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.
If there is one thing we are learning more and more about, it is that everything can be related back to inflammation and what we put inside our bodies. Point blank. The food you consume affects your genetics and your inflammatory response in the body. Headaches, achy joints, and overall fatigue have been directly linked to inflammation.
Inflammation was once thought to just be something that occurs when the body has an infection or we hurt ourselves as the body’s natural response. That fact is still true to this day. However, we now know more. Now, we are able to recognize inflammation occurring inside our organs and down to the cellular level.
Just as you roll your ankle and it becomes inflamed, if you eat the wrong foods your gut becomes inflamed. This can then be traced back to leaky gut and in some cases, autoimmune diseases.
The human body is an amazing machine that we are still finding more about each and every day. Let’s first take a look at where this inflammation is coming from. Inflammation can enter the gut barrier as a toxin, protein, pathogen, LPS, or alcohol.
If our body is continuously exposed to these triggers, it can result in our immune system becoming dysregulated. Now that our body has these triggers, things like allergies, asthma, autoimmunity, and poor immune tolerance and regulation become our bodies new regular.
These triggers then signal something called cytokines. Cytokines are tiny and dance around inside of the cell. These cytokines increase NF-kB activity.
NF-kB is then used to transcribe DNA and express an inflammatory state!
Now, our bodies are promoting inflammation, all because we let the toxins in. What we put into our mouth and our bodies matter. The foods we eat have the ability to provide nutrients to our cells, rather than facilitating in this ongoing inflammatory response chain.
Nrf2 is a key protein in the body that has the function of regulating the genome. This helps the body balance gene expressions and the regulation of our genes. Another thing Nrf2 does is upregulate genes that encode antioxidant enzymes and antiinflammatory genes.
Essentially, Nrf2 helps to fight off inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. Nrf2 activity is part of the detoxification system our bodies naturally have. It helps us to not get sick from every single bacteria we come into contact with. However, Nrf2 is a pathway, not a supplement. So now the question becomes, How do we active Nrf2?
As mentioned earlier, everything can be traced back to the kitchen and what we put into our mouth to nourish our body. A great way to ensure you are feeding your body what it needs is to make a smoothie in the morning. Smoothies can contain so many nutrient-dense foods to aid in Nfr2 activation.
First, start off with flaxseed in the blender. Blend it up so the flax seeds get broken up and open. Next, add in blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, acai berry powder, broccoli sprouts, and almond milk!
By providing your body and your cells with the nourishment they need, they will flourish. In addition to a smoothie, there are supplements that can aid in Nrf2 activation as well. These supplements include curcumin, fish oil, wormwood, and CoQ10.
It’s clear that the “American Diet” has been causing problems for us. The world is so busy and fast-paced that we are not taking the time or giving our bodies the consideration to shop and make nutritious home-cooked meals. We need to increase our vegetables, fruits, fibers, whole grains and decrease the carbs. Everyone has some degree of inflammation in their body, and many of us do not even realize it! I challenge us to give up fast food for an entire month, cut the soda, increase the lemon water and eat at least one salad a day during this month. By increasing our vegetables and creating plates that are more colorful, our bodies will thank us! – Kenna Vaughn, Senior Health Coach�
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal,and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. 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. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at915-850-0900.
The most�common type of arthritis in children and adolescents is Juvenile idiopathic arthritis aka (JIA) a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects kids 16 years and younger. It is a rare condition, that affects around 1 in every 1,000 children. It can cause�joint�pain and stiffness throughout the body, especially the facet joints/spinal joints.
Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis was known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, but it is not a child/teenage version of adult rheumatoid arthritis. Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis falls into a group of several types of arthritis. When a doctor diagnoses JIA, they will determine the type.
To better understand how this arthritis affects the spine, it helps to know some of the terminology.
The neck joints are the most common to be attacked by JIA. Whereas, spondyloarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the low back.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis happens in children aged 16 years and younger. Symptoms include:
Other symptoms can include muscles and soft tissues becoming tight, erosion of the bone,�joint misalignment, and abnormal growth patterns.
