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.
Covid-19 has impacted everyone in so many ways. There is a possible connection between Covid-19 and a rare spinal disorder known as transverse myelitis. There have been three known cases of acute transverse myelitis brought on from covid-19. Although these case reports are not enough to prove that covid is the cause for transverse myelitis, researchers are delving into the possibility of a connection between the virus and this spinal condition.
Transverse Myelitis
Transverse myelitis causes inflammation of the spinal cord. It can be caused by
Myelin is the layer that forms around nerve cell axons or the wiring of the nervous system and insulates them. It consists of protein, fatty substances, and acts as a defensive sheath that allows electrical impulses to transmit properly. The insulation properties are essential for:
Proper motor function
Sensory function
Cognition
Without the insulation, the electrical impulses traveling through the spinal cord dissipate or weaken. The messages don’t reach the nerves and can lead to:
Muscle spasms
Twitching
Numbness
The most common disorder that destroys the myelin known as demyelination is multiple sclerosis. Transverse myelitis can affect individuals of:
Any race
Gender
Age
There are treatments, but there is no cure. Treatments consist of corticosteroids and other therapies to suppress the immune system. However, their focus is on preventing and minimizing permanent neurological damage.
Recognizing and Identifying
Symptoms of transverse myelitis can include:
Pain that usually starts in the lower back and causes shooting pain/sensations down the legs, arm, and torso
Leg/s and arm/s weakness
Sensory changes in the legs, torso, and genital area
Bladder and Bowel dysfunction
Muscle spasms
General discomfort
Headaches
Fever
Loss of appetite
Depending on the segment of the spine where the damage is occurring will determine which parts of the body are affected. Diagnosis begins with a thorough medical evaluation. A doctor will utilize various methods. A thorough neurological exam will be performed to rule out any issues that require emergency intervention. If a doctor suspects transverse myelitis they will order diagnostic tests like:
Magnetic resonance imaging or an MRI
Blood tests
Lumbar puncture
Treatment
As previously stated, there is no cure for transverse myelitis, and treatment focuses on managing complications. Treatments can include:
The hard facts are that while most people with transverse myelitis have at least a partial recovery, for some, however, recovery can continue for up to two years and longer. A combination of medications, chiropractic, and physical therapy can help improve physical symptoms.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is working to understand the process, as to how the immune system destroys or attacks myelin. Hopefully, this will lead to answers, improved treatment, and prevention. It is well-documented that Multiple sclerosis, bacterial infections, and other viruses can cause transverse myelitis, research must continue to see if there is a connection to covid-19.
Chiropractic Lower Back Pain Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Chakraborty, Uddalak et al. �COVID-19-associated acute transverse myelitis: a rare entity.��BMJ case reports�vol. 13,8 e238668. 25 Aug. 2020, doi:10.1136/bcr-2020-238668
Few individuals realize they have problems with their feet. Flat feet can cause anterior or posterior pelvic tilt. This is a condition where the pelvis tilts too far forward or too far backward. Individuals can go through their entire life without realizing they have some type of foot issue. This can cause poor support in the lumbar spine generating back problems and chronic illness. The problem with foot issues is that it can set-up a chain of physiological deficiencies. This can include:
Many accept these health issues as part of their normal physiology. However, flat-feet and other related musculoskeletal issues can be identified and corrected with proper support. Custom FootOrthotics for the foot issue/s and chiropractic alignment for the whole-body. Based on the assessment of the spinal curvature and posture of the individual, a chiropractor will be able to determine to what degree the pelvic tilt and foot problem/s need to be corrected.
Foot Orthotic Support
How orthotics function to promote proper posture and alleviate back pain works like this.
First, immediate support to the feet that are weakened, unbalanced, and lack physiological strength is provided. This generates proper posture and balance all the way up the spine.
Second, the feet are able to remodel themselves over time as they become accustomed to the new support.
Pelvic Tilt Identification
Chiropractors utilize orthotics when correcting anterior or posterior pelvic tilt. This is because the conditions are the direct result of a poor/weakened foundation. When there is little or no natural arch of the foot there is no support for the:
The lower body needs this support from these various muscle groups with many in the lower back. This causes strain on these muscles and causes pelvic and potential spinal misalignment. Depending on the progress of the tilt/misalignment and posture, will aid a chiropractor to determine the best treatment approach.
