Back Clinic Chronic Back Pain Team. Chronic back pain has a far-reaching effect on many physiological processes. Dr. Jimenez reveals topics and issues affecting his patients. Understanding the pain is critical to its treatment. So here we begin the process for our patients in the journey of recovery.
Just about everyone feels pain from time to time. When you cut your finger or pull a muscle, pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Once the injury heals, you stop hurting.
Chronic pain is different. Your body keeps hurting weeks, months, or even years after the injury. Doctors often define chronic pain as any pain that lasts for 3 to 6 months or more.
Chronic back pain can have real effects on your day-to-day life and your mental health. But you and your doctor can work together to treat it.
Do call upon us to help you. We do understand the problem that should never be taken lightly.
For individuals dealing with stress, back and neck pain, and wanting to improve overall health, can trying a Hatha yoga class help?
Hatha Yoga Class
A yoga class is great for moms, athletes, or anyone interested in low-impact exercise. Today, many practice yoga for its mind and body, health and wellness benefits. Research shows that hatha yoga helps to reduce stress, relieve back and arthritis pain, support healthy habits, and improve emotional health. (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2023) Hatha classes stretch, unwind, and release tension, providing a healthy outlet for hectic lifestyles.
What Is It?
In Sanskrit, Hatha translates to force. Hatha yoga focuses on posture and breathing techniques to channel energy. Classes last 45 to 90 minutes and consist of breathing, poses, and meditation.
Yoga can help relieve everyday anxiety and depressive symptoms.
However, it may not be effective for clinically diagnosed mental health conditions.
The reviews and published studies on yoga did not find conclusive evidence to support its effectiveness in managing anxiety disorder, depression, or PTSD.
Arthritis and Fibromyalgia
According to the NCCIH, there is limited evidence to support yoga’s benefits for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia.
Back Pain
The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as a non-pharmacological back pain treatment. (Qaseem A. et al., 2017)
A review of studies found that yoga improves low-back pain and function with both short-term and intermediate-term benefits, and its effects are similar to those of other types of exercise. (Skelly A. C. et al., 2020)
Balance
According to 11 out of 15 reviewed studies, yoga helps to improve balance in generally healthy individuals.
Emotional Health
Yoga has a positive impact on mental health. Ten out of 14 studies reviewed showed benefits in improving resilience or general mental well-being.
Menopause
Yoga can relieve physical and psychological symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, according to the review of 1,300 study participants.
Mindfulness
In a survey of 1,820 young adults, participants attributed increased mindfulness, motivation to participate in other forms of activity, and eating healthier. (Watts A. W. et al., 2018)
Multiple Sclerosis
The NCCIH reports showed that yoga had short-term benefits on mood and fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
However, it did not affect muscle function, cognitive function, or quality of life.
Neck Pain
A 2019 meta-analysis, including ten studies and a total of 686 subjects, found that yoga can reduce neck pain intensity and disability pain while also improving the range of motion. (Li Y. et al., 2019)
Sleep
Several studies have found yoga can improve sleep quality and duration.
Populations found to experience sleep benefits include cancer patients, older adults, individuals with arthritis, pregnant women, and women experiencing menopause symptoms.
Stress Management
Yoga improved physical or psychological stress-related measures in 12 of 17 studies reviewed.
What to Expect
There are several different styles of yoga to choose from. Classes labeled yoga are likely the Hatha variety. Hatha is a gentle style that focuses on static poses and is great for beginners. However, it can still be physically and mentally challenging. Practitioners should wear athletic clothes and sports bras for maximum comfort and ease of movement. Each class varies depending on the instructor, but most last between 45 and 90 minutes.
Class Breakdown
Classes typically start with a gentle warm-up, advance to more physical poses, and end with a short meditation.
Breathing
Most Hatha classes start with a period of focus on breathing.
As you perform the poses, the instructor will continue to remind everyone to focus on breathing and may suggest different breathing exercises.
Poses
Yoga poses, also called postures or asanas, are a series of movements that help improve balance, flexibility, and strength.
Poses range in difficulty from laying flat on the floor to physically challenging positions.
If, during a class, a pose is too difficult, the instructor can provide a modified posture.
Meditation
Most classes end with a short period of meditation.
If you go into a Hatha class and it feels too slow or inactive, there are faster-paced, more athletic yoga classes, including flow, vinyasa, or power yoga classes. See if it’s more your speed.
Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic
At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, we focus on what works for you and strive to create fitness and better the body through research methods and total wellness programs. These programs use the body’s ability to achieve health and fitness goals, and athletes can condition themselves to excel in their sport through proper fitness and nutrition. Our providers use an integrated approach to create personalized programs, often including Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine principles.
