The holiday decorations are out, possibly still in the box or boxes, you’re browsing all the deals and recipes. Family is coming in ready to spend quality family time and catch up on everything. All the while juggling bedding, seating arrangements, whose gluten-free, etc.
Chronic pain is exhausting all on its own. Add the approaching holidays to the mix and there is a set up for a perfect storm of pain and possibly more injuries. And just a reminder the holidays aren’t even here yet! But like most of us, we are already getting into holiday mode, which equals stress, stress, and more stress.
Everyone needs to take a breath/break in order to manage the pain. Here are some positive ways to de-stress to take the pressure off, and be in a� frame of mind to enjoy the celebration.
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Know Your Limitations
Living with chronic pain means that you may not be able to do everything you’re planning. Sometimes, traditions need to change.
Do not beat yourself up if it doesn’t all come together. Don’t worry, everyone will survive.
View it as an opportunity to bond with the family and non-family members and show them how to carry on traditions.
Make Sure You Exercise
When the body gets moving and the heart pumping, the brain releases endorphins, and these relieve stress and keep you in a better mood.
Exercise helps to burn off the day�s worries, empties out the mind and stretches the muscles keeping them from tightening up. Better yet exercise will help you sleep way better at night. However, check with a doctor or chiropractor before starting an exercise program.
Make Sure To Get Time For Yourself
Allow plenty of time for yourself every day. Your body and mind need it. Relax and enjoy yourself with whatever calms you down and makes you happy. It could be jamming a musical instrument, sewing, playing a favorite video game, watching your favorite show/movie, etc. Whatever it is, take the time to unwind and really enjoy the beginning of the holiday season.
Don’t Get On the Holiday Rollercoaster
Chronic pain during the holidays can bring elevated levels of pain. Making preparations for company, buying, cleaning up and readying the home for friends and family is all good. But don’t immerse yourself in the process. It does not have to be perfect, allow it to be what it is! Family, friends coming together, enjoying the atmosphere and being thankful for everything.
For those with chronic back pain or other diseases affecting the spine, the holidays can take its toll on the body and mind and take you out of the game.
Three Important Things:
Enlist help: Don’t be afraid or too proud to ask for help. Family members, neighbors, and friends can make the occasion so much more enjoyable and safer. The jobs get done quicker, more efficiently and can be fun with everybody participating, so it doesn’t feel like work.
Take a seat: Don’t forget to breathe and breathe deeply, drink some tea or water to stay hydrated.
Go to bed earlier: During the holiday’s serious rest is a must. This means allowing yourself to sleep late or take full naps because your body is telling you it needs it.
Doing these three things can lessen the pain and increase the joy! When your body is truly healthy, you will arrive at your optimal fitness level proper physiological fitness state. �We want to help you live a new and improved lifestyle. Over the last two decades, while researching and testing methods with thousands of patients, we have learned what works effectively at decreasing pain while increasing human vitality.
*CHRONIC* pain Chiropractic Relief | El Paso, Tx
Living with chronic pain symptoms can tremendously affect an individual’s quality of life. Neck and back pain caused by a variety of health issues, such as herniated discs and/or automobile accident injuries, can cause persistent symptoms which may last weeks, months, even years if left untreated. Patients describe how their chronic neck and back pain has ultimately affected their ability to engage and participate in their everyday physical activities.
Dr. Alex Jimenez has helped patients with chronic neck and back pain find the treatment they deserve. Patients describe how Dr.� Jimenez has helped them find pain relief and achieve overall health and wellness. The patients highly recommend Dr. Jimenez and his staff as the non-surgical choice for a chronic neck and back pain, among other chronic health issues.
NCBI Resources
Ultimately, stress symptoms can lead to some very serious conditions including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and even certain cancers. Psychologically, it can lead to social withdrawal and social phobias. Everyone experiences stress at some point in their life. In fact, it is becoming a sort of new normal in today�s hectic, fast-paced, high-pressure society. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve stress symptoms and achieve optimal health!
Q: My neck pain comes and goes, depending on the weather, and has for a few years. I have found certain exercises that help and others that make the pain worse. A co-worker told me about Mechanical diagnosis therapy. What is it and can it help? � El Paso, TX.
A: Mechanical Diagnosis Therapy also known as the McKenzie Method is a spinal technique that teaches how to safely and effectively reduce neck pain and improve neck function.
The goal of mechanical diagnosis therapy is to:
Assess
Treat
Prevent back and neck pain
This puts you in a position to control the pain. This technique can also help with joint problems that cause
Shoulder
Hip
Knee pain
Exercises that help reduce neck pain are highly beneficial, especially combined with chiropractic, physical therapy, rehabilitation treatment plan. But, mechanical diagnosis therapy definitely would be worth trying out for relief and prevention of neck pain. This method finds a key exercise that you can do to control the pain, which can be more effective than other exercises.
This is known as the directional preference of movement�and can hold the key to reducing pain.
The best results have been demonstrated with patients who work with chiropractors and physical therapists who have completed training and passed a standardized examination by the McKenzie Institute.
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Chiropractic/Physical Therapy session that incorporates Mechanical Diagnosis Therapy:
A physical therapist or chiropractor will perform a detailed assessment. Your health history, neck pain, and other symptoms.
The therapist instructs the patient on how to perform specific, structured exercises.
This helps determine what movements or positions cause the neck pain and which positions and movements are more comfortable, and help reduce symptoms.
Patients often show signs of centralization. This is when the original�pain in the neck is felt in other parts of the body like the arm or hand and radiates toward the spine from specific positions or movements.
The chiropractor/therapist will create a customized exercise plan that the patient will do at work/home to reduce neck pain and other symptoms.
Every patient’s plan is different and completely individualized to treat your specific neck pain.
After the first appointment, the patient will perform the exercises themselves. But depending on the treatment plan, chiropractic exams could be implemented for 3 to 4 weeks to monitor progress. As these appointments are fulfilled the chiropractor could add or alter the exercises as the pain and symptoms reduce and range of motion increases.
Doing these exercises regularly will help reduce neck pain and prevent it from worsening.
The exercises can be performed quickly and easily so they become a part of the patient’s regular routine. A chiropractor/therapist will work with the patient to design a simple but effective exercise plan that fits into their schedule. The chiropractor will also teach ways to prevent aggravating neck pain by avoiding positions and other activities not thought about.
Mechanical Diagnosis Therapy can create tools to help reduce and prevent neck pain along with other symptoms. Most of the time, a few sessions are all that is needed to see benefits. Results happen rather quickly, especially as the patients are managing their neck pain between visits with their chiropractor.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Clinic,�we passionately are focused on treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
El Paso, TX Chiropractic Neck Pain Treatment
Shane Scott was involved in an automobile accident when he heard about Dr. Alex Jimenez from a friend. After experiencing headache, neck and low back pain, several days after the incident, Shane’s quality of life, was tremendously affected. Thankfully, treatment with Dr. Jimenez helped Shane return to his normal life. Shane recommends Dr. Jimenez as the non-surgical choice for neck pain treatment.
Neck pain (or cervicalgia) is a common problem, where two-thirds of individuals will experience neck pain some time in their lives. Neck pain can be brought on by numerous other spinal issues. It can arise from muscle tightness in either the neck and upper spine or pinching of the nerves in the cervical vertebrae.