Rebuilding
Chiropractic adjustments will be able to restore the lumbar support that was weakened or lost from foot issues. A chiropractor will go to the source or root of the problem. Foot orthotics can be a primary tool for re-training the feet for proper support. These orthotics are custom modeled to an individual�s feet.
This promotes spinal and pelvic wellness combined with the right amount of support required for each foot. Over time, and as the feet remodel themselves the custom orthotics can also be remodeled allowing for continuous improvement. With time it�s possible for many to accomplish the restoration of the body’s musculoskeletal health. These include:
Strengthened foot arches
Stress and muscle tension alleviation
A re-trained proper lower back support
Restoration of proper spinal curvature
Correct and retrain anterior/posterior pelvic tilting habits
Custom Foot Orthotics
Foot orthotics require no effort. An individual just puts them in their footwear and done. The orthotics do the work for the individual when standing, walking, or running. If diagnosed with a pelvic tilt condition or are unsure if there is a tilt, contact a chiropractor about the benefits of foot orthotics.
Benefits of Functional Foot Orthotics
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Betsch, Marcel, et al. �Influence of foot positions on the spine and pelvis.� Arthritis care & research�vol. 63,12 (2011): 1758-65. doi:10.1002/acr.20601
Sciatica or Aneurysm? Knowing how a missed diagnosis could be potentially fatal if not diagnosed accurately could be a deadly mistake! Doctors must not fall for a sciatica diagnosis when a possibly fatal iliac artery aneurysm lies looming and progressing.
Sciatica or Aneurysm
An example is a patient who visited an emergency clinic after a few weeks for a non-painful pulsing mass on the buttock. There was no:
Trauma
Injury
Back pain
Leg pain
Prior presentations of pain or sciatica issues
A physical examination found a small pulsing mass on the right buttock. Palpation around the site found no issues with the sensory and motor nerves.
An ultrasound scan of the affected area revealed a developing aneurysm. This was followed by a CT scan of the abdomen along with the pelvis using a contrast dye found the aneurysm developing from the left internal iliac artery. If the mass was not present a doctor could easily diagnose sciatica or persistent sciatic artery. If the iliac artery presents with pulsating lesions is a tip-off that a vascular issue could be impinging on the sciatic nerve. Vascular surgery was discussed with the patient. Surgery was necessary, and the patient underwent sciatic aneurysm repair. The patient was discharged without any complications.
Persistent Sciatic Artery
This is a very rare congenital vascular condition. The sciatic artery runs along the sciatic nerve and functions as the major blood supply to the lower extremities. During human embryo development, the femoral artery begins to form while the sciatic arteries start to return to a less developed state. The process continues until the femoral artery takes over as the major blood supply, with only bits of the sciatic artery left.
Persistent sciatic artery can happen either from the sciatic artery not returning to its original size or during normal development the femoral artery developing properly. Most cases of persistent sciatic artery go unknown and are usually detected from another examination for another ailment. Aneurysms often develop based on the arteries/vessel’s tendency for minor trauma/injury when sitting or some form of pressure is applied on the site. Complications include:
Vascular Conditions In The Leg/s That Can Present As Sciatica
The legs’ blood vessels can get infected, bulged, ruptured, or blocked. This can cause sciatica symptoms, like leg pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness. Severe cases could require medical emergency surgery to save the affected limb.
Acute Limb Ischemia
This condition occurs from a decrease or loss of blood supply to the legs. If there is leg pain, it could feel similar to sciatica pain. However, symptoms can progress rapidly and become severe. That’s when it is not sciatica. Acute limb ischemia present one or more of the following symptoms:
Pain and/or numbness in the leg while walking and when resting
Severe pain at night
Sleep problems
Pain relief when sitting on a chair with the feet hanging down
Feet and ankles become swollen
A pale color and lowered skin temperature over the toes and feet when compared to the legs
Acute limb ischemia can develop from an aneurysm, blood clot, or from the thickening of the vessel walls. Treatment should be prompt in order to preserve leg function. Differentiation diagnosis between vascular and other causes like spinal problems that can cause leg pain. A doctor may perform an Ankle/Brachial Index which is a comparison of blood flow in the arms versus the legs. This can be critical in determining if there is vascular insufficiency.