Qaseem, A., Wilt, T. J., McLean, R. M., Forciea, M. A., Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians, Denberg, T. D., Barry, M. J., Boyd, C., Chow, R. D., Fitterman, N., Harris, R. P., Humphrey, L. L., & Vijan, S. (2017). Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Annals of internal medicine, 166(7), 514–530. doi.org/10.7326/M16-2367
Skelly, A. C., Chou, R., Dettori, J. R., Turner, J. A., Friedly, J. L., Rundell, S. D., Fu, R., Brodt, E. D., Wasson, N., Kantner, S., & Ferguson, A. J. R. (2020). Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US).
Watts, A. W., Rydell, S. A., Eisenberg, M. E., Laska, M. N., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2018). Yoga’s potential for promoting healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among young adults: a mixed-methods study. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 15(1), 42. doi.org/10.1186/s12966-018-0674-4
Li, Y., Li, S., Jiang, J., & Yuan, S. (2019). Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: A PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(8), e14649. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014649
Can the effects of electroacupuncture reduce sciatica in individuals dealing with low back pain to restore their mobility?
Introduction
When many people start to overuse their muscles in the lower quadrants, it can lead to numerous issues that cause pain and discomfort. One of the most common pain issues in the lower quadrants of the musculoskeletal system is sciatica, which is associated with low back pain. This pain duo can affect a person’s daily routine and lead them to pain and discomfort. This musculoskeletal condition is common, and when it affects one of the legs and lower back, many people state that it’s a radiating shooting pain that doesn’t go away for a while. Luckily, there are treatments like electroacupuncture to reduce sciatica associated with low back pain. Today’s article looks at the sciatica-low-back connection, how electroacupuncture reduces this pain connection, and how electroacupuncture can restore mobility to the individual. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how to reduce the sciatica-low-back connection with electroacupuncture. We also inform and guide patients on how electroacupuncture therapy can be combined with other therapies to restore mobility to the body. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating electroacupuncture therapy as part of their routine to reduce sciatica associated with low back pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Sciatica & Low Back Connection
Do you feel muscle aches or pain in your lower back or your legs? Do you experience radiating, throbbing pain in your legs that affects your walking ability? Or have you noticed that your legs and lower back ache more when carrying a heavy object? Many of these scenarios are associated with sciatica, which correlates with lower back pain. Now, sciatica is often characterized by aggravating pain traveling along the sciatic nerve from the lower back region, impairing a person’s quality of life. In the musculoskeletal system, the sciatic nerve plays an important role by providing motor function to the legs. (Davis et al., 2024) Now, when the sciatic nerve, the lumbar region also has a pivotal role. The lumbar region in the musculoskeletal region also has a crucial role in providing support, strength, and flexibility to the body. However, both the sciatic nerve and lumbar spinal region are more prone to stress and injuries from traumatic injuries and environmental factors that can impact the lumbar spinal discs and the sciatic nerve.
Repetitive motions, obesity, improper lifting, degenerative spinal issues, and musculoskeletal conditions are a few causes and risk factors contributing to the development of sciatica associated with the lower back. What eventually happens is that the water content and the progressive loss of the proteoglycans of the spinal discs break down between the vertebrae and protrude out to press on the sciatic nerve, which then can become irritated and cause referred radiating pain in the legs and lower back. (Zhou et al., 2021) The combination of sciatica and lower back pain can become a socio-economic issue depending on the severity of the pain that the sciatic nerve is causing and can make individuals miss out on any activities they are participating in. (Siddiq et al., 2020) While sciatica pain-like symptoms often correlate with the lumbar region, many individuals can find the relief they are looking for through various treatments.
Sciatica Causes- Video
Electroacupuncture Reducing The Sciatica-Low Back Connection
When it comes to reducing the sciatic-low-back connection, many individuals seek out treatment that is affordable and effective in decreasing pain-like issues. Non-surgical treatments like electroacupuncture can be beneficial to many individuals who are experiencing sciatica pain correlated with the lower back. Electroacupuncture is another form of traditional acupuncture therapy that originates in China. Highly trained acupuncturists follow the same acupuncture principles by placing solid thin needles at different acupoints in the body to restore qui or chi (energy flow). Electroacupuncture combines needles and electrostimulation to reduce the central pain-regulatory mechanisms causing low back pain and sciatica by blocking the pain signals and providing pain relief. (Kong, 2020) At the same time, electroacupuncture offers analgesic properties to stimulate endorphins and reduce pain medication for low back pain safely. (Sung et al., 2021)
Electroacupuncture Restoring Mobility
When the lower extremities are experiencing limited mobility due to sciatica associated with low back pain, electroacupuncture can help relax the muscles that are aggravating the sciatic nerve and even help improve blood flow to the lumbar muscles. That is because electroacupuncture can stimulate specific body regions to reduce the somato-vagal-adrenal reflexes to relieve and restore mobility to the lower extremities. (Liu et al., 2021) Additionally, electroacupuncture can be combined with other non-surgical therapies to help strengthen the core and lower back muscles, allowing people to be more mindful of what factors are causing sciatica and lower back pain. By doing this, many people struggling with sciatica associated with low back pain can incorporate electroacupuncture as part of their treatment program combined with holistic approaches to improving their quality of life and providing a pathway to improving their mobility.
