Evolving Trends in Chiropractic and Diagnostic Imaging

February 12, 2022 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Chiropractic and Diagnostic Imaging

Back and neck pains are chiropractic domains(1). Chiropractic (manual therapy) deals with the spine structure’s realignment to address functional impairments, muscle weakness, and pain(2).

Doctors examine the spinal column and base their diagnosis through imaging tests, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), radiography or X-ray, and CT (computed tomography) scan(3).

Chiropractic adjustments can help correct the body’s alignment, relieve pain, and promote healthy body function(4). These adjustments alleviate muscle and joint pains, headache, neck pain, and low back pain(5).

Chiropractors use manual treatment methods and do not prescribe medication for any conditions.

Some of the chiropractic treatments that are used involve sustained pressure on particular joints and stretching in improving joint motion and function(6).

Chiropractors use therapies, stretching, and exercises to relieve spasms, relax tight muscles, improve mobility and range of motion, and release body tensions(7).

These treatment methods are done through the use of gentle but quick hand thrust(8). An assessment that involves diagnostic imaging must be done to verify the spine’s condition before going through these treatments.

Radiography is said to offer superior results compared to other primal treatments(9). X-ray licensure for the ownership and use of the machine has been attained by chiropractors since 1910(10).

However, some people have criticized the exposure in spinal radiography(11).

In the last 30 years, the management and diagnosis of spinal pain changed from a static mechanical model (X-ray) to a patient-centered model that increased the awareness of the risk of X-rays in evaluating spinal pain(12).

Currently, 8% to 84% of patients continue to use X-rays for chiropractic consultations(13).

A study conducted in 2012 reported that chiropractor’s diagnostic imaging use is influenced by several factors, such as social influences, belief about X-ray capabilities, knowledge, and professional role and capabilities(14).

Even so, due to the positive evolution of diagnostic imaging, various trends arise.

The Evolving Trends

  • Digital Imaging Tests

        At present, X-ray is not the only imaging modality that can be used for chiropractic evaluations.

Diagnostic imaging assessments are now made easier with digital imaging that allows chiropractors to take images, adjust if needed, and send them to a radiologist for interpretation.

The move from radiographic imaging to digital imaging benefits patients by having quicker diagnosis and treatment plans while putting up with less radiation exposure.

According to a study on the advantages of digital radiography, switching to digital from film radiography may improve diagnosis due to the readily available and more objective data(15).

  • Chiropractic Training in Diagnostic Imaging

        Chiropractors need to pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) test to ensure that they have the requisite knowledge and skills to perform their functions safely and effectively(16).

Due to the transition from film to digital diagnostic imaging, Part IV of the NBCE exam was revised.

An evaluation study in The Journal of Chiropractic Education in 2020 reported that the transition to digital diagnostic imaging in the chiropractic board exam relied on empirical research, was well thought through, and aligned with the US chiropractic curricula(17).

This study has significant implications for the further development of the additional skill set of chiropractic students and faculty in digital diagnostic imaging.

The extensive training that the chiropractors undergo today includes bone and soft tissue X-ray (radiography), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) scan.

Continuous chiropractic training ensures that chiropractors perform updated diagnostic imaging practices.

However, some chiropractors still refer patients to imaging centers to diagnose and plan treatment for their conditions.

  • Diagnostic Imaging Options

        Recently, there have been chiropractic imaging recommendations for evaluating the spine aside from plain film radiology.

A study recommended some diagnostic imaging modalities that may be helpful in the practice of chiropractic treatment. These techniques include the following(18):

Full Spine Radiography

        This radiograph type shows the whole spine that has been a vital diagnostic tool until today(19). However, full-spine radiography has garnered several criticisms over the years due to its radiation exposure.

Various developments have made this imaging technique effective and safe. Full-spine radiography is helpful in spinal alignment (scoliosis), postural disorders, and routine screening of chiropractic patients(20).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

        The use of MRI can be an inexpensive, specific, and sensitive method of analyzing changes in bone structure(21). Magnetic fields and radio waves help produce body structure images.

This diagnostic test is used with an intravenous contrast, which gives a clearer picture of the body’s bone structures(22).

Epidural scarring can be differentiated from residual disc material when MRI is performed in postoperative patients.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

        The CT scan is often used to evaluate trauma(23). This diagnostic modality can also view the spinal column and distinguish lesions in the intradural and epidural space(24).

Even though these modalities show promise in the future of chiropractic treatment, further research is still needed.

