Back Clinic Chiropractic Examination. An initial chiropractic examination for musculoskeletal disorders will typically have four parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. Laboratory analysis and X-ray examination may be performed. Our office provides additional Functional and Integrative Wellness Assessments in order to bring greater insight into a patient’s physiological presentations.
Consultation:
The patient will meet the chiropractor which will assess and question a brief synopsis of his or her lower back pain, such as:
Duration and frequency of symptoms
Description of the symptoms (e.g. burning, throbbing)
Areas of pain
What makes the pain feel better (e.g. sitting, stretching)
What makes the pain feel worse (e.g. standing, lifting).
Case history. The chiropractor identifies the area(s) of complaint and the nature of the back pain by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient’s history, including:
Family history
Dietary habits
Past history of other treatments (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical and other)
Occupational history
Psychosocial history
Other areas to probe, often based on responses to the above questions.
Physical examination: We will utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that are hypo mobile (restricted in their movement) or fixated. Depending on the results of the above examination, a chiropractor may use additional diagnostic tests, such as:
X-ray to locate subluxations (the altered position of the vertebra)
A device that detects the temperature of the skin in the paraspinal region to identify spinal areas with a significant temperature variance that requires manipulation.
Laboratory Diagnostics: If needed we also use a variety of lab diagnostic protocols in order to determine a complete clinical picture of the patient. We have teamed up with the top labs in the city in order to give our patients the optimal clinical picture and appropriate treatments.
It is a common scenario, whether sitting or standing when we need to bend down or forward, and suddenly there is a sharp sting on one side of the low back. The sensation can cause the knees to buckle. So we stand up slowly to assess the condition and realize it is almost impossible to stand completely straight and even harder to bend forward. So we sit back down to try and relieve the pressure. It helps a little, but the injury has caused the back muscles to spasm and get tighter and tighter. When we try to get up, there can be one big or several mild to severe electrical shock sensations traveling through the back. A severely over-rotated vertebrae could be the cause and require chiropractic care, massage, and/or decompression therapy.
Over Rotated Vertebrae
The spinal column is made of 26 interconnected vertebrae. When in motion, each vertebra moves, and as the torso rotates, the spine must rotate as well. The spine can move in several ways, including:
Bending
Rounding forward.
Extending or arching backward.
Twisting
Tilting sideways uses some of the same muscles when twisting.
Although the spine can move in various directions, there are limits to how far it can and should go. For example, when bending forward to lift an object, an individual can unknowingly over-extend and over-rotate vertebrae. This is where the risk of injury increases. A rotational injury of the spine occurs when the torso turns too far, and the spinal cord can’t handle it. This can stretch the ligaments in the spine to the point of snapping, causing the facet joints to dislocate. Ligament strains and facet dislocations are two of the most common rotational spine injuries.
Complications
An over-rotated vertebrae injury can also lead to complications that include.
Chronic Pain
Spinal nerve damage can lead to chronic pain conditions.
Mobility Problems
Mobility problems are common following an injury of the spine.
This comes from damage to the nerves that innervate the legs, causing weakness and coordination problems.
Pressure Ulcers
Numbness following a spine injury can cause individuals not to notice pressure ulcers developing.
These can lead to infections and could require hospitalization.
Individuals accumulate tension and/or weakness in the oblique abdominal muscles and other trunk muscles that can lead to chronic tightness and weakness, affecting movement and decreasing the range of motion.
Chiropractic Treatment Plan
Depending on the time and severity of the injury, a personalized treatment plan may consist of the following:
Chiropractic mobilization to release the spasms and reset the spine.
Rest
Facet Syndrome Treatment
References
Janssen, Michiel M A, et al. “Pre-existent vertebral rotation in the human spine is influenced by body position.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 19,10 (2010): 1728-34. doi:10.1007/s00586-010-1400-3
Kruger, Erwin A et al. “Comprehensive management of pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury: current concepts and future trends.” The Journal of spinal cord medicine vol. 36,6 (2013): 572-85. doi:10.1179/2045772313Y.0000000093
Passias, Peter G et al. “Segmental lumbar rotation in patients with discogenic low back pain during functional weight-bearing activities.” The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume vol. 93,1 (2011): 29-37. doi:10.2106/JBJS.I.01348
Shan, X., Ning, X., Chen, Z. et al. Low back pain development response to sustained trunk axial twisting. Eur Spine J 22, 1972–1978 (2013). doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2784-7
Cue sports use a cue stick to strike billiard balls off and around a pool or equivalent table. The most common game is pool. Although these are not contact sports, various musculoskeletal injuries can manifest. Therefore, it is recommended to know the common injuries so that they can be self-treated or treatment can be sought before the condition worsens. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can relieve symptoms, rehabilitate the body, and restore mobility and function.