Kong, J. T. (2020). Electroacupuncture for Treating Chronic Low-Back Pain: Preliminary Research Results. Med Acupunct, 32(6), 396-397. doi.org/10.1089/acu.2020.1495
Liu, S., Wang, Z., Su, Y., Qi, L., Yang, W., Fu, M., Jing, X., Wang, Y., & Ma, Q. (2021). A neuroanatomical basis for electroacupuncture to drive the vagal-adrenal axis. Nature, 598(7882), 641-645. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04001-4
Siddiq, M. A. B., Clegg, D., Hasan, S. A., & Rasker, J. J. (2020). Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain, 33(4), 305-317. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
Sung, W. S., Park, J. R., Park, K., Youn, I., Yeum, H. W., Kim, S., Choi, J., Cho, Y., Hong, Y., Park, Y., Kim, E. J., & Nam, D. (2021). The effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for nonspecific chronic low back pain: A protocol for systematic review and/or meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 100(4), e24281. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000024281
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
Can individuals dealing with various musculoskeletal pain incorporate the positive benefits of electroacupuncture to restore function?
Introduction
As the world changes and more people try to make small changes to their health and well-being, they won’t experience pain or discomfort. Numerous treatments help many people dealing with various musculoskeletal pain that are associated with environmental factors. The human body has multiple muscle groups in the upper and lower body portions that protect the spinal structure and vital organs. When environmental factors correlate with pain and discomfort, it can significantly impact a person’s daily routine. At the same time, musculoskeletal pain can lead to referred pain-like symptoms that many individuals are experiencing pain in two different body locations. However, when the pain becomes unbearable, many will seek various treatment options to not only reduce the pain but also restore body functionality. Today’s article looks at the multiple factors of musculoskeletal pain, treatments like electroacupuncture that reduce musculoskeletal pain, and the benefits of electroacupuncture. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how various factors can contribute to musculoskeletal pain in the body. We also inform and guide patients on how electroacupuncture therapy can help reduce the pain effects of musculoskeletal pain and help improve body functionality. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about how to reduce the impact of musculoskeletal pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Various Factors That Correlate With Musculoskeletal Pain
Have you been dealing with areas of complaints within your neck, shoulders, or back after a long day? Do you feel numb or tingling in your upper and lower extremities? Or have you experienced muscle and joint pain that makes it difficult to do your daily routine? When it comes to many individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain in their bodies can dampen their day due to how much pain they are in. Musculoskeletal pain is a multifactorial condition involving various environmental factors that many people in society have experienced. (Caneiro et al., 2021) Musculoskeletal pain can be chronic or acute depending on the ecological factors or traumatic injuries that the body occurs from and can affect not only the muscles but also the bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerve roots that provide sensory-motor functions that make the body mobile.
Some environmental factors that contribute to the development of musculoskeletal pain include:
Excessive sitting/standing
Fractures
Poor posture
Joint dislocation
Stress
Obesity
Repetitive movements
Additionally, many individuals dealing with musculoskeletal pain can be problematic when pain and chronic diseases could be predisposed, causing many people to deal with comorbidities, thus increasing their chances of being an issue. (Dzakpasu et al., 2021) Plus, when people are dealing with musculoskeletal pain, it can vary from person to person and can have a huge negative effect on their mental health. (Welsh et al., 2020) This is because many people are dealing with referred pain and their associated pain-like symptoms that they will try home remedies to reduce the musculoskeletal pain temporarily before making the repetitive motions again and being in more pain. To that point, many individuals will often seek various treatments to relieve musculoskeletal pain and restore their body function.
Optimize Your Wellness- Video
The Benefits of Electroacupuncture
When it comes to reducing and treating musculoskeletal pain, many individuals seek out non-surgical treatments to relieve the pain-like symptoms. Non-surgical treatments are excellent for musculoskeletal pain as they can be personalized to the person’s pain and can be cost-effective. Non-surgical treatments range from chiropractic care to acupuncture. One of the various forms of non-surgical treatments is electroacupuncture therapy. Electroacupuncture therapy incorporates the application of electric and acupuncture stimulation to relieve acute or chronic musculoskeletal pain. (Lee et al., 2020) This therapy can activate the bioactive chemicals and block the pain signals from affecting the body.
