Back Clinic Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Team. More than 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases can be linked to the most common causes: muscle strain, injury, or overuse. But it can also be attributed to a specific condition of the spine: Herniated Disc, Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, and Osteoarthritis. Less common conditions are sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal tumors, fibromyalgia, and piriformis syndrome.
Pain is caused by damage or injury to the muscles and ligaments of the back. Dr. Alex Jimenez compiled articles outline the importance of understanding the causes and effects of this uncomfortable symptom. Chiropractic focuses on restoring a person’s strength and flexibility to help improve symptoms of lower back pain.
The body is exposed to various environmental factors daily. Whether it is the environment that a person is living, the foods being consumed, or the level of physical activities a person has plays a part in the body. Many individuals that want to live a healthier lifestyle will start small by incorporating nutritious foods they can add, sticking to an exercise regime they might enjoy, and finding time to meditate. Those who don’t want to change their lifestyle habits will continue eating foods that are high in fats, not exercising enough, or have problems sleeping. Over time, the body will be at risk of developing autoimmune disorders associated with musculoskeletal symptoms when exposed to environmental factors that impact a person’s lifestyle. Today’s article looks at an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammatory effects on the joints, known as polymyalgia rheumatica, the symptoms associated with this disorder, and how chiropractic care can help manage the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in autoimmune treatments to help many individuals with autoimmune diseases associated with musculoskeletal disorders. We also guide our patients by referring 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 DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Have you been experiencing pain along your shoulders, neck, hips, or thighs? Does your body feel stiff in the morning and better throughout the day? Or have you been experiencing a limited range of motion in certain areas of your body? Many of these symptoms are signs that you might be at risk of developing polymyalgia rheumatica in your joints. Polymyalgia rheumatica is defined as a rheumatic disorder that is common in elderly adults over the age of 50. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder that induces muscle pain and stiffness around the joints, especially in the morning. Studies reveal that polymyalgia rheumatica is often characterized by aching muscle pain in the shoulders, pelvis, and neck; it can mimic other rheumatic diseases like RA (rheumatoid arthritis), SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), and polymyositis. When the body is dealing with the inflammatory effects of polymyalgia rheumatica, many people believe they are dealing with a different disorder affecting their bodies. To that point, diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica is difficult.
The Symptoms Associated With Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Since polymyalgia rheumatica can mimic other rheumatic diseases, some of the symptoms associated with this inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder are similar to other chronic common diseases in the body. Studies reveal that the cause of polymyalgia is unknown, but environmental and genetic factors contribute to this inflammatory disease. Another disease that shares similar symptoms with polymyalgia is a disease known as giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis causes inflammatory effects along the lining of the arteries, and individuals with this disease may have polymyalgia rheumatica. Some of the symptoms associated with polymyalgia rheumatica include:
Shoulder pain
Pelvic pain
Limited range of motion
Muscle stiffness
Joint pain
Inflammation
Neck pain
An Overview Of Polymyalgia Rheumatica- Video
Have you been experiencing pain in some regions of your body, like the shoulders, pelvis, and neck? Do you feel muscle stiffness every morning, but does it get better throughout the day? Have you been dealing with joint inflammation? If you have been experiencing these musculoskeletal symptoms, you might be at risk of developing polymyalgia rheumatica. The video above gives an insightful overview of what polymyalgia is and the symptoms associated with this inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an auto-inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder that affects many adults over 50 and causes muscle stiffness in the body’s neck, shoulder, and pelvic regions. This inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder does mimic other rheumatic disorders like RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and lupus. The symptoms associated with polymyalgia rheumatica are generally similar to other common chronic disorders, making diagnosis challenging to pinpoint. Luckily there are ways to manage polymyalgia rheumatica and its associated musculoskeletal symptoms.
Managing Polymyalgia Rheumatica With Chiropractic Care
Since the body is dealing with symptoms from polymyalgia rheumatica is challenging to diagnose since it mimics other rheumatic disorders and their associated symptoms. When the body is suffering from joint pain associated with polymyalgia rheumatica, the surrounding muscles, and ligaments that help stabilize the joints become inflamed and cause discomfort to the body. Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic care are available to help manage the joint inflammation associated with polymyalgia rheumatica. Chiropractic care utilizes spinal manipulation of the body by manipulating spinal subluxation or misalignment of the joints. Spinal manipulation helps the body relax and incorporates healing properties into the inflamed joints. Chiropractic care helps loosen up the stiff muscles and ligaments surrounding the joints to reduce pressure on the nerves and help bring the range of motion back to the joints. Many individuals who incorporate chiropractic care to help manage musculoskeletal symptoms associated with rheumatic disorders like polymyalgia rheumatica will be pain-free on their wellness journey.