NCBI Resources
A chiropractor evaluates the spine as a whole because other regions of the�neck (cervical), mid-back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar) can be affected as well. Along with treating the spine as a whole, chiropractic treatment is geared toward the entire body and not just symptom/s. Chiropractors will also educate on nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle goals in addition to treating neck pain.
Approximately 100 trillion bacteria are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut, including Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus, among many others. These microscopic organisms, known as the microbiome, help digest food, process nutrients, and produce immune molecules which helps heal injuries and fight inflammation. Surprisingly, however, the gut microbiome plays a much more fundamental role in the brain. �
Although the brain and the gastrointestinal tract seem to be two independent parts of the human body, they are actually connected through a series of biochemical communications between nerve cells and immune pathways, known as the gut-brain axis. Bacteria create neuroactive compounds in the gut, including up to 90 percent of all of our neurotransmitter serotonin, which ultimately helps control our mood. Moreover, the brain also sends signals to the digestive system, by way of instance, to stimulate or suppress digestion. In the article below, we will discuss the brain and the gut microbiome connection. �
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The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Brain Health
A healthy microbiome consists of a diverse variety of species that protects against having one specific community from dominating and causing trouble in our gut and brain. Changes in the microbiome are believed to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, autism, and cancer. Researchers have demonstrated that an altered microbiome may also contribute to the development of dementia and Alzheimer�s disease, among other health issues. �
�The role of the gut microbiome in brain health and neurological diseases is an exciting area at the forefront of science, however, the field is in its infancy,� stated Dr. William Depaolo, a UW Medicine gastroenterologist and director of the UW Center for Microbiome Sciences & Therapeutics. �I think about the gut microbiome like a biologist thinks about the deep sea. We know there�s something down there but we finally have the technology to help us see who�s actually there and how they are influencing our bodies and brains.� Furthermore, advanced technologies allow researchers to identify species in the gut as well as analyze the bacterial genes and protein products that affect brain health, among a variety of other fundamental systems throughout the human body. �
Recently, NIH-funded research studies conducted at the Wisconsin Alzheimer�s Disease Research Center evaluated the microbiomes of people with Alzheimer�s disease and dementia. The team of researchers, led by Barbara Bendlin, Ph.D., and Frederico Rey, Ph.D., collected stool samples from participants and utilized genetic sequencing technology to identify the bacterial species present as well as determine the microbial richness and diversity. � The researchers found that people living with Alzheimer�s disease and dementia have a much different and less diverse community of gut microorganisms than participants without neurological disease. Additionally, the microbiomes of people with Alzheimer�s disease and dementia showed increases and decreases in common gut bacteria, especially reduced Bifidobacterium species, an essential inhabitant of a healthy gut. The researchers also found a connection between the abnormal levels of these microbe families and the amount of Alzheimer�s disease/dementia proteins in the participants� spinal fluid. �
The authors of the research study suggest that the unique, gut microbiome of people with Alzheimer�s disease and dementia could be contributing to the progression of the neurological disease through the gut-brain axis. Clinical trial findings in human and mouse models ultimately help demonstrate the hypothesis that restoring healthy gut bacteria composition could perhaps prevent or slow down Alzheimer�s disease and dementia in at-risk populations. �
�We understand that diet can profoundly affect the microbiome,� stated Dr. Depaolo, whose UW lab analyzes the effects of the gut microbiome on overall health and wellness. �We also know that bacterial cells are more sensitive to medicine than human cells, so we can target them without affecting human cells. There is a lot of excitement in utilizing multi-omics technology to identify microorganisms that we could promote in specific people or find strategies to manipulate the microbiome.� However, as with all attempts to create precise, targeted therapeutics for neurological diseases, it often involves genetics. �
How Genes Affect the Gut-Brain Axis
The composition of every person�s gut microbiome is unique, created in early life by diet and environmental factors over an extended period of time. However, it is our genetic background which promotes the effects that bacteria have in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Moreover, it is the bacteria themselves which express a variety of different genes to make proteins that may ultimately predispose certain individuals to gut inflammation or other health issues. � By way of instance, in a recent NIH-funded research study conducted by researchers in the NeuroGenetics Research Consortium, the researchers suggested that Corynebacterium actually promotes the development of Parkinson�s disease but only in specific types of people with a specific type of genotype. �
The research study focused on looking at the gene SNCA rs356219, a well-known genetic risk factor for Parkinson�s disease. According to evidence, however, it�s not strong enough to cause the neurological disease by itself. But researchers have suspected a possible trigger for many years. In the research study led by Dr. Zachary Wallen, Ph.D., and Dr. Haydeh Payami, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama, researchers utilized blood samples from 197 middle-aged patients with Parkinson�s disease as well as 115 age-matched controls and determined the �genotype,� or version, of SNCA rs356219. (Humans have one of three genotypes of SNCA rs356219: including AA, GA, or GG.) Furthermore, the researchers also extracted DNA from stool samples to see what type of gut bacteria they had and then they looked for interactions between the SNCA rs356219 genotype, gut microbiome, and Parkinson�s disease risk. �
The team of researchers found that people with the GG genotype had the most amount of Corynebacterium. Every person who had the GG genotype and Corynebacterium in their digestive system also had Parkinson�s disease. “Could there be something about the GG genotype that affects or jumpstarts this bacterium�s production of disease proteins in the gut?” the researchers asked. Corynebacterium is a common bacterium found on human skin and researchers don�t know how it enters the gut, why several people have more of it than others, or if it could be a target for an antibiotic. The clinical trial findings were presented at the 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association. Further research studies are still ultimately required. �
Although the research study needs to be replicated in a much larger population, the clinical trial findings demonstrate how fundamental it is to consider a patient�s genetic factors in gut microbiome research studies. �The issue of genetic influence cannot be ignored in this field,� says Dr. Depaolo. �We don�t yet know how genetics influence the microbiome, or how genes in bacteria are regulated. Before we start giving bacteria, antibiotics, or fecal transplants to people, we need to address the very basic question of how different genetic backgrounds can affect the microbiome as well as overall health and wellness.�
Probiotics for Gut and Brain Health
Although we can�t change our genes, we can change our environmental factors and diet to support our microbiome as we age. Consuming fermented foods has several benefits in gut and brain health, especially for people on antibiotic medicines. These include foods that are rich in healthy probiotic bacteria, such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi. Common foods that then feed the healthy gut bacteria include garlic, onions, Jerusalem artichoke, leeks, asparagus, bananas, barley, oats, apples, cocoa, wheat bran, burdock root, and flaxseeds, among several other prebiotics or prebiotic foods. �
�To get your microbiome into the best composition you can, I think it�s reasonable to make sure you get enough fiber into your diet,� stated Dr. Angela Hanson, MD, research scientist and geriatrician at UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center. �Consider eating yogurt with active cultures, or any other foods rich in healthy probiotics, and talking to your doctor about the possibility of taking probiotic supplements if you need to be on antibiotics for an infection.� �
There�s an entire list of questions to answer before diet advice can get more specific than simply consuming yogurt: How does diet affect the microbiome long-term? How long does it take to permanently change the gut microbiome? Can healthy bacteria in fermented foods actually establish long-lasting communities in the gut? There have been fewer research studies on the effects of fermented foods or probiotic supplements that aren’t FDA approved. �
Consuming healthy bacteria can have a lot of health benefits. �Probiotics do stimulate immune and epithelial cells and produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids in the digestive system, which can help keep gut inflammation from getting out of control,� stated Dr. Depaolo. �However, simply taking just any probiotic won�t replace a community of Lactobacillus after you�ve lost it. You would have to take a probiotic that’s best for your individual needs.� �
