Don’t Let Vacation Derail Your Health

We have survived the freezing cold of the winter, the mild spring, and now officially the heat of the Summer. For many people that means road trips, flights, long days of sightseeing, and a break from the normal routine. This brings on a great opportunity to relax and recharge, but it can also place unexpected stress on the body. Hours spent sitting in a car or airplane, sleeping in unfamiliar beds, carrying heavy luggage, and walking far more than usual can all contribute to stiffness, soreness, and discomfort.

One of the best things you can do while traveling is to keep your body moving. Whether you're driving to the beach or exploring a new city, regular movement helps maintain flexibility, improves circulation, and reduces tension that can build up from prolonged sitting. Taking short walking breaks, stretching throughout the day, and staying active during your trip can help you feel your best and enjoy your vacation more fully.

However, movement alone can’t prevent all the negative effects travel can have on the body; travel can also majorly disrupt healthy habits that support overall wellness. Changes in sleep schedules, hydration, exercise, and nutrition can leave you feeling run down by the time you return home. All of these stressors create subluxations in the body, creating interference and slowly creating discomfort. You can minimize these changes by making sure that we maintain as many healthy habits as possible while traveling.

Remember, chiropractic isn't about treating pain, it is about eliminating subluxation and interference from the body. Discomfort is simply one of the signals your body sends to tell you something is wrong. Keeping your body moving well and functioning properly can help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest and return home feeling refreshed instead of recovering from aches and pains. If you have travel plans coming up, we always strongly recommend scheduling a visit before your trip to make sure your body is ready for the adventures ahead and once you get back to keep the body functioning at its optimal level.

In Good Health,

Drs. Mark, Matt & Tami
(www.mifflintownchiro.com)

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PSS:  If you would like an email reminder of your appointments please stop by at the front desk and talk to Sharon. 

Newsletter Articles
May 2026

• Chiropractic Helps People Dealing with Cancer Treatment
• Chiropractic Care Helps US Active-Duty Military Personnel
• Symptoms from Multiple Sclerosis Help by Chiropractic – A Case Study
• Endometriosis Symptoms Helped by Chiropractic

Chiropractic Helps People Dealing with Cancer Treatment

A study released on April 23, 2026, by Research Square looked at how chiropractic care may help people dealing with the physical challenges that often come with cancer treatment. Many cancer patients experience pain, stiffness, muscle tension, and reduced mobility after treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or hormone therapy. These issues can make everyday activities more difficult and reduce overall quality of life. Researchers wanted to better understand whether chiropractic care could help improve function and decrease pain in this population.

The study reviewed the records of 97 adult cancer patients who received chiropractic care at a major cancer center. Researchers tracked how patients felt over time by measuring both pain levels and the ability to perform daily activities. The results showed that many patients experienced noticeable improvements. Functional ability scores steadily improved from the beginning of care through follow-up visits, while pain levels decreased over the same period. These positive changes were considered both statistically significant and meaningful for many patients.

One of the most encouraging findings was that improvements continued over time. About one-quarter of the patients achieved clinically meaningful gains in function by the second follow-up visit, and nearly half experienced meaningful reductions in pain. This suggests that ongoing chiropractic care may provide lasting support for people recovering from or actively undergoing cancer treatment. Many patients reported being better able to move, perform daily tasks, and manage discomfort as care progressed.

Researchers also found that the benefits appeared consistent across different groups of people. Men and women both showed similar improvements in function and pain reduction, and patients of different racial backgrounds experienced comparable results as well. This consistency suggests that chiropractic care may be a helpful supportive option for a wide variety of oncology patients struggling with musculoskeletal problems and reduced quality of life after cancer treatment.

The study discussed how chiropractic care may help by improving joint mobility, reducing muscle tightness, supporting healthier nervous system function, and helping the body move more comfortably. Correction of subluxation and improved spinal function may play a role in helping the body adapt to physical stress and recover more effectively. Because cancer treatments can place tremendous strain on the body, conservative and non-drug approaches to pain relief and improved mobility are becoming increasingly important in supportive care settings.

While the researchers noted that additional studies are still needed, the findings were very encouraging. The study supports the growing idea that chiropractic care can be a valuable part of integrative healthcare for people facing cancer-related pain and physical limitations. As more healthcare providers recognize the importance of improving quality of life during and after cancer treatment, chiropractic care may continue to play an expanding role in helping patients stay active, comfortable, and engaged in daily living.

Chiropractic Care Helps US Active-Duty Military Personnel

Low back pain is one of the most common physical complaints among active-duty military personnel. Long hours of training, heavy equipment, repetitive movement, and the physical demands of military life can place tremendous stress on the spine and supporting muscles. A study published on April 7, 2026, in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, explored whether adding chiropractic care to standard medical treatment could help improve long-term outcomes for service members struggling with low back pain.

The study followed military personnel with low back pain for up to one year. Some participants received standard medical care alone, while others received standard medical care along with chiropractic care. Researchers tracked changes in pain levels, physical function, sleep quality, fatigue, and the ability to participate in daily activities. The goal was to see whether chiropractic care could provide additional benefits over time.

The results were encouraging. Patients who received chiropractic care generally showed greater improvement in pain-related disability and overall physical function compared to those who received standard medical care alone. While pain intensity itself improved only modestly over the long term, many participants found it easier to perform everyday activities and remain physically active. This is important because improved movement and function can have a major impact on quality of life.

One of the most interesting findings involved sleep. The study found that people receiving chiropractic care experienced meaningful improvements in sleep disturbance even after 52 weeks. Better sleep can play a major role in healing, recovery, energy levels, and overall well-being. Since chronic pain and poor sleep often go hand in hand, improving spinal function and reducing stress on the body may help support healthier sleep patterns over time.

