Rodney Oberdorf, DC

01/27/2026

Mobilization Therapy Effective for Acute Whiplash Neck Pain.

A recent clinical trial that included 120 patients with acute neck pain following a motor vehicle collision found that mobilization therapy resulted in faster and better short-term improvement than standard treatment alone. Doctors of chiropractic are trained in the delivery of mobilization and other manual therapies for the management of whiplash-associated neck pain.

01/22/2026

Car Crash Characteristics and Whiplash Recovery

While many cases of whiplash that result from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) have a successful outcome, some experts estimate that up to 25% of whiplash patients will experience chronic pain and disability. Several studies have sought to identify characteristics that differentiate these individuals from those who recover so that additional treatment can be offered to reduce the risk for chronicity. Let’s see if the characteristics of a MVC can shed any light on this…

While many cases of whiplash that result from a motor vehicle collision (MVC) have a successful outcome, some experts estimate that up to 25% of whiplash patients will experience chronic pain and disability. Several studies have sought to identify characteristics that differentiate these individu

01/22/2026

The Evidence Map of Low Back Pain Treatment Options

Low back pain is extremely common and remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, resulting in substantial healthcare utilization and cost. Because of this broad impact, identifying and implementing effective, safe, and cost-efficient strategies to diagnose, manage, and prevent low back pain is essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall healthcare burden. In 2022, researchers conducted a comprehensive analysis of the available evidence for ten commonly recommended treatments for low back pain—five medication-based and five non-medication-based—drawn from multiple clinical practice guidelines:

Low back pain is extremely common and remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, resulting in substantial healthcare utilization and cost. Because of this broad impact, identifying and implementing effective, safe, and cost-efficient strategies to diagnose, manage, and prevent low

01/21/2026

Managing Chronic Hamstring Strains

Chronic hamstring strains are more difficult to diagnose because the pain (in the hip region and deep in the buttocks and upper thigh) comes on gradually and is aggravated by repetitive activities like running, rowing, or biking and worsens with prolonged sitting. Hamstring injuries become chronic when a damaged or torn tendon fails to properly heal, often caused by returning to the sport too quickly and/or from mismanagement. Chronic tendonitis can lead to degenerative changes resulting in a weaker tendon, which can lead to long-term pain and disability.

Chronic hamstring strains are more difficult to diagnose because the pain (in the hip region and deep in the buttocks and upper thigh) comes on gradually and is aggravated by repetitive activities like running, rowing, or biking and worsens with prolonged sitting. Hamstring injuries become chroni

01/21/2026

Chiropractic Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition caused by the narrowing of spaces within the lower spine, which can compress either the spinal cord or nerve roots. This pressure can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness—either locally or radiating down the legs—especially during activities that involve spinal extension (e.g., bending backward or prolonged standing) or compressive loading. While stenosis may result from trauma, congenital anomalies, or systemic diseases, approximately 80% of lumbar spinal stenosis cases are degenerative in origin. Common degenerative contributors include intervertebral disk bulging or herniation, facet joint hypertrophy (arthritis), ligamentum flavum thickening, spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage), and osteophyte (bone spur) formation. How might chiropractic care help a lumbar spinal stenosis patient both avoid surgical intervention and return to their normal activities to as high a degree as possible?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition caused by the narrowing of spaces within the lower spine, which can compress either the spinal cord or nerve roots. This pressure can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness—either locally or radiating down the legs—especially during activities that i

01/21/2026

Low Back Pain in Teen Tennis Players

From its origins in northern France in the Middle Ages, tennis has grown into one of the most popular sports in the world and is commonly found in high school and college athletic programs. As with all sports played by teens and young adults, participation is not without risk and musculoskeletal complaints are unfortunately common. In fact, it’s estimated that about 28% of male adolescent tennis players and 14% of female teen players experience low back pain which can affect athletic performance, limiting participation in training and competitions. In turn, this can negatively impact their progression to higher levels of competition and a potential professional athletic career.

