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.
For individuals experiencing or managing low back pain and/or sciatica, can lumbar traction therapy help provide consistent relief?
Lumbar Traction
Lumbar traction therapy for lower back pain and sciatica could be a treatment option to help restore mobility and flexibility and safely support an individual’s return to an optimal level of activity. It is often combined with targeted therapeutic exercise. (Yu-Hsuan Cheng, et al., 2020) The technique stretches the space between the vertebrae in the lower spine, relieving lower back pain.
Lumbar or low back traction helps to separate the spaces between the vertebrae.
Separating the bones restores circulation and helps relieve the pressure on pinched nerves like the sciatic nerve, decreasing pain and improving mobility.
Research
Researchers say lumbar traction with exercise did not improve individual outcomes compared to physical therapy exercises on their own (Anne Thackeray et al., 2016). The study examined 120 participants with back pain and nerve root impingement who were randomly selected to undergo lumbar traction with exercises or simple exercises for pain. Extension-based exercises focused on bending the spine backward. This movement is considered effective for individuals with back pain and pinched nerves. The results indicated that adding lumbar traction to physical therapy exercises did not offer significant benefits over extension-based exercise alone for back pain. (Anne Thackeray et al., 2016)
A 2022 study found that lumbar traction is helpful for individuals with lower back pain. The study investigated two different lumbar traction techniques and found that variable-force lumbar traction and high-force lumbar traction helped to relieve lower back pain. High-force lumbar traction was also found to reduce functional disability. (Zahra Masood et al., 2022) Another study found lumbar traction improves the range of motion in the straight leg raise test. The study examined different forces of traction on herniated discs. All the levels improved the individuals’ range of motion, but the one-half body-weight traction setting was associated with the most significant pain relief. (Anita Kumari et al., 2021)
Treatment
For individuals with only low back pain, exercise, and postural correction may be all that is needed to provide relief. Research confirms physical therapy exercises can help decrease pain and improve mobility (Anita Slomski 2020). Another study revealed the importance of centralizing sciatic symptoms during repetitive movements. Centralization is moving the pain back to the spine, which is a positive sign that the nerves and discs are healing and occurs during therapeutic exercise. (Hanne B. Albert et al., 2012) A chiropractor and physical therapy team can educate patients on preventing back pain episodes. Chiropractors and physical therapists are body movement experts who can show which exercises are best for your condition. Starting an exercise program that centralizes symptoms can help individuals return to their normal lifestyle quickly and safely. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any exercise program for back pain.
Movement Medicine: Chiropractic
References
Cheng, Y. H., Hsu, C. Y., & Lin, Y. N. (2020). The effect of mechanical traction on low back pain in patients with herniated intervertebral disks: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Clinical rehabilitation, 34(1), 13–22. doi.org/10.1177/0269215519872528
Thackeray, A., Fritz, J. M., Childs, J. D., & Brennan, G. P. (2016). The Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction Among Subgroups of Patients With Low Back Pain and Leg Pain: A Randomized Trial. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 46(3), 144–154. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2016.6238
Masood, Z., Khan, A. A., Ayyub, A., & Shakeel, R. (2022). Effect of lumbar traction on discogenic low back pain using variable forces. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(3), 483–486. doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.453
Kumari, A., Quddus, N., Meena, P. R., Alghadir, A. H., & Khan, M. (2021). Effects of One-Fifth, One-Third, and One-Half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BioMed research international, 2021, 2561502. doi.org/10.1155/2021/2561502
Slomski A. (2020). Early Physical Therapy Relieves Sciatica Disability and Pain. JAMA, 324(24), 2476. doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.24673
Albert, H. B., Hauge, E., & Manniche, C. (2012). Centralization in patients with sciatica: are pain responses to repeated movement and positioning associated with outcome or types of disc lesions?. 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, 21(4), 630–636. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2018-9
For individuals suffering from neck pain and headaches, can craniosacral head massage therapy help provide relief?
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle massage to release fascia or connective tissue network tension. The therapy is not new but has gained new attention because of the public interest in natural pain treatments and therapies. Studies are limited, but clinical research is ongoing to see if the therapy can become a mainstream treatment option. The therapy aims to alleviate the symptoms of various health ailments and conditions, including:
By relieving compression in the lower back, head, and spinal column, cerebrospinal fluid circulation is restored, and the body rhythms within the nervous system are reset. This provides pain relief, lowers stress, and improves overall well-being.
The focus areas are those along the fascia, the connective tissue that holds organs, blood vessels, bones, nerve fibers, and muscles in place. By working this tissue through gentle-pressure massage, practitioners help to calm the fight-or-flight response by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system. The symptoms will determine what areas of the body necessitate craniosacral therapy. Individuals with headaches will be given a head or neck massage. Other areas involved in craniosacral therapy include: (Heidemarie Haller, Gustav Dobos, and Holger Cramer, 2021)
Back
Around the spinal column.
Other areas like the joints or muscles.
