Can individuals with low back pain find relief with spinal decompression combined with chiropractic care to reduce muscle pain?
Introduction
Everyone worldwide has dealt with low back pain, a multifactorial common problem that can mask other musculoskeletal disorders. Low back pain can develop naturally through spinal degeneration, normal environmental factors people put their bodies through, or traumatic factors that can gradually affect the lumbar region over time. The lower back is part of the lumbar spine region as it takes most of the upper body’s weight and stabilizes the lower body when in motion. The lumbar region is thick to support the upper body’s weight and is protected by the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and tissues; however, it is the most susceptible to injury. Many people don’t realize they are experiencing low back pain until an accident or repetitive motions begin to affect the surrounding ligaments or the lumbar intervertebral discs are severely compressed. To that point, many individual are experiencing radiating pain in their lower extremities. However, all is not lost, as there are numerous ways to alleviate low back pain and provide relief to many individuals. Today’s article focuses on the factors that lead to the development of low back pain and how treatments like chiropractic care and spinal decompression can help reduce low back pain and its symptoms. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatment plans to ease low back pain and its associated symptoms. We also inform our patients that there are non-surgical options like chiropractic care and spinal decompression to minimize the radiating pain associated with low back pain. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer
Factors That Lead To The Development Of Low Back Pain
Do you feel muscle aches and pains in your lower back when stretching? Does the pain cause issues in your mobility when going to run errands? Or do you feel sudden or gradual pain after a long workday of carrying heavy objects or excessively sitting at your desk? When many individuals are experiencing pain in these various scenarios, it can lead to the development of a lower back that correlates with these environmental factors. Low back pain is a common nuisance that many working and non-working individuals experience occasionally. When various risk factors are associated with low back pain, it can cause many individuals to deal with the physical and psychological demands that cause them to do multiple things like heavy lifting, awkward positions, and excessive bending, which can develop pain-like symptoms in the lumbar region. (To et al., 2021) At the same time, compared with other health conditions, low back pain is the highest global burden, causing many individuals to miss out on important events like work and daily activities. (Petrozzi et al., 2020) This causes them to live a life of disability and causes them to feel miserable. Low back pain can affect a person’s socioeconomic demographic and the functionality that they seek the treatment they deserve.
Many individuals who experience low back pain will often lead a life of disability and socioeconomic burden correlated with these factors. (Wong et al., 2022) Many people often think that low back pain only happens to older adults, but low back pain can happen to anybody at any age. Many factors that correlate to the development of low back pain include:
Improper heavy lifting
Walking incorrectly
Being in a slouched or hunched position
An auto accident
Obesity
Gastrointestinal issues
Referred musculoskeletal disorders
Physical inactivity
Many of these environmental factors are associated with low back pain that many people are unaware of when doing their routine. This is due to the surrounding tissues, ligaments, and muscles being overused and affected and the intervertebral disc being constantly compressed from repetitive motions. When this happens, many individuals will often seek treatment to reduce the painful effects of low back pain.
How Chiropractic Care Can Transform Pain Into Relief- Video
When it comes to reducing low back pain, many individuals will try home remedies to mitigate muscle pain and reduce inflammation associated with low back pain. This provides temporary relief to acute low back pain, but many will seek non-surgical treatment when it comes to chronic low back pain. Non-surgical treatments can help reduce low back pain and its associated symptoms through mechanical and manual techniques. Non-surgical treatments, which include chiropractic care and spinal decompression, could help alleviate low back pain. Since low back pain is associated with altered motor control within the lumbar region, it can hinder lumbar stability, cause impaired detection of passive motion, and affect postural stability. (Fagundes Loss et al., 2020) With non-surgical treatments, many pain specialists can incorporate vertebral mobilizations and manipulation procedures to improve spinal mobility and reduce pain in the lumbar region. The video above explains how chiropractic care and spinal decompression can alleviate lower back pain and help restore functionality in the body.
Chiropractic Care & Low Back Pain
When it comes to reducing low back pain associated with environmental factors, many pain specialists can look at the physical distress cognitive, and functional patterns that are correlated with faulty lumbar movement. (Khodadad et al., 2020) This allows the pain specialist to create a personalized treatment plan for low back pain. Non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care are excellent for reducing low back pain. Chiropractic care incorporates spinal manipulation techniques to realign the spine and help stretch the affected surrounding muscles. Many individuals who include chiropractic care in their routine find significant pain reduction and reduced disability after a few consecutive treatments. (Gevers-Montoro et al., 2021) Chiropractic care can be combined with physical and massage therapy to stretch and strengthen the affected muscles. This, in turn, helps the individual regain spinal mobility and reduce pain.