By Fay Smith

References

  1. Ernst, E., (May 2008), Chiropractic: A Critical Evaluation, retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088539240700783X
  2. Oakley, P. A., Cuttler, J. M., & Harrison, D. E. (2018). X-Ray Imaging is Essential for Contemporary Chiropractic and Manual Therapy Spinal Rehabilitation: Radiography Increases Benefits and Reduces Risks. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society, 16(2), 1559325818781437. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325818781437
  3. Rubin, M., (February 2020), Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders, retrieved from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/spinal-cord-disorders/overview-of-spinal-cord-disorders
  4. Cleaveland Clinic, (n.d.), Chiropractic Adjustment, retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21033-chiropractic-adjustment
  5. Ibid.
  6. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, (n.d.), Chiropractic: In Depth, retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chiropractic-in-depth
  7. Cleaveland Clinic, Op. Cit.
  8. NIH, Op. Cit.
  9. Oakley, P. A., Op. Cit
  10. Jenkins, H. J., Downie, A. S., Moore, C. S., & French, S. D. (2018). Current evidence for spinal X-ray use in the chiropractic profession: a narrative review. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 26, 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-018-0217-8
  11. Oakley, P. A., Op. Cit.
  12. Jenkins, H. J., Op. Cit.
  13. Ibid.
  14. Bussières, A.E., Patey, A.M., Francis, J.J. et al. Identifying factors likely to influence compliance with diagnostic imaging guideline recommendations for spine disorders among chiropractors in North America: a focus group study using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Implementation Sci 7, 82 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-82
  15. van der Stelt PF. Better imaging: the advantages of digital radiography. J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Jun;139 Suppl:7S-13S. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2008.0357. PMID: 18539866.
  16. Himelfarb, I., Seron, M. A., et. al., (March 2020), The transition to digital presentation of the diagnostic imaging domain of the Part IV examination of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, retrieved from https://meridian.allenpress.com/jce/article/34/1/52/432587/The-transition-to-digital-presentation-of-the
  17. Ibid.
  18. Schultz, G., Phillipps, R. D., Cooley, J., et. al., (n.d.), Diagnostic Imaging of the Spine in Chiropractic Practice: Recommendations for Utilisation, retrieved from https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/14114/1/diagnostic_imaging_of_the_spine.pdf
  19. Ibid.
  20. Ibid.
  21. Ibid.
  22. Ibid.
  23. Ibid.
  24. Ibid.

Discovering what are REED courses

February 6, 2022 - Reading time: 5 minutes

What is REED?

REED is an organization that gives job opportunities for professionals, employers, companies and agencies in the online world. With its wide impact worldwide, it started offering REED courses for those who wishes to acquire new knowledge and skills. This will be beneficial for you if you are starting or planning for career advancement. REED courses offer 40,000 specializations in different fields. You have wide range of choices on what career path you’ll be taking.

Read more ...

Ensuring Business Continuity Using Cloud Management

January 29, 2022 - Reading time: 3 minutes

A business requires various resources like technology, infrastructure and staff. In this information age, it is essential for organisations to also focus on the technological front for the success of their business.

Although modern technology is undoubtedly one of the core aspects of success, an unexpected scenario, like a sudden threat, may break your organisation in seconds.

For this reason, it's crucial to invest in a cloud management device to safeguard your data. In addition, enlisting the expertise of online marketing agents may help ensure business continuity.

Read more ...

How to restore Wikipedia articles marked for deletion

January 16, 2022 - Reading time: 4 minutes

It is often not surprising to see a Wikipedia article marked for removal by Wikipedia administrators. A growing activity amongst the editors of Wikipedia is focused on removing content following the "notability" guidelines for external references. An information box called “Speedy deletion” at the top of a Wikipedia article tells that the article will disappear from Wikipedia without any discussion. Another information box may have this message: “This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedia's deletion policy”. You may (and should!) participate in the discussion to keep such articles but, in practice, there are too few participants on the discussion page that make any significant positive impact on “collective” decision making; most of the participated users will be Wikipedia power-editors who will not be on your side since they have already made their mind on first place when adding such information boxes.

Read more ...

Types of search queries

December 24, 2021 - Reading time: 6 minutes

Having entered the phrase into the search line, a person wants to find the necessary information, buy a product, order a service, chat or watch a broadcast. Search engines, in turn, try to provide the most relevant pages of sites. In this article, we will look at the main types of search queries.