Cue Sports Injuries
Sports medicine doctors say cue sports players suffer from sprains, strains, and fractures, among other injuries. Cue sports players are constantly:
Bending
Reaching
Twisting
Stretching their arms
Using their hands and wrists
Performing these constant movements and motions for extended periods increases the risk of sustaining injuries. Common symptoms include:
Inflammation
Warmth or heat in affected areas
Swelling
Tightness in the affected areas
Pain
Decreased range of motion
Injuries
Back and Waist
The posturing can cause individuals to tense their muscles, increasing the likelihood of injury. With all the bending, waist and back injuries are common. Back issues include:
Pinched nerves
Sciatica
Sprains
Strains
Herniated discs
Individuals with existing spine conditions or osteoarthritis have an increased risk of injury.
Shoulder, Arm, Wrist, Hand, and Finger
The shoulders, hands, wrists, and fingers are in constant use.
This can lead to overuse injuries affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and bones.
Consistent stress can lead to sprains, strains, or bursitis.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when too much pressure is applied, causing tendons to inflame.
This could lead to swelling and pain and could lead to long-term damage.
Foot and Ankle
The feet can slip when stretching too far while setting up and taking a shot.
This injury usually happens when trying to balance on one foot.
Slipping can lead to a sprained ankle or something worse, like a torn ligament or fractured foot.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments combined with massage therapy and functional medicine can treat these injuries and conditions, relieving symptoms and restoring mobility and function. When the tendons, muscles, ligaments, and bones are properly aligned, recovery and rehabilitation progress faster. A chiropractor will also recommend stretching and exercise programs to help maintain the adjustments and prevent injuries.
Physical Therapy and Exercises
References
Garner, Michael J et al. “Chiropractic care of musculoskeletal disorders in a unique population within Canadian community health centers.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 30,3 (2007): 165-70. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2007.01.009
Hestbaek, Lise, and Mette Jensen Stochkendahl. “The evidence base for chiropractic treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in children and adolescents: The emperor’s new suit?.” Chiropractic & osteopathy vol. 18 15. 2 Jun. 2010, doi:10.1186/1746-1340-18-15
Orloff, A S, and D Resnick. “Fatigue fracture of the distal part of the radius in a pool player.” Injury vol. 17,6 (1986): 418-9. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(86)90088-4
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint composed of the femur head and a socket, which is part of the pelvis. The labrum is a cartilage ring on the socket part of the hip joint that helps keep joint fluid inside to ensure frictionless hip motion and alignment during movement. A labral tear of the hip is an injury to the labrum. The extent of the damage can vary. Sometimes, the hip labrum can have mini tears or fray at the edges, usually caused by gradual wear and tear. In other cases, a section of the labrum can separate or get torn away from the socket bone. These types of injuries are usually due to trauma. There are conservative hip labral tear tests to determine the type of injury. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic team can help.
Symptoms
Symptoms are similar regardless of the type of tear, but where they are felt depends on whether the tear is in the front or the back. Common symptoms include:
Hip stiffness
Limited range of motion
A clicking or locking sensation in the hip joint when moving.
Pain in the hip, groin, or buttocks, especially when walking or running.
Night discomfort and pain symptoms when sleeping.
Some tears can cause no symptoms and can go unnoticed for years.
Hip Labral Tear Tests
A hip labral tear can occur anywhere along the labrum. They can be described as anterior or posterior, depending on which part of the joint is affected:
Anterior hip labral tears: The most common type of hip labral tear. These tears occur on the front of the hip joint.
Posterior hip labral tears: This type appears on the back of the hip joint.
Tests
The most common hip labral tear tests include:
The Hip Impingement Test
The Straight Leg Raise Test
The FABER Test – stands for Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation.
The THIRD Test – stands for the Hip Internal Rotation with Distraction.
Hip Impingement Tests
There are two types of hip impingement tests.
Anterior Hip Impingement
This test involves the patient lying on their back with their knee bent at 90 degrees and then rotated inward towards the body.
If there is pain, the test is considered positive.
Posterior Hip Impingement
This test involves the patient lying on their back with their hip extended and their knee flexed and bent at 90 degrees.
The leg is then rotated outward away from the body.