Spinal Decompression & Low Back Pain
Spinal decompression is another non-surgical treatment that can help alleviate low back pain, like chiropractic care. Spinal decompression utilizes gentle traction on the lumbar spine to be gently pulled to relieve the affected muscles causing lower back pain. Spinal decompression can also ease leg pain associated with low back pain and reduce referred pain affecting the lower extremities. (Wang et al., 2022) Spinal decompression can also improve spinal disc height and help improve muscle strength and trunk endurance. (Kang et al., 2016) The combination of spinal decompression and chiropractic care to reduce lower back pain is effective as these two forms of non-surgical treatments can effectively reduce many people’s musculoskeletal pain and make them aware of the environmental factors that are the root causes of their lower back pain and prevent it from returning.
References
Fagundes Loss, J., de Souza da Silva, L., Ferreira Miranda, I., Groisman, S., Santiago Wagner Neto, E., Souza, C., & Tarrago Candotti, C. (2020). Immediate effects of a lumbar spine manipulation on pain sensitivity and postural control in individuals with nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap, 28(1), 25. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-020-00316-7
Gevers-Montoro, C., Provencher, B., Descarreaux, M., Ortega de Mues, A., & Piche, M. (2021). Clinical Effectiveness and Efficacy of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Spine Pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne), 2, 765921. doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.765921
Kang, J.-I., Jeong, D.-K., & Choi, H. (2016). Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3125-3130. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.3125
Khodadad, B., Letafatkar, A., Hadadnezhad, M., & Shojaedin, S. (2020). Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Functional Treatment and Lumbar Stabilization Treatment on Pain and Movement Control in Patients With Low Back Pain. Sports Health, 12(3), 289-295. doi.org/10.1177/1941738119886854
Petrozzi, M. J., Rubinstein, S. M., Ferreira, P. H., Leaver, A., & Mackey, M. G. (2020). Predictors of low back disability in chiropractic and physical therapy settings. Chiropr Man Therap, 28(1), 41. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-020-00328-3
To, D., Rezai, M., Murnaghan, K., & Cancelliere, C. (2021). Risk factors for low back pain in active military personnel: a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap, 29(1), 52. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-021-00409-x
Wang, W., Long, F., Wu, X., Li, S., & Lin, J. (2022). Clinical Efficacy of Mechanical Traction as Physical Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. Comput Math Methods Med, 2022, 5670303. doi.org/10.1155/2022/5670303
Wong, C. K., Mak, R. Y., Kwok, T. S., Tsang, J. S., Leung, M. Y., Funabashi, M., Macedo, L. G., Dennett, L., & Wong, A. Y. (2022). Prevalence, Incidence, and Factors Associated With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain, 23(4), 509-534. doi.org/10.1016/j.jpain.2021.07.012
Individuals need to eat more fiber for optimal gut health. Can adding avocado to their diet help improve the gut microbe diversity?
Avocado Gut Support
A diverse gut microbiome is beneficial to overall health. According to a recent study, eating one avocado a day can help maintain the gut microbes healthy, diverse, and balanced. (Sharon V. Thompson, et al., 2021) The researchers observed positive changes in gut bacteria and increased bacterial diversity in individuals who consumed an avocado every day for 12 weeks. (Susanne M Henning, et al., 2019)
Gut Diversity
The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms living in the intestines. There are around 100 trillion microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more, exist in the gastrointestinal tract. (Ana M. Valdes, et al., 2018) Having a diverse microbiome means that the body has a range of different organisms that offer various health benefits. Not having enough bacterial diversity has been linked to: (Ana M. Valdes, et al., 2018)
Arthritis
Obesity
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Inflammatory bowel disease
Celiac disease
Arterial stiffness
Atopic eczema
Why Avocados?
The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily fiber intake ranging from 19 grams to 38 grams per day, depending on various factors like age. (Diane Quagliani, Patricia Felt-Gunderson. 2016)
Including foods like avocados in a healthy diet can help meet daily fiber requirements.
Fruit fiber like pectin, has been shown to promote a healthy gut microbiome as well. (Beukema M, et al., 2020)
Researchers suggest this could be because of pectin’s positive effect on beneficial probiotics.(Nadja Larsen, et al., 2018)
Although further research is needed fiber is believed to help protect the lining of the colon by increasing the bulk and weight of stool and expediting elimination.
