Behavioral interventions were associated with reduced pain and daily opioid use and improved function and quality of life for up to 12 months among adults with opioid-treated chronic low back pain, according to a new randomized clinical trial.

Different stretches have different functions. Some focus on a particular muscle or muscle group or limb and improve movement. Others, sometimes referred to as ‘active’ stretches, are intended to increase strength. These three exercises are designed to do both with your back:

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through many changes. Obviously, it’s a wonderful phase of life. But it’s also a challenging time. Extra weight brings a shift to the center of gravity. This cause new sensations, and, in some cases, discomfort.

It’s good, of course, to keep all your muscles strong and limber. But the strength of the body’s core — the muscles in your belly and mid- and lower back, is one of the keys to long term health and stability as you grow older.

We are living longer and, if you play your cards right and have taken care of yourself, this is a wonderful thing. Good genes certainly help, but healthy lifestyle practices are just as important in continuing to live a productive life. Here are some tips the American Chiropractic Association recommends for aging with grace and health:

Walking may be, pound for pound, the most accessible, beneficial and inexpensive form of exercise available. The American Chiropractic Association recommends it as a way to stay fit.

‘Frozen shoulder’ is a term sometimes used loosely in connection with any type of persistent shoulder pain. But specifically it is the loss of arm movement at the shoulder joint. The shoulder is the part of the body that is the third most common subject for chiropractic treatment, the lower back and the neck being the two most common.

Regarding many forms of health care, people will sometimes ask: "If I’m feeling good, why do I need it?" In terms of chiropractic treatment, one answer could be, “Are you feeling the best you could be? Are you reaching maximum capacity?"

A chiropractic exam is a pain- and stress-free procedure that will ultimately provide you with a boost in your quality of life. Through the exam, a chiropractor will be able to determine what steps to take to either correct a problem or to maintain a healthy condition.

The doctor will check the range of motion for various joints, including the neck. How far you can turn your head to the left and right can indicate whether you have a subluxation — the technical term for a misalignment of bones — in your spine. The chiropractor may also examine your spine by palpation — by touch.

Like any other body part, the spine is subject to the wear and tear of daily life and can show signs of aging. Particularly susceptible to injury are the discs that cushion the individual vertebra that make up the spine, and through which the spinal cord passes.