Back Clinic Neck Treatment Team. Dr. Alex Jimenezs collection of neck pain articles contain a selection of medical conditions and/or injuries regarding symptoms surrounding the cervical spine. The neck is made up of various complex structures; bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other types of tissues. When these structures are damaged or injured as a result of improper posture, osteoarthritis, or even whiplash, among other complications, the pain and discomfort an individual experiences can be impairing. Through chiropractic care, Dr. Jimenez explains how the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations focuses on the cervical spine can greatly help relieve the painful symptoms associated with neck issues. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option which focuses primarily on the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. When an individual is involved in an accident or a previous condition has become aggravated over time, causing injury, chiropractic treatment can help.
Injury from an accident or condition can often cause complications to the structures of the body, most commonly the spine, resulting in spinal misalignments, or subluxations, that can lead to the impingement or compression of the nerves, followed by the altered function of the nervous system and the organs surrounding the affected area. After a careful diagnosis, a chiropractor will utilize various natural treatment techniques, such as spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, to correct any possible misalignments and restore the original function of these structures. While chiropractic care has been utilized to treat back pain and neck pain caused by injuries or underlying conditions, there are other non-musculoskeletal disorders which may benefit from this form of alternative treatment.
Treatment Study for Cervicogenic Hearing Loss
Cervicogenic hearing loss is a disorder which, as the name suggests, causes complications closely regarding the function of the vertebral artery relating to its supply of blood to the auditory system. There�s also been suggestions indicating that the reduction of blood supply to the audio/vestibular mechanism may occur as a result of the placement of the spine and its reduction of blood supply to audition. Several research studies have been conducted, however, demonstrating the clinical effect and safety of chiropractic care in treating cervicogenic sudden hearing loss disorders.
From January 2011 to October 2013, 90 individuals diagnosed with cervicogenic sudden hearing loss were divided at random into two groups: the treatment group and the control group; according to a random number table produced by SPSS 19.0 software. In the treatment group, there were 17 males and 28 females, ranging from ages 31 to 62 years old; the course of disease was from 1 to 3 days; and pure-tone audiometry scores ranged from 46.5 to 77.8 dB. Scores for the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) for the treatment group were from 17 to 31. In the control group, there were 15 males and 30 females, ranging from ages 28 to 64 years old; the course of disease was from 1 to 3 days; and pure-tone audiometry scores ranged from 48.1 to 75.0 dB. Scores for the Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire for the control group were from 20 to 29 scores.
The patients of the control group were treated with 10 mg of a dexamethasone intravenous drip, 3 days later, which was then decreased to 5 mg, 3 days later again. With a methycobal intravenous drip of 500 ?g, treatment continued for 10 days. The patients of the treatment group were treated with chiropractic additionally, except for the therapeutic methods of the control group. The chiropractic treatment used on the individuals included local muscle loosening, attacking point, bilateral pulling of the atlantoaxial joint and continuous treatment for 10 days. The pure-tone audiometry scores and NPQ scores were compared between the two groups after completing treatment.
After the treatment, pure-tone audiometry scores and NPQ scores of the treatment group had improved respectively, which displayed significantly better results than those of the control group. In conclusion, compared with routine methods for treating individuals with cervicogenic sudden hearing loss, additional chiropractic care was determined to help improve hearing and relieve neck pain effectively.
The Side Effects of Vaccines Revealed
As a healthcare provider, Dr. Patrick Gentempo has been searching for the truth behind the effects of vaccines on the general population. When making critical decisions about you and your children�s health, it�s essential to have the correct knowledge of all medical procedures you�re being involved in, including the administration of mandatory vaccines, among others.
Identified as a disorder causing significant loss of hearing due to a spinal misalignment that causes a decrease in blood supply from the vertebral artery to the auditory system. A compression or impingement of the structures surrounding the spine can lead to various complications, however, chiropractic has demonstrated substantial benefits towards treating cervicogenic hearing loss.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Whiplash is the common result of a traffic collision. While the symptoms for this type of injury usually ease on their own without the need of specific treatment, it is suggested to manage the natural mobility of the neck and seek medical attention immediately. In many instances, people will turn to the use of painkillers to ease the pain but these only disguise the problem temporarily as they don�t directly treat the issue.