Fiber also adds bulk to an individual’s diet and slows the speed of digestion, which makes the body feel fuller longer.
Improved Gut
Individuals can support a healthy microbiota by making small adjustments in their diet, including:
Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables with the skin, as this is where a majority of the nutrition is.
Fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir.
Limiting consumption of processed foods, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.
If there are more avocados that can be eaten before they overripen, they can be frozen.
Peel and slice them first, then place them in freezer bags to have year-round.
They are rich in healthy fat, however, in moderation, they are not likely to contribute to weight gain.
Individuals can work toward having a diverse gut microbiome by paying attention to the foods they eat. Specific foods and dietary patterns can influence the different types of bacterial diversity which can support health.
Smart Choices, Better Health
References
Thompson, S. V., Bailey, M. A., Taylor, A. M., Kaczmarek, J. L., Mysonhimer, A. R., Edwards, C. G., Reeser, G. E., Burd, N. A., Khan, N. A., & Holscher, H. D. (2021). Avocado Consumption Alters Gastrointestinal Bacteria Abundance and Microbial Metabolite Concentrations among Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of nutrition, 151(4), 753–762. doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxaa219
Henning, S. M., Yang, J., Woo, S. L., Lee, R. P., Huang, J., Rasmusen, A., Carpenter, C. L., Thames, G., Gilbuena, I., Tseng, C. H., Heber, D., & Li, Z. (2019). Hass Avocado Inclusion in a Weight-Loss Diet Supported Weight Loss and Altered Gut Microbiota: A 12-Week Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Trial. Current developments in nutrition, 3(8), nzz068. doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz068
Valdes, A. M., Walter, J., Segal, E., & Spector, T. D. (2018). Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 361, k2179. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k2179
Quagliani, D., & Felt-Gunderson, P. (2016). Closing America’s Fiber Intake Gap: Communication Strategies From a Food and Fiber Summit. American journal of lifestyle medicine, 11(1), 80–85. doi.org/10.1177/1559827615588079
Beukema, M., Faas, M. M., & de Vos, P. (2020). The effects of different dietary fiber pectin structures on the gastrointestinal immune barrier: impact via gut microbiota and direct effects on immune cells. Experimental & molecular medicine, 52(9), 1364–1376. doi.org/10.1038/s12276-020-0449-2
Larsen, N., Cahú, T. B., Isay Saad, S. M., Blennow, A., & Jespersen, L. (2018). The effect of pectins on survival of probiotic Lactobacillus spp. in gastrointestinal juices is related to their structure and physical properties. Food microbiology, 74, 11–20. doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2018.02.015
Individuals trying to get and stay in shape can find it difficult to get a regular workout. Can jumping rope help when there is no time?
Jumping Rope
Jumping rope can be a highly cost-effective exercise to incorporate high-intensity cardiovascular fitness into a workout routine. It is inexpensive, efficient, and done properly can improve cardiovascular health, improve balance and agility, increase muscular strength and endurance, and burn calories. (Athos Trecroci, et al., 2015)
Jumping rope can be utilized in interval training to keep the heart rate elevated and allow the muscles to rest in between weight lifting and other intense exercises.
A jump rope can be used when traveling as its portability makes it a top piece of workout gear.
It can be combined with bodyweight exercises for a dependable and portable exercise routine.
Benefits
Jumping rope is a medium-impact exercise with benefits that include:
Improves balance, agility, and coordination
Builds stamina and foot speed for coordination, agility, and quick reflexes.
Variations include one-leg jumping and double unders or with each jump, the rope goes around twice to add difficulty.
Builds Fitness Fast
Burns calories
Depending on skill level and jumping rate, individuals can burn 10 to 15 calories a minute by jumping rope.
Faster rope jumping can burn calories similar to running.
Precautions
For individuals who have high blood pressure, jumping rope may not be recommended. The downward arm position can reduce blood circulation back to the heart which can further increase blood pressure. Studies have shown that jumping at a moderate intensity is beneficial for individuals who are pre-hypertensive. (Lisa Baumgartner, et al., 2020) Individuals with hypertension and/or a heart condition, are recommended to discuss the potential risks with their doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.
Choosing a Rope
Jump ropes are available and made from various materials and come with different handles.
Some of these materials help jump ropes spin faster with a smooth motion.
