Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting millions and mostly women. It is physically and emotionally distressing. Those with the condition experience widespread chronic muscle pain. Research has shown that individuals with fibromyalgia could have a lower threshold for pain. This can come from injury, emotional distress, or abnormal levels of substances/chemicals in the brain and spine linked to pain sensitivity. One of the most common treatments is chiropractic medicine.
Common symptoms/conditions individuals report:
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Irritable bladder
Irritable bowel syndrome
Migraines
Sleep disorders
Restless legs syndrome
TMJ or Temporomandibular joint disorder
Raynaud’s Syndrome�-�a�rare blood vessel disorder causing the toes and hands to feel cold or numb.
Doctors are still trying to figure out the relationship between these conditions and fibromyalgia.
Causes
Doctors have yet to determine the exact cause, however, research is ongoing and beginning to shed light on the condition. Some possible causes include:
Abnormalities in the endocrine system
Abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system
Genetics
Muscle tissue abnormalities
Abnormal blood flow
As research has discovered many conditions/disorders do not have one cause but rather, several factors that impact the probability of developing the condition.
Questions
It has become one of the most common chronic pain conditions. 1 in 50 Americans are dealing with fibromyalgia. The condition can be difficult to diagnose, and, because of its chronic nature, it can linger for months and even years. Typically it causes pain throughout the body and creates areas that become tender to the slightest touch. There are both traditional and alternative treatments available.
Traditional approaches to manage the pain:
Anti-inflammatory’s
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Sleep medications
Muscle relaxants
Fibromyalgia medications include:
Lyrica – pregabalin, which is a nerve pain medication
Cymbalta – duloxetine hydrochloride, which is an antidepressant that can also help manage pain
Savella – milnacipran HCI, which is an antidepressant and nerve pain medicine
The type of treatment depends on the symptoms. For example, a doctor could prescribe an antidepressant to reduce pain and depression. If stress, anxiety, and trouble sleeping are presenting,�a therapeutic exercise program could be the answer. Individuals prefer natural remedies/therapies instead of more medications like vitamin therapy, acupuncture, and meditation.
Other treatment options include alternative treatments like:
The most common issue is constant and consistent pain, which can affect the entire body for weeks and even months. Individuals realize that chiropractic helps restore overall health and aids the body to heal itself. Adjustments to the spine bring alignment and balance back to the body. Also incorporated is soft tissue work that can relieve and reduce painful pressure/trigger points and decrease pain in tender spots.
Range of motion is increased
Chiropractic medicine also adjusts the body’s joints and helps loosen them up. This increases the range of motion and allows the individual to move more freely and easily. Depending on how long the individual has been dealing with the condition, it can take a few treatments to achieve optimal results, so it does take a commitment from the individual patient. However, in the long run, it is well worth the time.
Sleep is improved
The pain associated with fibromyalgia often affects an individual’s ability to sleep well. Being unable to sleep normally will leave you exhausted, foggy, unable to accomplish things and irritable to downright angry. A chiropractor’s ability to loosen the body’s joints, massage tender points, and kickstart the body’s self-healing mechanisms means individuals with this condition can enjoy deep sleep, and stay asleep.
Complements other therapies
Medicines/treatments/therapies can counteract with each other, or get mixed up and cause side effects. Chiropractic medicine can be utilized in combination with medications/treatments, either traditional or natural. Individuals diagnosed with this condition should speak to their chiropractor about the different treatments available. Customized treatment programs are created case-by-case and are tailored to the specific needs of that individual. Remember there is not a one-stop solution.
Empowers the individual
Individuals that have to deal with painful, chronic conditions can exhaust themselves with the varying treatment options and can feel as if they have no control over the situation. This causes stress, anxiety, and depression, which works against achieving overall wellness. With chiropractic, individuals are more in charge of their treatment plan, which leads to an optimistic outlook in their recovery.�
Chiropractic medicine treats not only the symptoms of fibromyalgia but attempts to get to the root cause to alleviate the condition or to activate the body’s self-healing response. Patients that commit will see the benefits along with reduced pain, better mobility, and sound sleep.