Whiplash-associated injuries are the result of a sudden, back-and-forth motion of the head as a result of an extreme force acting against the body. Because of the force from the impact of a car crash, the muscles, ligaments and other complex tissues found within the neck can stretch, or sprain, beyond the normal range, occasionally causing tears.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Since the symptoms of whiplash often manifest immediately after the auto accident, for some individuals, these can take up to several days, weeks, even months to develop. The common symptoms for whiplash include: pain and discomfort along with stiffness in the neck, usually worsening with each day, pain and stiffness may also be felt in the shoulders, down the arms, and in the upper and/or lower area of the back; turning or bending the neck may be difficult and painful; headaches; dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the jaw or pain when swallowing and abnormal sensations along the skin of the face; and finally, some individuals may experience fatigue and can have irritability and difficulty concentrating.
The appearance of any of these symptoms could indicate the presence of a whiplash-associated injury. It�s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and determine the true cause of the symptoms. If any of the above mentioned symptoms persist, be sure to tell a doctor immediately.
Who Can Get Whiplash?
Neck sprains, or whiplash, are actually significantly common. Many individuals who experience an undesired and unexpected automobile accident develop symptoms of neck pain with or without other injuries. It�s been previously concluded that women tend to be more prone than men to suffer from whiplash-associated injuries as the structures of their body can be relatively different.
After being involved in a minor auto collision where the vehicle only experienced minimal damage, many people are often surprised to still have developed symptoms of whiplash. Including slow vehicle bumps may cause a sufficient enough jerking motion of the neck to cause symptoms.
Although more uncommon, a whiplash-associated injury can also occur as a result of a sports injury or from strenuous physical activity. Some people have also reported injury from an everyday activity where the neck is suddenly jerked after a trip or fall.
Diagnosing Whiplash
A healthcare specialist who focuses and emphasizes in auto accident injuries is most qualified to diagnosing the presence of whiplash from the description of the incident, the symptoms the individual may be experiencing and through a careful evaluation. Because whiplash is a soft-tissue injury, many doctors may be unable to make a clear diagnosis, however, some healthcare specialists are specifically trained to identify whiplash. A careful examination of the structures of the neck, back, shoulders and arms can help determine if there�s been damage or injury to the spine or to the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Further tests may be recommended.
Treatments for Neck Sprains
First of all, the individual must continue to stay active and appropriately stretch and/or exercise their neck. The goal is to keep moving the neck as normally as possible. Initially, the symptoms may be painful and the individual may require some time to rest their neck. Nonetheless, gently exercising the neck as soon as the individual is able to can help. It�s important to now allow the structures of the neck to stiffen up and become tight.
The individual can also gradually increase the range of motion in their neck. Every few hours, gentle movements of the neck in each direction, several times a day can help avoid stiffness in the muscles and other tissues of the neck. Continuing with normal activities is crucial at this point, natural movements of the neck will not cause further damage.
Practicing healthy postural habits can also be beneficial to ease the symptoms of whiplash. While at work or during any other situation of prolonged sitting, the individual should check the posture they are sitting in. Make sure you are sitting upright, not with your head flexed forward along with a stooped back. Several stretches and exercises, such as yoga and pilates, have been used to improve neck posture, however, there is not enough evidence to support the benefits of these techniques when improving posture. In addition, a firm supporting pillow can also help ease the symptoms when sleeping. The individual should avoid using more than one pillow at this time, to avoid further injury.
Chiropractic treatment is a common form of alternative treatment that is frequently used to treat whiplash and many other types of injuries and conditions. Chiropractic care focuses on musculoskeletal injuries and condition, particularly soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, including nervous system dysfunctions. A chiropractor often utilizes gentle spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully restore the natural alignment of the spine and its surrounding structures in the case a subluxation is present. By doing so, these gentle treatments can relieve the stress and pressure being placed against the tissues around the spine, ultimately reducing the painful symptoms. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustments a chiropractor performs can help strengthen the muscles and other tissues of the affected area, helping to restore the original flexibility and mobility of the structures of the body.
A chiropractor may additionally recommend a series of stretches and/or exercises to help speed up the rehabilitation process and improve the individual�s condition through muscle strength, flexibility and mobility. As with any other type of treatment for an injury or condition, time and patience are required to ensure a proper recovery. Depending on the severity of the individual�s whiplash, the recovery process can differ for each person.
Preventing Whiplash with Head Restraints
Vehicles today are being built to minimize the impact from the force of a collision against the body, particularly in the region of the neck and back. All vehicles include head restraints on the vehicle seats which can further help avoid whiplash and other types of neck injuries or conditions. �The head restraint should be placed as high as the top of the head. A properly adjusted head restraint can help reduce the chance of experiencing a serious whiplash injury or other type of neck damage as this can help stop or reduce the head from jolting backwards in an automobile accident. Safety is important and although an auto collision can be an unwanted incident, preventing harm through a few simple methods can make a tremendous difference.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
An automobile accident often results in minimum vehicle damage, however, on the other side of the spectrum, the injuries an individual sustains from a car wreck can be devastating. Various types of accidents can affect a person�s well-being and auto accidents are considered to be some of the most troublesome towards an individual�s health. Apart from causing financial losses, suffering a complicating injury or underlying condition as a result of the auto accident can alter an individual�s lifestyle.
