Stephen Trapani, D.C.

In normal posture, the center of the shoulder joints should be vertically in line with the mastoid processes (the part of the skull just behind the ears). Unfortunately, excessive device use can lead to forward head posture where the head rests forward of the shoulders, which can lead to a condition called upper cross syndrome [..]

The low back is the most common body region to suffer from chronic pain (1). Low back pain is the second most common reason for primary care physician visits, and it is the most costly medical condition in the United States (2). The most common tissue source for low back pain is the intervertebral disc [..]

In addition to more common symptoms like neck pain and stiffness, the whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) patient may also experience vertigo or dizziness. However, the link between vertigo and WAD is somewhat controversial. In 2021, a team of international researchers published a meta-analysis (a review of previously published studies) entitled “The Enduring Controversy of Cervicogenic Vertigo, [..]

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) results from damage to the nerves that carry motor and sensory information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This condition often causes weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the feet and/or hands, but it can affect the organ systems as well. Although PN can result from [..]

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) occurs when the mobility of the median nerve is constricted as it passes through the wrist, leading to symptoms in parts of the hand and fingers such as numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness. While it’s possible for CTS to arise following an acute injury—like a wrist fracture—or from hormonal changes that [..]

When it comes to the human body, an issue in one area can contribute to problems elsewhere. For example, one study found that three-in-five patients with femoroacetabular (hip) impingement also suffer from clinically significant low back pain, and increased disability in one location is associated with greater disability in the other. When it comes to [..]

For over 100 years, individuals have sought out chiropractic care to address musculoskeletal conditions (like back pain) outside of the traditional medical model, which can include medications, injections, and surgery. In addition to reducing pain and improving function, chiropractic care can benefit the healthcare system (and the individual patient) by not only being more cost [..]

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a term used to describe non-mainstream healthcare approaches—which includes chiropractic care—that are used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine. Because the usual treatment approach for headaches often involves medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and acetaminophen—which can cause side effects can affect the stomach, liver, and/or [..]

Integrating Posture, Weight, Load, Spinal Degenerative Disease, Education of Postural Habits, and Chiropractic Care The primary method of public transportation connecting the cities of the San Francisco Bay Area is a train system called BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). BART passenger boarding platforms are often above ground adjacent to freeways. Driving by on the freeway, [..]

When we were younger, getting sufficient physical activity just came with being a kid. We played outside with friends, ran around during recess, participated in organized sports, and attended physical education classes. But as we age, we tend to become less physically active, only exercising at prescheduled times for a run, at the gym, or [..]

While any sudden back and forth motion can lead to a whiplash injury, the most common cause is a motor vehicle collision. Because these incidents often result in litigation, there has been plenty of research on whiplash associated disorders that has produced conclusions that may be contrary to what some might expect. CRASH SPEED: While [..]

While the shoulder is comprised of four joints, it’s the ball and socket glenohumeral joint that may play the most important role when it comes to the wide range of motion of the upper arm. However, this mobility comes at the cost of stability, which makes the shoulder a common source of injury. Sometimes these [..]