Some options have a swivel action between the cords and handles.
The rope you buy should be comfortable to hold and have a smooth spin.
Weighted jump ropes can help develop upper body muscle tone and endurance. (D. Ozer, et al., 2011) These ropes are not for beginners and are not necessary for an agility workout.
For individuals who want a weighted rope, be sure the weight is in the rope and not the handles to prevent straining the wrists, elbows, and/or shoulders.
Size the rope by standing on the center of the rope
Pull the handles up along the sides of the body.
For beginners, the handles should just reach the armpits.
As the individual’s skills and fitness develop, the rope can be shortened.
A shorter rope spins faster, forcing more jumps.
Technique
Following proper technique will ensure a more safe and effective workout.
Start slowly.
The proper jumping form keeps the shoulders relaxed, elbows in, and slightly bent.
There should be very few upper-body movements.
The majority of the turning power and motion come from the wrists, not the arms.
During jumping, keep the knees slightly bent.
Bounce softly.
The feet should leave the floor just enough to allow the rope to pass.
Land softly on the balls of the feet to avoid knee injuries.
It is not recommended to jump high and/or land hard.
Jump on a surface that is smooth and free of obstacles.
Wood, a sports court, or a rubberized mat are recommended.
Warming Up
Before beginning jumping rope, do a light, 5 to 10-minute warm-up.
This can include walking or jogging in place, or slow-paced jumping.
Increase Time and Intensity Gradually
The exercise can be relatively intense and high-level.
Start slowly and increase gradually.
An individual might try three 30-second sets at the end of a routine workout for the first week.
Depending upon fitness level, individuals may feel nothing or some slight soreness in the calf muscles.
This can help determine how much to do for the next jump rope session.
Gradually increase the number of sets, or the duration, over several weeks until the body can go for about ten minutes of continuous jumping.
One way is to jump after each weight-lifting set or other circuit exercise – like adding jumping for 30 to 90 seconds in between exercise sets.
Both feet slightly lift off from the ground and land together.
Alternate foot jump
This uses a skipping step.
This allows landing more prominently on one foot after each spin.
Running step
A slight jog is incorporated while jumping.
High step
A moderate pace with a high knee raise increases intensity.
Rope jumping is a great addition to an interval training or cross-training routine that creates an efficient whole-body workout that incorporates both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength.
Overcoming ACL Injury
References
Trecroci, A., Cavaggioni, L., Caccia, R., & Alberti, G. (2015). Jump Rope Training: Balance and Motor Coordination in Preadolescent Soccer Players. Journal of sports science & medicine, 14(4), 792–798.
Baumgartner, L., Weberruß, H., Oberhoffer-Fritz, R., & Schulz, T. (2020). Vascular Structure and Function in Children and Adolescents: What Impact Do Physical Activity, Health-Related Physical Fitness, and Exercise Have?. Frontiers in pediatrics, 8, 103. doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.00103
Ozer, D., Duzgun, I., Baltaci, G., Karacan, S., & Colakoglu, F. (2011). The effects of rope or weighted rope jump training on strength, coordination and proprioception in adolescent female volleyball players. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 51(2), 211–219.
Van Hooren, B., & Peake, J. M. (2018). Do We Need a Cool-Down After Exercise? A Narrative Review of the Psychophysiological Effects and the Effects on Performance, Injuries and the Long-Term Adaptive Response. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 48(7), 1575–1595. doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0916-2
Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis that causes changes in posture that occur over time. Can exercise and maintaining spinal alignment help improve posture problems?
Ankylosing Spondylitis Posture Improvement
Ankylosing spondylitis/AS is an autoimmune arthritis that primarily affects the spine. It can also spread to other joints of the body and affect the internal organs. Back pain problems are a common side effect of the condition and depending on the severity of damage to the spine, it can have a serious impact on posture.
Affects Posture
The condition usually first affects the sacroiliac joints at the bottom of the spine where they attach to the pelvis. As the condition progresses it works its way to the upper spine. The spine consists of 26 vertebrae/bones stacked on top of each other.
Line up the ears, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles in a straight line.
Squeeze the shoulder blades together and down toward the back pockets.
Relax the arms at the sides.
Look straight ahead.
Tuck the chin back slightly.
Sitting
The natural curves of the spine need support for proper posture when sitting. Try these tips when at a desk or at a table:
Position the height of the chair so the hips and knees are bent at 90-degree angles.