Additionally, electroacupuncture can be effective and benefit the body by reducing neuropathic pain associated with musculoskeletal. Electroacupuncture provides additional benefits by stimulating the neurotransmitters from the central nervous system to minimize nociceptive pain caused by musculoskeletal pain. (Xue et al., 2020)
So, regarding musculoskeletal pain, electroacupuncture could be the answer to reducing its comorbidities. When a person is experiencing musculoskeletal pain, the affected areas where the pain is located can be inflamed. So when highly trained acupuncturists find the acupoints of the body and utilize electroacupuncture, the stimulation intensity varies from person to person. High-intensity stimulation activates the sympathetic nervous system, while low-intensity stimulation activates the parasympathetic nervous system. (Ulloa, 2021) Electroacupuncture can even help improve muscle function in the musculoskeletal extremities by relieving pain and adjusting the biomechanical properties to improve abnormal joint loading. (Shi et al., 2020) When people think about their health, they can consider electroacupuncture as part of their health and wellness routine to improve body functionality and live pain-free lives.
References
Caneiro, J. P., Bunzli, S., & O’Sullivan, P. (2021). Beliefs about the body and pain: the critical role in musculoskeletal pain management. Braz J Phys Ther, 25(1), 17-29. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.06.003
Dzakpasu, F. Q. S., Carver, A., Brakenridge, C. J., Cicuttini, F., Urquhart, D. M., Owen, N., & Dunstan, D. W. (2021). Musculoskeletal pain and sedentary behaviour in occupational and non-occupational settings: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 18(1), 159. doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01191-y
Lee, Y. J., Han, C. H., Jeon, J. H., Kim, E., Kim, J. Y., Park, K. H., Kim, A. R., Lee, E. J., & Kim, Y. I. (2020). Effectiveness and safety of polydioxanone thread-embedding acupuncture (TEA) and electroacupuncture (EA) treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with postoperative pain: An assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot trial. Medicine (Baltimore), 99(30), e21184. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000021184
Shi, X., Yu, W., Wang, T., Battulga, O., Wang, C., Shu, Q., Yang, X., Liu, C., & Guo, C. (2020). Electroacupuncture alleviates cartilage degradation: Improvement in cartilage biomechanics via pain relief and potentiation of muscle function in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis. Biomed Pharmacother, 123, 109724. doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109724
Ulloa, L. (2021). Electroacupuncture activates neurons to switch off inflammation. Nature, 598(7882), 573-574. doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-02714-0
Welsh, T. P., Yang, A. E., & Makris, U. E. (2020). Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults: A Clinical Review. Med Clin North Am, 104(5), 855-872. doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2020.05.002
Xue, M., Sun, Y. L., Xia, Y. Y., Huang, Z. H., Huang, C., & Xing, G. G. (2020). Electroacupuncture Modulates Spinal BDNF/TrkappaB Signaling Pathway and Ameliorates the Sensitization of Dorsal Horn WDR Neurons in Spared Nerve Injury Rats. Int J Mol Sci, 21(18). doi.org/10.3390/ijms21186524
Can nonsurgical therapeutic options help individuals with chronic low back pain find the relief they are looking for to restore body function?
Introduction
Between the upper, middle, and lower back portions of the musculoskeletal system, many individuals have succumbed to traumatic injuries, repetitive motions, and overlapping environmental risk profiles that cause pain and disability, thus affecting their everyday routine. As one of the most common work conditions, back pain can cause individuals to deal with socio-economic burdens and can range from acute to chronic, depending on the injuries and factors that correlate with this issue. As part of the musculoskeletal system, the back has various muscles in the three quadrants that support the upper and lower extremities and have an outstanding relationship with the spine as each muscle group surrounds the spine and protects the spinal cord. When environmental factors and traumatic injuries start to cause pain-like symptoms in the back, it can put a person in excruciating pain, hence why many seek non-surgical treatments to reduce the pain-like effects of back pain and find the relief they are seeking. Today’s article looks at the impact of chronic low back pain and how non-surgical treatments can positively affect individuals dealing with chronic low back pain. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to provide numerous non-surgical treatment options to minimize chronic lower back pain affecting their extremities. We also inform and guide patients on how various non-surgical treatments can benefit their health and wellness as they can help reduce musculoskeletal conditions like chronic back pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about their chronic low back pain and what small changes they can incorporate to reduce its pain-like symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Impact Of Chronic Low Back Pain
Do you constantly feel severe muscle aches or pains in your back after an excruciating long workday? Do you experience muscle tiredness from your back to your legs after carrying a heavy object? Or have you noticed that twisting or turning motions temporarily relieve your lower back, only to worsen after a while? Often, many of these pain-like scenarios are correlated with chronic low back pain, and it can be due to the various factors that correlate with this common musculoskeletal condition. When it comes to musculoskeletal conditions associated with chronic low back pain, they are prevalent while their impact is pervasive. To that point, they affect many individuals as they are the number one most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003) Since back pain can be either acute or chronic, it can become multifactorial as many other pain symptoms tend to cause overlapping risk profiles in the body. The impact of chronic low back pain has underlying pathological causes that are not well-defined but can be related to psychosocial dysfunction. (Andersson, 1999)
Additionally, degenerative changes within the spine can also cause an impact on the development of chronic lower back pain. The risk factors that cause overlapping risk profiles can range from smoking and obesity to various occupations that require excessive motions. (Atkinson, 2004) When that happens, it causes people to have unnecessary stress that impacts their lives and causes them to be miserable. This is where many individuals start seeking treatment to reduce the effects of chronic lower back pain and reduce the chances of seeking surgical intervention.