In 2017, Google disclosed the approximate number of processed requests: there are at least 2 trillion of them per year, or about 63 thousand requests per second, of which about 15% are previously unknown requests.

There are a lot of requests and their number is growing every second. But why and who needs this information? This article will be useful for beginner SEOs and business owners. For the first, it will help in drawing up the semantic core of the site and distributing requests across pages, for the second - for a basic understanding of what requests their site can appear in search results and to control their promotion contractor.

Request intent

To begin with, it should be clear that each request corresponds to a specific intent. What is it? The intent is the user's need. There are requests with a precise need, for example, "taxi washington". It is clear here that a person needs to call a taxi and get from point “A” to point “B”. But if he simply enters “taxi” into the search engine, then perhaps, instead of ordering a service, he wanted to watch the movie “Taxi”.

Search query classification

By frequency:

  • High-frequency (HF) queries are usually key in a niche and consist of 1-2 words. As a rule, it is quite difficult to bring them to the TOP due to high competition, especially in large cities. To advance to the first positions for such keywords, it is necessary to develop the site on all fronts: here is the technical part, excellent usability, and a high-quality link profile - in everything you need to be better than your competitors.
  • Medium-frequency (MF) queries give less traffic, but are also more targeted. Usually they include up to 4-5 words and lead to the pages of sections and subsections of the site. They have a higher conversion compared to HF requests.
  • Low-frequency (LF) queries are the most rarely requested phrases, usually consisting of 4-5 words. They are the easiest and cheapest to promote in organic and paid search. Many SEOs refuse such requests due to the fact that they will not bring a lot of traffic to the site. But you should always remember that they are the most converting ones.

By the competitiveness of the request:

  • Highly competitive (HC) requests
  • Medium Competitive (MC) queries
  • Low Competitive (LC) Requests

The competitiveness of the request shows how difficult it will be to move the page to the TOP of the search results. There is no specific formula for this indicator; each SEO specialist chooses the most suitable calculation method for himself (KEI, third-party services).

By geo-dependency of the request:

  • Geo-dependent. Are not geo-referenced within the query itself and the results are generated based on the user's location. A trivial example is “to cure a tooth inexpensively”. For a user from New York, an issue with New York dentistry will be shown, for a person from Chicago - with Chicago clinics.
  • Geo-independent. Queries without reference to a region (since this region is already specified in the query), the search results will not depend on the user's location. Examples of queries: “how to fix a refrigerator”, “how to cook a cheesecake” and commercial ones like “cure a tooth in DC” In this case, the issue for a person, wherever he is, will be approximately the same.

By business value:

  • Commercial queries are the most favorite queries in SEO-promotion of sites for goods and services. Examples: “iphone13 price”, “order contextual advertising” and similar. These are the “hottest” requests with high conversion, a person enters them into the search when he already knows the intention to purchase something. Signs of commercial inquiries:
    - There are marker words - “buy”, “price”, “order”;
    - There is a bundle of product/service + toponym - "Ferrari rental near me", "exotic car rental Dubai". As you see there is no need to insert extra words like your address or prepositions. Just what you search for and where – this is how you’ll get results on how to get the most luxury driving experience, what models are included into the sportscar category, and which VIP cars are now available for renting. The smart algorithm will search everything for you.
    - When analyzing SERPs in a search engine, almost the entire TOP will be occupied by commercial sites;
  • Information requests (or non-commercial) - requests that are entered without the desire to buy/acquire something. Examples: “iphone 13 pros and cons”, “how to set up contextual advertising”. Such requests will bring additional traffic to the site, and some of the visitors may become potential buyers in the future. In addition, through informational articles, you can show your expertise and gain trust in absentia.

Seasonality:

  • Seasonal requests - requests, the frequency of which depends on the time / season. Example: “gifts for the new year”. Seasonality can be tracked using Google Trends.
  • Off-season requests - requests for goods / services, the demand for which is kept at the same level. Examples: “buy a watch”, “buy a hard drive”.