The best benefit is being able to take control of the circumstances and playing a vital role in the managing of an individual’s well-being. Understand that there are options available for fibromyalgia pain management. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, don�t go it alone. Dr. Alex Jimenez is passionate about helping those who are injured or struggling with a condition get relief. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
We are familiar with neck stiffness or a crick. This can prevent us from comfortably moving the head all around. A crick can cause the spine, and shoulders to feel rigid and stressed from not being able to turn around and could cause an upper or low-back strain from having to turn the whole body to look back or even just to the side. Chiropractic treatment is available and will help, along with some self-care therapies that can be done at home.
Crick in the Neck vs. Neck Stiffness
A crick in the neck is the same as a stiff neck. It develops when the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments become strained/sprained. Most strains and sprains are minor but do cause inflammation/swelling of the neck�s soft tissues, which results in stiffness and, at times muscle spasms.
The symptoms
Cricks in the neck are uncomfortable, but not necessarily painful. If there is a pre-existing neck condition or injuries like whiplash the crick and stiffness could increase the uncomfortableness and generate pain.
The most common symptoms include:
Neck stiffness
Muscle stiffness
Reduced mobility affecting the neck�s range of motion
A popping sensation when trying to turn or tilt the head
Causes of a stiff neck or crick
There are different causes of neck stiffness. It can be a combination of things you can control and some you can�t.
Possible causes that you can control:
Poor posture working either sitting or standing for several hours without breaks or stretching.
Sleeping in a position that puts the neck in an awkward position or using a pillow that does not support the neck when sleeping.
Constantly looking down at a cell phone or tablet.
Stress and emotional tension can cause involuntarily tightening of the neck muscles and shoulders.
Heavy labor along with incorrect lifting techniques.
Reaching or having to look up/overhead for several hours like when painting a ceiling.
Possible causes that are out of your control:
Whiplash injury
Sports-injuries like a football stinger
Aging muscles and bones
Around 13% of cases the stiffness, and pain are caused by separate cervical spinal conditions, like:
Cold therapy reduces the swelling of soft tissues, like muscles and ligaments, while heat soothes the tightness by boosting blood circulation to the affected area. There are different products available that can deliver cold or heat to the neck and upper back.
Apply ice for 15 minutes each hour.
Apply heat therapy like a heating pad for 15 minutes every 2 or 3 hours.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammation medicines
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can help relieve inflammation and pain.
Because neck stiffness can be linked to lifestyle choices, individuals may find that they occur repeatedly. Simple neck stretches, chiropractic treatment, using a supportive pillow, and taking frequent breaks at your job can help prevent neck stiffness and keep you moving. These professionals have undergone extensive training in their field and are capable of treating neck pain effectively. So if you or a loved one are experiencing neck pain, give us a call. We�re ready to help!