The Role Of Chiropractic Care On Improving Your Health- Video
Non-Surgical Treatments For Chronic Back Pain
When people deal with chronic lower back pain, many often don’t realize that various motions, ages, and pathologies can modify the spine, causing the spinal discs to go through degenerative changes that correspond to the development of chronic lower back pain. (Benoist, 2003) When degenerative changes start to cause pain-like symptoms in the back, many will begin looking for affordable and effective treatments. Hence, this is why non-surgical treatments can help reduce the pain-like symptoms of chronic lower back pain and help restore body mobility. Non-surgical treatments are personalized to the person’s pain and range from acupuncture to massage therapy and spinal decompression. Non-surgical treatments are also affordable and help reduce the overlapping risk profiles of chronic low back pain while reducing its associated conditions.
Spinal Decompression Effects On Chronic Low Back Pain
Spinal decompression, as stated before, is a form of non-surgical treatment that incorporates mechanical gentle traction on the spine to alleviate chronic low back pain and can reduce the pain-like symptoms associated with it. Spinal decompression helps reduce the friction of the lumbar muscles, affecting the lumbar spine but also provides pain relief and body function. (Choi et al., 2022) Spinal decompression is safe while being gentle on the spine, combined with stabilization exercises to enhance intra-abdominal pressure and spinal ability to the lumbar. (Hlaing et al., 2021) When a person incorporates spinal decompression as part of their health and wellness journey, their pain and disability will lower over time while strengthening weakened muscles that were affected by chronic lower back pain. Incorporating these non-surgical treatments can help a person be more mindful of the environmental impact they are inflicting on their backs and live a better and healthier life.
Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837
Hlaing, S. S., Puntumetakul, R., Khine, E. E., & Boucaut, R. (2021). Effects of core stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise on proprioception, balance, muscle thickness and pain related outcomes in patients with subacute nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 22(1), 998. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04858-6
Woolf, A. D., & Pfleger, B. (2003). Burden of major musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ, 81(9), 646-656. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14710506
For individuals dealing with chronic sciatica, when pain and other symptoms significantly impact daily activities and the ability to walk, can a musculoskeletal healthcare provider help relieve and manage symptoms through a multidisciplinary treatment plan?
Chronic Sciatica
Sciatica is a common condition that results from compression of the sciatic nerve in the lower back or leg. Chronic sciatica occurs when symptoms last for 12 months or longer.
Advanced Sciatica Symptoms
Advanced or chronic sciatica usually produces pain that radiates or travels down the back of the leg. Long-term sciatic nerve compression can result in:
Leg pain
Numbness
Tingling
Electrical or burning sensations
Weakness
Weakness
Instability of the legs, which can impact the ability to walk.
Severe nerve compression can progress to leg paralysis if the nerve is significantly damaged from chronic compression. (Antonio L Aguilar-Shea, et al., 2022)
Sciatica can progress to nerve damage of the smaller nerves and travel into the legs and feet. Nerve damage/neuropathy can result in pain, tingling, and loss of sensation. (Jacob Wycher Bosma, et al., 2014)
Disabling Sciatica Treatment Options
When sciatica becomes disabling, affecting an individual’s ability to walk, more involved treatment is needed to bring relief. Many cases of chronic and disabling sciatica are caused by problems with the lumbar spine. Compression of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve can occur from bulging or herniated discs or spinal stenosis. If symptoms of sciatica persist beyond 12 months with little or no relief from physical therapy, non-surgical mechanical decompression, stretches and exercises, or pain management techniques, surgical procedures may be needed. (Lucy Dove, et al., 2023)
Lumbar decompression surgery encompasses several procedures to create more space in the lumbar spine and relieve nerve compression. Lumbar decompression surgery can include: (Mayfield Clinic. 2021)
Discectomy
This procedure removes a portion of a damaged disc between vertebrae to alleviate root compression from a bulging or herniated disc.
Laminectomy
This procedure removes the lamina, a portion of the vertebrae causing nerve compression, especially if there is a bone spur due to arthritic and degenerative changes in the spine.
Foraminotomy
This procedure widens the foramina, the openings in the vertebrae where the nerve roots exit to relieve compression.
Spinal Fusion
This procedure takes two or more vertebrae fusing them together with metal rods and screws for stabilization.
The procedure can be performed if:
An entire disc is removed.