Individualized probiotics don�t exist yet, however, the microbiome is starting to be considered in Alzheimer�s disease and dementia research studies, mainly through the NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Metabolomics Consortium. In addition, NIH Alzheimer�s Disease Research Centers around the country are collecting microbiome samples of research study participants, in support of efforts to finally map the microbiome gut-brain communication axis in people with Alzheimer�s disease and dementia. Our microbiome has kept us alive for many years and the 100 trillion microorganisms still need a little more help. �
Brain health issues and neurological diseases can happen due to a variety of factors. However, recent research studies have shown that the gut microbiome can ultimately affect overall brain well-being. The gut-brain axis is the physical and chemical connection between the gut and brain. Millions of neurons are found throughout the brain and gut where neurotransmitters and other chemicals created in the gut can also affect brain health and wellness. However, by changing the types of bacteria in the gut, it may be possible to improve overall brain well-being. A naturopathic doctor or chiropractor can help assess the source of a patient’s symptoms and determine the best course of treatment for the neurological diseases. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. �
Approximately 100 trillion bacteria are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or gut, including Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminococcus, among many others. These microscopic organisms, known as the microbiome, help digest food, process nutrients, and produce immune molecules which helps heal injuries and fight inflammation. Surprisingly, however, the gut microbiome plays a much more fundamental role in the brain. � Although the brain and the gastrointestinal tract seem to be two independent parts of the human body, they are actually connected through a series of biochemical communications between nerve cells and immune pathways, known as the gut-brain axis. Bacteria create neuroactive compounds in the gut, including up to 90 percent of all of our neurotransmitter serotonin, which ultimately helps control our mood. Moreover, the brain also sends signals to the digestive system, by way of instance, to stimulate or suppress digestion. In the article above, we discussed the brain and the gut microbiome connection. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �
References:
DePaolo, William, and Angela Hanson. �The Gut Microbiome and Brain Health.� The Gut Microbiome and Brain Health – Memory and Brain Wellness Center, Dimensions Magazine, 4 Oct. 2018, depts.washington.edu/mbwc/news/article/the-gut-microbiome-and-brain-health.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
�
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download �
* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might have a magnesium deficiency.
Good health is one of the things to be thankful for. Unfortunately, 84 million adults in the U.S. are living with prediabetes, while another 27 to 28 million adults are affected with type 2 diabetes, so good health is not a given for everyone. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 44 million have low bone density, putting them at an increased risk. From the body to the brain, psychological and mood issues like depression and anxiety plague people. There is something that may be beneficial for all of these issues and is a workhorse nutrient that does not get its share of the spotlight. It has been regulated to the shadows behind the flashier and more buzzworthy compounds that get recognition than this nutrient. Magnesium is the critically essential, time-tested, go-to reliable nutrient that everybody needs.
The human body contains about 25 grams of magnesium, which is needed for over 300 enzymes to react. The data from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) indicated that the majority of Americans from all ages consume less that than their respective EARs (estimated average requirements) on magnesium. It is a massive problem because magnesium deficiency plays a role in hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and migraine headaches.
Magnesium and Glucose Levels
Magnesium is required for several enzymes in glycolysis, which is the first process in glucose metabolism in the body, and it may explain why it is such an essential factor for blood sugar regulation in the body. Epidemiological evidence indicates that magnesium intake is inversely correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that higher magnesium intakes may help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes as much as 17%, and 48% of people with type 2 diabetes may have hypomagnesemia.
The inverse correlations have been observed between circulating magnesium levels, fasting blood glucose, and insulin level. There is even a response to an OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) for those with type 2 diabetes. Research shows that higher magnesium intakes are also associated with reducing the risk for cardiovascular mortality, particularly in women as it is estimated that 100 mg/day increase in dietary magnesium may confer as much as 25% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular mortality. Researchers have called subclinical magnesium deficiency “principal dicer of cardiovascular disease and a public health crisis,” so naturopathic practitioners suggesting adding magnesium-rich foods to a person’s diet is beneficial to prevent magnesium deficiency from happening.
Magnesium and Mental Health
In regards to mental health, evidence has suggested that magnesium deficiency may play a role in the etiology of depression and that high-dose supplementation of magnesium may improve this condition. Studies found that other issues that have responded favorably to magnesium supplementation include irritability, insomnia, postpartum depression, and substance abuse in the body. There is some suggestive but inconclusive evidence that indicates that magnesium supplementation may be beneficial for individuals with mild anxiety and possibly owing to its role as a natural relaxing agent.
Magnesium and Osteoporosis
For osteoporosis, calcium gets all the attention when it comes to bone mineral density; however, magnesium is an essential component for the physical structure of bone density as well. There is about 60% of the body’s magnesium stored in the bones, and considering the high prevalence of suboptimal magnesium intake in North America, the concurrent high prevalence of osteoporosis is unsurprising. Concerning bone health, low magnesium status may interfere with the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation. In the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, a review was covered in which researchers affirmed that vitamin D could not be metabolized without the sufficient levels of magnesium.
Adding Magnesium-rich Food To Your Feast
With Thanksgiving coming around the corner, there is a way to bring magnesium to the holiday table. The good news is that this crucial mineral fits perfectly into Thanksgiving entertainment. People can serve mixed nuts as part of appetizers or hors d’oeuvres while their guests are socializing. Mixed nuts can provide a substantial amount of magnesium. They can be an excellent addition to turkey stuffing/dressing or a whole grain salad, which can provide even more magnesium that the body needs. Serving leafy greens like chard and spinach are reliable sources of magnesium, as well as certain beans like black beans and kidney beans are filled with magnesium.
Since nuts, seeds, and beans are high in phytic acid, which is a compound that binds to the minerals. So in order to increase the bioavailability of magnesium in these foods, soaking nuts, seeds, and beans is a traditional preparation method to neutralize some of this problematic molecule.
For dessert, adding chocolate is an excellent way to get magnesium in the body. Since the cocoa powder is a rich source of magnesium, research has been speculating that the chocolate cravings might be the body’s way of crying for magnesium. Not to mention, when foods are much higher in magnesium, they are not the usual subjects for intense cravings like chocolate.
“So for Thanksgiving, adding magnesium-rich foods can help cut back the sodium and carb intake of the holiday feast can be beneficial to your body to function correctly and good for your health.”-Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Conclusion
Magnesium is an excellent and beneficial nutrient for anyone to add to their Thanksgiving dinner. The nutrient plays many roles in the body like regulating blood sugar, improving mental health as a natural relaxing agent, and preventing osteoporosis from occurring. Adding this nutrient and some products can help the body metabolize and stable the blood sugar levels to their normal range for beneficial results.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Boyle, Neil Bernard, et al. �The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress-A Systematic Review.� Nutrients, MDPI, 26 Apr. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452159/.
Bruinsma, K, and DL Taren. “Chocolate: Food or Drug?” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 1999, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10524390.
Castiglioni, Sara, et al. �Magnesium and Osteoporosis: Current State of Knowledge and Future Research Directions.� Nutrients, MDPI, 31 July 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3775240/.
DiNicolantonio, James J, et al. �Subclinical Magnesium Deficiency: a Principal Driver of Cardiovascular Disease and a Public Health Crisis.� Open Heart, BMJ Publishing Group, 13 Jan. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5786912/.