The pressure applied during craniosacral therapy is light and not the same as a deep tissue massage.
The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems control various body responses.
The parasympathetic nervous system supports proper rest and digestive functions, and the sympathetic nervous system regulates the body’s fight-or-flight response. (Cleveland Clinic. 2022)
Therapy Techniques
The massage techniques used in craniosacral therapy rely on low pressure intended to be as gentle as possible. The fingertips are often used to avoid applying too much pressure. Healthcare providers work the areas between the skull and the bottom of the spine to identify and reset imbalances within the body and the cerebrospinal fluid. If there is an imbalance in cerebrospinal fluid, the massage therapist will reposition the individual or press on the area to release and/or increase circulation. The techniques work to improve the body’s ability to regulate physiological responses. (Heidemarie Haller et al., 2019) During and after the session, individuals may experience different sensations, including: (Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, 2024)
Relaxation.
Feeling like being in a meditative state.
Sleepiness.
Energized.
Feeling a sense of warmth.
Deeper breathing.
Feeling the body is straighter and taller.
Individuals Who Should Not Receive Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is considered safe; however, some individuals should avoid it or consult a healthcare provider before trying it. Those recommended not to receive the treatment include individuals with the following ailments or disorders:
Concussion or other traumatic brain injuries.
Blood clots.
Brain swelling.
Brain aneurysm – a blood-filled bulge in a blood vessel in or around the brain.
Conditions that cause cerebrospinal fluid buildup.
Treatment
Craniosacral therapy is offered by several healthcare providers, including:
Craniosacral therapy licensed massage therapists
Physical therapists
Occupational therapists
Osteopaths
Chiropractors
These professionals know how to perform the massage technique correctly.
Tension Headaches
References
Haller, H., Lauche, R., Sundberg, T., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2019). Craniosacral therapy for chronic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 21(1), 1. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-3017-y
Haller, H., Dobos, G., & Cramer, H. (2021). The use and benefits of Craniosacral Therapy in primary health care: A prospective cohort study. Complementary therapies in medicine, 58, 102702. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102702
Can individuals with joint hypermobility find relief through nonsurgical treatments in reducing pain and restoring body mobility?
Introduction
When a person moves their body, the surrounding muscles, joints, and ligaments are incorporated into various tasks that allow them to stretch and be flexible without pain or discomfort. Many repetitive motions enable the individual to continue their routine. However, when the joints, muscles, and ligaments are stretched farther than normal in the upper and lower extremities without pain, it is known as joint hypermobility. This connective tissue disorder can correlate with other symptoms that affect the body and cause many people to seek treatment to manage joint hypermobility symptoms. In today’s article, we will look at joint hypermobility and how various non-surgical treatments can help reduce pain caused by joint hypermobility and restore body mobility. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how their pain may be associated with joint hypermobility. We also inform and guide patients on how integrating various non-surgical treatments can help improve joint function while managing the associated symptoms. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and insightful questions about incorporating non-surgical therapies as part of their routine to reduce pain and discomfort from joint hypermobility. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Is Joint Hypermobility?
Do you often feel your joints locked up in your hands, wrists, knees, and elbows? Do you experience pain and fatigue in your joints when your body feels constantly tired? Or when you stretch your extremities, do they extend farther than usual to feel the relief? Many of these various scenarios are often correlated with individuals experiencing joint hypermobility. Joint hypermobility is an inherited disorder with autosomal dominant patterns that characterize joint hyperlaxity and musculoskeletal pain within the body extremities. (Carbonell-Bobadilla et al., 2020) This connective tissue condition is often related to the flexibility of the connected tissues like ligaments and tendons in the body. An example would be if a person’s thumb is touching their inner forearm without feeling pain or discomfort, they have joint hypermobility. Additionally, many individuals dealing with joint hypermobility will often have a difficult diagnosis as they will develop skin and tissue fragility over time, causing musculoskeletal complications. (Tofts et al., 2023)
When individuals deal with joint hypermobility over time, many often have symptomatic joint hypermobility. They will present with musculoskeletal and systemic symptoms that lead to displaying skeletal deformities, tissue and skin fragility, and structural differences in the body’s system. (Nicholson et al., 2022) Some of the symptoms that joint hypermobility are shown in a diagnosis include:
Muscle pain and joint stiffness
Clicking joints
Fatigue
Digestive issues
Balance issues
Luckily, there are various treatments that many people can use to help restrengthen the surrounding muscles around the joints and reduce the correlating symptoms caused by joint hypermobility.