Diagnosis is not always straightforward, and there are criteria for diagnosing juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The doctor will perform a physical exam and order tests. They will monitor the child�s symptoms for at least 6 weeks initially, and then for 6 months after the onset of the disease. During this time, figuring the number of joints involved helps determine the diagnosis. As joint involvement can vary by the type of arthritis, and symptoms can and do change regularly.
This arthritis attacks the joints of the spine, specifically in the neck. However, with certain types of spondyloarthropathy, the lower back can become the target.
Diagnosing arthritis involves a complete and thorough examination. If a chiropractor has been brought in to help with the case, a medical work-up by a rheumatologist could be recommended. This includes radiology/X-rays or an MRI, urine, blood analysis and physical examinations.
A doctor may recommend a multi-disciplinary approach to treat JIA. They may prescribe various types of therapies/treatments focused on stopping the disease’s progression. The treatment plan will include teaching healthy habits to prevent future back pain.
Treatment usually starts with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory’s. A doctor can also prescribe a corticosteroid to control the inflammation. Most respond well to anti-inflammatory medication, however, these medicines do not treat the underlying disease or the root cause.
Inflammatory arthritis and its progression can be controlled with certain medications. There are disease-modifying antirheumatic medications that can slow the disease�s progression. There are also TNF-blocking medications that can help block a specific protein known as tumor necrosis factor that causes inflammation. Etanercept known on the market as Enbrel and adalimumab aka Humira are examples of TNF-blockers that can prevent the disease from progressing.
Understand that chiropractic medicine cannot cure arthritis, but it can help alleviate the symptoms and slow the progression. They will use spinal adjustments in conjunction with other treatments. These can include:
Focuses on:
Patients can develop a forward posture that can lead to a hunched back and neck pain. Postural training and back extension exercises are helpful. Stretching and range of motion exercises keep the facet and rib joints functioning and mobile. Deep breathing expands the chest which expands the rib joints and aids lung function. Depending on the type and severity, a doctor might try other approaches like spine surgery.
If you or someone has been diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in the spine,�learn as much as possible about the disease and the ways to combat it. Being informed about this or any disease encourages empowerment and engagement throughout the treatment process.
The best results are achieved by attacking it from all angles. Working with a chiropractor and rheumatologist in combination. A chiropractor will train the individual on how to maintain a healthy diet and maintain an active exercise program to help with movement. This is geared toward a healthy outcome.
Today we�re dealing with various forms of stress, and viruses that can compromise our immune systems. Chiropractic medicine focuses on helping individuals overcome these stressors to maintain a healthy and balanced life. Besides chiropractic adjustments, healthy life choices, that include diet are essential to living at an optimal level. Here are three nutritional tips that will help boost the immune system. The immune systems run their best when spinal misalignments are realigned and kept healthy. A proper diet can go a long way. This makes the immune system better equipped to ward off any contaminants/bacteria/germs that try to invade the body during day-to-day activities.
Vitamin D� strengthens bones and teeth by helping the body absorb calcium. Those that have too little vitamin D can develop soft, thin, and brittle bones, a condition known as rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D offers protection against a wide range of illnesses and chronic diseases like cancer for instance. It improves the body’s natural response to bacterial infections and helps increase the production of antimicrobial peptides which are very important in strengthening the immune system.
Calcium is a primary building block for strong, healthy bones, especially the spine. Eating a diet rich in calcium can help prevent serious spinal problems, like spinal fractures and osteoporosis. Calcium supplements can fill the daily recommended amount but are not replacements for calcium-rich foods. If there is enough calcium in your diet, then supplements are not necessary. Everyone’s health situation is different, consult a doctor or chiropractor on how much vitamin D is needed for optimal health. Daily recommendations are different and can be measured by age and sex.
Vegetables can be cooked, or eaten raw. Quickly find what foods are in a vegetable group. Vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels all produce chemicals that are known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and boost the body’s immune system. One way to make sure you�re getting all of your vegetables is through juicing or smoothies. New to juicing/smoothies, check out this resource on juicing vegetables.
Maintaining a healthy diet is vital to maintaining a strong powerful immune system. One way to do this is to avoid/reduce alcohol. Research has proven that alcohol can cause immunodeficiencies that can make us more susceptible to tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia, and other communicable diseases. Although many people consume alcohol for recreational purposes, however, it is important to realize that alcohol is a drug that can poison and deplete the body of essential vitamins and minerals. No alcohol consumption equals a super-strong immune system. Visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism facts and statistics.