Eby, George A, and Karen L Eby. �Rapid Recovery from Major Depression Using Magnesium Treatment.� Medical Hypotheses, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16542786.
Fang, Xin, et al. �Dose-Response Relationship between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Dose-Based Meta-Regression Analysis of Prospective Studies.� Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology: Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27053099.
Fang, Xin, et al. �Dose-Response Relationship between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.� Nutrients, MDPI, 19 Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5133122/.
Higdon, Jane. �Magnesium.� Linus Pauling Institute, 14 Oct. 2019, lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/minerals/magnesium#structural-roles.
Serefko, Anna, et al. �Magnesium and Depression.� Magnesium Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27910808.
Spiga, Rosangela, et al. �Are Circulating Mg2+ Levels Associated with Glucose Tolerance Profiles and Incident Type 2 Diabetes?� Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31615167.
Team, DFH. �Preparing Beans and Legumes � What to Know.� Designs for Health, 9 Oct. 2018, blog.designsforhealth.com/preparing-beans-and-legumes.
Team, DFH. �Put Magnesium on the Menu at Thanksgiving.� Designs for Health, 19 Nov. 2019, blog.designsforhealth.com/node/1151.
Team, NOF. �Https://Cdn.nof.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/2015/12/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts.pdf.� National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2015.
Unknown, Unknown. �Diabetes Statistics.� National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Sept. 2017, www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/diabetes-statistics.
Unknown, Unknown. �Office of Dietary Supplements – Magnesium.� NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11 Oct. 2019, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#h4.
Unknown, Unknown. �Office of Dietary Supplements – Magnesium.� NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11 Oct. 2019, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/#h7.
Uwitonze, Anne Marie, and Mohammed S. Razzaque. �Role of Magnesium in Vitamin D Activation and Function.� The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic Association, 1 Mar. 2018, jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2673882.
Waanders, Femke, et al. �Hypomagnesaemia and Its Determinants in a Contemporary Primary Care Cohort of Persons with Type 2 Diabetes.� Endocrine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31650393.
Yanovski, Susan. �Sugar and Fat: Cravings and Aversions.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 Mar. 2003, academic.oup.com/jn/article/133/3/835S/4688015.
How often do you get irritable, shaky, or have light-headedness between meals? How often do you have difficulty concentrating before eating? How often do you feel agitated, easily upset, and nervous between meals? Many researchers and healthcare professionals believe that your brain and gut are connected. Moreover, recent research studies have demonstrated that the brain can affect gut health and the gut can affect brain health. The communication system between your brain and gut is known as the gut-brain axis. In the following article, we will discuss the gut-brain axis. �
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Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis
The gut-brain axis is the communication network that connects your gut and brain. These two fundamental organs are both physically and biochemically connected in a variety of different ways. The neurons and the vagus nerve are essential for the brain and central nervous system (CNS). There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain. The gut itself also contains about 500 million neurons, all of which are connected to the brain through nerves found in the nervous system. The vagus nerve is one of the largest nerves connecting the gut and brain. It sends signals in both directions. �
By way of instance, in several animal research studies, stress can ultimately affect the signals sent through the vagus nerve and it can also cause gastrointestinal health issues. Another research study conducted on humans found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn�s disease had decreased vagal tone which suggests the decreased function of the vagus nerve. One research study in mice found that feeding them a probiotic reduced the amount of stress hormone in their blood. According to the research study, however, when the vagus nerve was cut, the probiotic had no effect. �
The brain and gut are also ultimately connected through chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters created in the brain help regulate mood, including feelings and emotions. Furthermore, the neurotransmitter known as serotonin can help manage happiness and it also helps control the circadian rhythm or the human body’s internal clock. Surprisingly, many of these neurotransmitters are also created by the cells and the trillions of microbes living in the gut. A large amount of serotonin is developed in the gut. Gut microbes also produce a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which helps regulate feelings of fear and anxiety. Research studies in mice found that probiotics increase GABA and decrease anxiety and depression. �
Brain, Gut Microbes, and Other Chemicals
The trillions of microbes that live in your gut can also make a variety of other different chemicals that may ultimately affect your brain function. Gut microbes create many short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), including butyrate, propionate, and acetate. Furthermore, these can ultimately make SCFA by digesting fiber. SCFA can also affect overall brain function in a variety of different ways, such as by reducing appetite. One research study found that consuming propionate can help reduce food intake and reduce activity in the brain associated with the reward of high-energy food. Butyrate, another SCFA, and the microbes that develop it are also fundamental for producing the protective shield between the brain and the blood, known as the blood-brain barrier. �
Gut microbes can also help metabolize bile acids and amino acids to create a variety of other different chemicals that affect brain function. Bile acids are chemicals produced by the liver which is generally associated with the absorption of dietary fats. However, these may also ultimately affect the brain. Two research studies in mice found that stress and several health issues decreased the production of bile acids by gut bacteria and these can also change the genes involved in their production. According to researchers and healthcare professionals, the gut-brain axis may also be affected by chronic inflammation. �
Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation
According to several research studies, the gut-brain axis is also connected to the immune system. Evidence found in clinical trials demonstrated that the gut and gut microbes play an essential role in the immune system and inflammation by regulating and managing what passes through the human body as well as what is excreted from the human body. If the immune system continues to stay activated for an extended period of time, it can lead to inflammation, which is associated with a variety of different brain health issues, including depression and Alzheimer�s disease. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an inflammatory toxin created by several types of bacteria. It can ultimately cause inflammation if too much of it passes from the gut into the blood. This can happen when the gut becomes leaky, which allows bacteria and LPS to enter into the blood. Inflammation and high LPS have been associated with brain health issues, such as severe depression, dementia, and schizophrenia. Leaky gut can affect the blood-brain barrier and change the gut-brain axis. �
Gut bacteria can ultimately affect overall brain health and wellness, therefore, changing your gut bacteria may improve brain well-being. Probiotics are live bacteria that provide many health benefits. However, not all probiotics are the same. Probiotics that affect the brain are generally known as �psychobiotics�. Several probiotics have been demonstrated to help improve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One small research study conducted on people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression found that taking a probiotic called Bifidobacterium longum NCC3001 for six weeks considerably helped improve their symptoms. Prebiotics, or fibers fermented by gut bacteria, may also affect brain health. One research study found that taking a prebiotic called galactooligosaccharides for three weeks considerably reduced stress hormones in the human body, known as cortisol. �
Brain health issues and neurological diseases can happen due to a variety of factors. However, recent research studies have shown that leaky gut can ultimately affect overall brain health and wellness. The gut-brain axis is the physical and chemical connection between the gut and brain. Millions of neurons are found throughout the brain and gut where the neurotransmitters and other chemicals created in the gut can also affect the brain. However, by altering the types of bacteria in the gut, it may be possible to improve overall brain health and wellness. A naturopathic doctor or chiropractor can help assess the source of a patient’s symptoms and determine the best course of treatment for the health issue or medical condition. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. �
How often do you get irritable, shaky, or have light-headedness between meals? How often do you have difficulty concentrating before eating? How often do you feel agitated, easily upset, and nervous between meals? Many researchers and healthcare professionals believe that your brain and gut are connected. Moreover, recent research studies have demonstrated that the brain can affect gut health and the gut can affect brain health. The communication system between your brain and gut is known as the gut-brain axis. In the article above, we discussed the gut-brain axis. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �
References:
Robertson, Ruairi. �The Gut-Brain Connection: How It Works and the Role of Nutrition.� Healthline, 27 June 2018, www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly,�Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic�Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
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For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link. *XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download �
* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, why not try a HIIT workout to relieve these symptoms.