First Steps After an Accident
With that intention, it�s crucial to seek professional assistance to properly manage the physical, mental and material damage an individual may have suffered after a traffic collision. First, the victim of an auto accident should seek immediate medical attention to address any serious injuries as soon as possible. If the accident is minor in nature, and the vehicle itself is equipped with a first-aid kit, the individual may utilize these as a means before professional help arrives. Trauma and shock are often the biggest complications of accidents and it is crucial to treat them as early as possible. The auto accident victim must be kept calms and composed at all times to avoid further injuries.
The next essential step following an automobile accident is to immediately take the victim to the nearest medical facility available. Most frequently, those involved in a car wreck will be transported to the emergency room, or ER, where they will receive basic care for their wounds. Sometimes, the injuries sustained during the incident may appear minor and although there may be no bone fractures or open wounds, there could be the risk of soft-tissue injuries, which are not clearly visible without proper evaluations and testing. Because the professional staff of the ER are often only capable of treating immediately threatening wounds and may prescribe medications to temporarily relieve the painful symptoms following an auto accident, it�s crucial to ensure that the involved individual seeks a full examination from a qualified doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries to rule out the possibility of other, much more serious types of injuries or conditions. This could certainly prevent aggravating an injury and, in some situations, it could also make a difference between life and death.
The Importance of Visiting A Doctor
Aside from reducing the risk of further complications, there are various other reasons why it�s important to seek immediate medical attention from a car accident specialist. Healthcare professionals whom specialize in car accident injuries can help properly diagnose an individual�s injuries or conditions. According to the findings, these capable healthcare professionals can effectively plan the next course of treatment. Furthermost, many doctors and even primary healthcare centers have the required diagnostic tools for pathological tests, such as X-rays. These can be extremely useful because many injuries may not be immediately visible following an automobile accident.
For example, damage or injury to the bone, joints, muscles and ligaments, as well as complications to other types of tissues in the body, can be common after an accident, however, because these may often not result in open-wounds, they may be overlooked. If left untreated, a majority of these complications could lead to further damage or injury. Due to the tremendous force from a car wreck, fractures occur frequently. A basic X-ray, MRI or other types of scans may be needed to rule out the possibility of a bone fracture in the body.
Many auto accidents could also lead to damage or injury to vital organs, such as the lungs, liver, kidney and commonly, the brain. Brain concussions, internal bleeding and puncture wounds to vital organs could be life-threatening and should therefore be immediately ruled out with the use of the above mentioned diagnostic tools.
In other cases, the victim involved may be in need of a blood transfusion. Serious accidents could lead to blood loss and getting medical help as early as possible is also crucial in these instances. Qualified doctors and most primary medical centers have the required quantity and group of blood an individual might need after a serious automobile accident.
Insurance Related Issues
A majority of auto accident victims end up filing personal injury claims under the�insurance companies in order to receive the proper compensation they need and deserve for their injuries. It’s essential for the involved victims to take photographs of the accidents. The healthcare professional providing�treatment to the affected individuals of a car crash can help provide the insurance company with the necessary information required to complete a personal insurance claim. That�s why it�s also important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident. This will help strengthen the insurance claim quite significantly. A preliminary investigation report from the police would also be needed because it will add a legal dimension to the entire accident which could additionally help get the best possible insurance claim. �For those who choose to delay their treatment, not only are they at risk of worsening symptoms from injuries or underlying conditions, if they delay their treatment further, they could have a difficult time with the insurance company.
A majority of chiropractors, as well as other healthcare professionals, are specialized and experienced in treating injuries and trauma caused by an automobile accident. Their professional approach offers some of the best treatments, whether it�s relieving pain caused by pressure being placed on the spinal nerves or numbness caused by stress being imposed on spinal nerves, chiropractors are trained to handle injuries and conditions professionally, especially automobile accident injuries.
Symptoms Following an Auto Accident
When a person suffers an automobile accident, there are several common symptoms one must look out for. The presence of any of the following symptoms could indicate a possible injury or condition and must therefore be immediately examined. The most common symptoms include: pain and discomfort on the neck, back, and upper extremities, tingling sensations and numbness in various parts of the body, dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness.