Place the feet flat on the floor or use a footstool based on chair height.
Place a lumbar support pillow or rolled-up towel behind the lower back.
Position the screen monitor at eye level to keep the upper back straight.
Keep the keyboard and mouse close to the body to prevent overreaching which can increase the rounding of the shoulders and upper back.
Lying Down
Ankylosing spondylitis can make lying down uncomfortable. To support the spine while lying down try to:
Sleep on a semi-firm mattress or type like memory foam to conform to the body.
Place a pillow between the knees to maintain a straight spine when lying on the side.
Use a specialized pillow to prevent placing the upper back in a rounded position.
Posture Exercises
For individuals with ankylosing spondylitis stretching and strengthening exercises can help improve body posture. Individuals are recommended to talk to their healthcare provider before beginning an exercise program.
Chin Tucks
Sit up straight.
Squeeze the shoulder blades together.
Rest the arms at your sides.
Look straight ahead, pull the chin back and in until the stretch is felt along the muscles of the neck.
Hold for three to five seconds and relax.
Repeat 10 times.
Corner Stretch
Stand facing a corner.
Raise the arms to shoulder height.
Place one forearm flat against each wall.
Stagger the feet.
Slowly shift weight over the front leg and lean in toward the corner.
Stop once the stretch is felt across the chest.
Hold for 10 to 20 seconds and relax.
Repeat three times.
Scapular Squeezes
Sit up straight with arms resting at the sides.
Squeeze the shoulder blades together like they are holding an object between them.
Hold for three seconds and relax.
Repeat 10 times.
Maintaining spinal alignment will help decrease back pain that occurs with AS.
Targeted exercises can help stretch tight muscles and strengthen the muscles responsible for maintaining spinal alignment.
Maintaining healthy posture when sitting, standing, and sleeping can help prevent deformities in the spine.
Regular physical activity can help combat stiffness and help maintain overall strength.
For an individualized exercise program, see a physical therapist or chiropractor on incorporating posture exercises to help prevent complications from developing.
Arthritis
References
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis.
De Nunzio, A. M., Iervolino, S., Zincarelli, C., Di Gioia, L., Rengo, G., Multari, V., Peluso, R., Di Minno, M. N., & Pappone, N. (2015). Ankylosing spondylitis and posture control: the role of visual input. BioMed research international, 2015, 948674. doi.org/10.1155/2015/948674
In individuals with lumbar back pain, can pain specialists utilize distraction techniques to reduce muscle spasms?
Introduction
Many individuals dealing with specific or nonspecific back pain can agree that it can dampen their moods as they try to find the relief they seek to get back to their routine. More often than not, back pain is a common multifactorial musculoskeletal disorder that can affect the entire body, and it all starts with how people do simple movements incorrectly, causing compression to the spine. Since the spine is the main backbone of the body, it is responsible for training, stability, and flexibility. The surrounding muscles that encompass the spine act like a barrier to protect the skeletal joints and the spinal cord from injuries that are either traumatic or normal wear and tear. Lumbar back pain is also an economic burden that can cause unnecessary stress to the body, which leads to muscle spasms and causes even more stress to the individual. With lumbar back pain being a common nuisance to everyone worldwide, many will opt for treatment to reduce the pain and continue their daily activities. In today’s article, we will explore the issues of lumbar back pain and how treatments with distraction techniques alleviate the effects of lumbar back pain and reduce muscle spasms. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatment plans to mitigate lumbar back pain associated with environmental factors. We also inform our patients that there are non-surgical options to reduce the pain-like symptoms related to lumbar back pain and reduce the effects of muscle spasms. We encourage our patients to ask astounding educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the lumbar spine. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer
The Issues Of Lumbar Back Pain
Do you often feel pain radiating from your lower back to your legs after work? Did you lift something heavy that caused your back muscles to strain and be in pain? Or do you and your loved ones feel muscle spasms in your lower back after stretching in the morning? When many individuals are dealing with these musculoskeletal issues, it often correlates with lumbar back pain. As stated earlier, the spine is the body’s backbone, and its main job is to support the body’s weight, provide stability to the upper and lower quadrants, and allow the host to move without pain or discomfort. When normal or traumatic factors start to affect many individuals over time, it can lead to the development of lumbar back pain, and it can become an issue for many young and older adults. Since lumbar back pain can be mechanical or nonspecific, it can arise intrinsically from the spine and the spinal components through repetitive muscle trauma that can be overused while being one of the common causes many people experience pain in their lumbar spine. (Will et al., 2018) When many individuals are dealing with lumbar back pain, it can become a reoccurring issue, and many go to medical clinics to get treatment for their lumbar back pain.
