Back Clinic Chiropractic. This is a form of alternative treatment that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, especially those associated with the spine. Dr. Alex Jimenez discusses how spinal adjustments and manual manipulations regularly can greatly help both improve and eliminate many symptoms that could be causing discomfort to the individual. Chiropractors believe among the main reasons for pain and disease are the vertebrae’s misalignment in the spinal column (this is known as a chiropractic subluxation).
Through the usage of manual detection (or palpation), carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints (called adjustments), chiropractors can alleviate pressure and irritation on the nerves, restore joint mobility, and help return the body’s homeostasis. From subluxations, or spinal misalignments, to sciatica, a set of symptoms along the sciatic nerve caused by nerve impingement, chiropractic care can gradually restore the individual’s natural state of being. Dr. Jimenez compiles a group of concepts on chiropractic to best educate individuals on the variety of injuries and conditions affecting the human body.
Participating in any sports or physical activities strengthens the mind and body. But working out and engaging in these types of activities too much or without rest periods wears down the body. There is the feeling of a good workout with some sore muscles and achiness that lets you know the activity is working positively.
However, soreness can quickly lead to pain and further injury if ignored. The lower back is a common area of soreness after working out playing sports, and where muscle spasms, pulls, and pinches occur. Being able to distinguish between workout soreness and pain is critical for maintaining a healthy spine.
A constant-sore back or feelings of sharp pains is not normal. If there is a feeling of low back pain during or after a physical routine, stop and take a moment to examine the tingling, discomfort, or pain being experienced. If unsure if the soreness or pain is a cause for concern call or video conference with a chiropractor to discuss what is going on.
Physical activity and pain
Individuals participating in physical/sports activities have an increased risk of low back pain because of the consistent running, twisting, and jumping. Any of these movements place pressure on the spine along with the surrounding ligaments and muscles, which can lead to injury.
Repetitive twisting and turning, stresses the muscles around the spine, which can cause frequent muscle sprains. Running and jumping also wears down the vertebrae and discs. Impact activities can also cause injuries to the spine, nerve roots, and surrounding tissues. The most common back problems include:
Muscle sprains
Osteoarthritis
Bulging discs
Herniated discs
Sciatica
Fractures are less common but still pose a risk
Individuals should watch for achiness or stiffness that lasts longer than a few days and does not alleviate with ice or anti-inflammatory over the counter medication, or sharp pain that happens with specific movement/s, along with any pain, numbness, tingling that runs down the leg/s or to other areas should consult a medical professional.
Treatment and prevention
Maintaining the body’s health is critical. If the lower back begins to present discomfort or hurts, do not ignore it. Many will play through the pain when they should be taking a break. And ignoring any back pain could create new injuries or worsen the condition. Continued pressure on the back will worsen any strains or fractures and will hinder the body from healing properly.
Individuals tend to take on awkward/uncomfortable postures and move in awkward ways to avoid or compensate for the pain. This places added pressure in the wrong places and can cause/worsen an injury or condition. Pay attention to the pain. Try ice and heat therapy at home to see if it eases up. Using a foam roller or self-massage device can help if the back pain is muscular. However, if the pain is sharp, shooting, or does not go away, visit a chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment.
A chiropractor will conduct imaging tests and physical exams to identify the root cause. Once a diagnosis has been reached a treatment plan will be implemented through:
Massage
Stretches
Therapeutic exercises
Spinal adjustments
Health coaching
Visiting a chiropractic professional will improve the condition and strengthen the spine.
Fit Body Composition
Muscle recovery
When engaging in physical activity there is microscopic damage to the muscle cells. The stress and fatigue the body goes through during physical activity cause hormone and enzyme levels to fluctuate, increasing inflammation. This leads to:
Fat loss
Increased metabolism
Increased strength
Muscle growth
However, it happens through proper recovery. There are different types of recovery: immediate, short-term, and training.
Immediate recovery is the short time between movements. For example, when jogging, immediate recovery is the time between each stride.
Short-term is the time between sets of exercises. For example, the rest periods between exercise intervals.
Training recovery is the period between one workout session ending and the next beginning.
Research has shown that rest time is not a one size fits all. Everyone is different and therefore should consult a fitness trainer, or sports chiropractor and experiment with what feels right. For some individuals, 24 hours works. For others, it can be 48 or 72 hours to feel fully recovered. It depends on age, fitness level, physical activity intensity, diet, sleep, and more.
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Smith, Jo Armour et al. �Risk Factors Associated With Low Back Pain in Golfers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.��Sports health�vol. 10,6 (2018): 538-546. doi:10.1177/1941738118795425
Individuals are tired of feeling sick. Many doctors prescribe medications to just control the symptoms of the various ailments.