Movement As Medicine-Video
Nonsurgical Treatments For Joint Hypermobility
When dealing with joint hypermobility, many individuals need to seek treatments to reduce the correlating pain-like symptoms of joint hypermobility and help relieve the body’s extremities while restoring mobility. Some excellent treatments for joint hypermobility are non-surgical therapies that are non-invasive, gentle on the joints and muscles, and cost-effective. Various non-surgical treatments can be customized for the individual depending on how severe their joint hypermobility and comorbidities affect the person’s body. Non-surgical treatments can relieve the body from joint hypermobility by treating the causes of the pain through reduction and maximizing functional capacity and restoring a person’s quality of life. (Atwell et al., 2021) The three non-surgical treatments that are excellent for reducing pain from joint hypermobility and helping strengthen the surrounding muscles are below.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care utilizes spinal manipulation and helps restore joint mobility in the body to reduce the effects of joint hypermobility by stabilizing the affected joints from the hypermobile extremities. (Boudreau et al., 2020) Chiropractors incorporate mechanical and manual manipulation and various techniques to help many individuals improve their posture by being more mindful of their bodies and work with multiple other therapies to emphasize controlled movements. With other comorbidities associated with joint hypermobility, like back and neck pain, chiropractic care can reduce these comorbidity symptoms and allow the individual to regain their quality of life.
Acupuncture
Another non-surgical treatment that many individuals can incorporate to reduce joint hypermobility and its comorbidities is acupuncture. Acupuncture utilizes small, thin, solid needles that acupuncturists use to block pain receptors and restore the body’s energy flow. When many individuals are dealing with joint hypermobility, their extremities in the legs, hands, and feet are in pain over time, which can cause the body to be unstable. What acupuncture does is help reduce the pain caused by joint hypermobility associated with the extremities and restore balance and functionality to the body (Luan et al., 2023). This means that if a person is dealing with stiffness and muscle pain from joint hypermobility, acupuncture can help rewire the pain by placing the needles in the body’s acupoints to provide relief.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the last non-surgical treatment many people can incorporate into their daily routine. Physical therapy can help manage joint hypermobility that are tailored to help strengthen weak muscles that are surrounding the affected joints, improving a person’s stability and helping reduce the risk of dislocation. Additionally, many individuals can use low-impact exercise to ensure optimal motor control when doing regular exercises without putting excessive strain on the joints. (Russek et al., 2022)
By incorporating these three non-surgical treatments as part of a customized treatment for joint hypermobility, many individuals will begin to feel a difference in their balance. They will not experience joint pain by being more mindful of the body and incorporating small changes in their routine. Even though living with joint hypermobility can be a challenge for many individuals, by integrating and utilizing the right combination of non-surgical treatments, many can begin to lead active and fulfilling lives.
References
Atwell, K., Michael, W., Dubey, J., James, S., Martonffy, A., Anderson, S., Rudin, N., & Schrager, S. (2021). Diagnosis and Management of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders in Primary Care. J Am Board Fam Med, 34(4), 838-848. doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2021.04.200374
Boudreau, P. A., Steiman, I., & Mior, S. (2020). Clinical management of benign joint hypermobility syndrome: a case series. J Can Chiropr Assoc, 64(1), 43-54. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32476667
Carbonell-Bobadilla, N., Rodriguez-Alvarez, A. A., Rojas-Garcia, G., Barragan-Garfias, J. A., Orrantia-Vertiz, M., & Rodriguez-Romo, R. (2020). [Joint hypermobility syndrome]. Acta Ortop Mex, 34(6), 441-449. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34020527 (Sindrome de hipermovilidad articular.)
Luan, L., Zhu, M., Adams, R., Witchalls, J., Pranata, A., & Han, J. (2023). Effects of acupuncture or similar needling therapy on pain, proprioception, balance, and self-reported function in individuals with chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med, 77, 102983. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102983
Nicholson, L. L., Simmonds, J., Pacey, V., De Wandele, I., Rombaut, L., Williams, C. M., & Chan, C. (2022). International Perspectives on Joint Hypermobility: A Synthesis of Current Science to Guide Clinical and Research Directions. J Clin Rheumatol, 28(6), 314-320. doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000001864
Russek, L. N., Block, N. P., Byrne, E., Chalela, S., Chan, C., Comerford, M., Frost, N., Hennessey, S., McCarthy, A., Nicholson, L. L., Parry, J., Simmonds, J., Stott, P. J., Thomas, L., Treleaven, J., Wagner, W., & Hakim, A. (2022). Presentation and physical therapy management of upper cervical instability in patients with symptomatic generalized joint hypermobility: International expert consensus recommendations. Front Med (Lausanne), 9, 1072764. doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.1072764
Tofts, L. J., Simmonds, J., Schwartz, S. B., Richheimer, R. M., O’Connor, C., Elias, E., Engelbert, R., Cleary, K., Tinkle, B. T., Kline, A. D., Hakim, A. J., van Rossum, M. A. J., & Pacey, V. (2023). Pediatric joint hypermobility: a diagnostic framework and narrative review. Orphanet J Rare Dis, 18(1), 104. doi.org/10.1186/s13023-023-02717-2
Can individuals with herniated discs find the relief they are looking for from traction therapy or decompression to provide pain relief?