Everyone can agree that they do not have enough time to exercise. When asked why people will not work out, one of the reasons is that due to their hectic lifestyle, the lack of time comes out on top of it all. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults should get between 150 and 300 minutes per of moderate-intensity. There is a way to cut that time commitment in half by opting for high-intensity workouts instead. With high-intensity interval training or HIIT, it is one of the proven ways to reap all the benefits of exercise in less time. Research shows that spending less time doing HIIT may even be better than spending more time doing less intense exercises for individuals.
What is HIIT?
High-intensity interval training or HIIT alternates explosive bursts of full-throttle efforts with periods of recovery. It can either be rest or a lower-intensity exercise. In many fitness centers and gyms, HIIT workouts often include both cardio and resistance training; however, HIIT workouts can be done as a strictly cardio routine.
During intense burst in a HIIT workout, a person is working out at around 80 percent of their max heart rate for 15 seconds to a few minutes. Between each of those periods, a person is either slowing down or resting completely to let their heart rate come back down to around 50 percent.
A person can calculate different target heart rates by using an online calculator. During a workout, a person can wear a heart rate monitor to keep track on much they are exerting themselves. For a lower-tech option, Denver-based certified personal trainer Lindsay Kelly recommends the “talk test.” The way the “talk test” is when a person is doing their target intensity heart rate like sprinting; for example, it should be hard to speak more than two words without taking a breath. Then when they are in the recovery period, the reverse factor is real.
Why HIIT Works
HIIT is so effective because it allows a person to exercise at a higher intensity for such a short period. The exertion gets the heart working and the blood pumping better than any moderate-intensity exercise can bring with their prolonged periods of rest.
The Importance of Rest
While a person might not realize it, the rest periods are built into the HIIT workout and are a critical part of the routine. They force the body to adjust to a very different state of activity, which is excellent for cardiovascular conditioning.
Feel The Afterburn
Another benefit of a HIIT workout is that even after a person is finished with their HIIT workout, it keeps on working for them. Research shows that when individuals keep on burning calories after their HIIT workout at a higher than they would after a continuous exertion workout. It is commonly known as the “afterburn effect,” and it helps people extend the benefits of their efforts.
The Benefits of HIIT
Researchers have been studying HIIT extensively, and the results are precise: HIIT workouts are better than continuous exercise when it comes to improving health in a variety of ways. One of the health benefits of a HIIT workout is that it improves cardiorespiratory fitness, which is the health of the heart and breathing. This matters to a person who is trying to get in as much exercise as possible with little time because cardiorespiratory fitness is a primary factor in the risk of diseases and death. Studies have shown that HIIT workouts can increase cardiorespiratory fitness at twice the rate of continuous exercises.
The health benefits of HIIT does not stop there, as other research studies have shown that HIIT can help with the following areas of the body.
Endurance
By improving cardiorespiratory fitness, HIIT can improve a person’s stamina. What it does is that it enhances the body’s ability to consume and use oxygen. One study has compared a regular endurance training to HIIT by looking at how they affect maximal oxygen consumption known as VO2max. The research found out that HIIT was superior to endurance training by improving VO2max in healthy young to middle-aged adults. Once a person starts to build their endurance, they can increase the length or the intensity of the HIIT working periods and enjoy the significant health benefits it provides.
Heart Health
One of the significant contributors to cardiovascular disease and death is high blood pressure, and one of the best ways to keep it in check is through regular exercise. The traditional recommendation for blood pressure modulating has been to exercise at moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes on most or all day so that way high blood pressure will not transform into hypertension. Several studies have suggested that HIIT may be an even better option, and one study shows that while both continuous exercise and HIIT helps with blood pressure control, HIIT is the only workout to help reduce arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is a predictor of cardiovascular disease in people with high blood pressure.
Brain Function
When a person feels that that mental clarity after a good workout, it is not their imagination. The brain and mental health benefits of exercise are well documented. Research shows that HIIT helps explicitly improve the cognitive function, including short-term memory, verbal memory, attention, and processing speed in the brain. HIIT also increases the amount of oxygen that the brain gets from the blood.
Diabetes Management
Since exercise is an essential part of diabetes management, research shows that HIIT may be a wise exercise choice for anyone who has type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that HIIT workouts can improve endothelial function, insulin sensitivity, glucose control, and other health effects of diabetes that are better than continuous exercise.
Conclusion
HIIT workouts are perfect for anyone who does not have enough time out of their busy schedule. With the alternating burst of exercises and periods of recovery, HIIT workouts are beneficial to anyone with a short amount of time to complete them. HIIT includes both cardio and resistance training and works with the entire body. Some products are excellent in countering the metabolic effects of temporary stress and supporting the body�s system.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Chobanian, Aram V., et al. �Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure.� AHA Journals, 1 Dec. 2003, www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.hyp.0000107251.49515.c2.
Council on Sports, HHS Office. �Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.� HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 1 Feb. 2019, www.hhs.gov/fitness/be-active/physical-activity-guidelines-for-americans/index.html.
Dupuy, Oliver, et al. �Effect of Interval Training on Cognitive Functioning and Cerebral Oxygenation in Obese Patients: A Pilot Study.� Latest TOC RSS, Medical Journals Limited, 1 Nov. 2014, www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mjl/sreh/2014/00000046/00000010/art00016.
Francois, Monique E, and Jonathan P Little. �Effectiveness and Safety of High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.� Diabetes Spectrum: a Publication of the American Diabetes Association, American Diabetes Association, Jan. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4334091/.
Gillen, Jenna B., and Martin J. Gibala. �Is High-Intensity Interval Training a Time-Efficient Exercise Strategy to Improve Health and Fitness?� Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 27 Sept. 2013, www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/apnm-2013-0187#.XdQT5y2ZP1J.
Guimar�es, Guilherme Veiga, et al. �Effects of Continuous vs. Interval Exercise Training on Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness in Treated Hypertension.� Hypertension Research: Official Journal of the Japanese Society of Hypertension, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20379194.
Milanovi?, Zoran, et al. �Effectiveness of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIT) and Continuous Endurance Training for VO2max Improvements: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials.� SpringerLink, Springer International Publishing, 5 Aug. 2015, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-015-0365-0.
Pescatello, Linda S, et al. �American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Exercise and Hypertension.� Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2004, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15076798.
Unknown, Unknown. “Is High-Intensity Interval Training Right for You?” Fullscript, 12 Nov. 2019, fullscript.com/blog/high-intensity-interval-training.
Weston, Kassia S, et al. �High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients with Lifestyle-Induced Cardiometabolic Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.� British Journal of Sports Medicine, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine, 1 Aug. 2014, bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/16/1227.short.
Do you have lower back pain or pain literally in the rear that runs down into one thigh or below the knee into the leg and even the foot? A doctor may diagnose these symptoms as sciatica, which describes compression of the sciatic nerve.
Sensations include:
Numbness
Tingling
Pins and needles
Electric like shock running through the leg
Depending on the nerve that is affected pain could radiate only into the buttock or all the way down to the foot. A common cause is a lumbar disc herniation or bone spur that presses down on the spinal nerve. Sciatic pain radiates along the nerve, usually from the low back, down the buttocks, into the thigh and leg, below the knee and sometimes into the foot and big toe.