Headaches
Migraines
Nausea
Fatigue
Acid reflux
Asthma
Allergies
Chiropractic care combined with Health coaching will:
Bring the body back into balance
Restore optimal circulation
Detox the body
Increase immune system response
Tired Nervous System
Many of these problems are rooted deep within the nervous system. This system controls pain, movement, organ function, and action/reaction in the body and needs consistent maintenance to continue to operate at an optimal level. Chiropractors are trained to detect nerve interference brought on from spinal misalignment. Chiropractic along with body scanning/imaging can detect nerve interference, and help identify any issues.
Nerve Interference
Nerve interference along the spine can lead to being tired, weakness, pain, discomfort, organ dysfunction, and disease if it is not addressed by a professional chiropractor. The interference can be a result of poor postural habits that have caused the spine to misalign. This places added and dangerous pressure on the delicate nerves flowing throughout the spine.
Chiropractors can determine the root cause back to the region of the spine that is causing any type of impediments. Spinal rehabilitation and realignment will restore the spine back to health eliminating nerve interference. As the body is realigned health coaching recommendations that include diet, supplements, and learning healthy habits will enhance chiropractic maintenance. The end result is a healthy energetic body free of disease, dysfunction, and pain.
Body Composition
Body composition is a way of breaking down the body into components, which are: fat, protein, minerals, and body water. It describes an individual’s accurate weight and provides a new perspective on overall health than traditional methods. Proper body composition analysis will show changes in fat mass, muscle mass, and body fat percentage.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Stochkendahl, Mette Jensen, et al. �Can chiropractors contribute to work disability prevention through sickness absence management for musculoskeletal disorders? – a comparative qualitative case study in the Scandinavian context.� Chiropractic & manual therapies�vol. 26 15. 26 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12998-018-0184-0
Westerterp, Klaas R. �Exercise, energy balance, and body composition.��European journal of clinical nutrition�vol. 72,9 (2018): 1246-1250. doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0180-4
Identification of piriformis syndrome or sciatica requires proper testingand examination. The piriformis muscle begins at the sacrum near the sacroiliac joint and is attached to the femur/thigh bone at the outer area of the hip. The sciatic nerve passes typically under or through the muscle before going down the back of the thigh.
The piriformis helps turn the hip outward and bring the thigh outward to one side while the hip is bent. This could be when raising the knee and bringing the leg out. An example is stepping out of a car. The muscle also helps to stabilize when walking, running, and standing. Individuals with the sciatic nerve passing through the piriformis have an increased chance of developing piriformis syndrome. It can also be called piriformis sciatica since it is not true sciatica.
Symptoms
Piriformis syndrome does not always present the same way. Common symptoms include pain, tingling, and numbness in the buttocks that becomes worse when sitting. Other symptoms can include:
Pain when sitting, standing, or walking.
Pain when getting up from a seated/squatting position
Pain in the sacroiliac joint
Pain and/or pins and needles, burning, tingling, or itching sensation
Movement helps to reduce pain symptoms
Numbness in the foot
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for sciatica. This is why proper testing is necessary to provide the appropriate treatment; otherwise, the condition could worsen or create new injuries.
Causes
Primary piriformis syndrome happens when splitting the piriformis muscle, the sciatic nerve, and/or the sciatic nerve does not run along the normal path.
Secondary piriformis syndrome is more common and is caused by inflammation of the soft tissues, muscle spasms, etc. And the result is nerve compression.
Direct trauma to the buttock area can definitely cause inflammation, scarring, and contraction of the piriformis muscle. This could be the result of an automobile accident or a fall.
The most common cause is a progressive tightening of the muscle brought on from a weakened piriformis muscle.
Testing
Because of the close relation between piriformis syndrome and sciatica, a chiropractic medical professional will perform various tests to determine if symptoms are spinal disc-related or caused by the sciatic nerve getting pinched or impinged piriformis muscle. A chiropractor will examine the low back, hip, pelvis, sacroiliac joint, walking gait, posture, and leg length. They will test various body reflexes as well. Other tests can include:
Palpation/manipulation of the piriformis muscle
A Straight leg raise will be done to see if there is localized pain when pressure is applied to the piriformis muscle and the tendon. The chiropractor will flex the hip at a 90-degree angle and extend/straighten the knee.
A Freiberg test will be done to see if pain presents around the piriformis or reproduces symptoms.
The Pace maneuver test looks for pain and/or weakness during rotation of the hip when sitting.
The F.A.I.R test stands for flexion, adduction, and internal rotation. This test has the individual lie on the non-affected side while the chiropractor guides the painful leg into hip flexion, turns it in toward the body, and gently turns the lower leg outward.