Everybody has a backstory. It is not easy. We got to PUSH Hard. It is not EASY…Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, talks to Daniel (Danny) Alvarado, owner of the PUSH Fitness Center, about the importance of nutrition, diet, and fitness. Stress is the body’s natural response to any physical, mental, and emotional response. Although too much stress can be harmful, getting the right amount of stress is essential for survival. Dr. Alex Jimenez and Daniel Alvarado discuss how stress is the fundamental basis for inspiration and motivation. The PUSH Fitness Center was first created by Danny to help people achieve their optimal health and wellness goals. Hard-work and pushing towards your goal are essential for every individual. Danny discusses how he chooses to inspire and believe in his athletes in order to help them become the best person they can be. Nutrition, diet, and fitness can help prevent a variety of health issues, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Daniel (Danny) Alvarado demonstrate how stress, inspiration, and motivation in people can support the hard work and the extra “push” they need to improve themselves, achieve their goals, and improve overall health and wellness. – Podcast Insight
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Daniel Alvarado
Dr. Alex Jimenez
In the following podcast video article, Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Daniel (Danny) Alvarado, owner of PUSH Fitness Center in El Paso, TX, discuss the three points of weight loss. Excess weight and obesity are associated with metabolic syndrome and a variety of other health issues. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors that can ultimately increase the risk of developing diabetes, stroke, and diabetes, among other complications. Dr. Alex Jimenez and Daniel Alvarado discuss how weight loss can be a safe and effective way to improve metabolic syndrome as well as overall health and wellness. Decreasing or eliminating sugar and carbohydrate consumption, increasing the consumption of proteins, �good� fats, and vegetables, as well as engaging and participating in exercise and physical activity can ultimately help promote weight loss to improve metabolic syndrome and a variety of other health issues. Furthermore, Dr. Alex Jimenez and Daniel Alvarado discuss how they can help people with excess weight and obesity achieve their weight loss goals by encouraging and motivating them through every step of the way. Weight loss is essential for people with metabolic syndrome to achieve overall health and wellness. � Podcast Insight
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Daniel Alvarado & Dr. Alex Jimenez
Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Dr. Mario Ruja, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, discuss how chiropractic care can help with personal injuries, especially automobile accidents. Personal injuries can also include work injuries and slip-and-fall injuries. Auto accidents can cause a variety of injuries and underlying conditions, including neck pain, whiplash, back pain, low back pain, and sciatica. Sports injuries can also cause a variety of health issues. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective alternative treatment option that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of health issues associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Dr. Alex Jimenez and Dr. Mario Ruja discuss how spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are commonly utilized to treat neck pain and back pain associated with personal injuries. Whiplash-associated-disorders are the most common types of health issues resulting after an automobile accident. Chiropractic care can carefully restore the original alignment of the spine, treating neck pain and whiplash caused by personal injuries, especially an auto accident. Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Dr. Mario Ruja, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX further discuss how it’s fundamental for people who’ve been involved in a car crash to seek chiropractic care to treat soft tissue injuries that can cause neck pain and back pain. – Podcast Insight
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Dr. Alex Jimenez RN, DC, MSACP, CCST
Dr. Alex Jimenez, chiropractor in El Paso, TX, discusses BIA, BMI and basal metabolic rate with staff. Dr. Alex Jimenez, health coach Kenna Vaughn, Astrid Ornelas, Truide Torres, and biochemist Alexander Isaiah Jimenez all take part in a round table podcast discussion of the importance of measuring BMI, BIA, and basal metabolic rate. BMI or body mass index is frequently utilized to determine an individual’s relative weight according to their height. Healthcare professionals commonly utilize BMI, however, BMI may not be accurate for athletes because their body mass according to their height may demonstrate that they have excess weight or obesity utilizing BMI. BIA is the preferred analysis tool used to determine an athlete’s relative weight according to their height. Excess weight and obesity is a well-known risk factor that can ultimately increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, among other health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Dr. Alex Jimenez, health coach Kenna Vaughn, Astrid Ornelas, Truide Torres, and biochemist Alexander Isaiah Jimenez ultimately discuss in further detail how determining an individual’s BIA, BMI, and basal metabolic rate can help promote overall health and wellness as well as support weight loss for the general population and athletes alike. – Podcast Insight
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Dr. Alex Jimenez RN, DC, MSACP, CCST
In the following podcast, Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, and Dr. Mario Ruja, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX, discusses what metabolic syndrome is in more depth. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of conditions that can ultimately increase the risk of developing a variety of other health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), a person may be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome if they have at least three of the following five risk factors, including abdominal obesity of more than 40 inches in men and more than 35 inches in women, fasting blood glucose levels of 100 mg/dL or above, blood pressure of 130/85 mm/Hg or above, blood triglycerides levels of 150 mg/dL or higher, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels of 40 mg/dL or less for men and 50 mg/dL or less for women. Having three or more of these risk factors can ultimately increase the risk of developing a variety of health issues, including diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Dr. Alex Jimenez and Dr. Mario Ruja discuss in more detail how eating a lot of carbohydrates and sugar are ultimately associated with the risk factors of metabolic syndrome. � Podcast Insight
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Dr. Alex Jimenez RN, DC, MSACP, CCST
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