Conclusion
Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder common in elderly adults that induces muscle pain and stiffness around the joints. This inflammatory musculoskeletal disorder affects the shoulder, neck, and pelvic region while mimicking other rheumatic disorders like RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and lupus. Since the body is exposed to various environmental daily, over time may be at risk of developing autoimmune diseases associated with musculoskeletal symptoms that can impact the individual. To that point, making it difficult to diagnose. Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic care can help manage the musculoskeletal symptoms associated with polymyalgia rheumatica. Chiropractic care can help reduce stiff joint inflammation by manipulating the body, causing the aching muscles to relax and increase their range of motion. Utilizing chiropractic care can help a person get back to their health and wellness journey.
References
Acharya, Saurav, and Rina Musa. “Polymyalgia Rheumatica – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 21 June 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537274/.
Al-Kaabi, Juma, et al. “Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Mimicking Polymyalgia Rheumatica in a Young Patient.” Oman Medical Journal, OMJ, July 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3282323/.
Michet, Clement J, and Eric L Matteson. “Polymyalgia Rheumatica.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 5 Apr. 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2287267/.
Milchert, Marcin, and Marek Brzosko. “Diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica Usually Means a Favourable Outcome for Your Patient.” The Indian Journal of Medical Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, May 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644293/.
The muscles, tissues, and ligaments help stabilize the joints and structure of the spine so that the body can function. These muscles are layered and interwoven in the spine and joints that help facilitate movement. When the body suffers from injuries or traumatic events, the muscles, tissues, and ligaments become affected, causing muscle pain and discomfort. This causes the muscles to be tender to the touch and sensitive. This is known as myofascial pain syndrome. Today’s article looks at myofascial pain syndrome, how it is linked with central sensitization, and ways to manage myofascial pain syndrome. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help many individuals with myofascial pain syndrome associated with central sensitization. We also guide our patients by referring 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 DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Have you been experiencing muscle tightness in different areas of your body? Have you felt your muscles tender to the touch? Or have you been having trouble sleeping? Many of these overlapping risk factors are signs that you might have myofascial pain syndrome. The term “myofascial” is split into two parts. “Myo” refers to the muscles, while “fascia” refers to the connective tissues found throughout the body. So myofascial pain syndrome is where there is muscle pain in various forms, which includes the muscle tissues, connective tissues, or both. Studies reveal that myofascial pain syndrome originates from trigger points in the skeletal muscle, causing the affected muscle to be in pain. The trigger points in the body’s skeletal muscles are the “knots” people feel when their muscles feel tight. These trigger points are challenging to identify because they occur in different areas causing referred pain (pain in one place but in another body area).
How Central Sensitization Link To Myofascial Pain Syndrome?
Studies reveal that central sensitization in the body is represented as an enhancement in neuron function and circuits in the nociceptive pathways that increases membrane excitability and synaptic efficacy. To that point, it reduces inhibition and manifests the remarkable plasticity of the somatosensory nervous system. The nociceptor inputs can trigger and manifest central sensitization as pain hypersensitivity when the body suffers from an injury. So how is central sensitization linked to myofascial pain syndrome? Let’s use fibromyalgia as an example. Many individuals dealing with myofascial pain may be potentially involved with fibromyalgia. This is due to fibromyalgia being a chronic condition that features widespread pain, and this causes the body to be more sensitive to pain. Central sensitization linked to myofascial pain syndrome can mimic fibromyalgia symptoms in the body, causing muscle pain and discomfort.
An Overview Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome-Video
Are you experiencing muscle weakness or soreness in some regions of your body? Have you dealt with chronic fatigue or poor sleep quality? Or have you been dealing with headaches constantly throughout the entire day? Many of these symptoms are signs that you might be at risk of developing myofascial pain syndrome. The video above explains myofascial pain syndrome, the symptoms, and the causes that affect the body. Studies reveal that myofascial pain has two types of trigger points:
Active trigger points associated with muscle pain without movement
Latent trigger points associated with muscle pain with movement
Myofascial pain syndrome can vary in acute or chronic forms and can range from mild to severe while being in different locations, making it very difficult to pinpoint where the pain is localized. Fortunately, there are ways to manage myofascial pain syndrome in the body that can help with the pain.