Other types of requests:

  • Generalqueries are high frequency monosyllabic queries, for example, “coffee”, “book”, “laptop”. It is not clear from them what the user would like to know: the cost of a laptop in an online store or an article on how to choose one. For such general phrases, they are purposefully not promoted either in SEO or in contextual advertising , because in terms of the amount it will come out very costly, and the conversion will be very low.
  • Transactionalrequests are requests by entering which the user wants to perform a certain action. Examples are “buy a Christmas tree”, “download a Muse album”. Very often, transactional and commercial requests overlap.
  • Navigationqueries are queries that are entered when they want to get to a specific site. Examples: “shop apple how to get there”, “zara address”.
  • Vitalqueries can be classified as a type of navigation query. They consist of only one word - the brand name, without additional explanatory words. The goal is to bring it to the official website of the company.
  • Media queries - queries to find media content. Typically these phrases contain the words “photo,” “video,” “clip,” and other markers.

The classification of search queries into different types is convenient not only for SEO specialists, but also for search engines, as it allows you to make the search results more relevant and form the most accurate answer to the query.

Author: Evelina Brown

Hospitality Industry in Dubai

November 16, 2021 - Reading time: 4 minutes

The hospitality industry in Dubai is a pool of facilities and services. They include various types of hotels and lodging, catering, event planning, parks, tourist attractions, transportation, and other processes that attract and service tourists in Dubai. In general, the United Arab Emirates is the leading country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regarding the spending on the tourism industry. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, together with Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.

History

The history of the hospitality industry in the UAE has its start in 1932-1933 in Sharjah. The British Overseas Airways Corporation needed a place where they could organize an overnight rest on the airway to India. It started as a tent camp while the main building was under construction.

 For a long time, this hotel was the only one in the region, until, in 1979, the Metropolitan hotel opened its doors for tourists in Dubai. It was one of the first hotels in the city. During the next 34 years, "the Met" was extremely popular among both local and international guests. In 2013, the facility was closed and replaced by Al Habtoor City.

The modern state

Today, Dubai has become one of the most visited cities in the world occupying seventh place in the 100 most popular cities for tourists. According to the data for 2019, Dubai had 544 functional hotels with 100,744 rooms fully prepared for visitors.

 The service quality in most of the hotels, especially the luxury ones, appears to be the highest possible. As of 2021, 87% of those who lived in hotels were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the services they received.

 The industry already contributes a lot to the Emirati economy in general and Dubai's economy in particular. The process of improving services and building new hotels and amenities never stops, so the impact of the hospitality sector continues to grow.

The largest hotels in Dubai

Here are the biggest hotels in Dubai that accept visitors.

1.   JW Marriott Marquis

The hotel with the most rooms is located in Business Bay, the business district of Dubai. It's a 5-star property with high ratings and positive reviews. JW Marriott Marquis can offer 24-hours room service, taxi and ticket services. Besides, it provides guests with the utmost level of high-quality amenities like fitness centers, a spa, and an outdoor pool.

2.   Atlantis, The Palm

The hotel's building has a remarkable shape that makes it stand out from the crowd. Atlantis is ready to give customers free Wi-Fi, round-the-clock room service, and luggage storage. Also, the hotel has facilities for disabled people so everyone can stay in the accommodations they like.

3.   Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments

This hotel is a 4-star property, but it gives the clients the same number of services that more luxury hotels provide. Also, some rooms have such perks as a bathroom phone and complimentary tea and coffee.

Starting a hotel business in Dubai

If you want to open a new hotel in Dubai, the strategy for it looks like this:

1.   Learn what is required

Dubai has several regulations that you have to follow in order to get the license for the hotel:

  • You should have a bank guarantee.
  • The minimum size a room has is no less than 30 square meters or 323 square feet.
  • Enabling top-notch data security is a must.
  • The displayed prices are relevant and up to date.
  • You should also have what is called a Certificate of Good Conduct.

2.   Think about supplies

Your hotel should have a decent look to be popular among tourists. Make sure that your design, decor element, and furniture meet the standards. For example, companies like Parasol Dubai can provide you with nice-looking outdoor furniture items for a hotel.

3.   Go through all the legal procedures

The most important step is to correctly fulfill all the legal requirements you have to meet. You should start with approving the manager with the relevant qualifications. Then, go to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for the initial approval. After that, you can contact the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) for obtaining a license.

Summary

Despite the pandemic's influence on global traveling, Dubai continues to be one of the most tourist destinations in the world. The overwhelming majority of those who stayed at Dubai's hotels are satisfied with the service and accommodations. In general, the hospitality industry of Dubai can be considered a golden standard.

Author: Yanina Mishina 

Integrating AI With Cyber Security: How it Works in 2022?