From its origins in northern France in the Middle Ages, tennis has grown into one of the most popular sports in the world and is commonly found in high school and college athletic programs. As with all sports played by teens and young adults, participation is not without risk and musculoskeletal

01/21/2026

The Biceps Tendon and Shoulder Pain

The bicep muscle could be imagined as two muscles side by side that ultimately separate into two “heads” that attach to tendons and connect into the shoulder complex. The short head of the bicep connects to the scapula and is rarely a pain generator. On the other hand, the long head of the bicep attaches to the glenoid, which is where the humerus connects to the shoulder blade, or the area we more often call the rotator cuff. If the tendon that connects the long head of the bicep to the glenoid becomes inflamed due to excessive friction or overloading of the muscle-tendon unit—more accurately described as long head of the biceps tendosynovitis or LHBT—it can be experienced as pain in the anterior (front) of the shoulder.

The bicep muscle could be imagined as two muscles side by side that ultimately separate into two “heads” that attach to tendons and connect into the shoulder complex. The short head of the bicep connects to the scapula and is rarely a pain generator. On the other hand, the long head o

01/21/2026

The Neck and Low Back Connection

When a patient seeks chiropractic care for a condition like neck pain or low back pain, it’s natural to assume the underlying cause is located in the region where the patient feels symptoms. But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the primary or contributing factor to the patient’s chief complaint can be elsewhere in the body. A July 2024 study involving patients with cervical myelopathy helps illustrate this point.

When a patient seeks chiropractic care for a condition like neck pain or low back pain, it’s natural to assume the underlying cause is located in the region where the patient feels symptoms. But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the primary or contributing factor to the patient&r

01/21/2026

Tools for Managing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In addition to manual therapies and specific exercises to relieve pressure along the course of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist and elsewhere, doctors of chiropractic may utilize other high- and low-tech tools to manage the condition:

In addition to manual therapies and specific exercises to relieve pressure along the course of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist and elsewhere, doctors of chiropractic may utilize other high- and low-tech tools to manage the condition: Electric stimulation (e-stim) di

01/20/2026

Factors Linked to Central Sensitization.

Central sensitization is a state in which the nervous system becomes overly reactive, amplifying pain signals and lowering the threshold at which pain is perceived—an effect that can hinder recovery from chronic low back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders. A recent study found that central sensitization was not directly associated with psychological distress or pain intensity, but it showed mild associations with higher body mass index and low vitamin D status. These findings suggest that poor metabolic health may contribute to central sensitization and should be considered when patients fail to respond to conservative treatment approaches, such as chiropractic care.

01/19/2026

Manual Therapy for Neck Pain

Doctors of chiropractic often approach neck pain with manual therapy as the primary form of treatment. However, there are several types of manual therapy, including high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation; mobilization; and/or soft tissue techniques. Is one type of manual therapy superior when it comes to managing neck pain? What does the research show? A 2017 systematic review of 23 randomized controlled trials compared various manual therapy techniques on their own (or combined), with or without the addition of specific exercise recommendations.

Doctors of chiropractic often approach neck pain with manual therapy as the primary form of treatment. However, there are several types of manual therapy, including high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation; mobilization; and/or soft tissue techniques. Is one type of manual therapy

01/19/2026

Nocturnal Wrist Bracing for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure within the wrist restricts the function of the median nerve, leading to numbness, tingling, pain, and eventually weakness in the parts of the palm, thumb, index, middle and thumb-side of the ring finger. Management focuses on reducing pressure inside the carpal tunnel, which may include manual therapies, exercises, and activity modifications designed to decrease inflammation and help the tendons passing through the wrist glide more freely. In some cases, addressing hormonal or metabolic factors that contribute to inflammation, water retention, or impaired nerve health may also be necessary. One of the simplest and most effective strategies is using a wrist brace at night. But why is this so commonly recommended in clinical guidelines?

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure within the wrist restricts the function of the median nerve, leading to numbness, tingling, pain, and eventually weakness in the parts of the palm, thumb, index, middle and thumb-side of the ring finger. Management focuses on reducing pressure inside th