Multiple laminectomies were performed.
One vertebra has slipped forward over another.
Daily Relief Management for Advanced Sciatica
Achieving relief from advanced sciatica symptoms at home can include regularly practicing methods like taking a hot bath or shower massage, and applying a heating pad to the lower back or glutes to relax tight muscles to help release the tightness surrounding the sciatic nerve.
Corrective or therapeutic exercises like sciatic nerve glides can help reduce tension along the nerve while low-back exercises that move the spine into forward or backward bending can reduce compression. (Witold Golonka, et al., 2021)
Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or nerve-pain medications may be recommended. (Antonio L Aguilar-Shea, et al., 2022)
Advanced sciatica may not be as responsive to conservative treatment methods, as the injury has set in and the nerve and surrounding tissues have become significantly restricted.
Sciatica symptoms lasting longer than 12 months require more involved treatment like injections or surgery to address symptoms effectively. (Antonio L Aguilar-Shea, et al., 2022)
Healing Chronic Sciatica
If the underlying cause can be effectively treated then chronic sciatica can be healed. Chronic sciatica often results from spinal conditions like herniated discs or lumbar spinal stenosis. These conditions narrow the space around the nerve roots that exit from the spinal cord and merge to form the sciatica nerve. Surgery is performed to open the space in the spine. (Mayfield Clinic. 2021) Sometimes sciatica is brought on by less common causes like a tumor or a spinal infection. In these cases, symptoms will not resolve until the underlying cause is addressed. Tumors may need to be surgically removed while infections require aggressive antibiotics to prevent spreading to other regions of the body. (Hospital for Special Surgery. 2023)
Pain Specialist Treatment Plan Development
Ongoing pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness are all symptoms that should be addressed with a healthcare provider. A pain specialist can help create a treatment plan that involves: (Hospital for Special Surgery. 2023)
Aguilar-Shea, A. L., Gallardo-Mayo, C., Sanz-González, R., & Paredes, I. (2022). Sciatica. Management for family physicians. Journal of family medicine and primary care, 11(8), 4174–4179. doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1061_21
Bosma, J. W., Wijntjes, J., Hilgevoord, T. A., & Veenstra, J. (2014). Severe isolated sciatic neuropathy due to a modified lotus position. World journal of clinical cases, 2(2), 39–41. doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v2.i2.39
Dove, L., Jones, G., Kelsey, L. A., Cairns, M. C., & Schmid, A. B. (2023). How effective are physiotherapy interventions in treating people with sciatica? A systematic review and meta-analysis. 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, 32(2), 517–533. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-022-07356-y
Golonka, W., Raschka, C., Harandi, V. M., Domokos, B., Alfredson, H., Alfen, F. M., & Spang, C. (2021). Isolated Lumbar Extension Resistance Exercise in Limited Range of Motion for Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy and Disk Herniation-Clinical Outcome and Influencing Factors. Journal of clinical medicine, 10(11), 2430. doi.org/10.3390/jcm10112430
For individuals with back pain, how can health practitioners incorporate non-surgical solutions to reduce spinal pain?
Introduction
The spine is one of the most important structures in the human body, providing host mobility and stability when vertical pressure is pressing on the spinal structure. The spine is surrounded by various muscles, ligaments, and tissues that help support the upper and lower body portions and extremities. When normal factors like heaving lifting, improper stances, obesity, or pre-existing conditions start to affect the body, it can cause the spinal structure to potentially cause unwanted issues that lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain. When experiencing these three common body pains often correlate with other associated symptoms that can affect the other extremities. When this happens, many individuals begin to miss out on work or daily activities that can cause them to be miserable, and they even try to look for various solutions to reduce the pain they are experiencing. Today’s article looks at one of the common body pains like back pain and how it can cause numerous issues that affect a person’s ability to function, and how non-surgical solutions can not only reduce the pain-like effects but also provide the necessary relief that many people deserve in their health and wellness journey. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatment plans to ease the pain-like symptoms associated with spinal issues causing back pain. We also inform our patients that there are non-surgical options to reduce these pain-like issues and restore spinal mobility to the body. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Back Pain Affecting The Spine
Do you often experience radiating pain in your lower back that causes symptoms of numbness or tingling sensations down to your legs and feet? Do you feel muscle stiffness in the morning while getting up, only to slowly disappear throughout the day? Or do you feel symptoms of muscle aches and pain when carrying a heavy object from one location to another? Many individuals, more often than not, have dealt with back pain associated with various factors. With back pain being in the top three common problems in the workforce, many individuals have dealt with the common problem in multiple ways. From improper heavy lifting to excessive sitting at a desk, back pain can cause musculoskeletal issues that many are trying to find relief. Low back pain can either be acute or chronic, depending on the severity. It can lead to mobility impairment within the thoracic, lumbar, and sacroiliac spinal regions, causing referred pain to the lower extremities. It can lead to a life of impairment without any symptoms or signs of serious medical or psychological conditions associated with environmental factors. (Delitto et al., 2012) Back pain is also associated with spinal conditions like inflammation, asymmetric loading, and muscle strain, which can cause the spinal structures to be compressed, thus causing disc herniations. (Zemková & Zapletalová, 2021)
Additionally, back pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal condition that causes many individuals to be in a socio-economic situation that can decrease their quality of life. Many examples of back pain are correlated with altered motor control within the spinal erector muscles that causes impaired proprioception in the spine. (Fagundes Loss et al., 2020) When this happens to many individuals, they often experience a hindrance of lumbar stability, body balance, posture, and postural control. At the same time, when many working individuals are having severe back pain associated with everyday factors, the amount of pain they are in can change the threshold of the mechanoreceptors that are transmitting the pain signals through the spinal cord. To this point, back pain can affect the neuromuscular response and affect normal musculoskeletal functionality. Fortunately, numerous treatments can help reduce back pain and provide relief to spinal pain that is affecting many individuals.