Another issue that lumbar back pain causes is affecting the spinal structure and the surrounding muscles, tissues, and ligaments that protect the spine. Since the body is remarkable for sensing when pain affects the spine, the vital structures are affected and start to respond by adopting other measures to maintain the spine’s stability. (Hauser et al., 2022) This means that when the body starts to develop muscle spasms in the spine, the stretched ligaments react rapidly to prevent the spine from destabilizing. This leads to individuals feeling aches and pain in their lower back, which then causes them to miss out on their activities.
The Road To Recovery: Chiropractic Care- Video
When it comes to lumbar back pain, many everyday factors can contribute to its development and cause issues for many individuals. Many individuals with lumbar back pain often experience referred pain in their lower extremity regions as the lumbar portions of the spine have compressed spinal discs, which can also correlate with nerve entrapment. To this point, many will seek out various treatments to reduce low back pain and its associated symptoms. When patients have prolonged symptoms correlating with lumbar pain, conservative management that is either non-surgical or surgical can help treat the pain-like symptoms related to lumbar back pain. (Mohd Isa et al., 2022) Lumbar back pain treatments can be customizable and cost-effective to the person’s pain severity. Non-surgical treatments can help lumbar back pain issues and reduce referred pain symptoms from different body locations in the upper or lower body quadrants. When people go to get their lumbar back pain treated, pain specialists like chiropractors, massage therapists, and physical therapists utilize various techniques and treatments to reduce pain affecting the surrounding ligaments, tissues, and muscles through stretches and traction. The video above explains how these treatments can help reduce pain caused by environmental factors and also help speed up recovery.
Distraction Techniques To Reduce Lumbar Back Pain
When many individuals get treated for lumbar back pain, many opt for non-surgical treatments due to being more affordable than surgical treatments. Pain specialists like chiropractors or massage therapists use distraction techniques to reduce the pain. These pain specialists also incorporate manual and mechanical therapy to be body-oriented to mobilize, manipulate, and stretch out the soft tissues and strengthen them. (Kuligowski et al., 2021) This, in turn, can help reduce lumbar back pain while allowing the individual to be more mindful about their actions to reduce the chances of back pain from returning. At the same time, the effectiveness of treating lumbar back pain through traction can effectively reduce nerve root compression and unresponsive movement symptoms. (Vanti et al., 2021) Traction therapy is a non-surgical treatment that gently stretches the spine to alleviate pain and help kick-start the natural healing process.
Distraction Techniques Reducing Muscle Spasms
Pain specialists incorporate distraction techniques to reduce lumbar back pain and muscle spasms in the lumbar region. As stated earlier, distraction techniques associated with non-surgical treatments can be an excellent way to minimize lumbar back pain. Distraction manipulation can help elevate the affected intervertebral disc by reducing the pressure off the disc and increasing its height in the spine. (Choi et al., 2015) Many individuals feel better when they incorporate distraction therapy to reduce lumbar pain. At the same time, distraction therapy can also be incorporated into a personalized plan to reduce muscle spasms and strengthen weak muscles that surround the lumbar region. The effects of lumbar traction combined with distraction therapy can improve pain and reduce functional disability within the lumbar spine. (Masood et al., 2022) When many people start to think more about their health and wellness, they can make small changes in their routine to prevent low back pain from progressing into something chronic and strengthen their weak muscles to control the pain-like symptoms from returning.
References
Choi, J., Lee, S., & Jeon, C. (2015). Effects of flexion-distraction manipulation therapy on pain and disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(6), 1937-1939. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.1937
Hauser, R. A., Matias, D., Woznica, D., Rawlings, B., & Woldin, B. A. (2022). Lumbar instability as an etiology of low back pain and its treatment by prolotherapy: A review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 35(4), 701-712. doi.org/10.3233/BMR-210097
Kuligowski, T., Skrzek, A., & Cieslik, B. (2021). Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(11). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116176
Masood, Z., Khan, A. A., Ayyub, A., & Shakeel, R. (2022). Effect of lumbar traction on discogenic low back pain using variable forces. J Pak Med Assoc, 72(3), 483-486. doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.453
Mohd Isa, I. L., Teoh, S. L., Mohd Nor, N. H., & Mokhtar, S. A. (2022). Discogenic Low Back Pain: Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Treatments of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci, 24(1). doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010208
Vanti, C., Turone, L., Panizzolo, A., Guccione, A. A., Bertozzi, L., & Pillastrini, P. (2021). Vertical traction for lumbar radiculopathy: a systematic review. Arch Physiother, 11(1), 7. doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00102-5
Will, J. S., Bury, D. C., & Miller, J. A. (2018). Mechanical Low Back Pain. American Family Physician, 98(7), 421-428. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30252425
As research increases in regenerative medicine with the potential of being able to regrow thyroid tissue, could regeneration therapy eliminate the need for patients to take thyroid replacement hormones?