Ways To Manage Myofascial Pain Syndrome
When managing myofascial pain syndrome, many individuals dealing with muscle pain will take pain medication to alleviate it; however, that only minimizes the pain for a short period. One way to manage myofascial pain syndrome is by utilizing chiropractic care as part of treatment. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and often the preferred treatment for individuals with myofascial pain syndrome due to its effectiveness and drug-free approach. Chiropractors are not only good at finding the trigger points, but they are good when it comes to treating them using various techniques. Studies reveal that chiropractors use direct pressure on the trigger points to relieve the pain with their hands or specific tools. Incorporating chiropractic care provides the body with an increase in muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Since chiropractic care is a whole-body approach, it allows many people with myofascial pain syndrome to have a better quality of life and learn healthy habits, which include diet, exercise, and mental health, while living with less or no pain at all.
Conclusion
The body has muscles, tissues, and ligaments that help stabilize the joints and structure of the body, so there is functionality. These muscles help facilitate movement since the muscles are interwoven in the spine and joints. When the body suffers from a traumatic event or an injury, the muscles, tissues, and ligaments become affected. This causes muscle pain and discomfort, known as myofascial pain, where the trigger points cause pain in the body and can occur in different areas. Myofascial pain can be challenging to diagnose since it can be on one side of the body but affects a different section, known as referred pain. Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic care can help manage myofascial pain by treating the pain and using direct pressure to alleviate the pain. Incorporating chiropractic care to manage myofascial pain can help many individuals be pain-free on their health and wellness journey.
References
Bordoni, Bruno, et al. “Myofascial Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 July 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535344/.
Desai, Mehul J, et al. “Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Treatment Review.” Pain and Therapy, Springer Healthcare, June 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4107879/.
Latremoliere, Alban, and Clifford J Woolf. “Central Sensitization: A Generator of Pain Hypersensitivity by Central Neural Plasticity.” The Journal of Pain, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2009, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2750819/.
Many people worldwide know that exercising has impressive benefits that help improve the body’s overall wellness. The body has different muscle groups that have a casual relationship with the vital organs inside the body. Organs like the heart, lungs, gut, and bladder correlate with the different muscles through the nerve roots that connect them. When the body suffers from various factors that affect it, it causes referred pain to the body where one pain is at one location but radiates from the other side. Exercising can help the body recover through physical rehabilitation by reducing inflammation and scarring on the muscle tissues. One of the many exercises that helps strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, and even improve posture is Pilates. Today’s article looks at Pilates, its benefits, and how it can help alleviate back pain. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help many individuals with low back pain issues affecting their bodies. We also guide our patients by referring 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 DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Pilates?
Have you been feeling sluggish or having low energy throughout the entire day? What about experiencing pain in your lower back? Have you experienced muscle stiffness in certain areas around your body? Many of these symptoms are associated with musculoskeletal issues that correlate with different factors that affect the body; why not try an exercise regime like Pilates? Pilates is a system of exercises that uses a particular machine or body to improve a person’s physical strength and posture while increasing the body’s flexibility and enhancing mental awareness. Joseph Pilates developed Pilates in the early 20th century as an exercise program to help World War I soldiers improve their physical fitness levels. Pilates was used as rehabilitation therapy for injured individuals by incorporating resistance, stretching, and target muscle strengthening. Pilates is now utilized for all individuals with different bodies and fitness levels and can provide tremendous benefits.
What Are The Benefits?
Pilates, like any other form of exercise, has many beneficial properties that help improve a person’s health and wellness. Studies reveal that Pilates helps many individuals, including older adults, by improving their posture by decreasing thoracic flexion while increasing lumbar extension for pain relief. Some of the beneficial properties that Pilates offer to the body include:
Increasing core strength: The deep muscles in the abdomen, back, and pelvic regions become stronger and help stabilize the body more.
Strengthen muscle groups: Pilates helps make the muscles not only strong but also helps stretch them so that they can look long and lean. This makes the individual look toned.
It’s a whole body workout: As many exercises work on specific body parts, Pilates focuses on each muscle part of the body and helps muscle development.