If it results in pain or apprehension, it is considered positive.
Straight Leg Raise Test
This test is used on various medical conditions that involve back pain.
The test begins with the patient sitting or lying down.
On the unaffected side, the range of motion is examined.
Then the hip is flexed while the knee is straight on both legs.
The patient may be asked to flex the neck or extend the foot to stretch nerves.
The FABER Test
It stands for Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation.
The test begins with the patient lying on their back with their legs straight.
The affected leg is placed in a figure four position.
The physician will then apply incremental downward pressure to the bent knee.
If there is hip or groin pain, the test is positive.
The THIRD Test
This stands for – the Hip Internal Rotation with Distraction
The test begins with the patient lying on their back.
The patient then flexes their knee to 90 degrees and turns it inward around 10 degrees.
The hip is then rotated inward with downward pressure on the hip joint.
The maneuver is repeated with the joint slightly distracted/pulled apart.
It is considered positive if the pain is present when the hip is rotated and diminished pain when distracted and rotated.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment involves hip adjustments to realign the bones around the hip and up through the spine, soft tissue massage therapy to relax the muscles around the pelvis and thigh, targeted flexibility exercises to restore range of motion, motor control exercises, and strengthening exercises to correct muscular imbalances.
Treatment and Therapy
References
Chamberlain, Rachel. “Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis.” American family physician vol. 103,2 (2021): 81-89.
Groh, M.M., Herrera, J. A comprehensive review of hip labral tears. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2, 105–117 (2009). doi.org/10.1007/s12178-009-9052-9
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis or nr-axSpA and non-radiographic ankylosing spondylitis/AS are related. However, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis can present AS symptoms with active inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac/SI joints, causing back and hip pain but does not reveal joint damage on X-rays or MRIs. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can explain what it means to have non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, how it can be managed, and what to do to prevent it from turning into ankylosing spondylitis.
Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis means there are early AS symptoms but have not developed enough joint inflammation or damage to show up on an X-ray or other form of imaging. Early evidence of joint inflammation includes blurring of the joint edges and localized regions of joint erosion. It can be difficult for physicians to see these subtle changes on an x-ray.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis, or AS, is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects joints in the spine and elsewhere.
It is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease.
Medical research is still ongoing to determine the exact cause, but a genetic component is believed to be contributing factor.
Around 85% of individuals with ankylosing spondylitis have inherited the HLA-B27 gene, which is associated with multiple autoimmune conditions.
In the early stages, individuals will present lower back pain around the sacroiliac joints or the joints that connect the spine to the pelvis.
Later stages have more obvious X-ray findings, like the fusing of the sacroiliac joints and the lower spine that takes place over time.
Joint inflammation can progress, causing permanent joint damage and spine rigidity.
Most individuals with the condition can manage their symptoms with NSAIDs, chiropractic care, physical and massage therapy, and range of motion exercises.
Stage 1
There is no evidence of spinal inflammation on x-rays.
MRI provides more detailed images of bones and may reveal bone marrow edema or accumulation of fluid in the structures of the spinal bones and joints.
Individuals with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, you are here.
Stage 2
There is visible inflammation of the spinal joints on the x-ray.
The sacroiliac joints between the spine and the pelvis are the most affected.
Stage 3
Chronic inflammation of the joints has caused bone loss and permanent joint damage, resulting in spine rigidity.
Symptoms of Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis
There are differences between back pain associated with muscle strain and arthritis. Back pain symptoms include:
Starts to present before age 40.
It has a gradual onset and can go unnoticed for years.
Improves with movement or activity.
Eases up throughout the day.
Starts up in the evening when resting.
Other symptoms include:
Joint stiffness
Swollen fingers
Heel pain
Bilateral buttock discomfort and pain
Slowing Progression
Progression from non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis to ankylosing spondylitis occurs in 10% – 20% of individuals over a two-year period. Progression factors include genetics, gender, degree of joint damage, and level of inflammatory markers at the time of diagnosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression before significant joint damage with anti-inflammatory therapy, rheumatological therapy, and targeted exercise.
Work with a specialist like an orthopedic spine specialist and rheumatologist that understands the disorder and is up to date on the most recent treatment modalities.