The Beatty maneuver tests for pain while lying on the non-affected side, and the chiropractor elevates the flexed symptomatic leg.
Testing for pain or weakness in specific positions is usually conducted for one minute or when the individual experiences symptoms.
In addition to a physical exam, a chiropractor will utilize imaging scans to rule out any other causes. This can include X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. Once the source has been diagnosed, treatment can begin. Many individuals choose to wait and see what happens, hoping the problem will go away. But the sooner the root issue is dealt with, the sooner an individual can get back to living pain-free.
Sciatica Pain Rehabilitation
References
The Journal of the Osteopathic Medical Association. (November 2008) Diagnosis and Management of Piriformis Syndrome: An Osteopathic Approach jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2093614
Chiropractic adjustments can eliminate headaches and migraines from the source. Many individuals visit medical doctors complaining of headaches and migraines. Most hope for immediate relief from these debilitating issues. However, most are sent home after a quick exam and are given a prescription for medication. Finding, treating, and eliminating the root cause should be the objective, instead of just taking medication after medication.
Root Cause
The root cause can be traced back to dehydration and misalignment of the spine specifically the neck. Most doctors will take out the prescription pad and move on without fully addressing the problem. There has been a significant rise in poor health and disease. This comes from unhealthy lifestyle choices and poor posture habits. Many of us lean and hunch over at a desk station then go home to more computers and television screens. Constant phone check-ins with the head tilted down creates massive pressure on the neck’s muscles and nerves.
Spinal Misalignment Nerve Pressure
Unhealthy lifestyle choices are major contributors to causing spinal misalignment. This places unnecessary and potentially dangerous pressure on the nerves responsible for the function of the organs. When the nerve’s energy is not properly dispersed and cannot reach the organs, a state of dysfunction begins to set in, which can lead to disease and chronic conditions. Healthy lifestyle changes can include learning how to improve standing, sitting, and sleeping posture habits, proper hydration, and chiropractic spinal re-alignment will eliminate headaches and migraines from the source and ensure a healthy body for the future.
Re-Alignment
There is no need to continue suffering from neck/back pain, headaches, migraines, poor posture, and diminished health. Chiropractic will help an individual regain health and vitality. Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic Physical Therapy and Health Coaching Team Can Help.
Migraine Treatment
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Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Bryans, Roland et al. �Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with headache.��Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics�vol. 34,5 (2011): 274-89. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.04.008
Post-Injury: We push ourselves throughout our lives, and accidents that result in injuries are just part of the process. The top causes of injury include:
Falls
Automobile accidents
Sports injuries
Work injuries
Many of them lead to prolonged injury to the spine, knees, hands, and feet. The objective after an injury is to make sure the body heals properly. Without proper treatment, disability, chronic pain, and the development of other health issues are increased.
Post-Injury Care
Injuries cause pain that can result in spinal misalignment, range of motion problems, and a poor quality of life. Seeking care from a spinal expert in alignment and movement will help recover quicker and sustainably. Chiropractic is a research-oriented, top-quality approach that provides natural whole-body care. A chiropractic practitioner will promote proper recovery and decrease the risk of disability and chronic suffering.
Proper spinal alignment
Chiropractic providers are experts in spinal alignment. Here are a few of the amazing benefits that chiropractic provides. Even the most subtle misalignments affect blood and nerve circulation/energy leading to decreased overall body function, slow down the healing process, increases pain, and other health issues. Misalignment is associated frequently as a root cause for symptoms. This allows the body to restore its normal function and heal the recovery process.
Tissue restoration and flexibility
Once alignment has been restored, the continued chiropractic adjustments will maximize the effectiveness of the treatment plan. A personalized treatment plan focuses on the most effective, optimal, non-invasive techniques. The objective is to maintain body balance/alignment allowing the body to recover and rehabilitate properly. Treatment can include:
Pain management with modalities
Soft tissue massage
Exercises
Stretching
Health coaching
Maximize the benefits
Initial symptoms can become chronic and worsen with time if left untreated/ignored and are not medically addressed. Properly maintained recovery will minimize this risk of exacerbating or developing new injuries. Long-term issues typically stem from:
Improper mechanics
Misunderstanding of the injury
Scar tissue
Spinal misalignments
Chiropractic experts are trained to recognize subtle changes that can make differences in the long run and will help minimize all issues right from the start.
Chiropractic for injuries
After an injury has been sustained chiropractic post-injury will increase recovery potential and get the body back on track. Chiropractic post-injury will reduce pain, and get the body back at its best. Find a chiropractor to maximize the recovery process today.