Posture Improvement: Pilates help keep the spine aligned while strengthening the body and core. Over time a person’s posture will improve naturally, making them stand taller, stronger, and even more graceful.
Increases energy: Like all exercises, Pilates will give a person the energy boost they need. This is due to the focused breathing and increased blood circulation that stimulates the muscles and the spine.
Pilates Exercises For Back Pain-Video
Are you looking for a new exercise to tone your muscles? Have you been dealing with pain in your lower back? Do you have muscle weakness in some regions of your body? If you have been experiencing pain-related issues, why not try Pilates? The video above goes through a 10-minute Pilates workout for back pain. Studies reveal that non-specific low back pain is a highly prevalent condition many individuals associate with disability and work absence worldwide. Many environmental factors affect many individuals, causing them to suffer back issues. Pilates can help encourage many individuals to regain their health and wellness by incorporating core strength and stability while improving their posture.
Pilates Alleviate Back Pain
Many people don’t realize that some low back pain symptoms are related to poor posture. Poor posture can lead to associated symptoms of headaches, back pain, improper balance, and pelvic issues. What Pilates does is that it creates body awareness and helps improve the lower back muscles by strengthening them and relaxing the stiff muscles. Studies reveal that incorporating Pilates as physical therapy for individuals suffering from low back pain can help address the mental and physical pain aspects with core strengthening, flexibility, and relaxing the tense muscles. Many individuals should never put off exercising when it comes to back pain. Incorporating an exercise routine can benefit the body and prevent future injuries.
Conclusion
An exercise regime can provide many beneficial results for those looking for ways to be healthy, those suffering from injuries, or those who want to add something else to their workout routine. Pilates is one of those exercises that incorporates resistance, stretching, and muscle targeting as it is a full-body workout. Pilates is used in rehabilitation therapy for injured individuals and can provide tremendous benefits. Pilates can help many individuals with back issues associated with environmental factors like poor posture. Many individuals that utilize Pilates as part of their exercise regime will begin to feel stronger and healthier as their backs will thank them.
References
Baker, Sara. “Pilates Exercise for a Healthy Spine – Spineuniverse.” Spineuniverse, 28 Dec. 2019, https://www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/exercise/pilates-exercise-healthy-spine.
Kuo, Yi-Liang, et al. “Sagittal Spinal Posture after Pilates-Based Exercise in Healthy Older Adults.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 May 2009, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19404180/.
Sorosky, Susan, et al. “Yoga and Pilates in the Management of Low Back Pain.” Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, Humana Press Inc, Mar. 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684152/.
Yamato, Tiê P, et al. “Pilates for Low Back Pain.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2 July 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8078578/.
Experiencing low back pain and diarrhea can be a symptom of a viscerosomatic reflex,somatovisceral reflex, or a combination. A reflex is an involuntary response to nervous system stimulation. A doctor tapping below the knee causes the foot to kick forward is a basic example of a reflex. This is a somatovisceral or body organ reflex. Back pain could be from awkward posture, repetitive motions like bending or twisting, or injury that affects the spinal column. The effects could cause nerve compression and damage that can cause firing misinterpreted signals impacting/damaging internal organ function, causing pain and other symptoms.
However, the damage caused to the compressed/injured organ nerves can also cause back pain symptoms. This is a viscerosomatic or organ body reflex. One study found that a group of chiropractic patients dealing with low back pain also had increased bowel problems, even though there was no specific cause, link, or association between the two. Lower back pain and diarrhea may be completely unrelated, but if symptoms are recurring, there is an increased chance of an underlying medical issue.
Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic medicine is founded on the nervous system’s control of the body’s organ systems, whose impulse signals travel through the spinal cord. Body systems include the muscles, bones, and all organs. Any problems with the spine and/or nerve changes from normal wear and tear, injury, or infection can affect signal transmissions that can alter system functions. Altered nerve conduction can impact overall health and is referred to as reflex pathways in the nervous system. A somatovisceral reflex is where the musculoskeletal system causes altered nerve conduction creating organ system dysfunction and/or illness. Diarrhea brought on by back pain is an example.