November 11, 2021 - Reading time: 5 minutes

Source: Pixabay

Cybercriminals have changed their tactics and are now leveraging modern technology to plan and execute attacks. Businesses have had to up their games and use more robust technology to thwart these attacks and secure their networks.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the most influential modern cybersecurity solutions. Most businesses are harnessing AI’s immense potential to secure themselves from attacks. As a business, a way to enhance your existing security systems is by including AI in your plans.

With AI, you’ll make threat detection, identification, and incidence response faster. This will make it easier to prevent or mitigate the impact of security threats on your business. Now, this post looks into how integrating AI into cybersecurity works and what are its benefits.

Let’s dive in!

Enhance Cybersecurity With AI Technology

AI is an excellent solution to the heightened security challenges businesses face today. But many business owners don’t know how to add it to their security plans effectively. The reality is, you don’t need to overhaul your security systems to include AI in your defense.

It can be as simple as buying cheap proxies and integrating them into your network. Proxies are technical solutions that can help you increase the security of your systems. For instance, you can use them to secure your employees’ internet access and control traffic on your network.

However, choosing the right proxies is key to enjoying the full benefits these tools bring. You should consider factors like the type of proxy, price, seller, and user reviews. When buying cheap proxies, keeping these factors in mind will help you find a perfect AI solution for your security needs.

With the correct proxy, you can reduce the chances of suffering a data breach. A cheap shared proxy integrated with your cyber security systems adds an extra security layer. This makes it a solution worth considering if you want to incorporate technology into your cybersecurity strategy.

Why Integrate AI With Cyber Security?

(1) It Provides a Competitive Advantage

AI can help you automate essential security functions in your business. It adds efficiency and makes humans more productive in their security roles when applied. You can also combine AI with solutions like a cheap shared proxy to enhance your network’s security.

AI will help you make the most of your security architecture. It augments human capabilities and makes it easier to create more business value by supporting decision-making and other functions. In the end, this gives businesses the competitive advantage they need to succeed in their industries.

(3) Its Support To Cyber Security Keeps Growing

AI is one of the fastest-growing modern technologies. Research done by Statista shows that the AI market share could reach 126 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. But then, its impact in the cybersecurity world has also grown at a fast rate in recent years.

Today, cybersecurity professionals AI solutions for various tasks. However, security professionals are yet to leverage the full potential of AI. That’s why its usage in cybersecurity has been doubling every year in recent times.

You can expect to see more growth in the future as more businesses adopt it. Besides, AI is getting better every day and these advancements will see it gain more ground.

(3) It Will Minimize Human Error

Source: Pixabay

Human error can affect a business’s ability to reach its cybersecurity goals. This is why security professionals are looking to reduce human interaction with security systems. Minimizing this can help ensure consistency in their security strategy and make tracking their security efforts easier.

AI is the best tool to prevent human error in a business. You can integrate it with your manual processes to bring automation into your business. This will help you mitigate product or service inconsistencies. The result will be better customer experiences and more profitability.

(4) It Imparts Cyber Security Teams

With New Skills Integrating AI with cybersecurity prompts security professionals to learn new skills. You cannot implement AI in your cyber security strategy without acquiring new knowledge about the tools you’ll use. For instance, you need to know how you can make the most out of a high-speed proxy server.

As your team learns new skills, they also increase their competence in the field. It helps them find solutions to future security challenges. Your team will willingly learn new cyber security skills since employers will be looking for them in place of traditional skillsets when hiring in the future.

(5) It Meets the Cyber Security Needs of Businesses

Another reason to use AI in your business is because of its past success. Many businesses that have leveraged the power of AI have successfully enhanced their security. The heightened security needs today make many businesses consider technology an excellent solution.

AI meets the needs of small businesses and established ones that require more security. It also has proved effective for governments that require the highest levels of security. This previous success has made AI solutions worth considering today as a security-conscious business.

Conclusion

Cyber security is still a concern for many businesses - big and small. Also, it is an issue that governments are actively dealing with since they’re also targets of cyber-criminals. Individuals, businesses, and governments are turning to technology for better security.

AI, as discussed earlier, has proved to be effective for cyber protection. You can use it to ensure that your business remains safe from internal and external attacks. However, you’ll need to find the right tools and cheap shared proxies are perfect examples.

If going for a proxy, ensure that you buy from a reputable seller. Otherwise, you may not enjoy the full benefits you expect to get from it. You can research where to buy proxies on the internet to ensure you find a reputable seller. After that, you can integrate the solution into your strategy.

By Dani Martin