The Role Of Chiropractic Care- Video
How many times a day do you experience back pain associated with stiffness, general aches, or pains that are affecting your ability to work? Do you notice you hunching more when moving from one location to another? Or do you feel aches and pain in your back after stretching in the morning? Many individuals dealing with these common environmental factors are closely associated with back pain. Back pain is in the top three most common problems many individuals have experienced at some point in their lives. More often than not, many people have dealt with back pain by using home remedies to reduce the pain-like effects. However, research studies reveal that when many individuals start to ignore the pain, it can lead them to a life of disability and cause numerous amounts of distress if not treated right away. (Parker et al., 2015) Hence, non-surgical treatments can not only reduce the pain associated with back pain but also help restore spinal mobility. Non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care incorporate spinal manipulation, which can positively affect the spine. (Koes et al., 1996) What chiropractic care does is that it includes mechanical and manual manipulation techniques to stretch out tight muscles and reduce trigger points from reforming. The video above shows how chiropractic care can positively affect the individual while being part of a health and wellness journey to reducing back pain.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression For Back Pain
Just like chiropractic care, spinal decompression is another non-surgical treatment that uses traction to gently pull and stretch the spine to alleviate compressed spinal discs associated with back pain and help stretch out tight muscles. When many people start to incorporate spinal decompression as part of their routine, they will notice that spinal decompression can reduce intradiscal pressure within the negative range. (Ramos, 2004) What this does is that when the spinal discs are being pulled by gentle traction, all the fluids and nutrients that were not hydrating the disc flow back and help kickstart the body’s natural healing process. When many people begin to utilize spinal decompression for their back pain, they will notice a huge reduction in their pain after a few consecutive sessions. (Crisp et al., 1955) When many people start to combine other various non-surgical therapies with spinal decompression, they will be able to regain their spinal mobility while being more mindful of what environmental factors are affecting their spine and not repeat the issue to allow back pain to return.
References
Crisp, E. J., Cyriax, J. H., & Christie, B. G. (1955). Discussion on the treatment of backache by traction. Proc R Soc Med, 48(10), 805-814. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13266831
Delitto, A., George, S. Z., Van Dillen, L., Whitman, J. M., Sowa, G., Shekelle, P., Denninger, T. R., & Godges, J. J. (2012). Low Back Pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(4), A1-A57. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2012.42.4.a1
Fagundes Loss, J., de Souza da Silva, L., Ferreira Miranda, I., Groisman, S., Santiago Wagner Neto, E., Souza, C., & Tarrago Candotti, C. (2020). Immediate effects of a lumbar spine manipulation on pain sensitivity and postural control in individuals with nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Chiropr Man Therap, 28(1), 25. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-020-00316-7
Koes, B. W., Assendelft, W. J., van der Heijden, G. J., & Bouter, L. M. (1996). Spinal manipulation for low back pain. An updated systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 21(24), 2860-2871; discussion 2872-2863. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199612150-00013
Parker, S. L., Mendenhall, S. K., Godil, S. S., Sivasubramanian, P., Cahill, K., Ziewacz, J., & McGirt, M. J. (2015). Incidence of Low Back Pain After Lumbar Discectomy for Herniated Disc and Its Effect on Patient-reported Outcomes. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 473(6), 1988-1999. doi.org/10.1007/s11999-015-4193-1
Ramos, G. (2004). Efficacy of vertebral axial decompression on chronic low back pain: study of dosage regimen. Neurol Res, 26(3), 320-324. doi.org/10.1179/016164104225014030
Zemková, E., & Zapletalová, L. (2021). Back Problems: Pros and Cons of Core Strengthening Exercises as a Part of Athlete Training. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5400. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105400
Can healthcare professionals provide the best non-surgical therapeutic options for individuals with chronic low back pain?
