlled squats, and other exercises that emphasize the lowering (eccentric) phase.

But exercise isn’t always enough—especially in more painful, chronic, or stubborn cases.

➡️ That’s where supportive therapies can help:

Dry Needling to reduce muscle tone, improve neuromuscular control, and help patients tolerate loading sooner

Class IV Laser Therapy to support tissue healing, decrease pain, and calm irritated tendon tissue

Shockwave Therapy to stimulate tendon remodeling in chronic cases that haven’t responded to rest or basic rehab

These tools don’t replace exercise—they help make exercise possible and more effective.

The key is combining:
✔️ Proper diagnosis
✔️ The right loading strategy
✔️ Adjunct therapies when needed
✔️ Gradual return to sport or activity

If knee or Achilles pain keeps coming back despite stretching, rest, or “taking time off,” it may be time for a smarter loading plan with the right support.

—
📚 Taylor JD, Corbitt A, Mathis RA. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2023

01/14/2026

🦠 High Influenza Activity in Our Area — Stay Proactive 🦠

We’re seeing a high load of influenza/illness circulating locally right now, and the most important things you can do to protect your immune system are still the basics:

✅ Regular movement & exercise
✅ Eating real, nutrient-dense foods
✅ Staying well hydrated
✅ Prioritizing sleep

Supplements support good habits — they don’t replace them.

When appropriate, we carry and recommend Viracid® (adults) and Virakid® (kids) from Orthomolecular Products to help support immune function:

👨‍⚕️ Viracid®: Comprehensive, professional-grade immune support
👧 Virakid®: Kid-friendly chewables with age-appropriate dosing

Unlike generic products (Emergen-C, gummies, powders), these formulas provide multi-nutrient, research-backed support without unnecessary fillers.

We also keep a full line of professional-grade vitamins in stock, available to patients and the community, priced affordably.

Strong habits first. Smart support when needed.

01/13/2026

🦷 TMJ Pain Isn’t Just a Jaw Problem — The Neck Matters Too 🦷

A newly published 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in the Journal of Stomatology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery highlights something we see clinically all the time with temporomandibular disorders (TMD):

👉 Treating the neck matters.

The study found that:
1. Neck manipulation can reduce jaw pain and muscle sensitivity
2. Manipulation alone has little effect on mouth opening
3. When neck manipulation is combined with targeted therapeutic exercises, patients with myogenous TMD see meaningful improvements in:

-Pain intensity
-Muscle-related pressure sensitivity
-Maximum mouth opening

📚 Translation: Hands-on care works best when paired with the right exercises, not in isolation.

How this aligns with our approach

In our office, TMJ care rarely focuses only on the jaw. We commonly:
-Address cervical spine mechanics that influence jaw function
-Use specific manipulation when appropriate
-Prescribe directional preference–based exercises for the neck and TMJ
-Progress care toward active control, stability, and long-term relief

TMJ dysfunction is often driven by a combination of neck posture, muscle coordination, and movement patterns—not just the joint itself.

🧠 This research reinforces why combining manual therapy + targeted exercise remains a cornerstone of effective TMJ management.

If you’re dealing with jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or limited opening, a thorough exam matters before choosing the right treatment path.

—
Qu J, et al. (2025). Journal of Stomatology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

01/13/2026

🚨 Achilles Pain? The Research Is Clear. 🚨

A 2022 Cureus systematic review found that shockwave therapy works even better when paired with eccentric exercises and stretching—not just shockwave alone.

👉 In plain terms:
When we combine focused shockwave therapy with the right loading exercises, patients with mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy tend to get better results.

This is exactly how we approach stubborn Achilles pain in our office—tissue healing + progressive loading (strengthening), not just passive treatment.

If your Achilles has been lingering, nagging, or limiting your training/work, there is a smarter way forward.

📍 Marathon Spine & Wellness
📚 Feeney KM. Cureus, 2022

01/12/2026

🧠 Hypermobility, Autonomic Dysfunction & Chronic Pain: What the Research Is Showing

A newly published study in Autonomic Neuroscience highlights what many patients with hypermobility already know firsthand:

🔹 Women with Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) often experience severe autonomic dysfunction, chronic pain, and reduced quality of life
🔹 Over 50% of participants had POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) and migraines
🔹 1 in 4 met the clinical triad of HSD/hEDS + POTS + Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)

This reinforces an important truth:
👉 For hypermobile patients, pain is rarely “just musculoskeletal.”

The nervous system, connective tissue integrity, vascular control, and inflammatory responses are often deeply interconnected. That’s why cookie-cutter, high-volume approaches don’t work well for this population.

At Marathon Spine & Wellness, we take a stability-first, nervous-system-aware approach, emphasizing:
• Controlled movement & motor control
• Joint protection and load management
• Thoughtful manual techniques (when appropriate)
• Collaboration and education to support long-term resilience

We genuinely enjoy the challenge these complex cases bring—and we’re honored when patients trust us with their care.

If you or someone you love has hypermobility and feels like their symptoms don’t fit neatly into one box, you’re not alone—and there are better ways to approach it.