Introduction
The spine allows the individual to be mobile and flexible without feeling pain and discomfort when a person is on the move. This is because the spine is part of the musculoskeletal system that consists of muscles, tendons, ligaments, the spinal cord, and spinal discs. These components surround the spine and have three regions to allow the upper and lower extremities to do their jobs. However, the spine also ages when the body starts to age naturally. Many movements or routine actions can cause the body to be stiff and, over time, can cause the spinal disc to herniate. When this happens, a herniated disc can lead to pain and discomfort in the extremities, thus making individuals deal with a reduced quality of life and pain in three spinal regions. Luckily, there are numerous treatments, like traction therapy and decompression, to alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with herniated discs. Today’s article looks at why herniated discs cause issues in the spine and the effects of how these two treatments can help reduce herniated discs. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how a herniated disc in the spine may be the issue causing musculoskeletal pain. We also inform and guide patients on how integrating spinal decompression and traction therapy can help realign the spine and reduce disc herniation that is causing spinal issues. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating non-surgical treatments as part of their routine to reduce pain and discomfort in their bodies. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Why Herniated Discs Causes Issues In The Spine?
Have you been experiencing constant discomfort in your neck or back that doesn’t allow you to relax? Do you feel tingling sensations in your upper and lower extremities, making grasping objects or walking difficult? Or have you noticed that you are hunching over from your desk or standing and that stretching causes pain? As the spine keeps the body upright, its main components include the moveable vertebrae, the nerve root fibers, and spinal discs to help send neuron signals to the brain to allow movement, cushion the shocked forces on the spine, and be flexible. The spine allows the individual to perform various tasks without pain and discomfort through repetitive movements. However, when the body ages, it can lead to degenerative changes in the spine, causing the spinal disc to herniate over time. A herniated disc is a common degenerative musculoskeletal condition that causes the nucleus pulposus to break through any weak region of the annulus fibrosus and compress the surrounding nerve roots. (Ge et al., 2019) Other times, when repetitive motions start to cause a developing herniated disc, the inner portion of the disc can become desiccated and brittle. In contrast, the outer portion becomes more fibrotic and less elastic, causing the disc to shrink and be narrow. A herniated disc can affect young and old populations as they can have a multifactorial contribution that causes proinflammatory changes to the body. (Wu et al., 2020)
When many people are dealing with pain associated with a herniated disc, the disc itself goes through morphological change through the characterization of the disc being partial damage, which is then followed by the displacement and herniation of the inner disc portion in the vertebral canal to compress the spinal nerve roots. (Diaconu et al., 2021) This causes symptoms of pain, numbness, and weakness in the upper and lower body portions through nerve impingement. Hence why, many individuals are dealing with referred pain symptoms from their arms and legs that are radiating pain. When nerve compression associated with herniated discs starts to cause pain and discomfort, many individuals begin to seek out treatment to reduce the pain that the herniated disc is causing to provide relief for their bodies.
Spinal Decompression In Depth-Video
The Effects Of Traction Therapy In Reducing Herniated Disc
Many people who are suffering from pain that is being affected by herniated discs in their spines can seek out treatments like traction therapy to alleviate pain. Traction therapy is a non-surgical treatment that stretches and mobilizes the spine. Traction therapy can be mechanically or manually done by a pain specialist or with the help of mechanical devices. The effects of traction therapy can reduce the compression force on the spinal disc while reducing nerve root compression by expanding the disc height within the spine. (Wang et al., 2022) This allows the surrounding joints within the spine to be mobile and positively affect the spine. With traction therapy, intermittent or steady tension forces help stretch the spine, reduce pain, and improve functional outcomes. (Kuligowski et al., 2021)
The Effects Of Spinal Decompression In Reducing Herniated Disc
Another form of non-surgical treatment is spinal decompression, a sophisticated version of traction that uses computerized technology to help apply controlled, gentle pulling forces to the spine. Spinal decompression does is that it can help decompress the spinal canal and help pull the herniated disc back to its original position while stabilizing the spine and keeping the vital bones and soft tissues safe. (Zhang et al., 2022) Additionally, spinal decompression can create negative pressure on the spine to allow the flow of nutritional fluids and blood oxygen back to the discs while creating an inverse relationship when tension pressure is introduced. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) Both spinal decompression and traction therapy can offer many therapeutic pathways to provide relief to many individuals dealing with herniated discs. Depending on how severe the herniated disc has caused issues to the person’s spine, many can rely on non-surgical treatments due to its customizable plan that is personalized to the person’s pain and can be combined with other therapies to strengthen the surrounding muscles. By doing so, many people can be pain-free over time while being mindful of their bodies.