Introduction
Chronic low back pain can happen to numerous individuals, affecting their daily routine and making them miss out on important life events. With the ever-changing world, many individuals, especially working individuals, will experience chronic low back pain at some point due to unbearable stress that seems to affect the surrounding muscles that protect the lumbar spine. This causes many individuals to overstretch or shorten the muscles that are contributing to lower back pain, which can be the causing factor in the development of lower back pain. At the same time, when individuals suffer from low back pain, it can be imposed as a grave economic cost to society. (Pai & Sundaram, 2004) This, in turn, causes many individuals to miss out on work and be financially burdened as the cost of chronic low back pain treatment is high. However, numerous therapeutic options are cost-effective, safe, and effective in reducing chronic low back pain. Today’s post looks at the effects of chronic low back pain and how many individuals can look at various non-surgical options that many individuals can utilize to reduce chronic low back pain. Coincidentally, we communicate with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various treatment plans to reduce chronic low back pain. We also inform them that there are non-surgical options to reduce the pain-like symptoms associated with the factors that cause chronic lower back pain. We encourage our patients to ask amazing educational questions to our associated medical providers about their symptoms correlating with body pain in a safe and positive environment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer
The Effects Of Chronic Low Back Pain
Have you been dealing with chronic pain that flares up in your lower back after a hard workday? Do you feel muscle aches or pains that don’t relieve itself after a day of rest? Or do you and your loved ones take any medication to temporarily relieve your back pain, only to have it come back after a few hours? Many people with chronic low back pain will feel symptoms of stiffness, muscle aches, and radiating pain traveling to their lower extremities. When chronic low back pain is associated with musculoskeletal conditions, it can impact their daily routine. To that point, musculoskeletal disorders correlating with chronic low back pain can encompass a spectrum of conditions and increase naturally over time. (Woolf & Pfleger, 2003) When many individuals are dealing with chronic low back pain, it can become a socio-economic burden that leads to disability. (Andersson, 1999) However, there are numerous options for individuals with chronic lower back pain who can find the relief they need to reduce its effects and will be able to get back to their daily routine.
Understanding Long-Lasting Injuries- Video
Chronic low back pain is when back pain that lasts longer than a few weeks and is one of the most common problems many people experience. When finding relief for chronic low back pain, many individuals will try home remedies to alleviate the pain. However, it can temporarily relieve the issue and mask the symptoms. When individuals see their primary doctor for chronic low back pain, many will seek a personalized plan to reduce chronic low back pain and its associated symptoms. When relieving chronic low back pain, comprehensive pain management treatments often rely on physical therapy, multidisciplinary approaches, and non-surgical options to reduce chronic low back pain. (Grabois, 2005) When understanding how the individual has chronic low back pain, it is important to identify the causes and how it can cause lifelong injuries that can develop into disability. When primary doctors start to utilize non-surgical treatments in their practices, many individuals can find the benefits of non-surgical treatments as they are cost-effective, safe, and gentle on the spine and lumbar region and can be personalized with associated medical providers to reduce pain-like symptoms correlating with chronic low back pain. Check out the video above to learn more about how non-surgical treatments can help reduce chronic low back pain and help revitalize a person’s body through a personalized treatment plan.
Non-Surgical Options For Chronic Low Back Pain
When treating chronic low back pain, non-surgical treatments effectively relieve pain and restore mobility to the back. Non-surgical treatments can be customized to the individual’s pain severity while being cost-effective. When individuals are evaluated for chronic low back pain, they are provided with many healthcare providers to reduce the pain-like symptoms caused by chronic low back pain. (Atlas & Deyo, 2001) Many individuals will incorporate various treatment options like:
Exercises
Spinal Decompression
Chiropractic care
Massage Therapy
Acupuncture
Many of these treatments are non-surgical and incorporate various mechanical and manual manipulation techniques to stretch and strengthen the weak back muscles, elongate the spine through realignment, and help restore movement while reducing symptoms in the lower extremities. When individuals incorporate non-surgical treatments consecutively, they will have a positive experience and feel better in the long run. (Koes et al., 1996)
Atlas, S. J., & Deyo, R. A. (2001). Evaluating and managing acute low back pain in the primary care setting. J Gen Intern Med, 16(2), 120-131. doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.91141.x
Koes, B. W., Assendelft, W. J., van der Heijden, G. J., & Bouter, L. M. (1996). Spinal manipulation for low back pain. An updated systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 21(24), 2860-2871; discussion 2872-2863. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199612150-00013
Pai, S., & Sundaram, L. J. (2004). Low back pain: an economic assessment in the United States. Orthop Clin North Am, 35(1), 1-5. doi.org/10.1016/S0030-5898(03)00101-9
Woolf, A. D., & Pfleger, B. (2003). Burden of major musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ, 81(9), 646-656. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14710506
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