Best Sports Chiropractor
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Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Piper, Steven et al. �The effectiveness of soft-tissue therapy for the management of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of the upper and lower extremities: A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) collaboration.� Manual therapy�vol. 21 (2016): 18-34. doi:10.1016/j.math.2015.08.011
Consistency is what makes chiropractic care work. A common misunderstanding about chiropractic medicine is the number of follow-up treatments necessary after the initial adjustment. Every individual requires a unique customized treatment plan. There are a few general guidelines chiropractors use to determine how they schedule follow-ups. Here is some insight into the nature of corrective chiropractic adjustments.
Consistent Chiropractic
The critical nature of follow-up visits is that a single chiropractic adjustment is not an instant cure. It is an ongoing corrective process. Follow-up appointments are to ensure that the adjustments are on the right track and that whole-body wellness is maintained. Consistent chiropractic treatments maximize effectiveness and ensure proper functionality.
Types of Care
The need for consistent care can be placed in types or phases. Types of care are:
Urgent
Reparative
Preventive
Rehabilitative
Urgent
Individuals go to a medical clinic because they are experiencing discomforting symptoms, pain, etc. A chiropractor’s responsibility is to alleviate those symptoms and address the root cause. Until the symptoms stop and no longer present an individual is in the urgent phase. During this phase, because the injury/condition is new to the chiropractor, they need to get it stabilized first, which consists of several adjustments that focus on various areas. In order to bring proper balance, each of those areas is worked on at follow-up treatment sessions.
Reparative/Rehabilitative
Reparative care does not require the need to see the individual as often. Instead, the treatment is now focused on the root cause of the symptoms, and getting back range of motion. Regular appointments are still important, but they are not as frequent as initial treatment.
Preventive
The preventive care phase is when the main issues have been addressed and can now work on strengthening the immune system through regular adjustments along with stretches, exercises, and diet recommendations that will optimize overall health. This phase includes regularly scheduled but more infrequent adjustment appointments.
Chiropractic Supplementation
A properly maintained regimen of treatment is going beyond the physical manipulation of the spine. Chiropractic clinics offer many other benefits that include:
Consistent chiropractic treatment approaches require time, patience, and energy. All of these help to deliver superior care that leads to optimal health.
Power and Rehab Chiropractic Care
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Liebenson, C. �Rehabilitation and chiropractic practice.��Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics�vol. 19,2 (1996): 134-40.
Chiropractic recommendations to avoid holiday weight gain and back pain. All the food, gravy, pies, cookies, candy, chocolate, wine, eggnog, hot cocoa, and whipped cream are great, but moderation is key to keeping unwanted weight gain that can lead to back pain. Research has found that up to 70% of individuals typically gain weight during the holidays.
Holiday weight gain
Also known as the seasonal seven or a month-long celebration with the diet starting in the new year. Any type of extra weight can contribute to back discomfort and pain. A body that is overweight can begin to overwork the spine, as it tries to adjust to bear the extra weight. This can contribute to injury and back pain. When the body is overweight, the potential for a back injury increases and can be more difficult to recover from, which can result in chronic back pain. Too much weight can exacerbate and/or lead to symptoms of:
Degenerative disc disease
Compression fracture
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Losing the weight
However, most individuals struggle to lose the holiday weight. Research has found that around 10% of individuals are unable to lose the holiday weight until the following fall. Another 11% say that they never lose the weight gained. Year after year the holiday weight gain adds up.
To stay healthy and protect the spine, here are some recommendation to fight the holiday weight gain:
Physical Activity
Physical activity is the best way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Walking is a quick and perfect way to get in some quick exercise. With all the shopping, wrapping, and unwrapping, it can be challenging to find time to exercise. It does not have to be a full workout. Just a quick walk around the block is a perfect option. Don’t get frustrated up over not being able to exercise regularly. A 10-20 minute walk is better than no physical activity at all.
Enjoy in moderation
Don’t try to avoid all the food during the holidays, instead develop an action plan. The objective is to eat and drink in moderation. An example could be before eating, eat a healthy snack so there is no temptation to fill up on sweets, pastries, etc. Also at the dinner, pass on the gravy and share the dessert.
Lose weight effectively
Keeping the holiday weight off can be done with a few adjustments keeping the spine and whole-body healthy.One way is to think about keeping the spine healthy as a gift to yourself. Contact our chiropractic and health coaching team for spinal adjustments, exercises, stretches, and diet.
Weight Loss Chiropractic Treatment
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Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Diaz-Zavala RG, Castro-Cantu MF, Valencia ME, et al. Effect of the holiday season on weight gain: A narrative review.�Obesity. 2017; article ID 2085136. www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2017/2085136/ Accessed November 28, 2017.
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