Causes Of Back Pain and Diarrhea
Appendicitis
The appendix extends from the colon in the lower right abdomen. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The pain usually appears near the belly button and spreads to the right side of the stomach. Some individuals’ appendix extends behind the colon, which can also cause low back pain. Symptoms include:
Loss of appetite
Inability to relieve gas
Constipation
Abdominal pain – Moderate to severe
Diarrhea
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Appendicitis can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment; if left untreated, the condition can worsen within hours, causing a rupture that can leak through the abdominal cavity.
Fecal impaction
Fecal impaction is stools that have become hard, dry, and stuck in the rectum and can cause abdominal and low back pressure and pain. It is commonly caused by chronic constipation, which can be associated with dehydration, lack of fiber, physical inactivity, medication side effects, or long-term use of laxatives. Taking laxatives for a long time can cause the intestines to shut off automatic evacuation of the bowels. Although the condition is common in older individuals, it can happen to individuals of any age who experience chronic constipation. Symptoms can include:
Bloating
Cramping
Bladder pressure
Bladder incontinence
Leakage or sudden diarrhea after long-term constipation.
Rectal bleeding
Enteropathic arthritis
Enteropathic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. Types include:
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Different arthritic diseases like ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis can cause symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain or be associated with developing inflammatory bowel disease. Varying symptoms depend on the bowel disease and arthritis type and include:
Fatigue
Cramping
Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Loss of appetite
Bloody diarrhea
Pancreatic Cancer
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer vary depending on the type, location, and cancer stage. Pancreatic cancers in the early stages usually don’t cause signs or symptoms. Possible symptoms can include:
Chiropractic is ideal for addressing reflex issues. A doctor of chiropractic adjusts the spine to improve alignment, joint motion, and nerve energy transmission, improving nerve circulation/signal flow, which can help with unrelated health conditions. A chiropractor will locate any areas of spinal misalignment; once identified, a personalized treatment plan will return the correct alignment to the spine, enabling the nervous system to return to optimal function.
Sengupta, Jyoti N. “Visceral pain: the neurophysiological mechanism.” Handbook of experimental pharmacology,194 (2009): 31-74. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-79090-7_2
Walden, Anna L et al. “Bladder and bowel symptoms among adults presenting with low back pain to an academic chiropractic clinic: results of a preliminary study.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 13,3 (2014): 178-87. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.07.006
Wood, Jackie D. “Neuropathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders.” World journal of gastroenterology vol. 13,9 (2007): 1313-32. doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i9.1313
Everyone around the world has dealt with pain that makes them feel uncomfortable and has them place their hands on the location where the pain is originating in their bodies. Many factors can become issues in the body, like a poor, unhealthy lifestyle that causes problems in the gut system and develop painful symptoms that affect the intestines. Stressful events that cause headaches that affect the neck and upper back muscles or gut issues that cause discomfort in the abdominal and back region. All these issues are known as referred pain, where a person feels pain in one part of their body, but it is caused by a different source of pain in a different location. An example would be an individual with back pain, but the pain is originating in their abdominal organs. Today’s article looks at various issues that mask low back pain in the body, how organ issues mimic low back pain, and how to alleviate these issues affecting the body. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in gastroenterology and chiropractic treatments that help those with issues that affect their back and gut system. We also guide our patients by referring 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 DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Different Issues Masking Low Back Pain
Have you experienced discomfort in your abdominal region causing pain in your lower back? How about pelvic issues that are causing bowel discomfort? Or constipation issues that are compressing the nerves in your lower back? These signs and symptoms correlate to visceral-somatic pain, defined as poorly localized pain characterized by irritated internal organs that cause muscle hypersensitivity from the same nerve. So what does this mean for a person experiencing back issues affecting their quality of life? Well, this might be an indication of the individual that might be suffering from gastrointestinal problems that are correlating to low back pain. Studies reveal any disturbances causing musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal complaints that could induce referred pain through the sympathetic nervous system. An example will be if the body suffers from infections from the kidneys that are associated with low back pain.
So how would the kidneys be associated with low back pain? What is the correlation? For example, a person is constantly eating foods with either a high salt content or a high protein in their system. These high food contents begin to form kidney stones in one or both organs, thus causing a sharp pain that triggers low back pain. As the kidney stones pass through the urinary tract, it administrates radiating pain to the body’s lower abdominal and pelvic region. Another example of issues that can mask low back is constipation in the abdominal area associated with pelvic dysfunction. How does this correlate to the lower back? Think of your abdominal organs overlapped by risk profiles associated with gut disorders. Signs like hypothyroidism, SIBO, celiac disease, or IBS can increase the risk associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, which causes bloating and constipation to the abdominal organs. These issues are co-morbidities to IBS as studies reveal that the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are co-activated to increase spine stability and intra-abdominal pressure. Now it may seem not a bad thing to the body unless the individual is constantly standing for an extended period or is obese, thus becoming a mediator for the host to suffer from low back pain while being associated with pelvic dysfunction.