Thyroid Regenerative Therapy
A great hope for regenerative therapy is the ability to grow healthy organs. One of the organs being looked at is the thyroid gland. The goal is to re-grow thyroid tissue in:
Individuals who had to have the gland removed because of thyroid cancer.
Individuals who were born without a fully developed gland.
As science advances and research has expanded from laboratory and animal experiments to test tube human thyroid cell studies, the use of stem cell therapy for this purpose is not there yet, as more extensive research is needed for human consideration.
Human Research
Research on the use of thyroid regenerative therapy for thyroid disease has not published studies in which stem cell therapy has been attempted in human thyroid patients.
The studies that have been done were conducted in mice, and any findings of this research cannot automatically be applied to humans. (H. P. Gaide Chevronnay, et al., 2016)
In human thyroid tissue in test tube studies, the stimulation of cells was achieved in a way that raised the question of making cancerous transformations more likely if it were to be attempted in humans. (Davies T.F., et al., 2011)
Recent Studies
Current research involves advances in embryonic stem cell – ESC and induced pluripotent stem cell – iPSC. (Will Sewell, Reigh-Yi Lin. 2014)
ESCs, also known as pluripotent stem cells, can increase any type of cell in the body.
They are harvested from embryos that were produced, but not implanted, during IVF procedures.
iPSCs are pluripotent cells that have been developed using a reprogramming process of adult cells.
Follicular cells are thyroid cells that make thyroid hormones – T4 and T3 and have been produced from the embryonic stem cells of mice.
In a study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell in 2015, these cells had the ability to grow and were also able to start making thyroid hormone within two weeks. (Anita A. Kurmann, et al., 2015)
After eight weeks, cells that were transplanted into mice that did not have thyroid glands had normal amounts of thyroid hormone.
New Thyroid Gland
Investigators at Mount Sinai Hospital induced human embryonic stem cells into thyroid cells.
They were looking at the possibility of creating a new-like thyroid gland in individuals who have had their thyroid surgically removed.
The future looks promising for the ability to regrow thyroid tissue and eliminate thyroid replacement hormone. However, far more research is needed for this to even be considered a possibility.
Cracking the Low Thyroid Code Assessment Guide
References
Gaide Chevronnay, H. P., Janssens, V., Van Der Smissen, P., Rocca, C. J., Liao, X. H., Refetoff, S., Pierreux, C. E., Cherqui, S., & Courtoy, P. J. (2016). Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation Can Normalize Thyroid Function in a Cystinosis Mouse Model. Endocrinology, 157(4), 1363–1371. doi.org/10.1210/en.2015-1762
Davies, T. F., Latif, R., Minsky, N. C., & Ma, R. (2011). Clinical review: The emerging cell biology of thyroid stem cells. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 96(9), 2692–2702. doi.org/10.1210/jc.2011-1047
Sewell, W., & Lin, R. Y. (2014). Generation of thyroid follicular cells from pluripotent stem cells: potential for regenerative medicine. Frontiers in endocrinology, 5, 96. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2014.00096
Kurmann, A. A., Serra, M., Hawkins, F., Rankin, S. A., Mori, M., Astapova, I., Ullas, S., Lin, S., Bilodeau, M., Rossant, J., Jean, J. C., Ikonomou, L., Deterding, R. R., Shannon, J. M., Zorn, A. M., Hollenberg, A. N., & Kotton, D. N. (2015). Regeneration of Thyroid Function by Transplantation of Differentiated Pluripotent Stem Cells. Cell stem cell, 17(5), 527–542. doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2015.09.004
Tuttle, R. M., & Wondisford, F. E. (2014). Welcome to the 84th annual meeting of the American Thyroid Association. Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association, 24(10), 1439–1440. doi.org/10.1089/thy.2014.0429
Hamstring muscle injuries are common, especially in athletes and individuals with physically demanding jobs. Is there a better chance of full recovery with surgical repair and post-op rehabilitation?