D. J. Pradeep, A. Keat, K. Gaffney, Predicting outcome in ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatology, Volume 47, Issue 7, July 2008, Pages 942–945, doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/ken195
Kucybała, Iwona, et al. “Radiologic approach to axial spondyloarthritis: where are we now and where are we heading?.” Rheumatology international vol. 38,10 (2018): 1753-1762. doi:10.1007/s00296-018-4130-1
Michelena, Xabier, López-Medina, Clementina, and Helena Marzo-Ortega. “Non-radiographic versus radiographic axSpA: what’s in a name?”.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. October 14, 2020. doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keaa422
Back discomfort sensations and symptoms could indicate pulled-back muscles. Unless you’ve experienced the condition before, determining the cause can be difficult. A pulled-back muscle can start as a sudden, sharp sting when bending, reaching, or twisting. Or it can present gradually, worsening over a few days. It is a common injury, but if left untreated could take several weeks, and in severe cases, a few months, to heal correctly. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help diagnose the problem and develop a customized treatment plan to restore optimal function and health.
Pulled Back Muscles
A pulled muscle describes a strained muscle.
A strain is a muscle or tendon injury that happens when the tissue overstretches or tears.
When a ligament stretches or tears, it’s called a sprain.
Most cases can be managed and treated at home.
But if the symptoms are not improving or make it difficult to move, see a doctor or chiropractor.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms of a pulled-back muscle include:
Swelling
Tenderness
Soreness – Sore muscles that feel tight and achy usually indicate a condition that is likely to improve in a few days. More severe soreness could indicate a more significant injury.
Spasms – A sudden convulsive spasm in the muscle can also indicate a pull. This can feel like a sudden tightening that does not release. The muscle can continue to spasm and lead to other symptoms.
Cramping – A muscle can cramp can lead to increased tightness whenever trying to use the muscle.
Pain – Can be characterized as a constant dullness and/or soreness in most situations or, in severe cases, sharp and shooting.
Discomfort when moving around. If pain flares up when trying to move or use the back muscles is usually an indication that something is wrong.
Relief during inactivity and rest. When lying down to rest or taking a temporary break, and the symptoms disappear could also be an indication of a pulled-back muscle or another injury.
Causes
The most common causes are:
A Strained Muscle
This causes some damage to a region of muscle tissue, usually the result of being over-used or torn from another injury.
Sprained Ligaments
Involves damage to the ligaments in a joint, usually those in the spinal vertebrae.
A Herniated Disc
This involves damage to the discs that can leak out, irritating the surrounding tissues and nerves and can cause shifting and misalignment of the spine.
These conditions are distinct, but the symptoms can be similar.
Therapies
It is important to consult a medical professional before treating an injury because symptoms of other injuries, such as disc problems or a broken bone, can resemble strains and sprains. Most treatments will utilize:
Ice and Heat
Ice helps reduce inflammation.
The faster ice can be applied to a pulled-back muscle, the quicker pain and swelling are reduced, and the healing process can begin.
Apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes as soon as the injury occurs.
Take a 20-minute break between each cold application.
After the first days, alternate cold therapy with heat to increase circulation.
Try a 20-20-20 rule: 20 minutes of an ice pack followed by a 20-minute break, then 20 minutes of heat.
Repeat as necessary, allowing 20 minutes between heat or ice therapy.
Limited Rest
Right after a muscle strain, limiting physical activity levels and avoiding movements are recommended for a short period.
After the initial pain subsides, partial activity levels are recommended to help prevent the muscles from weakening.
Compression
Applying compression bandages or using an active compression system can help reduce swelling and edema and repair damaged tissues faster.
Stretching
Returning to activities, gentle stretching exercises can improve tissue healing by increasing blood circulation to the injured area.
Applying heat to the area before stretching can also help.
Strength Training
Ask a doctor or chiropractor about the right strength exercises for your condition.
Strength training will develop the muscles to prevent future injuries.
Pain Medication
Pain levels are an important indicator during the recovery process.
Pain medications relieve symptoms but do not assist with healing and should only be used short-term to provide relief.
If you need pain medication, consult your physician to determine the appropriate type and dosage for your situation.
Massage
Blood circulation to the injured tissues is increased with massage therapy.
Chiropractic
A chiropractor can diagnose back pain from a muscle or disc injury and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Allen, Laura. “Case Study: The Use of Massage Therapy to Relieve Chronic Low-Back Pain.” International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork vol. 9,3 27-30. 9 Sep. 2016, doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v9i3.267
Kumar, Saravana et al. “The effectiveness of massage therapy for the treatment of nonspecific low back pain: a systematic review of systematic reviews.” International journal of general medicine vol. 6 733-41. 4 Sep. 2013, doi:10.2147/IJGM.S50243
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents how the SBAR method is used in a clinical approach in a chiropractic office. Since pain in the body is one of the most common complaints worldwide, many individuals can be referred to the right healthcare professional to have a better understanding of what is happening to their bodies and have their health and wellness restored. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in treatments to aid individuals suffering from various chronic issues associated with muscle and joint pain affecting their bodies. We also guide our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is The SBAR Method?