Researchers also noted that chiropractic care often includes more than simply addressing pain. Care may involve improving mobility, encouraging healthy movement, supporting posture, reducing muscle tension, and helping patients better manage daily physical stress. Correction of subluxation and improved spinal balance may help the nervous system function more efficiently, allowing the body to better adapt to physical demands and recover from strain. Many patients also appreciate the non-drug, conservative approach to managing back pain.

Although the study focused on military personnel, the findings may be meaningful for anyone dealing with ongoing low back pain. The research supports the idea that chiropractic care can be a valuable addition to a broader healthcare plan, especially for people looking to improve movement, function, and quality of life naturally. These results add to growing evidence that chiropractic care may provide important long-term benefits for people living with back pain.

Symptoms from Multiple Sclerosis Help by Chiropractic – A Case Study

Multiple sclerosis is a challenging neurological condition that can affect many different parts of the body. People living with MS may experience dizziness, numbness, fatigue, headaches, balance problems, and difficulty walking. A recent case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research on April 21, 2026, explored how chiropractic care may help support people with MS by focusing on spinal alignment and nervous system function. The report followed a 30-year-old man with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who continued to struggle with symptoms even while receiving standard medical treatment.

Before beginning chiropractic care, the patient experienced frequent dizziness, tingling sensations in his feet and arm, severe fatigue, headaches, and poor balance. MRI scans showed lesions in the brain and cervical spine that are commonly associated with MS. The patient also demonstrated postural imbalance, reduced neck curvature, and signs of vertebral subluxation in the upper neck and throughout the spine. These findings suggested that spinal dysfunction may have been contributing to stress on the nervous system.

Over several months of chiropractic care, the patient reported major improvements in multiple areas of his health. His overall symptom burden dropped dramatically, and he experienced far less fatigue and dizziness. Walking and balance improved, headaches became less frequent, and he felt more stable during everyday activities. The patient described himself as "very much improved" and reported feeling clearer, more energetic, and more comfortable physically.

One especially interesting finding involved follow-up MRI imaging. After receiving chiropractic care alongside his ongoing medical treatment, the patient’s MRI showed improvement in one of the cervical spinal cord lesions that had previously worsened. Researchers noted reduced inflammation and decreased lesion intensity compared to earlier scans. While this was only a single case report and more research is needed, the findings suggest that improving spinal alignment and nervous system function may play a supportive role in overall neurological health.

The study discussed several possible explanations for these improvements. Researchers explored how correction of subluxation in the upper neck may help support healthier cerebrospinal fluid flow, improved circulation, better nervous system communication, and reduced stress on delicate neurological structures. Proper spinal alignment may also help improve balance and coordination by supporting normal communication between the brain, spinal cord, and body. These ideas are still being studied, but they offer promising areas for future research.

Although this report involved only one patient, it highlights the growing interest in conservative, supportive approaches to neurological health. Chiropractic care is not presented as a cure for multiple sclerosis, but this case suggests it may help improve quality of life and physical function for some individuals when used alongside appropriate medical care. As researchers continue studying the relationship between spinal health and nervous system function, more people may begin exploring how chiropractic care can support overall wellness and daily living for those facing chronic neurological challenges.

Endometriosis Symptoms Helped by Chiropractic

Endometriosis is a condition that affects millions of women worldwide and can have a major impact on daily life. Many people living with endometriosis experience severe menstrual pain, fatigue, headaches, back pain, and difficulty participating in normal activities. A recent case report published in the 2026 second quarter issue of the Asian Pacific Chiropractic Journal, explored how chiropractic care may help support women dealing with both musculoskeletal problems and menstrual-related symptoms. The report followed a 24-year-old woman who had struggled with endometriosis, migraines, chronic neck and back tension, and reduced quality of life.

Before beginning chiropractic care, the woman described constant neck and upper back pain, recurring migraines, shoulder discomfort, and severe menstrual pain that often radiated into her back and knees. Her symptoms became so intense during parts of her cycle that she spent nearly two weeks each month largely confined to bed. The condition affected her work, exercise, social activities, and family relationships. She had previously relied on medication for relief but stopped because of unwanted side effects and concerns about long-term use.

Over the course of her chiropractic care, the woman reported meaningful improvements in several areas of her health. Neck and upper back pain decreased, posture improved, sleep quality became better, and stress levels were reduced. Most importantly, she experienced a major reduction in menstrual pain and cramping. She reported fewer days of severe symptoms and found her menstrual cycles much easier to manage. These improvements allowed her to return to exercise, increase social activities, and function more comfortably at work and in daily life.

Doctors and researchers are learning that conditions like endometriosis may involve more than just localized pelvic pain. Many patients also experience changes in posture, spinal tension, increased sensitivity to pain, and nervous system stress. This study discussed how spinal dysfunction and vertebral subluxation may contribute to altered nervous system function, muscle tension, and changes in how the body processes pain signals. Researchers believe that improving spinal function may help support healthier nervous system balance and better pain regulation.

The study also discussed possible explanations for these changes. Researchers noted that correction of subluxation may help improve communication within the nervous system and support healthier autonomic function, which plays a role in pain processing and organ regulation. Improvements in posture, spinal balance, and nervous system adaptability may also help reduce central sensitization, a process in which the body becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. While these ideas are still being studied, they offer encouraging possibilities for conservative, drug-free approaches to chronic pain conditions.

Although this was only a single case report and more research is needed, the findings highlight the potential value of chiropractic care as part of a broader wellness approach for women dealing with endometriosis and chronic pain. The patient’s improved ability to participate in work, family life, exercise, and social activities represented a major improvement in overall quality of life.