Hamstring Muscle Tear
Most often, hamstring muscle injuries are partial tears of the muscle. These types of injuries are muscle strains that occur when the muscle fibers are stretched beyond their normal limits. Complete tears of the hamstring muscle are unusual, but they do occur in both athletes and non-athletes. Determining the optimal treatment plan depends on:
The severity of the tendon tear
The expectations of the injured individual.
Incomplete tears are when the hamstring muscle is stretched too far, but not completely detached.
Complete tears usually occur at the top of the muscle where the tendon tears away from the pelvis.
A complete tear usually occurs when there is a sudden flexion of the hip and extension of the knee joint – when the muscle contracts in this position, it gets stretched beyond its limits.
Basic hamstring strains can be treated with simple steps – rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and conservative therapies.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a hamstring muscle strain can include pain, bruising, swelling, and movement difficulty. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021) Individuals who sustain this injury typically experience sudden sharp pain. Signs of a tear can include:
Sharp pain where the buttock and thigh meet.
Difficulty walking.
Sitting can be difficult as the edge of a chair can place pressure directly on the injury.
Spasms and cramping sensations in the back of the thigh.
Weakness in the leg, specifically when bending the knee or lifting the leg behind the body.
Numbness or burning sensations as a result of sciatic nerve irritation.
Swelling and bruising in the back of the thigh – over time it can travel down to the back of the knee and calf and possibly into the foot.
With a complete hamstring tear, there is usually significant swelling and bruising that develops in the back of the thigh.
Diagnosis
The symptoms can be difficult to spot in the early stages which is why X-rays of the hip or thigh are usually obtained.
In some situations, a fragment of bone can get pulled off the pelvis along with the hamstring muscle attachment. MRI testing can be performed to evaluate the attachment and can define critical features of a complete hamstring muscle tear, including: (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021)
The number of tendons involved.
Complete versus incomplete tearing.
The amount of retraction – the amount the tendons have pulled back.
This will guide the development of treatment.
Treatment
The treatment of a complete tear will depend on different factors. The other variable is the patient and their expectations.
Treatment is more aggressive in younger individuals like high-level athletes.
Treatment is less aggressive in middle-aged individuals.
Often a single tendon tear can be treated non-surgically.
When one tendon is involved, it is typically not pulled very far from its normal attachment and will develop scar tissue in a positive position.
Conversely, when three tendons have been torn, they usually pull more than a few centimeters away from the bone. These cases have better results with surgical repair. (UW Health. 2017)
Surgeons will use patient characteristics – high-level athletes or less physically active individuals – to guide treatment recommendations.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following surgery can take 3-6 months or longer.
The first six weeks limit weight-bearing with the use of crutches.
Patients may be recommended to wear a brace to reduce tension on the repaired hamstring tendons.
Strengthening does not begin until three months post-op, and even light activities are usually delayed. (UW Health. 2017)
Because this injury can have a long recovery time, some individuals may choose nonsurgical treatment.
Sometimes these individuals experience symptoms of discomfort from sitting and may exhibit long-term weakness of the hamstring muscle.
Full recovery from a complete hamstring muscle injury takes time. Studies have shown high-level athletes are able to resume competitive sports after the repair and rehabilitation of an acute hamstring muscle injury. (Samuel K. Chu, Monica E. Rho. 2016)
Delaying surgical treatment may not always lead to optimal results.
When the tendon is torn away from its normal attachment, it begins to scar around the surrounding soft tissues.
When there is a delay of more than a few weeks following the initial injury, regaining the full length of the tendon and muscle can be challenging.
This could delay the rehabilitation process and may limit the potential for full recovery. (Ho Yoon Kwak, et al., 2011)
With severe injuries, there is a better chance of full recovery with surgical repair but could involve a long recovery and commitment to a post-op rehabilitation plan.
Chu, S. K., & Rho, M. E. (2016). Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Play. Current sports medicine reports, 15(3), 184–190. doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000264
Kwak, H. Y., Bae, S. W., Choi, Y. S., & Jang, M. S. (2011). Early surgical repair of acute complete rupture of the proximal hamstring tendons. Clinics in orthopedic surgery, 3(3), 249–253. doi.org/10.4055/cios.2011.3.3.249
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