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: The term SBAR stands for situation, background, assessment, and recommendation. It is a communication method that many chiropractors or healthcare professionals use to help simplify communicating patient information to other healthcare team members. And the whole goal of the SBAR method is to help us strategically and systematically share a patient situation along with the background of that patient, the assessment findings that we have found, and recommendations that we recommend to that specific individual so they can easily understand what we need, want, and what is going on with that patient in a very clear and focused way. So the SBAR method can help the chiropractor or massage therapist stay organized whenever they’re having to communicate and cut out unnecessary information that may be in the conversation that wastes time or may confuse the listener and help prevent those moments where the specialist may get questions from the person they are talking to, and they may not know.
The SBAR method allows chiropractors to communicate efficiently with patients about where the pain is located in their bodies. So the SBAR will help many health professionals stay organized. Some examples of the SBAR method used for communication include: a nurse needs to speak with a healthcare provider like a physician, a nurse practitioner, or a PA to let them know that the patient’s condition is deteriorating, and they need to call and report that. If they need something for that patient, the healthcare provider can follow the SBAR method, which will help them clearly and concisely communicate that issue to the listener. Chiropractors can also use the SBAR to share with other associated medical providers or massage therapists when they have a patient’s report to be handed or transferred to a different unit.
The SBAR method can be used with other healthcare team members, like speech therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic therapy, and physical therapy. This method helps and guides chiropractors with what information they need to provide to the patient, so they can fully understand what is going on with them. An example would be a patient coming into a chiropractic clinic with back pain; however, they are experiencing gut issues and having areas of complaints in their hips, causing mobility issues. So by using the SBAR method, chiropractors and other healthcare providers can communicate better with their patients and develop a solution with the APPIER process and a treatment plan that caters to the individual. When creating your SBAR to communicate better with someone, it’s better to ensure that you are fully prepared before initiating that conversation. Having a little system to comply with the SBAR method can help you quickly and allow you to note what is happening with the patient in your head or take note of their condition. Getting the layout of the SBAR method is the first step, and many healthcare units will have them created so the doctor can fill them in and put all the information they need when they call or talk to their patients.
Chiropractors using the SBAR method would go into the room, look at that patient, assess that patient, collect their vital signs and look in the chart, look at the latest progress now, and know who’s on board taking care of that patient. The SBAR method also allows the doctor to review that patient’s chart thoroughly and understand what’s going on with that patient. So by the time they step into the room, they will have an idea of what is going on with the patient when those questions come up. Plus, when they have looked at the latest lab results from their associated medical providers. They can have an insight into what medication the patient is taking because those questions will probably come up and be included in the SBAR method. This will allow the chiropractor to gather all that information from the patient and be comfortable and ready to initiate the conversation.
Situation
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Now let’s look at each of the sections of the SBAR method. Since the SBAR method is very focused and concise with communication, it is straightforward. So the situation is the first thing you’re going to start with whenever you’re communicating using the SBAR method. So by having your computer on that specific patient, doctors can easily look at something in case the person asks them a question and have the information in front of them quickly. So with the situation, just as it says, the goal is to communicate why the patient is calling. That’s its purpose, as it helps start things off and allows the doctor and the patient to introduce themselves and briefly explain what is going on with their bodies. An example would be a person with back pain introducing themselves to the chiropractor and vice versa and briefly describing where they are in pain.
Background
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: The background portion of the SBAR method helps paint a picture of what the patient is going through and will provide a brief description of the situation. Then after that, we’ll go straight into the patient’s background, and this part of the communication will be very focused again. And how you would transition from situation to background in the SBAR method by going into the patient’s diagnosis. So the patient was admitted with whatever diagnosis on the date of admission. Then the chiropractor will tailor and include important patient information based on what the patient is experiencing pain-wise. The pain can vary from each person and can affect the body differently.