Acute Compartment Syndrome
This places increased pressure in the muscle tissues of the leg. It can lead to loss of blood supply in and around the affected area. The sciatic nerve can also get compressed from the increased pressure in the buttock, thigh, or leg. The condition can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the buttock, thigh, and leg. Individuals have also reported an unusual/altered sensation in the web of the great toe. This is similar to sciatica, as well as one or both legs can be affected. Differentiating symptoms include:
Leg becomes swollen
Pain and tenderness present when touching the leg
A pale color and lowered skin temperature over the leg
Acute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that is considered a medical emergency. It is possible for the condition to cause complete dysfunction of the limb if not addressed in time. There are risk factors that increase the chances of developing limb ischemia or compartment syndrome. These are:
Diabetes
Heart conditions
High cholesterol
Smoking
History of having the condition can also cause a recurrence. This can be from an injury or poor health.
Kidney stones, renal failure, or cysts in the kidney can also cause back and leg pain. Other symptoms can include blood in the urine or difficulty urinating. Any sign of distressing symptoms that present with sciatica can indicate the need for medical attention. This is to check for the possibility of a serious underlying condition or medical emergency. Medical emergencies that are treated in time can help preserve the tissue/s, restore function, and save an individual�s life.
It is essential for a chiropractor or physical therapist to be familiar with diagnosing in a way that will help identify sciatica or aneurysm in individuals presenting with musculoskeletal issues/problems. Knowledge of these risk factors, understanding how to screen for non-musculoskeletal symptoms, basic competence in palpation, and how to interpret findings will help discover sciatica or aneurysm if it is there and begin timely treatment. And if it is not there then a sciatica treatment plan can be developed before it worsens.
Sciatic Nerve Pain
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Javdanfar A, Celentano C. Sciatic artery aneurysm. West J Emerg Med. 2010;11(5):516-517.
Underlying causes for an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be challenging to diagnose and identify. Combined with sciatica symptoms, doctors could misdiagnose the ailment and prescribe the wrong treatment protocol. Then an individual has to deal with two conditions that were not properly diagnosed, continue to develop, and worsen. This is why finding the right sciatica specialist that can also identify an abdominal aneurysm is so crucial to developing the right treatment plan. There can be a variety of factors that can lead to the development of an abdominal aneurysm. They include:
Health conditions associated with an increased risk for an abdominal aneurysm include:
Atherosclerosis
This condition occurs when there is a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances that create plaque buildup in the bloodstream. This causes vessels to harden and narrow. Atherosclerosis can develop during the young adult stage and becomes an issue later in life.
High Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-type substance that is found in all the cells in the body. The body needs some cholesterol for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and substances to help digest foods. The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Too much can build up in the blood vessels, which narrows the bloodstream and hardens the arterial walls.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure or hypertension refers to a sustained increased force of blood moving through the aorta that can weaken artery walls. It is a common condition that is widespread among individuals that are older, those that smoke, and those that are overweight. There is an estimated 60-70% of individuals over 60 that are diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Inflamed Arteries
When the arteries become inflamed, it can cause blood flow constriction and cause the arterial walls to weaken. This increases the risk of an aneurysm. Arteries can get inflamed through:
There are hereditary conditions that can weaken the body�s connective tissues. This can lead to degeneration of the aortic walls and raise an individual�s risk for an aneurysm. Two of the most common connective tissue disorders are Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects collagen production, and Marfan Syndrome. This condition increases the production of fibrillin, which is a protein that helps to build the elastic fibers in connective tissue.
Other Risk Factors
Additional health factors can strain the cardiovascular system. This increases the risk of weakening or damaging blood vessels. This significantly raises the chances of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Risk factors include:
Smoking and Tobacco
All types of tobacco use can contribute to diminished cardiovascular health. Individuals that smoke or use some tobacco product pose a significantly higher risk of developing an abdominal aneurysm.
Age
Aneurysms occur most often in older adults. This is because they are more likely to have cardiovascular issues and are more likely to have higher levels of plaque buildup.
Genetics and Family History
Immediate relatives of an individual with an abdominal aneurysm often have a 12-19% chance of developing the condition.
