Molecular foundations of chiropractic therapy

Multimodal non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies for chronic pain: mechanisms and progress

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain conditions impose significant burdens worldwide. Pharmacological treatments like opioids have limitations. Non-invasive non-pharmacological therapies (NINPT) encompass diverse interventions including physical, psychological, complementary and alternative approaches, and other innovative techniques that provide analgesic options for chronic pain without medications.

MAIN BODY

This review elucidates the mechanisms of major NINPT modalities and synthesizes evidence for their clinical potential across chronic pain populations. NINPT leverages peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal mechanisms to restore normal pain processing and limit central sensitization. However, heterogeneity in treatment protocols and individual responses warrants optimization through precision medicine approaches.

CONCLUSION

Future adoption of NINPT requires addressing limitations in standardization and accessibility as well as synergistic combination with emerging therapies. Overall, this review highlights the promise of NINPT as a valuable complementary option ready for integration into contemporary pain medicine paradigms to improve patient care and outcomes.

East Meets West: Perspectives on the Development of Chiropractic Education and Profession Under Hong Kong's "One Country, Two Systems" Policy

In Hong Kong, chiropractic care developed under the national policy of "one country, two systems," whereby Hong Kong retained its own economic and political systems while remaining part of mainland China. This environment allowed Western education standards and practices to be adopted while integrating local cultural beliefs. In this respect, chiropractic healthcare emerged as an early model of culturally synergistic East meets West care. However, despite Hong Kong's large population and interest in natural health options, the field faces several challenges, including competition with other professions, costs of education, and political uncertainty. Collaborating across professions, demonstrating value through outcomes, and adapting to cultural contexts may facilitate the integration of chiropractic care into Hong Kong's healthcare system. Moreover, positioning chiropractic care within Hong Kong's integrative East meets West healthcare movement may help sustain the practice regardless of political shifts. Through strategic partnerships and the maintenance of high standards balanced by cultural sensitivity, the chiropractic field in Hong Kong exemplifies the global spread of healthcare professions. Overall, chiropractic care in Hong Kong has had to navigate complex sociocultural and political circumstances and evolve into an integrated approach, reflecting the region's pluralistic society. The study first discussed the development of the chiropractic profession in Hong Kong under the "one country, two systems" policy. It then examined the opportunities and challenges faced by the profession and concluded by delving into the future prospects of chiropractic in the region.

Genetic test for the personalization of sport training

Genetic variants may contribute to confer elite athlete status. However, this does not mean that a person with favourable genetic traits would become a champion because multiple genetic interactions and epigenetic contributions coupled with confounding environmental factors shape the overall phenotype. This opens up a new area in sports genetics with respect to commercial genetic testing. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms linked to sport performance would provide insights into the potential of becoming an elite endurance or power performer. This mini-review aims to highlight genetic interactions that are associated with performance phenotypes and their potentials to be used as markers for talent identification and trainability.

Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression

Background and aim:

Major depressive disorder is associated with an autonomic nervous system imbalance. All the symptoms of depression (high cortisol, high adrenalin, insomnia, agitation, anxiety) can probably be attributed to over-activation of the sympathetic nervous system. We performed this review in order to highlight the possible links between chiropractic intervention, its potential molecular effects and its possible outcomes on patients with depression.

Methods:

We performed a literature search for all the relevant manuscript regarding the effects of chiropractic and depression on the autonomic nervous system.

Results:

Chiropractic care and spinal manipulation regulate the autonomic nervous system at peripheral level and its projections to the central nervous system. In particular, they may activate the parasympathetic system to counterbalance the activity of the sympathetic system. Vagal parasympathetic stimulation is also considered an effective therapy for major depression as it releases neurotrophins essential for anti-depressive therapies, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor.

Conclusion:

Chiropractic and spinal manipulative therapies along with vagal nerve stimulation may therefore be regarded as treatment options for depression. (www.actabiomedica.it)