It takes some patients by surprise, but one of the first things a chiropractor will do during your initial visit is measure the length of your legs. If you’ve gone to see a chiropractor because your back is bothering you, it’s reasonable to wonder why the doctor is looking at your legs. But here’s the reason: It’s not uncommon for people to have legs that are of slightly different lengths.

Researchers at Texas A & M University gathered demographic data on workers and information on how they used office equipment such as footrests, monitor arms, keyboard trays or anti fatigue mats at their workstation. They also collected data on the amount of time the workers spent standing at their workstation and their use of a sit-stand or stand- biased workstation. Participants were asked about discomfort in the neck, upper back, lower back, shoulder, wrist and hand, hips, knees, and ankles and feet.

New research finds that alternate workstation options, such as standing and sit-stand desks, can be a win-win solution for both employees and employers.

Adults with a history of low back pain went nearly twice as long without a recurrence of their back pain if they walked regularly, a world-first study has found.

About 800 million people worldwide suffer from low back pain. It is a leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Repeated episodes of low back pain are also very common, with seven in 10 people who recover from an episode going on to have a recurrence within a year.

Low back pain treatment guidelines by the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend first using non-invasive, non-drug treatments before resorting to drug therapies.

These new guidelines by the American College of Physicians support a growing body of research as well as increasing recognition in the health care community regarding the value and effectiveness of non-drug approaches, such as spinal manipulation, for acute and chronic low back pain.

Snow can be beautiful when it’s falling. But at some point it has to be cleared off your steps, sidewalks and driveway. If you are going to clear the snow, regardless of what mechanical assistance you may have, here are some considerations to keep in mind:

A new study finds that female veterans—one of the fastest growing populations receiving treatment through the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system—experience improvement in low back pain with a course of chiropractic care.

A well-rounded exercise program is one of the keys to maintaining good health and a sound musculoskeletal system. Ideally, you should strive for a combination of movements and activities that involve stretching to help with flexibility, weights or resistance work that improves the strength of bones and muscles, and vigorous aerobic activity that strengthens the heart and lungs and helps with weight control. Remember, though, before starting any exercise program, you should consult with your medical doctor.

A new research review published in Chiropractic & Manual Therapies suggests that patients with spine-related musculoskeletal pain who see a chiropractor first may have lower overall healthcare costs compared to those who receive initial medical management. Spine pain is a significant burden in the United States, with annual costs estimated at $134.5 billion. Patients with this condition have various treatment options, each with potentially different cost implications.

You don’t have to be a world-class — or even weekend — athlete to develop aches and pains. Just try being a parent! Starting with a child’s infancy, it’s bending over to change diapers, lifting them into car seats, strollers and high chairs, getting down and playing on the floor, piggyback rides and at the end of the day picking up toys. Throw in lugging groceries, cooking dinner, making beds and talking on the phone, maybe with a baby on your hip, and it can equal back pain.