Lack of Physical Activity
Not getting adequate physical activity puts an individual at a higher risk for heart and cardiovascular disease. Aerobic activity done on a regular basis increases the heart rate and blood flow through the body. This keeps the tissues and blood vessels strong and flowing properly.
Gender
Both men and women can develop an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, the majority of those that do develop the condition are men. This is because men are more likely to go through the heart and cardiovascular issues.
Diagnosis
Underlying conditions that can cause sciatic pain can vary or be a combination of several conditions. The most important action to take is to consult a doctor or chiropractic sciatica specialist for a clinical diagnosis. While rare, sciatica-type pain could be caused by medical conditions like:
Spinal tumor
Spinal infection
Cauda equina syndrome
These factors can contribute to an increased chance of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, individuals can have unknown risk factors and still develop the condition. Treatments may range from regular monitoring, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy/chiropractic to urgent or emergency surgery. If you feel symptoms of pain in the buttocks, leg, numbness, tingling, or other neurological symptoms in the back and/or leg, it is very important to see a doctor or chiropractor for clinical diagnosis that identifies the cause of the symptoms.
Sciatic Nerve Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarging of the lower portion of the aortic artery that resides in the abdomen. The aorta is the body�s main artery that supplies blood to the body and stretches from the heart down into and through the abdomen. The abdominal aorta is the part that sits within the abdomen. It is below the kidneys and in close proximity to the front of the spine. Because of this closeness sudden intense pain can be felt in the lower back along with sciatica symptoms.
Abdominal Aorta Function
Its function is to deliver blood from the heart throughout the body. It circulates blood down through the chest and abdomen. Smaller arteries branch off the artery to the different organs and systems of the body.
Enlargement/Weakening
If it becomes weak or expands in size, the condition is known as an aortic aneurysm. This condition can cause severe abdominal pain, back pain, sciatica and can lead to artery leakage or rupture. This is when it becomes an emergency. Being the largest blood vessel in the body means that a rupture can cause life-threatening bleeding.
Aneurysms can develop anywhere on the artery, but most occur in the abdomen portion. Depending on the size and growth rate, treatment/therapies can vary from observation to emergency surgery. Abdominal aneurysms usually progress slowly without symptoms, making them difficult to detect. However, some abdominal aneurysms never rupture. They can start small and remain the same size while others can expand over time, and others faster.
Rupture
A weakened aorta can develop a leak known as a rupture. Blood can also begin to accumulate and pool up between layers in the arterial walls can also lead to rupture known as a dissection. Internal bleeding is the primary complication of an abdominal aneurysm. Loss of blood is considered a potentially fatal medical emergency. Mortality rates increase when the artery leaks. The risk for rupture depends on the:
Size
Aneurysms that are smaller than 5 cm in diameter are considered a low risk for rupture. Aneurysms larger than 5 cm are considered high risk. The size is often the best predictor for predicting the chance of rupture.
Growth Rate
Expansion of more than half a centimeter over 6 months is considered accelerated growth and is a high risk. A faster growth rate has been seen in individuals that smoke or have high blood pressure. Abdominal pain, lower back pain, sciatica, or other symptoms usually do not present until the artery has ruptured. However, in a significantly expanded aneurysm, symptoms similar to a rupture can occur.
Symptoms
In most cases, the aneurysm develops slowly with no symptoms or minor symptoms like a nagging/gnawing or throbbing sensation in or around the abdomen. This type of aneurysm can be detected from a standard physical exam or from the monitoring of another condition. Symptoms depend on the location and can include some combination of the following:
Deep, constant pain in the abdomen or on the side. It could also be a stabbing pain deep inside that is felt between the sternum and the belly button. The pain can be continuous with no relief from rest or adjusting positions. Severe pain can cause individuals to bend over and down.
Difficulty standing or the ability to straighten the upper body.
Low back pain caused by the abdominal pain radiating/spreading out into the lower spine from the aorta�s closeness to the spine. The pain can also spread to the groin, pelvis, and legs.
Sciatica symptoms typically come from low back pain.
A pulse near or around the bellybutton. Tenderness, along with a pulsing sensation can be felt. The pulse can be felt through the skin and could be sensitive to touch or pressure.
Blood loss will result in low blood pressure, known as hypotension. This causes lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, blurred vision, and confusion. Symptoms are exacerbated when standing generating the feeling of the need to sit or lie down.
