Health Articles and Patient Guides
This library collects every article on Ask Dr. Lehman, organized by topic. It includes Dr. James Lehman's original articles on chiropractic medicine, written between 2008 and 2012, and newer patient guides added in 2026 by the Ask Dr. Lehman editorial team. Each guide explains a common problem in plain language, describes conservative care options and lists the warning signs that call for prompt medical attention.
New to chiropractic care? Start with your first chiropractic visit and whether chiropractic adjustments are safe. You can also browse by category: Patient Help, Integrative Medicine and Chiropractic Education.
Low Back Pain, Sciatica and Pelvic Pain
- Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms and Conservative Care Options
What causes sciatica, the symptoms of an irritated sciatic nerve root, red flags that need urgent care and conservative treatments that help. - Herniated Disc: What It Is and Non-Surgical Treatment Options
How spinal discs herniate, bulging vs. herniated discs, symptoms in the back and neck, and non-surgical treatment options that help most people. - Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain explained: common causes, symptoms, how clinicians diagnose it and conservative treatments that relieve it. - Back Pain Red Flags: When Back Pain Needs Urgent Medical Care
The back pain red flags that need emergency or urgent care, including cauda equina syndrome, and when self-care for back pain is reasonable. - Low Back Pain and Chiropractic Treatment
How chiropractic physicians evaluate and manage low back pain, rule out serious causes, and when to ask for a referral to a chiropractic specialist. - Back Pain and Chronic Dehydration
Can low water intake contribute to back pain? Dr. Lehman's observations on hydration and spinal discs, plus practical daily hydration tips. - Coccygodynia: A Case Report of Post-Traumatic Pelvic Floor Pain Due to Myofascial Trigger Points
Coccygodynia, or tailbone pain, explained: a case report of post-traumatic pelvic floor pain from myofascial trigger points, plus care options. - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Evaluation and Management by a Doctor of Chiropractic
Case report: a chiropractic patient with low back pain and an incidental abdominal aortic aneurysm, and why accurate diagnosis and referral matter.
Neck Pain, Headaches and Whiplash
- Whiplash Injury: Symptoms, Recovery Time and Care After a Car Accident
Whiplash symptoms after a car accident, when to seek emergency care, how recovery time varies and why staying active helps neck injuries heal. - Neck Pain and Chiropractic Treatment
Why a crick in the neck happens, how irritated neck joints and tight muscles cause sharp pain, and how chiropractic treatment can bring relief. - Headache Treatment
How chiropractic physicians evaluate tension-type and cervicogenic headaches, common neck-related headache triggers and how treatment works.
Dizziness and Vertigo
- Dizziness and Vertigo
Cervicogenic dizziness, positional vertigo and labyrinthitis after whiplash, head or neck injury: symptoms, immediate care and recurrent symptoms. - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
What BPPV is, the symptoms of positional vertigo, how the Epley maneuver repositions ear crystals and when dizziness needs urgent medical care.
Visiting a Chiropractor
- Your First Chiropractic Visit: What to Expect
What happens at a first chiropractic visit: health history, examination, imaging only when needed, your treatment plan and questions to ask. - Is a Chiropractic Adjustment Safe? Benefits, Side Effects and Risks
Is a chiropractic adjustment safe? Common mild side effects, rare serious risks, who should be cautious and how chiropractors reduce risk. - Chiropractor vs. Physical Therapist: Which Is Right for Your Pain?
Chiropractor vs. physical therapist: training, treatment styles and when each is a good first choice for back pain, neck pain or rehab. - Why Should You See a Chiropractor?
Dr. James Lehman on common myths about chiropractors, when to schedule a chiropractic visit and the nutritional advice chiropractors provide.
Everyday Spine Care
- Ergonomic Desk Setup to Prevent Neck and Back Pain
Set up an ergonomic desk step by step: chair, keyboard, monitor height and laptop tips, plus desk stretches that help prevent neck and back pain. - Best Sleeping Positions for Back and Neck Pain
The best sleeping positions for back and neck pain, how to choose a pillow and mattress, and how to get out of bed safely when your back hurts.
Children's Health
- Childhood Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Childhood middle ear infections (otitis media): common causes, research, a chiropractic perspective and when a child should see a pediatrician.
Integrative Medicine and Health Policy
- What is Integrative Medicine?
The academic definition of integrative medicine, what whole-person, evidence-informed care means for patients, and where chiropractic care fits. - Integrate Yourself with Mainstream Medicine
Why Dr. Lehman urges chiropractic physicians to integrate with mainstream medicine and build working relationships with medical doctors. - Founding Integrative Medicine Centers of Excellence: One Strategy for Chiropractic Medicine to Build Higher Cultural Authority
A proposal for chiropractic colleges to found integrative medicine centers of excellence staffed by MDs, DCs, DOs and naturopathic physicians. - Integration of Chiropractic Care into the Military
How Dr. William Morgan brought chiropractic care to the National Naval Medical Center, and a study on duty days recovered through chiropractic care. - Giving Our Veterans the Care They Deserve
How Dr. Anthony Lisi guided chiropractic care in the Veterans Health Administration, and a case series on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. - Obamacare: Threats, Options, and Opportunities
A 2011 look at the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and what it meant for chiropractic physicians, with a 2026 editor's note on the law. - Patient Perceptions About Chiropractors and Primary Care
A study of New Mexico patients' perceptions of doctors of chiropractic serving as primary care providers with limited prescriptive authority.
Chiropractic Education
- Logan College of Chiropractic
Dr. Lehman's alma mater, Logan College of Chiropractic (now Logan University): its history, prerequisites and four-year chiropractic program. - University of Bridgeport and the Chiropractic College
Dr. Lehman on teaching diagnosis, business and neuroscience at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, plus the university's history. - The Physician and the Doctor
Dr. James Lehman reflects on the original meanings of medicine, doctor and physician, and why a doctor's first role is to teach patients to be well.
All articles are for general education and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.