Many doctors can include the patient’s code status and discuss any other significant health problems that accompany the patient’s current situation. An example would be if a person is dealing with cardiac issues, their primary doctor can ask them if they had any health history with cardiovascular disorders, medications for heart diseases, chest pain, etcetera. Getting their background history can provide many doctors with a treatment plan that won’t cause any issues for the patient. When chiropractors work with other healthcare professionals, they can provide a background history of the patient, including bloodwork, previous procedures, and any additional information to develop a treatment plan. Along with consults, what other doctor groups are on board with this patient and any pending procedures the patient may have? That lets them know, okay, I don’t need to order this test or product because they will be having this procedure.
Assessment
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: The next section of the SBAR method is the assessment part, where the doctor will tell the patient what they have assessed or found in the patient. Many healthcare professionals, like chiropractors, provide those assessment findings and current vital signs to back up what they think is going on. An example would be a functional medicine doctor explaining to the patient what they found in their body, like possible respiratory, cardiac, or GI issues, and what they think is going on based on what they discovered.
But let’s say, for example, that the nurse or doctor doesn’t know; however, they know that something’s wrong with the patient and they need something. In this situation, the doctor or the nurse can take note of what is going on with the patient and explain to their associated medical providers that they are worried or that the patient is deteriorating; they’re unstable and have changed from when they previously saw them. By using the SBAR method, chiropractors can asses the situation the patient is dealing with and provide insightful solutions to develop a treatment plan for the patient.
Recommendation
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: And finally, the final part of the SBAR method is recommendations. So recommendations are where the doctor communicates with the patient on what they want or need. By laying out the framework from using the SBAR method, the recommendation part allows the doctor to specifically communicate with the patient on what needs to be done to improve their health and wellness. An example is if a patient is dealing with gut issues associated with metabolic syndrome and their doctor gives them a treatment plan to incorporate more nutritional foods in their diets, exercising more and getting an adjustment from a chiropractor can help alleviate pain affecting their backs or hips.
Conclusion
Since body pain is one of the most common complaints worldwide, chiropractic care can assist in managing the symptoms associated with joint and muscle pain while being cost-efficient and non-invasive. Utilizing the SBAR method in a chiropractic clinic can give the chiropractor the right tools to develop a treatment plan for the individual to relieve any pain affecting their body. Chiropractic care can also use the APPIER method combined with the SBAR method to fully alleviate any disorder in the body structure to restore a person’s health and wellness.
Subluxation is when a joint shifts out of alignment, which can happen to any joint in the body. Spinal subluxation indicates a misalignment of one or more portions of the spinal vertebrae. It is common in the spine from all the reaching, bending, twisting, and flexing the body goes through. Spinal subluxations, if left untreated, can cause disc degeneration, permanent nerve damage, neurological conditions, and chronic pain symptoms. A subluxation chiropractor will realign and decompress the spine combined with massage therapy to relax the muscles and restore mobility and function.
Subluxation Chiropractor
Some subluxations don’t cause any problems or pain, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t affecting the back and body. A spinal subluxation can cause long-term problems by:
Research shows that spinal subluxations can affect many facets of the body. Long-term effects may include:
Sleep problems
Low energy
Brain fog
Mood swings
Anxiety and depression
Digestive issues
Respiratory problems
Bone spurs
Spinal arthritis
Chiropractic Care
When the spine is out of alignment, it can cause issues throughout the body. Changes in one area affect the rest of the body. A subluxation chiropractor looks at the spine’s neurological and mechanical components and aims to reset everything back into its proper position. Similar to the way a massage helps the mind and body relax and de-stress, a spinal adjustment helps by:
Increasing circulation
Relieving discomfort and pain
Releasing tension
Improving mood
Reducing stress levels
Improving sleep function
Increasing energy levels
When the spine is properly aligned, the body can operate at its full potential.
Green, J D et al. “Anterior subluxation of the cervical spine: hyperflexion sprain.” AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology vol. 2,3 (1981): 243-50.
Meyer, S. “Thoracic spine trauma.” Seminars in roentgenology vol. 27,4 (1992): 254-61. doi:10.1016/0037-198x(92)90004-l
Neva MH, Häkkinen A, Mäkinen H, et al. High prevalence of asymptomatic cervical spine subluxation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis waiting for orthopedic surgeryAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2006;65:884-888.
Nourollahi, Maryam, et al. “Awkward trunk postures and their relationship with low back pain in hospital nurses.” Work (Reading, Mass.) vol. 59,3 (2018): 317-323. doi:10.3233/WOR-182683
Vernon, Howard. “Historical overview and update on subluxation theories().” Journal of chiropractic humanities vol. 17,1 (2010): 22-32. doi:10.1016/j.echu.2010.07.001
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