References
Diaconu, G. S., Mihalache, C. G., Popescu, G., Man, G. M., Rusu, R. G., Toader, C., Ciucurel, C., Stocheci, C. M., Mitroi, G., & Georgescu, L. I. (2021). Clinical and pathological considerations in lumbar herniated disc associated with inflammatory lesions. Rom J Morphol Embryol, 62(4), 951-960. doi.org/10.47162/RJME.62.4.07
Ge, C. Y., Hao, D. J., Yan, L., Shan, L. Q., Zhao, Q. P., He, B. R., & Hui, H. (2019). Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review. Clin Interv Aging, 14, 2295-2299. doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S228717
Kuligowski, T., Skrzek, A., & Cieslik, B. (2021). Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(11). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116176
Ramos, G., & Martin, W. (1994). Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg, 81(3), 350-353. doi.org/10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350
Wang, W., Long, F., Wu, X., Li, S., & Lin, J. (2022). Clinical Efficacy of Mechanical Traction as Physical Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. Comput Math Methods Med, 2022, 5670303. doi.org/10.1155/2022/5670303
Wu, P. H., Kim, H. S., & Jang, I. T. (2020). Intervertebral Disc Diseases PART 2: A Review of the Current Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for Intervertebral Disc Disease. Int J Mol Sci, 21(6). doi.org/10.3390/ijms21062135
Zhang, Y., Wei, F. L., Liu, Z. X., Zhou, C. P., Du, M. R., Quan, J., & Wang, Y. P. (2022). Comparison of posterior decompression techniques and conventional laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis. Front Surg, 9, 997973. doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2022.997973
Can individuals with spinal pain in their necks and back utilize decompression therapy to restore spinal disc height and find relief?
Introduction
Many people don’t realize that as the body gets older, so does the spine. The spine is part of the musculoskeletal system that provides structural support to the body by keeping it upright. The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tissues surrounding the spine help with stability and mobility, while the spinal disc and joints provide shock absorption from the sheer vertical weight. When a person is on the move with their daily activities, the spine can allow the individual to be mobile without pain or discomfort. However, as time passes, the spine goes through degenerative changes that can cause pain and discomfort to the body, thus leaving the individual to deal with overlapping risk profiles that can affect their neck and back. To that point, many people seek out treatments to reduce the pain affecting their spine and restore the disc height in their bodies. Today’s article looks at how spinal pain affects a person’s neck and back and how treatments like spinal decompression can reduce spinal pain and restore disc height. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how spinal pain can significantly impact a person’s well-being and quality of life in their bodies. We also inform and guide patients on how integrating spinal decompression can help reduce spinal pain and restore spinal disc height. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating non-surgical treatments into a health and wellness routine to relieve spinal pain and regain their quality of life. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Spinal Pain Affects A Person’s Neck & Back
Do you feel constant muscle aches and pains in your neck and back? Have you experienced stiffness and limited mobility when you are twisting and turning? Or do heavy objects cause muscle strain when moving from one location to another? Many individuals will be on the move and be in weird positions without feeling pain and discomfort when it comes to the spine. This is due to the surrounding muscles and tissues being stretched and the spinal discs taking on the vertical pressure on the spine. However, when environmental factors, traumatic injuries, or natural aging start to affect the spine, it can lead to the development of spinal pain. This is because the outer portion of the spinal disc is intact, and the inner portion of the disc is being affected. When abnormal stresses start to reduce the water intake within the disc, it can internally stimulate the pain receptors without nerve root symptoms inside the disc. (Zhang et al., 2009) This causes many individuals to deal with neck and back pain in their bodies and reduces their quality of life.
Spinal pain can lead to overlapping risk profiles that cause many individuals to deal with severe low back pain and neck pain, which then causes the surrounding muscles to become weak, tight, and overstretched. At the same time, the surrounding nerve roots are also affected as the nerve fibers surround the outer and inner parts of the spinal disc, which causes nociceptive pain properties to the neck and back region and leads to discogenic pain. (Coppes et al., 1997) When many individuals are dealing with muscle pain correlated with the spinal discs, it causes a pain-spasm-pain cycle that can affect their bodies due to not moving enough and causing painful muscular activities when trying to be mobile. (Roland, 1986) When a person has limited mobility cause they are experiencing spinal pain, their natural disc height slowly degenerates, causing more issues to their bodies and socioeconomic burdens. Fortunately, when many individuals are dealing with spinal pain, numerous treatments can reduce spinal pain and restore their disc height.
Movement Medicine- Video
How Spinal Decompression Reduces Spinal Pain
When people are seeking treatments for their spinal pain, many will seek surgical treatments to reduce their pain, but it will be a bit pricey. However, many individuals will opt for non-surgical treatments due to their affordability. Non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and customizable to a person’s pain and discomfort. From chiropractic care to acupuncture, depending on the severity of the person’s pain, many will find the relief they seek. One of the most innovative treatments for reducing spinal pain is spinal decompression. Spinal decompression allows the individual to be strapped into a traction table. This is because it gently pulls on the spine to realign the spinal disc by reducing the pressure on the spine to invoke the body’s natural healing process to relieve pain. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) Additionally, when many individuals are using spinal decompression, the gentle traction provides a motorized distraction to the spine that may induce physical changes to the spinal disc and help restore a person’s range of motion, flexibility, and mobility. (Amjad et al., 2022)
Spinal Decompression Restoring Spinal Disc Height
When a person is being strapped into the spinal decompression machine, the gentle traction helps the spinal disc return to the spine, allowing the fluids and nutrients to rehydrate the spine, increasing the spine’s disc height. This is because spinal decompression creates negative pressure on the spine, allowing the spinal disc to return to its original height and providing relief. Plus, the amazing thing that spinal decompression does is that it can be combined with physical therapy to help stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles near the spine to provide more stability and flexibility. (Vanti et al., 2023) This allows the individual to be more mindful of their bodies and start incorporating small habit changes to reduce the pain from returning. When many people begin to think about their health and wellness by going to treatment, they will regain their quality of life and get back to their daily routine without the issues affecting their spine.