Shock symptoms from the internal bleeding. This includes:
Sudden and rapid heartbeat
Shallow breathing
Clammy skin
Cold sweats
General weakness
Confusion
Agitation
Anxiety
Loss of consciousness
Causes
Various causes can be involved in developing an abdominal aneurysm, including:
Hardening of the arteries known as atherosclerosis. It happens when fat along with other substances build up on the lining of blood vessel/s.
High blood pressure can damage and weaken the walls of the aorta.
Aortic infection is rare but a bacterial or fungal infection could cause an abdominal aneurysm.
Trauma like being in an automobile accident can cause an aneurysm.
Risk Factors
The pathology principally stays asymptomatic until a rupture occurs. This pathology affects mostly men with quite a few risk factors. Risk factors include:
Men develop abdominal aneurysms more often than women.
Smoking is the strongest risk factor. It weakens the aortic walls and increases the risk of developing an aneurysm, and rupture. The longer an individual smokes or chews tobacco, the higher the chances.
Individuals aged 65 and older are the most targeted group for this condition.
A family history of abdominal aneurysms increases the risk.
Aneurysm in another blood vessel, like the artery behind the knee or the chest aortic region, could increase the risk.
Sciatic Nerve Compression
Sciatica is usually caused by compression on the nerve. Spinal and non-spinal disorders are known to cause pain include:
Low back misaligned vertebral body/s
Herniated/bulging/slipped discs
Pregnancy/childbirth
Spinal tumors
Diabetes
Constipation
Sitting too long
Sciatic nerve compression can cause a loss of feeling known as sensory loss, paralysis of a limb, or group of muscles known as monoplegia, and insomnia.
Proper Diagnosis Is Essential
Because of the many disorders that can cause sciatica, a doctor’s first step is to determine the cause. This involves forming a diagnosis based on a thorough review of an individual’s medical history, a physical and neurological examination. The sciatic nerve has several smaller nerves that branch off. These smaller nerves enable movement motor function and feeling sensory functions in the thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet, and toes.
If a chiropractor determines the patient’s disorder requires treatment by another specialist, then the individual will be referred to the proper doctor. In some cases, the chiropractor could be called upon to continue spinal therapy and help manage the individual’s treatment plan with the other specialist/s.
Sciatica Pain Treatment
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
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. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Chiropractic is more than spinal manipulation. More people are choosing chiropractic for their pain symptoms, conditions, and injuries. Many are exchanging pills and surgery for all-natural non-invasive medicine known as chiropractic. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications and do not perform surgery. But they are trained to recognize when an injury is outside the scope of their practice and will refer an individual to the appropriate medical specialist.
Here are a few reasons why individuals are trying out chiropractic:
Doctors recommend chiropractic
The American College of Physicians recommends chiropractic and other non-drug treatments, as a first-line treatment for chronic and acute low back pain. Spinal manipulation is strongly recommended as a natural remedy. It is highly effective when combined with gentle exercises like Pilates, yoga, and tai chi.
Studies show spinal manipulation highly effective
The Journal of the American Medical Association cited spinal manipulation to be highly beneficial in treating lower back pain. Results are consistently showing that chiropractic treatment, specifically spinal manipulation, is effective in helping low back pain and improving function while minimizing pain.
95% Return for treatment
In the 2016 Gallup-Palmer College of Chiropractic Annual Report, 95% of people who used chiropractic say that it is an effective treatment. 97% said that if back or neck pain returned they would seek chiropractic treatment again. More than half of adults that have never seen a chiropractor said they would seek chiropractic treatment if they developed neck or back pain.
Chiropractic rated higher than All other treatments for back pain
A Consumer Reports survey ranked chiropractic as a top treatment compared to medications for back pain, osteoarthritis, and neck pain relief.
Individuals prefer a whole-body approach that includes:
Lifestyle recommendations
Dietary advice
Supplements for pain, immobility, and range of motion problems.
Many said they opted for natural treatments like chiropractic to avoid harmful and undesirable side effects of prescription medication.
Opioids
With the Centers for Disease Control declaring prescription abuse an epidemic, individuals are searching for safer options. Natural treatments are becoming more popular to avoid the potential for addiction. And not just addiction but the often side effects that come with prescription meds, like constipation, brain fog, nausea, dry mouth, etc.
