Cascade Spine & Injury Center

One of the biggest fears after a car accident is: "What if this pain never goes away?" 🚗

The good news is that a recent study found that most people did not develop a new chronic pain condition after a whiplash injury.

However, about 23% did, highlighting the importance of early assessment and treatment.

Recovery after whiplash isn't always just about the neck. Physical, psychological, and social factors can all influence outcomes.

If you've been involved in a motor vehicle accident, check out this infographic to see how we can help guide your recovery and get you back to doing the things you enjoy.



Source: Cronin PK, et al. Spine. February 2026.

Your shoulder and hand may be more connected than you think. 🤝

Researchers recently found that people who underwent shoulder replacement surgery were more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome on the same side within the following year.

This doesn't mean shoulder surgery causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

But it does remind us that new symptoms in one area of the body can sometimes be related to changes in other areas.

If you've noticed numbness, tingling, or weakness in your hand following shoulder surgery, don't ignore it. An evaluation can help determine what's going on and what treatment options may help.



Source: Gonzalez R, et al. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. May 2026.

Is tennis elbow limiting your summer plans? 🎾☀️

Nobody wants to sit on the bench watching others having fun on the courts.

But there's good news!

A recent study examined various hands-on treatments for tennis elbow, and all approaches reduced pain and improved grip strength and function, with movement-based joint mobilization showing the best overall results, especially when combined with exercise.

So swing on by the clinic & let us help you.



Source: Hegazy MM, et al. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. December 2025.

Frozen shoulder is one of the most frustrating shoulder conditions. 😬

It often starts with pain, followed by increasing stiffness that can make everyday activities difficult.

A recent study of more than 500,000 adults found that individuals with a higher body mass index were more likely to develop frozen shoulder over the following 10 years.

This doesn't mean body weight causes frozen shoulder. But it does suggest that factors beyond the shoulder itself may influence risk.



Source: Kostev K, et al. Maturitas. April 2026.

Neck pain isn't always just a neck problem. 🧩

A recent review found that people with diabetes had a 44% greater likelihood of developing neck pain compared to those without diabetes.

This highlights an important point: Your health conditions don't exist in isolation.

While movement, exercise, strength, and ergonomics all matter, factors like metabolic health can also influence pain. 🩺

If you're struggling with persistent neck pain, our clinic can help identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan.

Check out this infographic for ways you can improve your metabolic health, and your neck may thank you later.



Source: Dale H, et al. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies. May 2026.

Heard a pop in your shoulder? 🔊

That doesn't automatically mean you tore your rotator cuff.

A recent study found that feeling or hearing a pop was not associated with a rotator cuff tear. Instead, older age and pre-existing tendon degeneration were more strongly associated with these findings.

The good news: a pop is not a diagnosis.

If you're dealing with shoulder pain, a thorough evaluation can help determine the cause of your symptoms and guide next steps.



Source: Ramtin S, Jayakumar, et al. Clinics in shoulder and elbow. May 2026.

It's time to talk about snacks... 🍎

Exercise snacks.

These are short bouts of movement sprinkled throughout the day, like:

🚶 A quick walk
🧘 A few stretches
🏃 Taking the stairs
💪 A set of simple exercises

A recent review found that brief movement breaks may help reduce neck, back, and muscle discomfort that often accompany long periods of sitting.

The best part? You don't need an hour-long workout.

Sometimes a few minutes of movement can be enough to break up your day and help your body feel better. ⏱️

Check out this infographic for easy exercise snacks you can start incorporating throughout the day!



Source: Zeng J, et al. BMC Public Health. May 2026.

Did you know that your mid-back could be influencing your shoulder pain? 🏋️‍♂️

A recent review found that treating the midback reduced pain and improved function in people with certain shoulder conditions.

Why?

Your shoulder doesn’t work in isolation. The shoulder blade and midback work together whenever you reach, lift, throw, or exercise. 🔄

That’s why a thorough evaluation should look beyond just the painful shoulder.



Source: Yu S, et al. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. April 2026.

Ever notice that your neck pain seems worse during stressful periods of life? 😣

You're not imagining it.

A recent study found that anxiety was associated with changes in pain processing in people with chronic neck pain. 🧠

Pain is a complex experience influenced by the body and the nervous system.

That's why successful treatment may involve more than improving strength, mobility, or posture. Factors such as stress, sleep, activity levels, and overall health can also affect recovery.

If chronic neck pain has been limiting your daily activities, our clinic can help develop a personalized treatment plan.



Source: Enriquez CS, et al. Journal of Pain Research. April 2026.

When most people think about back pain, they think about muscles, joints, and posture. 🦴

But a recent study suggests the picture may be bigger than that.

Researchers found that poor metabolic health and unhealthy lifestyle habits were associated with greater odds of low back pain and pain-related disability.

Physical inactivity was among the strongest factors associated with both neck and back pain. 🚶‍♂️

Pain doesn't occur in a vacuum. What happens outside the clinic can be just as important as what happens inside it.

That's why our approach combines movement, exercise, and hands-on care with discussions about the other factors that may influence recovery.

Check out this infographic for more information.



Source: Xie C, et al. BMC Public Health. May 2026.