Sciatica usually affects one side of the body.
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Radicular Pain
A doctor may use the terms radicular pain or radiculopathy when talking about sciatica. Radiculopathy is pain/adverse sensation that travels along a nerve. When a spinal nerve root is compressed, pinched or injured, it becomes inflamed. Low back conditions that can contribute to this type of problem are spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis or herniated disc.
Proper Diagnosis & Proper Treatment
The doctor will ask about your symptoms:
When did the pain begin?
Where is the pain most intense?
What activities worsen the pain?
What activities reduce pain?
Does the pain go all the way down the leg or stops at the knee?
Do you feel weakness or tingling in your legs or feet?
A doctor might perform a straight-leg test to see if there is an inflamed nerve. This is a simple exam where you lie on your back and the doctor lifts each leg. If this causes or produces pain and sensations, it can indicate there is a bulging/slipped or ruptured disc.
The compression of the nerve can also cause muscle weakness in the foot. Another exam may be to walk like you normally do, then on your heels and finally on your toes. This checks your balance and lower-body strength.
A doctor will:
Check your posture
Range of motion
Movements that cause pain
Check the curvature and alignment of your spine
Check for muscle spasms
Note your sensations
Test your reflexes and muscle strength
A doctor may order x-rays, CT scan or MRI.
The CT scan or MRI provides doctors with various images of your spine which can help in diagnosing whatever is causing your symptoms. These tests are then compared to what the doctor took note of during your medical history interview and the physical and neurological examinations. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in figuring out the best treatment plan.
Could something else be causing the nerve pain?
Only a doctor can tell if your symptoms are sciatica. There are other structures in the spine that can cause similar types of pain.
The sacroiliac joint between the pelvis and sacrum is the lowest part of the spine can cause sciatic pain.
The facet joint which connects the joints in the back of the spine gets sprained, it can also cause sciatica-like pain.
A tear in a spinal disc can cause pain down into the leg.
The hip joint can also cause pain in the thigh, that can radiate outward.
Sciatica Nerve Treatment
Sciatica can be treated non-surgically with:
Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
24 to 48 hours of bed rest
Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Patients with sciatica feel better with time, usually a few weeks. If pain continues, other treatment modalities can be discussed. Muscle spasms can accompany sciatica symptoms and can be treated with heat or ice therapy. A doctor may advise light exercise like short walks and once recovery is established they may give you exercises to strengthen your back and core.
Severe *Sciatica”* Pain Relief | El Paso, Tx (2020)
NCBI Resources
A study cited by the health magazine�Prevention�found that sixty percent of sciatica sufferers who failed to get relief from other treatments found their symptoms improved after chiropractic care. In fact, they got the same level of relief as those who went through surgery � without any of the serious side effects that so often come with surgical procedures.
Chiropractic is effective for treating sciatica because it gets to the source of the problem � relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Low back pain is one of the most common ailments for people visiting a doctor or an urgent care clinic. When the back pain becomes intense, it can get you thinking something is seriously wrong with your back. The doctor might offer an x-ray or MRI scan to put your concerns at ease.
Fortunately, most cases of low back pain, even acute pain, improve within days or a few weeks. Most cases are remedied with chiropractic, physical therapy, heat/ice therapy, and rest. And a lot of these cases do not require any form of spinal imaging. However, those are why X-ray, MRI, and CT scans are necessary to figure out what’s happening.
Strained muscle
Sprained ligament
Poor posture
These typical causes of low back pain can be painful and limit activities.
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Back Pain Lasting Longer Than 2/3 Weeks
Subacute pain lasts between 4 and 12 weeks, while chronic back pain lasts three months or longer. These are not indications of a severe lower back spinal condition.
Less than 1% of people with low back pain are diagnosed with the condition that may require spine surgery:
Doctors may recommend an x-ray or MRI if the low back pain is from a traumatic injury, like a:
Slip
Fall
Automobile accident
Other potential causes of low back pain may warrant medical imaging immediately or later.
The diagnostic process starts with the evaluation of the low back symptoms and how they relate to what was found during the:
Physical exam
Neurological exam
Medical history
A doctor utilizes these results to determine whether spinal imaging is necessary, along with the type of imaging test, x-ray, or MRI and the timing to confirm a diagnosis.
A Low Back X-Ray/MRI
X-ray spinal imaging best detects bony structural problems but is not so great with soft tissue injuries. X-ray series may be performed to diagnose vertebral compression fractures.
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral views
MRI is a radiation-free test. MRIs create 3-D anatomical views of the spinal bones and soft tissues. A contrast dye like gadolinium is used to enhance and improve the quality of the images. The contrast is injected through an intravenous line in your hand or arm before or during the test. An MRI can evaluate neurological symptoms, like radiating pain or pain that develops after a cancer diagnosis.
Symptoms, Co-existing Medical Diagnoses, and Conditions that may Require Spine Imaging
Neurological symptoms
Low back pain that radiates, fans out, or downward into the buttocks, legs, and feet
Abnormal reflexes in the lower body can indicate nerve disruption
Radiation to your entire body is measured through the millisievert (mSv), also known as the effective dose. The radiation dose is the same amount every time you experience an x-ray. When undergoing an x-ray, the radiation not absorbed by the body creates the image.
The effective dose helps a doctor measure the risk for possible side effects of radiographic imaging:
CT scans use radiation as well
Specific body tissues and organs in the lower back are sensitive to radiation exposure, like the reproductive organs.
MRI Radiation-Free Why Not Just Use This Test All The Time
MRI cannot be used on all patients because of its powerful magnet technology. Pregnant women or individuals with metal inside their body, like a spinal cord stimulator, heart pacemaker, etc., cannot be scanned with an MRI.
MRI testing is also expensive; doctors do not want to prescribe unnecessary tests that increase costs. Or because of the fine detail that MRIs provide, sometimes a spinal issue can look severe but is not.
Example: An MRI of the lower back reveals a herniated disc in a patient with no back/leg pain or other symptoms.
This is why doctors bring all their findings like the symptoms, physical exam, and medical history to confirm a diagnosis and create a custom treatment plan.
Imaging Test Takeaways
If low back pain takes its toll, listen to what the doctor recommends. They might not order a lumbar x-ray or MRI immediately but remember the issues mentioned above, like neurological symptoms and co-existing medical conditions. But these tests help discover the cause or causes of the pain. Remember this is to help get patients to their optimal health and pain-free.
How to eliminate Back Pain naturally | (2020) Foot Levelers |El Paso, Tx
NCBI Resources
Imaging diagnostics is an essential element in the evaluation of spine trauma. The rapid evolution of imaging technology has tremendously changed the assessment and treatment of spine injuries. Imaging diagnostics utilizing CT and MRI, among others, are helpful in acute and chronic settings. Spinal cord and soft-tissue injuries are best evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, whereas computed tomography scanning or CT scans best evaluate spinal trauma or spine fracture.
How often do you feel more susceptible to pain? Autoimmune brain diseases, such as autoimmune encephalitis and central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, can tremendously affect an individual’s overall physical and mental health. And, because many of the symptoms can vary from person to person, it can frequently be challenging to diagnose an autoimmune brain disease. Early diagnosis is fundamental for early treatment, as many of the symptoms may ultimately be reversible. �
Contents
What is Autoimmune Brain Disease?