Spine surgery rising Individuals seeking the less invasive option
Spinal fusion surgery has been on a steep rise, increasing by about 500%. Therefore many are going for natural treatment like chiropractic to avoid surgery. Chiropractic looks at the whole person along with advice on lifestyle habits, dietary adjustments, and exercise programs. The bottom line is it works. It is less invasive, and yes, it is drug-free, but most of all, it is effective.
How adjustments work
When the vertebrae become misaligned, they place pressure on the nerves and cause pain, swelling, awkward movement/s, etc. This is called a subluxation. Chiropractors use their repertoire of techniques that equal a form of spinal adjustment to treat the subluxations. An adjustment means that the vertebra is returned to the proper position in the spine. When the vertebrae are adjusted, tiny pockets of gas are released from the joints, sometimes make a popping/releasing noise. It is the same sound when cracking knuckles.
The benefits
Individuals with the following conditions have found chiropractic to be helpful:
Arthritis
Bursitis and
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Leg pain
Pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, hips, legs, feet.
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Sports injuries
Tendonitis
Trauma injuries like auto accidents
Other Services
The main method of treatment is spinal adjustment, many chiropractors use a variety of therapies to treat patients, including:
Health Coaching
Exercise
Diet
Massage
Weight loss
Stress management
Chiropractic medicine is more than just spinal manipulation. Chiropractors use a variety of treatments to help the body heal itself and return individuals to a pain-free and healthy life.
Chiropractic believes that optimal health comes from having a healthy nervous system, particularly a healthy spinal column.
Time, work, school, and everyday living means movement. And like anything that moves over and over again, at some point it’s going to get stuck or slip out of place. When the spine’s vertebrae become misaligned, pressure begins to press on the nerves that come out of the spinal cord. This is called a chiropractic subluxation and requires chiropractic realignment.
Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to mobilize the spinal discs so they can move freely along with returning them back�into place and in their proper positions.
These techniques are called spinal manipulations/adjustments.
During an adjustment, the vertebra is released or set free from the misaligned position and put back into the proper position in the spine’s column.
Adjustments allow the body to heal and maintain homeostasis.
Chiropractors are trained in a variety of adjustment techniques
Some are done by hand
Some use of specialized instruments
Ultrasound in physical therapy, treatment of shoulder muscles
Every patient is different, therefore a chiropractor will go through various treatment options with the patient, to choose the best technique and treatment plan for the patient’s condition.� Ask the chiropractor which technique they will be doing and how it works.
Adjustment Techniques
Chiropractors use�the following:
Toggle Drop
Using crossed hands a chiropractor presses down firmly on the areas that need adjusting and realignment. With a precise and quick thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. This improves mobility in the vertebral joints.
Motion Palpation
This technique determines if the vertebrae are�freely�moving and with normal motion.
Lumbar Roll
The patient is on their side when the chiropractor performs a quick and precise thrust to the misaligned vertebra, that returns them to their proper position.
Treating Female Patient�s Spine
Release Work
Gentle pressure is applied with the fingertips which separate the vertebrae and opens them up.
Physiotherapist during an Achilles tendon treatment but the same technique applies to the spine
Table adjustment
Here a specialized table is used that drops incrementally with the adjustment. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the table drops. This allows for lighter adjustments without twisting and turning that go with manual adjustments.
Instrument adjustments
This is considered the gentlest method of�spinal adjustment.
The patient lies on the table and the chiropractor uses an activator instrument to perform the adjustment/realignment/s.
TENS, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Physical Therapy. Therapist Positioning Electrodes onto Patient’s Lower Back
A chiropractic adjustment can be a great way to improve multiple areas of the body, along with improving overall health with non-invasive treatment. Dr. Jimenez has teamed with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers and premiere rehabilitation�providers to bring El Paso the top clinical treatments to our community.��Providing high non-invasive protocols is our priority.
Severe *Sciatica”* Pain Relief | El Paso, Tx (2020)
NCBI Resources
The nervous system, which consists of the�(spine/nerves/brain)�is the central headquarters of the body.�Subluxation removal helps the body function at its optimum level. Chiropractic adjustments�reduce pressure on the nerves and ease the flow of communication and signals going back and forth.
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