Organ Issues Mimicking Low Back Pain- Video
Have you been feeling muscle tenderness in the lower extremities of your body? How about gut issues that are associated with low back pain? Or are you feeling bowel dysfunction in your pelvic region? All these issues correlate to viscerosomatic pain, where the infected organ is causing issues to the muscle in a different location. The video above explains how various organ issues can mimic spinal and back pain in the body. One of the examples that the video explains is how kidney infections are associated with back pain. Studies reveal that visceral pain originating from the upper urinary tract coincidently correlates with the characteristics of referred pain and changes in the somatic tissues of the body.
Alleviating Issues Affecting The Body
Say an individual is suffering from low back pain issues; as they get their mandatory examination, they explain to their physician about their low back pain and what is happening. Once the suffering individual is situated, the physician begins to look over the body where the pain is located, either by physical examination or through the intake form they are looking over. So what does this implicates in the body? Well, studies have revealed that systemic pathologies of the visceral organs can mimic or mask musculoskeletal pain. An example would be someone who is experiencing gastrointestinal issues in their gut, and it’s triggering muscle spasms in the back. This causes the nerve roots to be hypersensitive to the visceral organs and increases the risk associated with low back pain.
Conclusion
Dealing with pain is no joke, primarily when the pain is located in a different body region. Sometimes the pain can be an organ issue that mimics muscle pain in the back. This is known as viscero-somatic pain, defined where infected organs are either mimicking or triggering muscle issues in different body locations. This causation is usually due to various factors like unhealthy lifestyle habits affecting the visceral organs and affecting the muscles that correspond to the organs, like IBS issues affecting the lower back. Available treatments are there to figure out what problems affect the body and provide a better understanding to alleviate them.
References
Basso, Francesca Lo, et al. “Manual Treatment for Kidney Mobility and Symptoms in Women with Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Urinary Infections.” De Gruyter, De Gruyter, 1 May 2021, https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2020-0288/html.
Bussey, Melanie Dawn, et al. “Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Associated with Development of Transient Low Back Pain during Prolonged Standing? A Protocol.” Clinical Medicine Insights. Women’s Health, SAGE Publications, 27 May 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537301/.
J;, Stowell T;Cioffredi W;Greiner A;Cleland. “Abdominal Differential Diagnosis in a Patient Referred to a Physical Therapy Clinic for Low Back Pain.” The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2005, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16355918/.
Lacy, Brian E, et al. “Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 1 Apr. 2020, https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(20)30433-X/fulltext.
PJ;, Pedersen KV;Drewes AM;Frimodt-Møller PC;Osther. “Visceral Pain Originating from the Upper Urinary Tract.” Urological Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 May 2010, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473661/.
The back and spine are bound to the musculoskeletal system, where they work together to keep the entire body moving and upright. The back muscles surround the spine along with the nerve roots, blood vessels, and tissues that help the back to be able to bend, twist, sit, and stand without any injuries or feeling pain. However, as the body ages naturally, so do the back muscles. They are strained and overused from strenuous activities that can injure the back muscles and pressure the nerve roots, causing them to be irritated. Fortunately, some treatments can help alleviate the stress of the nerve roots and relax the back muscles by loosening them up. Today’s article will focus on the lumbar pinched nerves, their symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of lumbar pinched nerves for many individuals. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Are Lumbar Pinched Nerves?
Feeling a sharp, sudden pain in your lower back? How about stiff muscles that feel overused after just picking something heavy? How about burning throbbing pain that travels down the legs? You might be suffering from lumbar pinched nerves, which can affect your quality of life. Research studies have mentioned that lumbar pinched nerves are primarily associated with low back pain and are among the most common complaints about many suffering individuals. Low back pain can cause degeneration of the vertebrae disc and constantly irritate the nerve roots spread out on the lumbar area in the spine. The lumbar spinal nerve roots will experience uncomfortable signals like pain, numbness, and tingling sensations that can cause on and off signals that irritate the nerve roots to cause radicular symptoms. Other research studies have found that radicular pain can cause irritating pain alongside the lumbar nerve root without any neurological involvement causing the sensory fibers to be numb. This will cause unwanted sensations to the lower back down the legs.