Autoimmune brain disease happens when the human body�s own immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues in the brain and/or spinal cord, ultimately causing chronic pain and inflammation. Chronic pain and inflammation may then affect brain structure and function, resulting in a variety of symptoms commonly associated with autoimmune brain disease. �
Symptoms of Autoimmune Brain Disease
Individuals affected by autoimmune brain diseases can develop a variety of symptoms, including a decline in the participation and engagement of everyday regular tasks, seizures, loss of vision, abnormal movements, weakness in the arms or legs, loss of language, and sleeping problems. Other symptoms may include severe depression and hallucinations, as well as paranoid, obsessive, or erratic behavior.Moreover, there are several common types of autoimmune brain diseases, including: �
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune brain disease in which a persons’ own immune system attacks their brain and/or spinal cord, causing chronic pain and inflammation. MS commonly manifests in the form of relapses and remissions, however, several types of the autoimmune brain disease are progressive. It can cause a variety of neurological symptoms and it generally affects young adults. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent relapses and slow down or prevent disability. �
Autoimmune or Paraneoplastic Encephalitis
Autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) is an autoimmune brain disease in which certain antibodies or pathogenic immune cells attack the brain, causing confusion, seizures, movement problems, and other common symptoms. In several patients, AIE can ultimately be associated with existing or developing cancer. Diagnosis is important for the treatment of this health issue. �
Transverse Myelitis
Transverse myelitis is an autoimmune brain disease that causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, which can occur as a single, isolated event or as part of MS, neuromyelitis optica, or other autoimmune brain diseases. Isolated myelitis generally resolves or improves partially in two-thirds of the cases, however, it can also increase the risk of developing MS over time. Furthermore, healthcare professionals also recommend regular neurological monitoring for transverse myelitis. �
Neuromyelitis Optica
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), or Devic�s disease, is a severe autoimmune brain disease that frequently involves the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord, causing extensive inflammation and tissue damage. It is caused by certain antibodies in the water channels of the central nervous system (CNS) and it can often lead to considerable disability if not diagnosed and treated in time. NMO is more common in African-American and Asian populations and it is not as uncommonly misdiagnosed as MS, which can lead to improper and potentially harmful treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are important. �
Optic Neuritis
Optic neuritis is an autoimmune brain disease in which inflammation of the optic nerve can lead to the temporary, painful and partial loss of vision. Isolated optic neuritis increases the risk of MS and recommends regular neurological monitoring. �
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is generally a single instance of severe inflammation in the brain and/or the spinal cord, following a viral infection or vaccination. Unlike MS, ADEM can cause acute mental confusion along with other well-known neurological symptoms, such as seizures, difficulty speaking, and weakness, among other symptoms. �
Rare Neuroimmunological Conditions
Other rare neuroimmunological conditions include neurosarcoidosis, stiff person syndrome, Susac�s syndrome, Behcet’s disease, CLIPPERS, IgG4 associated neurological disease, hypertrophic pachymeningitis, steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis (SREAT) or Hashimoto�s encephalopathy, among other autoimmune brain diseases. �
Spasticity
Spasticity is an abnormal increase in muscle tone secondary to any pathology affecting the motor tracts in the brain or spinal cord. It can ultimately lead to body stiffness and spasms, causing problems with motor function, comfort, ease of care, and personal hygiene. Common causes of spasticity include MS, myelitis, stroke, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and several hereditary conditions. Spasticity can also cause pain and some discomfort for several individuals. �
Autoimmune Brain Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Research studies on the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune brain diseases are still considerably new. Unfortunately, this may ultimately lead to misdiagnosis because several symptoms can frequently mimic those of many other health issues. Additionally, the range of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, both in the types of symptoms and in the severity of symptoms. A comprehensive evaluation and ongoing therapy can help improve brain structure and function. �
A healthcare professional, such as a naturopathic doctor or a chiropractor, will perform a full evaluation that includes a thorough review of the patient’s medical history, a complete physical examination, blood tests, and imaging tests. This information allows healthcare professionals to assess the presence of a variety of underlying health issues and problems. �
Treatment for autoimmune brain diseases can vary depending on the health issue as well as the type and the severity of the symptoms. To maximize an individual’s ability to recover and decrease symptoms, it is fundamental to treat both the underlying symptoms as well as the underlying source of the health issue. Treatment may include drugs and/or medications that suppress the immune response to decrease pain and inflammation as well as treatment to reduce seizures, psychiatric symptoms, and sleeping problems. A combination of therapies can help achieve the best possible outcomes. �
Autoimmune brain disease (AIBD) is a central nervous system (CNS) health issue which happens when the human body’s own immune system or antibodies attack the brain and the spinal cord. Neuroinflammation, also known as brain inflammation, plays a critical role in the development of a variety of neurological disorders, especially autoimmune brain diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment of AIBD is fundamental for overall health and wellness. A naturopathic medical doctor or doctor of chiropractic can help with the assessment of musculoskeletal and nervous system health issues. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Neurotransmitter Assessment Form
The following Neurotransmitter Assessment Form can be filled out and presented to Dr. Alex Jimenez. Symptoms listed on this form are not intended to be utilized as a diagnosis of any type of disease, condition, or any other type of health issue. �
How often do you feel more susceptible to pain? Autoimmune brain diseases, such as autoimmune encephalitis and central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis, can tremendously affect an individual’s overall physical and mental health. And, because many of the symptoms can vary from person to person, it can frequently be challenging to diagnose an autoimmune brain disease. Early diagnosis is fundamental for early treatment, as many of the symptoms may ultimately be reversible. �
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.�
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez �
References:
�Autoimmune Brain Diseases.� Duke Health, www.dukehealth.org/pediatric-treatments/autoimmune-brain-disorders.
�Autoimmune Neurological Disorders.� University Hospitals. The Science of Health. The Art of Compassion., www.uhhospitals.org/services/neurology-and-neurosurgery-services/multiple-sclerosis-and-neuroimmunology/conditions-we-treat.
Additional Topic Discussion: Chronic Pain
Sudden pain is a natural response of the nervous system which helps to demonstrate possible injury. By way of instance, pain signals travel from an injured region through the nerves and spinal cord to the brain. Pain is generally less severe as the injury heals, however, chronic pain is different than the average type of pain. With chronic pain, the human body will continue sending pain signals to the brain, regardless if the injury has healed. Chronic pain can last for several weeks to even several years. Chronic pain can tremendously affect a patient’s mobility and it can reduce flexibility, strength, and endurance.
Neural Zoomer Plus for Neurological Disease
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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate neurological diseases. The Neural ZoomerTM Plus is an array of neurological autoantibodies which offers specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus is designed to assess an individual�s reactivity to 48 neurological antigens with connections to a variety of neurologically related diseases. The Vibrant Neural ZoomerTM Plus aims to reduce neurological conditions by empowering patients and physicians with a vital resource for early risk detection and an enhanced focus on personalized primary prevention. �
Food Sensitivity for the IgG & IgA Immune Response
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Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes a series of tests to help evaluate health issues associated with food sensitivities. The Food Sensitivity ZoomerTM is an array of 180 commonly consumed food antigens that offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition. This panel measures an individual�s IgG and IgA sensitivity to food antigens. Being able to test IgA antibodies provides additional information to foods that may be causing mucosal damage. Additionally, this test is ideal for patients who might be suffering from delayed reactions to certain foods. Utilizing an antibody-based food sensitivity test can help prioritize the necessary foods to eliminate and create a customized diet plan around the patient�s specific needs. �
Formulas for Methylation Support
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Stomach pain, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
Agitated, easily upset, nervous?