Being aware of these symptoms is essential as some of these could signal the need for immediate medical attention. For example, pain and discomfort along with dizziness could occur because of hemorrhage to the brain due to concussion from the sudden impact of an auto accident. Being aware of the consequences certain symptoms indicate could help avoid undesirable circumstances.
Different Treatments for Injury
Fortunately, there are many different types of treatments and therapies available to help an individual recover from their automobile accident injures. Depending on the type of injury, the severity of the harm and the overall condition of the victim, various treatment methods are available to accommodate the individual.
Without a doubt, pain and other symptoms caused by injury from an auto collision is a big concern for those who suffer from these circumstances. Many doctors often prescribe pain killers or NSAIDS to help relieve the painful symptoms, however, these can have various side effects and, because they don�t directly treat the underlying issue, prescribed medications only function temporarily to reduce the pain and discomfort. Different types of injections are also available and used regularly for treating pain from trauma and other issues associated with auto accidents, however, as mentioned before, these can also have side effects and may only offer temporary relief without actually treating the problem. When it comes to finding the proper treatment in case of an auto accident, the individual must keep in mind to seek help from a specialist who can offer to restore their overall health without simply masking the issue.
Many healthcare specialists utilize a procedure known as Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy, or CFRN. This complex procedure can be beneficial for some patients. CFRN works by artificially interrupting the signals being sent by certain nerves to the brain which could trigger pain in individuals who suffered an auto accident. This procedure has been found to be useful in reducing the levels of pain an individual experiences which could be unbearable for some people. Pain which is beyond the threshold limit could lead to extreme trauma and shock. This could lead to further complications but, in many cases, it could trigger other issues including heart related problems and neurological disorders.
Physical therapy is considered to be a common and useful primary treatment option for victims of an automobile accident. Many individuals have reported relief from their back pain, neck pain, whiplash and various other types or injuries that could impact vital organs and other types of tissues. Physical therapists may also include heat and cold therapy, according to the individual�s type of injuries. The application of heat therapy helps decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain, increases the flow of oxygen and can help restore flexibility to the affected regions. The application of cold therapy can also help reduce pain and discomfort, but additionally, cold therapy can help decrease swelling.
Last but not least, chiropractic treatment is recognized as the most popular, alternative treatment option to care for injuries and/or conditions caused after an automobile accident. Chiropractors focus on the body as a whole by restoring the natural alignment of the spine. Chiropractors specialize on a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions as well as nervous system dysfunctions. From neck pain and whiplash to low back pain, chiropractic care commonly utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully re-align the spine and its surrounding structures. After a thorough examination and diagnosis to determine the individual�s specific type of complications, a treatment plan may be developed accordingly to gradually rehabilitate the individual and restore their original health.
Additionally, a chiropractor may also recommend several types of stretches and exercises to increase the individual�s strength, improve their flexibility and mobility and ultimately speed up the rehabilitation process. A combination of the appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises along with chiropractic treatment could be extremely useful in helping the individual overcome the hardships of an automobile accident.
Recovering from Auto Injuries
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Occasionally, people may wake up with neck pain from sleeping in an awkward position throughout the night. While often regarded as a common issue that is nothing more than irritating, the symptom of neck pain associated with incorrect sleeping posture can be extremely painful.
During deep sleep, the head can drop into a position which may place unnecessary amounts of stress on the neck muscles and other surrounding tissues of the cervical spine. After some time in an uncomfortable position, the brain is capable of sensing this disruption where it will then command your body to reposition itself in order for the neck to get some relief. Alternatively, many people can also choose to ignore the agitation, aggravating the strain on the neck further. Consequently, neck pain the following morning is the most common outcome. While there�s a variety of methods to prevent neck pain as well as a variety of treatments for individuals with other neck complications, if you�re already experiencing neck pain symptoms, there�s several simple solutions you can follow before you receive medical attention to find relief for your neck pain. ��
If the individual experiences neck pain as a result of improper sleeping posture or from other sleep complications on a regular basis, it�s crucial for the individual so seek immediate medical attention to properly diagnose any possible injuries or underlying conditions the person might have and follow through with an appropriate treatment to help restore the individual�s natural state of being as well as improve their overall wellness to ensure them a good night�s sleep.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
During sleep, the head can often rest in abnormal positions. While the brain usually signals the body to move and adjust itself to relieve unnecessary strain due to an improper sleeping posture, many individuals still wake up the next day with neck pain. A single case of neck pain can be relieved with several simple solutions, but if the symptoms persist, its essential for the individual to then seek professional medical attention. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