The Symptoms
Research studies have stated that since radicular pain is one of the many reasons for low back pain, it can affect the nerve roots, depending on the severity. When the nerve roots are being compressed and start by sending on again off again signals, it can range from mild numbing pain that can cause numbing sensations to burning stinging pain that can cause motor dysfunction in the lower back. Some of the other symptoms that are caused by lumbar pinched nerves can include:
Numbness around the area where the nerve is located
Feeling a sharp burning pain radiating from the lower back down to the leg? How about feeling your foot has fallen asleep, and you can’t shake it off? Or have you lost the sensation in your lower back? These are all symptoms of lumbar pinched nerves that are associated with chronic low back pain. The best way to take the pressure off these irritated nerves is spinal decompression. The video explained how there are many techniques that spinal decompression has to offer when dealing with a variety of back issues like herniated discs, sciatica, low back pain, and even pinched nerves in the lumbar area of the spine. Spinal decompression can help relieve the pressure off the nerve roots that are branched out of the spine and relieve the symptoms causing pain. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in alleviating pinched nerves on the lower back? This link will explain what it does for the lumbar area in the spine and provide relief to the back nerve roots.
How Decompression Therapy Can Help Lumbar Pinched Nerves
Since low back pain is associated with lumbar pinched nerves, various treatments can help take the painful symptoms away, and one of these treatments is spinal decompression. Research studies have mentioned that spinal decompression is a type of traction treatment that follows the fundamental goal and principle of relieving pain by using negative pressure. What this negative pressure does is that it causes any herniated or bulging discs to be repositioned and causes an influx of healing substances to come back to the compressed discs and take the pressure off the lumbar nerve roots that are causing the radiating pain. Other research studies have found that decompression therapy can significantly improve lumbar spinal stenosis that also causes lumbar pinched nerves to emit pain by relieving it and bringing physical function back to the legs and back. This will cause significant relief for many suffering individuals suffering from having lumbar pinched nerves.
Conclusion
Overall the lower back has nerves that are spread out and can provide a motor function for the back to move around while keeping the upper body upright. When these nerves are pinched or irritated constantly, they can cause unwanted back issues like low back pain, sciatica, or loss of all sensory and motor functions. When this happens, many individuals won’t have to worry about feeling low back pain or lumbar pinched nerves stopping them from daily activities. Spinal decompression therapy helps the individual gently take the pressure off the irritated nerve roots and causes relief to the lower back and legs. Spinal decompression therapy also allows the beneficial healing nutrients to restore the compressed spinal discs to the spine.
References
Alexander, Christopher E, and Matthew Varacallo. “Lumbosacral Radiculopathy – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/.
Allegri, Massimo, et al. “Mechanisms of Low Back Pain: A Guide for Diagnosis and Therapy.” F1000Research, F1000Research, 28 June 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926733/.
Anjarwalla, N K, et al. “The Outcome of Spinal Decompression Surgery 5 Years On.” 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, Springer-Verlag, Nov. 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2223332/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Radicular Back Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 2 Nov. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/.
As the body’s central support structure in the musculoskeletal system, the spine ensures that the body can do everything without feeling discomfort or pain. The spine has three sections in an S-shaped curve known as the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Each section helps keep the body upright and is composed of ligaments, soft tissue muscles, and nerve roots spread out all over the back. The spine and sections suffer the most from neck or back pain when the back becomes injured. When this happens, non-surgical treatments can help alleviate the painful symptoms and cause relief for many individuals. Today’s article gives an overview of lumbar traction therapy, how it can help with low back pain, and how it differs from decompression therapy. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Lumbar Traction Therapy?
Feeling your muscles become stiff on your lower back? Does your back hurt after picking up something heavy? How about a mild ache on your lower back that won’t disappear? Why not try lumbar traction therapy to alleviate these symptoms. Research studies have mentioned that lumbar traction has been used to alleviate symptoms of low back pain. What lumbar traction therapy does is that it allows the extension of soft tissue muscles that are around the facet joints while decreasing the pressure off the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. This allows the anterior and posterior ligaments to be extended while stretching and relaxing the muscle to stop them from spasming, improving blood circulation around the spine. Other research studies have found that lumbar traction has helped reduce the pain intensity and disability for many individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Traction therapy gently relieves the pressure off the spine and helps bring the nutrients back to the spinal discs to promote relief to the individual.
