Are Statin Medications Causing My Pain?

Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in our body's liver.  The most commonly known statin is Lipitor, manufactured by Pfizer.  Statins are one of the most widely prescribed medication in the United States and globally.  In 2003-4, it was estimated that 24 million individuals in the United States alone took statins.  A common adverse effect of statins is musculoskeletal symptoms, including muscle aches, pain, weakness and cramps. 

In February of 2012 a study was published in American Journal of Medicine that looked at the relationship between statin drug use and musculoskeletal pain in adults with and without arthritis.  Researchers assessed 8,228 subjects over 40 years of age, 5,170 of whom arthritis had not been diagnosed.  They discovered that among those participants without arthritis, statin use was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, as follows:

• pain in any region was increased by 33%
• pain in the lower back was increased by 47%
• pain in the lower extremities was increased by 59%

According to the study, 1 out of every 17 people taking statin drugs developed musculoskeletal pain symptoms.  Like thousands of studies before it, this study suggests that the best way to improve your health is not by turning to the pill bottle for answers, but by improving your lifestyle.

Adolescent Back Pain and Headaches

 

Many parents have a tendency to dismiss back pain as “growing pains” or headaches as something their children may “grow out of.”  Unfortunately, these two issues have become common, but they are definitely not normal. As adults, we have become accustomed to taking an aspirin or Ibuprofen to relieve aches and pains but are resistant, with good reason, to give it to our children.

Today’s children have many stressors on their body.  One of these stressors is the excess load that a backpack places on a child’s spine. The repetitive stress of walking in this posture causes the joints of the spine to misalign, which affects the nerves and can causes pain.

Another stressor on our children’s spines is poor posture.  While at school, children sit for many hours of the day, often in a slouched position.  Children are also sitting while using the computer, playing video games, and watching television.  Sitting to their spine is like sugar to their teeth: it literally rots it.  Our bodies are designed to move, not to sit for long periods of time. (How often do you see deer, squirrels, and other animals sitting in the wild?) This sitting and poor posture can cause your child to develop a postural deformity know as forward head posture (FHP).  This posture puts a tremendous amount of pressure at the base of the neck, where the neck meets the shoulder.  FHP may be source of many headaches and pain that make it difficult for your child to pay attention at school or complete tasks at home. The test to determine if your child has FHP is easy - look at your child from the side.  The ear and the shoulder should line up vertically. If the ear is in front of the shoulder then you child has forward head posture. 

If you suspect forward head posture in your child, consider a chiropractic evaluation for him or her. It is far better to catch the problem early and steer clear of a lifetime pattern of neck pain, headaches, and other preventable health concerns than suffer the consequences later on in life.  Proper posture can also be taught to ensure habits that will encourage a healthy spine and a pain-free life.

“An ounce of prevention is worth move than a pound of cure”-Dr. B.J. Palmer

High Heels: Not So Good

Are you among the millions of women who wear high heels day after day?  For years, experts have known about the detrimental consequences of high heels on the health and function of the human body.  They can cause the formation of bunions, corns, neuromas and hammertoes in feet as well as knee, hip and lower back pain.

Now, a team of scientists from Australia have identified yet another concern of high heels.  In a research article published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, they discovered that women who habitually wear high heels tend to walk differently.  They place more strain on their calf muscles and increase their risk of injury.  These scientists studied nine women who use high heels at least 40 hours per week and ten women who wear high heels less than 10 hours per week.   After observing and analyzing the women's gait patterns, they discovered that the heel wearers tended to walk with shorter, more forceful strides compared to those that did not wear high heels.  These women also held their feet in a flexed, hammertoe position even when walking barefoot.  In addition, the researchers suggested that this altered walking style may increase muscle fatigue.

To combat this concern, try wear flats most of time and only switch into heels sparingly. If you're going to buy heels, avoid those with pointy tips and opt for a pair with a wide toe box. Once you reach your destination,  give your feet a breather under the desk or table, and especially take them off if you plan on dancing.  Alternating with flats for part of the day is also beneficial.