References
Amjad, F., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Gilani, S. A., Ahmad, A., & Hanif, A. (2022). Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy on pain, range of motion, endurance, functional disability and quality of life versus routine physical therapy alone in patients with lumbar radiculopathy; a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 255. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05196-x
Coppes, M. H., Marani, E., Thomeer, R. T., & Groen, G. J. (1997). Innervation of “painful” lumbar discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 22(20), 2342-2349; discussion 2349-2350. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199710150-00005
Ramos, G., & Martin, W. (1994). Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg, 81(3), 350-353. doi.org/10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350
Roland, M. O. (1986). A critical review of the evidence for a pain-spasm-pain cycle in spinal disorders. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 1(2), 102-109. doi.org/10.1016/0268-0033(86)90085-9
Vanti, C., Saccardo, K., Panizzolo, A., Turone, L., Guccione, A. A., & Pillastrini, P. (2023). The effects of the addition of mechanical traction to physical therapy on low back pain? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc, 57(1), 3-16. doi.org/10.5152/j.aott.2023.21323
Zhang, Y. G., Guo, T. M., Guo, X., & Wu, S. X. (2009). Clinical diagnosis for discogenic low back pain. Int J Biol Sci, 5(7), 647-658. doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.5.647
Can non-surgical treatments like acupuncture and spinal decompression provide relief to individuals dealing with sciatica?
Introduction
When many individuals start to feel pain running down their legs after a long day of activities, it causes them to have limited mobility and difficulty finding a place to rest. Many people think that they are just dealing with leg pain, but it can be more of an issue as they realize that it’s not just the leg pain they are experiencing but it is sciatica. While this long nerve comes from the lower back and travels down to the legs, it can succumb to pain and discomfort when herniated discs or muscles compress and aggravate the nerve. When this happens, it can impact a person’s mobility and quality of life, thus causing them to seek out treatment to reduce the pain from sciatica. Fortunately, alternative therapies like acupuncture and spinal decompression have been utilized to not only minimize sciatic pain but also provide positive, beneficial results. Today’s article looks at sciatica, how spinal decompression and acupuncture can relieve sciatica, and how integrating these two non-surgical treatments can lead to beneficial results. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how sciatica can significantly impact a person’s well-being and quality of life. We also inform and guide patients on how integrating acupuncture therapy and spinal decompression can positively reduce sciatica. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating non-surgical treatments into a wellness routine to relieve sciatica and its referred symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Understanding Sciatica
Do you often experience numbness or tingling sensations from your lower back to your legs? Do you feel like your gait is feeling off balance? Or have you stretched your legs after being seated for a while, which provides temporary relief? While the sciatic nerve plays a pivotal role in motor function in the legs, when various factors, such as herniated discs and even pregnancy, start to aggravate the nerve, it can cause pain. Sciatica is a deliberating pain condition often mislabeled as low back pain or radicular leg pain due to these two musculoskeletal conditions. These are comorbidities and can be exacerbated by simple twists and turns. (Davis et al., 2024)
Additionally, when many individuals are doing repetitive motions or dealing with degenerative changes in the spine, the spinal discs are more prone to herniation. They may press on the spinal nerves, causing the neuron signals to invoke pain and discomfort in the lower extremities. (Zhou et al., 2021) At the same time, sciatica can be both spinal and extra-spinal sources in the lumbar spinal region, which causes many individuals to be in constant pain and looking for relief. (Siddiq et al., 2020) When sciatica pain starts to affect a person’s lower extremities, causing mobility issues, many people seek treatments to reduce the pain-like effects of sciatica.
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Acupuncture For Reducing Sciatica Pain
When it comes to treating sciatica, many people can look into non-surgical treatments due to its affordability and effectiveness in reducing sciatica and its associated pain-like symptoms. Non-surgical treatments can be customized to the individual’s pain and be combined to restore a person’s quality of life. Two non-surgical treatments that can help reduce sciatica are acupuncture and spinal decompression. Acupuncture has a long history of providing significant positive effects on lowering sciatic pain and improving a person’s quality of life. (Yuan et al., 2020) Highly trained professionals from China use acupuncture and incorporate small solid needles to provide instant relief from sciatica’s associated symptoms. This is because acupuncture exerts analgesic effects by regulating microglia activation, inhibiting the body’s natural inflammatory response, and modulating receptors along the pain pathway in the nervous system. (Zhang et al., 2023) To this point, acupuncture can stimulate the body’s acupoints to restore balance.