Considering making chiropractic rehabilitation part of your lifestyle, well then you are definitely on the right track. What you can expect are many unbelievable health benefits that go beyond pain care.�Chiropractic isn�t just for injury/s, it helps those that are healthy as well by keeping their body’s balanced! Think of it as a medical enhancement that should be included in regular healthcare maintenance. Take a look at these benefits.
Sleep is a huge problem, as people are not getting enough. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep. Chiropractic can help bring restful, restorative sleep. It is highly effective for insomnia. It helps relieve pain, relax, and improve overall wellness, thus allowing you to rest.
When your body is functioning at an optimal level, you feel better and have more energy. When the spine is misaligned, it impacts the entire body. When the body’s organs do not function properly, there can be soreness, stiffness and getting tired more easily. Regular chiropractic can turn it all around and increase the body’s energy levels.
Regular chiropractic can help you build a strong immune system. Those that get chiropractic regularly are more resistant to illnesses than people who don�t. One study shows regular chiropractic treatments help to build a strong immune system. Just one more reason to book an appointment and set up a treatment schedule with your chiropractor. To find out more about nutrition to help build a stronger immune system talk to your chiropractor. They can set up a custom treatment/health/exercise plan. If you�ve never been to one, give us a call. We will help guide you toward a healthy lifestyle through safe chiropractic wellness.
Understanding chronic pain and its alleviation requires an understanding of the anatomy of the nervous system. The nerves of the body are the carriers for the nervous system, as it sends messages to and from the brain. It is quite a complex system. The central nervous system consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The peripheral nervous system branches off the spinal cord.� Both the central and peripheral nervous systems can be affected by neuropathic pain, a type of chronic pain caused by nerve malfunction.
The peripheral nervous system contains 31 pairs of nerve roots that extend from the spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are the feeling nerves/sensory nerves and moving nerves/motor nerves. The chart shows how many pairs of spinal nerves are at each level of the spine.
The somatic nervous system is comprised of nerves that connect to the musculoskeletal system’s:
It’s what helps generate feeling and what generates the feeling of pain.
The autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary functions of the body.
It makes sure the heart keeps pumping and the digestive system breaks down food correctly without thinking. Damage to any nerves can lead to the development of chronic pain. The nerves are responsible for sending pain messages, and if they get damaged, they can continually send a steady stream of pain messages.
Nociceptors are another important part of the nerve body. Nociceptors are receptors at the nerve endings, which are activated when something happens and triggers a pain message.
Example: Nociceptors�in the finger turn on and send a pain message through the peripheral nerve to the spinal cord, on to the brain when a finger gets smashed in the car door. Before the finger was smashed, the nociceptors were not on because there was nothing to make them respond.
One possible cause of chronic pain could be malfunctioning nociceptors. Even if there is not a direct or root cause, they could be continually sending pain messages. Using the same example of the finger smashed in the car door. The finger heals after the smashing but pain signals are still being sent. The�finger’s�nociceptor’s nerves could be malfunctioning, which is why they are still sending pain messages. The result is chronic pain.
Chronic pain is pain that does not stop for more than 6 months. Pain is a subjective experience, it is different for everyone and takes on many forms. The pain could be:
Chronic pain can lead to other problems, specifically social, psychological and emotional. It can:
These added conditions feed off each other. Example: Sleeping is impossible when the pain is active, the next day nothing gets done because of the tiredness. As a result of the inactiveness, a loss of self-esteem begins to set in causing withdrawal from family and social life.
To get the best treatment possible, take note of activities, diet, accidents, injuries, etc before the pain began. Depending on the diagnosis, chiropractic care could help. Research studies have shown that two weeks of regular adjustments/manipulation can bring significant improvement.
Physical therapy combined with stretching and strengthening exercises is part of the treatment for chronic pain. Physical therapy could consist of ice, heat, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound, and myofascial release. A chiropractor and other pain professionals can help bring alleviation, so you can fully live your life.
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