How Does It Help With Low Back Pain?
Since chronic low back pain is common worldwide, many individuals try to alleviate low back pain without going to surgery. Some will try medication to reduce severe pain; others will do light physical activities like yoga or meditation to stretch out the tense muscles. Traction therapy can help alleviate low pain symptoms and prevent other chronic conditions from progressing even further. Research studies have stated that traction therapy can help increase the spinal disc height and reduce internal pressure. This allows the irritated pain-sensitive fibers around the outer layer of the spinal discs to relax and relieve the spinal joints to be put back into normal position. Fortunately, traction therapy and even decompression therapy for low back pain can work together with other non-surgical treatments to help decompress the spine and lower the effects of chronic low back pain.
Lumbar Traction Overview-Video
Feeling mild to severe pain in your lower back? How about tenderness on certain parts of your back? Do your muscles ache and become stiff when carrying or lifting heavy items? Suffering from low back pain can hinder your daily activities and make you feel miserable. Like the video above, utilizing lumbar traction therapy can help relax the back muscles and provide relief to the compressed spinal discs that are pressing on the nerve roots. Traction therapy is a non-surgical treatment that allows individuals to lay down on a traction machine and be strapped in. The traction machine begins to slowly pull on the spine, causing the intervertebral disc to increase its height in the spine and any nerve roots that were being irritated to stop sending pain signals to and from the brain. Suppose you want to learn more about lumbar traction and how it can benefit you? In that case, this link will explain what traction does for the lumbar area in the spine and provide relief to the back.
How Is Traction Different Than Decompression?
Research studies show that lumbar traction therapy immediately improved the pain and functional status of many individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Since traction therapy help with chronic low back pain, how is it different when individuals use decompression therapy? Traction therapy is performed mechanically or manually to help widen the spaces between the spinal vertebrae. In contrast, decompression therapy helps relieve the pressure of irritated nerve roots that are causing pain along the spinal column. Research studies have found that decompression uses negative pressure to reduce spinal disc protrusion and intradiscal stress off the spinal nerve roots. Traction and decompression therapy have one thing in common: relieve pressure off the spine and alleviate low back pain. These two therapies can also be combined with physical therapy that allows the individual to reduce the stress of the nerve roots and strengthen the back muscle tissues. Incorporating traction or decompression therapy will benefit anyone on their wellness journey by providing relief to chronic low back pain.
Conclusion
Therefore, as part of the musculoskeletal system, the spine can be injured in various scenarios that cause low back pain. Incorporating lumbar traction therapy can help alleviate low back pain either manually or mechanically, stretching the spine to help widen the spaces in the spinal column to relieve compressed spinal discs and loosen up the stiff back muscle to promote blood circulation to the back. Since decompression and traction are different forms of therapy, they do have something in common when it comes to low back pain: to relieve the symptoms of the individual. Once people start incorporating traction therapy as part of their journey to a healthy lifestyle, they can feel relieved and become pain-free from chronic low back pain.
References
Borman, Pinar, et al. “The Efficacy of Lumbar Traction in the Management of Patients with Low Back Pain.” Rheumatology International, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2003, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12634941/.
Koçak, Fatmanur Aybala, et al. “Comparison of the Short-Term Effects of the Conventional Motorized Traction with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Performed with a DRX9000 Device on Pain, Functionality, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Low Back Pain Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Single-Blind Randomized-Controlled Trial.” Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bayçınar Medical Publishing, 16 Feb. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6709608/.
Oh, Hyunju, et al. “The Impact of Manual Spinal Traction Therapy on the Pain and Oswestry Disability Index of Patients with Chronic Back Pain.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Dec. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279706/.
Tadano, Shigeru, et al. “Lumbar Mechanical Traction: A Biomechanical Assessment of Change at the Lumbar Spine.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 9 Apr. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454715/.
Tanabe;Akai M;Doi T;Arai S;Fujino K;Hayashi K; ;, Hideki. “Immediate Effect of Mechanical Lumbar Traction in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Crossover, Repeated Measures, Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Orthopaedic Science: Official Journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Mar. 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33785233/.
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