The Effects Of Acupuncture
One of the effects of acupuncture for relieving sciatica is that it can reduce pain intensity by changing the brain’s activity patterns when the pain receptors are disrupted. (Yu et al., 2022) Additionally, when acupuncturists start to stimulate the nerves in the muscles and tissues, they release endorphins and other neurohumoral factors that help change the pain process in the nervous system. Acupuncture helps reduce inflammation while improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility through increasing microcirculation to reduce swelling while blocking sciatica pain from affecting the lower extremities.
Spinal Decompression For Relieving Sciatica Pain
Another form of non-surgical treatment is spinal decompression, and it can help reduce the effects of sciatica and its associated pain symptoms. Spinal decompression utilizes a traction table to gently stretch the spine to create a negative pressure within the spinal disc and free up the affected nerves. For sciatica individuals, this non-surgical treatment relieves the sciatic nerve as spinal decompression helps reduce the pain intensity and improve mobility function in the lower extremities. (Choi et al., 2022) The main objective of spinal decompression is to create space within the spinal canal and neural structures to release the aggravated sciatic nerve from causing more pain. (Burkhard et al., 2022)
The Effects Of Spinal Decompression
Many individuals can begin to feel relief from incorporating spinal decompression in their wellness treatment. This non-surgical treatment promotes fluids and nutrients to the spinal disc to kick-start the body’s natural healing process. When the spine is being gently stretched, there is less pressure on the sciatic nerves, which can alleviate the pain and improve mobility. Additionally, many individuals will feel their flexibility and mobility back in their lumbar region.
Integrating Acupuncture and Spinal Decompression For Relief
So, when many people start to integrate spinal decompression and acupuncture as a holistic and non-surgical approach for relieving sciatica, the results and benefits are positive. While spinal decompression targets the mechanical healing of the spinal disc and reducing nerve pressure, acupuncture focuses on relieving the pain and reducing inflammation at a systemic level. This enhances the body’s natural healing process and offers a synergistic effect to improve treatment outcomes. Non-surgical treatments like acupuncture and spinal decompression can provide a hopeful outcome for many individuals seeking relief from their sciatic pain without resorting to surgical procedures. These treatments allow the individual to regain their mobility in their lower extremities, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life by making people more mindful of their bodies and reducing the chances of sciatica from returning. By doing so, many individuals can live a healthier and pain-free lifestyle.
References
Burkhard, M. D., Farshad, M., Suter, D., Cornaz, F., Leoty, L., Furnstahl, P., & Spirig, J. M. (2022). Spinal decompression with patient-specific guides. Spine J, 22(7), 1160-1168. doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2022.01.002
Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837
Siddiq, M. A. B., Clegg, D., Hasan, S. A., & Rasker, J. J. (2020). Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain, 33(4), 305-317. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
Yu, F. T., Liu, C. Z., Ni, G. X., Cai, G. W., Liu, Z. S., Zhou, X. Q., Ma, C. Y., Meng, X. L., Tu, J. F., Li, H. W., Yang, J. W., Yan, S. Y., Fu, H. Y., Xu, W. T., Li, J., Xiang, H. C., Sun, T. H., Zhang, B., Li, M. H., . . . Wang, L. Q. (2022). Acupuncture for chronic sciatica: protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12(5), e054566. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054566
Yuan, S., Huang, C., Xu, Y., Chen, D., & Chen, L. (2020). Acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 99(9), e19117. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000019117
Zhang, Z., Hu, T., Huang, P., Yang, M., Huang, Z., Xia, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., & Ni, G. (2023). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails. Front Neurosci, 17, 1097830. doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1097830
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
Can individuals dealing with muscle pain find relief from acupuncture therapy to get back to their daily activities and well-being?