Lightheaded if meals are missed?
Digestive problems subside with rest and relaxation?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing a histamine attack on your immune system.
During an allergic response, the body’s immune system starts to react by releasing various immune compounds to protect itself from foreign substances that identify as harmful. One of these immune compounds, known as histamine, is commonly present in a variety of foods. When histamine is elevated in the body, it is due to a high dietary intake or an inability to break it down, so individuals may experience allergic symptoms from a histamine reaction.
What is Histamine?
Histamine is a compound that is formed through the metabolism of specific amino acids in the immune system. There are a variety of levels of histamine that is found naturally in the foods that people consume. It is also produced by the body where it is in specific immune cells, including mast cells and basophils. During an allergic and other immune response, histamine is released from these cells, and consuming large quantities of histamine that is over 100 mg may result in a mild adverse reaction. Studies have shown that if histamine is consumed in a higher amount that is over 1000 mg, it can lead to histamine intoxication or histamine poisoning.
What is Histamine Intolerance?
Under normal conditions, histamine is released in the body or ingested through food, and it is broken down by two enzymes: HNMT (histamine-N-methyltransferase) and DAO (diamine oxidase). High levels of histamine can occur in individuals that have reduced activity of these enzymes. When histamine levels are increased, or the ability to break down histamine is impaired, individuals may experience histamine intolerance, which will generally present itself as an allergic reaction to the immune system.
What Causes Histamine Intolerance?
Specific individuals may have an increased sensitivity to biogenic amines like histamine. Some factors have been associated with an increased risk of histamine intolerance, including:
Certain health conditions (coronary heart disease, hypertension, respiratory diseases)
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Certain medications that inhibit the activity of histamine-degrading enzymes (acetylcysteine, metamizole, metoclopramide, metronidazole, verapamil)
Mast cell conditions can increase the secretion of histamine. Since mast cells are found throughout the body, they are involved with the innate immune response as well as being the primary source of histamine in the intestines. Studies show that when specific immune receptors detect a foreign substance in the body, the mast cells secrete inflammatory compounds like histamine as a protective response. Mast cell activation is characterized by increasing plasma and urine histamine levels as well as an increased histamine metabolite in the urine. Several conditions are associated with mast cell activation, including:
Allergies that are mediated by IgE (immunoglobulin-E) and other hypersensitivities
Symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, sneezing)
Pruritus (itchy skin)
Urticaria (hives)
Histamine-free Diet
With dietary support for histamine intolerance, it may involve a histamine-free diet. Studies have been examining the effects of four-week histamine-free diet intervention on 22 individuals that have CU (chronic urticaria). Chronic urticaria is a common skin condition that is characterized by episodes of red marks and swelling that last longer than six weeks on the body.
A study found that when it is being compared to baseline, plasma histamine levels were significantly reduced when following the diet. Additionally, USS (urticaria severity score) and (UAS), both decreased following the intervention. It means that a histamine-free diet may help improve symptoms that are associated with dietary histamine intake or histamine intolerance like chronic urticaria in the body.
Research also shows that when individuals follow a histamine-reduced diet, it may increase the levels of the DAO enzyme. Research also demonstrated that when individuals followed the histamine-reduced diet for an average of 13 months, the increased levels of DAO were correlated with the degree of compliance to the diet. When high-histamine and histamine-liberated foods are eliminated, the individual�s tolerance levels can be determined by slowly reintroducing foods to test for potential reactions.
Certain foods may increase histamine levels by providing a dietary source or by liberating histamine in the body. Studies have found that it is essential to note that inconsistent levels of histamine are found in various foods and that the levels may fluctuate based on the maturity, storage, and processing of the food.
Here are the high-histamine foods to avoid on a histamine-free diet. They are:
Aged cheese (cheddar, gouda, parmesan)
Alcohol (beer, champagne, wine)
Certain produce (avocado, eggplant, spinach, tomato)
Cured meats (fermented sausage, salami)
Fermented vegetables (sauerkraut)
Fish products (dried anchovies, fish sauce)
Here are the histamine-liberating foods to avoid on a histamine-free diet as well. They are:
Certain fruits (citrus, pineapple, banana, strawberries, papaya)
With methods surrounding food preparations that should be considered, researchers have suggested that people should consume food that is fresh as possible and boiled rather than frying or grilling food may help reduce the intake of biogenic amines like histamine. Studies have shown that spoiled foods have been found to have high levels of histamine, so it is essential to be mindful when consuming leftovers, especially leftover fish. There are some individuals with histamine intolerance that may benefit from taking antihistamine medication or a DAO supplement. There are also certain nutrients, including copper, vitamin B6, and vitamin C that can help support histamine degradation.
Conclusion
When the body is suffering from an allergic response, its’ immune system starts to react by sending out various immune compounds that attack harmful foreign substances. Histamine is one of the immune compounds that is produced and broken down to HNMT and DAO. Histamine can also trigger an asthma attack on individuals, while certain foods can contain high-histamine and histamine-liberating properties that can be harmful in the body. Some products use an advanced formula that helps support the immune system, targets amino acids, and supports antioxidant processes to make sure that the body is functioning correctly.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Martin, San Mauro, et al. �Histamine Intolerance and Dietary Management: A Complete Review.� Adrianaduelo, 31 Aug. 2016, www.adrianaduelo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/2016_Histamine-intolerance-and-dietary-management.pdf.
Chung, Bo Young, et al. �Effect of Different Cooking Methods on Histamine Levels in Selected Foods.� Annals of Dermatology, The Korean Dermatological Association; The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology, Dec. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5705351/.
Dougherty, Joseph M. �Allergy.� StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545237/.
Fong, Michael. �Histology, Mast Cells.� StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499904/.
Lackner, Sonja, et al. �Histamine-Reduced Diet and Increase of Serum Diamine Oxidase Correlating to Diet Compliance in Histamine Intolerance.� European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30022117.
Maintz, Laura, and Natalija Novak. �Histamine and Histamine Intolerance.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 1 May 2007, academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/85/5/1185/4633007.
Reese, Imke, et al. �German Guideline for the Management of Adverse Reactions to Ingested Histamine: Guideline of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), the German Society for Pediatric Allergology and Environmental Medicine (GPA), the German Association of Allergologists (AeDA), and the Swiss Society for Allergology and Immunology (SGAI).� Allergo Journal International, Springer Medizin, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5346110/.
Son, Jee Hee, et al. �A Histamine-Free Diet Is Helpful for Treatment of Adult Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.� Annals of Dermatology, The Korean Dermatological Association; The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology, Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5839887/.
S�nchez-P�rez, S�nia, et al. �Biogenic Amines in Plant-Origin Foods: Are They Frequently Underestimated in Low-Histamine Diets?� Foods (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 14 Dec. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306728/.
Unknown, Unknown. �Histamine Intolerance & Diet: What You Should Know.� Fullscript, 11 Nov. 2019, fullscript.com/blog/histamine-intolerance.
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Mast cell conditions can increase the secretion of histamine. Since mast cells are found throughout the body, they are involved with the innate immune response as well as being the primary source of histamine in the intestines. 