Introduction
Many people worldwide have dealt with pain in their musculoskeletal system that has affected their daily routine. Some of the most common factors that people have experienced muscle pain include sedentary lifestyles from working at a desk job or physical demands from an active lifestyle. The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues can become overstretched and overworked, causing the muscles to become weak. At the same time, visceral somatic issues in the neck, shoulders, and back can affect the upper and lower extremities, leading to a life of disability. Many factors that can contribute to the development of muscle pain can impact a person’s routine and cause them to find various techniques to reduce the muscle pain in their bodies. Since muscle pain can be in acute or chronic form, many individuals who are seeking treatment for their ailments can look into non-surgical therapies like acupuncture to not only reduce muscle pain but also find the relief they are looking for. Today’s article focuses on how muscle pain can affect a person’s well-being, how the essence of acupuncture can be beneficial for muscle pain, and how people can integrate acupuncture therapy as part of a wellness routine. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how muscle pain can impact a person’s well-being. We also inform and guide patients on how acupuncture therapy can benefit the body by reducing the effects of muscle pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating acupuncture therapy into a wellness routine to reduce muscle pain and its referred symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Muscle Pain Can Affect A Person’s Well-Being
Do you feel the effects of tiredness and weakness in your upper and lower extremity muscles? Have you experienced general soreness or aches in your neck, shoulders, or back? Or does twisting and turning your body cause temporary relief to your body, only for it to be worse throughout the day? When it comes to muscle pain can be a multi-factorial condition where that can involve complex interactions on a person’s structure, physical, social, lifestyle, and comorbid health factors that can come into play as contributing factors for people to experience long-term pain and disability. (Caneiro et al., 2021) As many individuals start to do repetitive motions or stay in sedentary positions, muscle pain can develop when they stretch or try to move their muscles while doing their routine. The burden of muscle pain often correlates with socioeconomic factors that can cause many people, both young and old, to substantially limit their mobility and engagement in their routine, which predisposes increased risk factors to other chronic conditions they may have. (Dzakpasu et al., 2021)
When many individuals are dealing with muscle pain in its acute or chronic form, many often don’t realize that when the affected muscles in the upper and lower body quadrants are coping with pain, there is associated pain and stiffness from how active or inactive the muscles are can affect the soft tissue causing high mechanical stress to the affect the skeletal joints. (Wilke & Behringer, 2021) When this happens, many people will start to experience referred muscle pain in their bodies, causing issues with their mobility, flexibility, and stability. Coincidentally, muscle pain can also be a symptom of many people who have various pains in their bodies that have impacted their lives prior; seeking treatment can reduce the effects of muscle pain and help them take back their routine to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Movement Medicine- Video
The Essence Of Acupuncture For Muscle Pain
When many people are dealing with muscle pain, they are seeking treatments that are not only affordable but also can be effective in reducing the overlapping risk profiles that are affecting the body, causing muscle pain. Many treatments like chiropractic care, decompression, and massage therapy are non-surgical and are effective through consecutive sessions. One of the oldest and most effective treatments that can help reduce muscle pain in the body is acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture is a holistic treatment derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine that utilizes small, solid, thin needles inserted by professional acupuncturists to various acupoints. The main philosophy is that acupuncture provides relief to the body as it helps improve the body’s energy flow while maintaining a person’s overall health and vitality. (Zhang et al., 2022) When a person is dealing with muscle pain, the muscle fibers can develop tiny nodules known as trigger points that can induce pain in the affected muscle quadrants. With acupuncture needles placed in the affected area, local and referred pain is reduced, muscle blood flow and oxygen are returned to the body, and the muscle’s range of motion is improved. (Pourahmadi et al., 2019) Some of the benefits that acupuncture therapy provides include:
Increased circulation
Inflammation reduction
Endorphin release
Relaxing muscle tension
Integrating Acupuncture As Part Of A Wellness Routine
Many individuals who are seeking acupuncture therapy as part of their wellness journey can see the positive benefits of acupuncture and can combine it with other therapies to reduce the chances of muscle pain from returning. While acupuncture can help stimulate the nerves and restore motor function, treatments like joint mobilization can help stretch the affected muscles and joints to improve the body’s range of motion. (Lee et al., 2023) With many individuals seeking acupuncture treatment to reduce muscle pain, many can make small changes in their routine to prevent the pain from causing overlapping risk profiles to their bodies. When addressing the root causes of pain and promoting the body’s innate healing abilities, acupuncture can help restore balance, alleviate discomfort, and enhance overall well-being.
References
Caneiro, J. P., Bunzli, S., & O’Sullivan, P. (2021). Beliefs about the body and pain: the critical role in musculoskeletal pain management. Braz J Phys Ther, 25(1), 17-29. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.06.003
Dzakpasu, F. Q. S., Carver, A., Brakenridge, C. J., Cicuttini, F., Urquhart, D. M., Owen, N., & Dunstan, D. W. (2021). Musculoskeletal pain and sedentary behaviour in occupational and non-occupational settings: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 18(1), 159. doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01191-y
Lee, J. E., Akimoto, T., Chang, J., & Lee, H. S. (2023). Effects of joint mobilization combined with acupuncture on pain, physical function, and depression in stroke patients with chronic neuropathic pain: A randomized controlled trial. PLOS ONE, 18(8), e0281968. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281968
Pourahmadi, M., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Keshtkar, A., Koes, B. W., Fernandez-de-Las-Penas, C., Dommerholt, J., & Bahramian, M. (2019). Effectiveness of dry needling for improving pain and disability in adults with tension-type, cervicogenic, or migraine headaches: protocol for a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap, 27, 43. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-019-0266-7
Wilke, J., & Behringer, M. (2021). Is “Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness” a False Friend? The Potential Implication of the Fascial Connective Tissue in Post-Exercise Discomfort. Int J Mol Sci, 22(17). doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179482
Zhang, B., Shi, H., Cao, S., Xie, L., Ren, P., Wang, J., & Shi, B. (2022). Revealing the magic of acupuncture based on biological mechanisms: A literature review. Biosci Trends, 16(1), 73-90. doi.org/10.5582/bst.2022.01039
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