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.
Everyone is trying to find what exercise works for them as they start looking for ways to improve their health and wellness. Many individuals who begin to work out would go with finding a personal trainer or a gym that helps incorporate muscle strength training and cardio training to improve their heart and lung capacity to make the body feel good while strengthening their muscles. One of the unique forms of exercise that involve both the heart and muscles is dancing. Dancing is a great way to not only improve musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health but can help reduce overlapping conditions that a person is dealing with in their bodies. Today’s article looks at how dancing helps with musculoskeletal health, affects the heart and brain, and how chiropractic care goes hand in hand with dancing. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal and cardiovascular therapies to help those with heart and muscle issues. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Dancing For Musculoskeletal Health
Have you ever noticed people take a cardio class with music playing in the background and see them happy afterward? How do athletes incorporate cardio into their exercise regime to improve their mobility and flexibility? Or how do particular video games make you get up and move around? All these scenarios imply that cardio exercises like dancing may help improve musculoskeletal function. Dancing is one of the many aerobic exercises that can help improve a person’s social skills and is something that can be taken up early while providing many beneficial qualities like:
Increase strength
Improve gait and balance
Reduce functional loss
Reducing the risk of falls
Rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries
Stabilize core muscles
For the musculoskeletal system, dance would be considered an isometric exercise involving different muscle groups like the hips, shoulders, back, and abdominals without using the joints. When a person is dancing, each of the various movements is related to strengthening the core muscles by working thoroughly with the abdominals. Dance can even help improve posture by maintaining strength and enhancing stability in the body. Studies reveal that dance’s impact on individuals with chronic issues like Parkinson’s disease associated with motor and non-motor symptoms can increase their quality of life. So what does that mean? It means that dancing, even for just one song, can help with movement and foster balance, flexibility, and muscle endurance through repeated tasks while associating with accessible, social, and attractive aspects of a person’s physical abilities.
How Does Dancing Affect The Heart and Brain?
Dancing not only helps with musculoskeletal issues, but it can help improve brain and heart function in the body. Studies reveal that moderate-intensity dancing was inversely associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease mortality. What dancing does to the heart is that it makes the body intake more oxygen to the lungs, which relates to the heart beating faster and circulating the blood to be transported throughout the entire body. But how does dancing correlate to brain health? Let’s look at dance fitness classes, like Zumba, and use it as an example. Studies show that dance fitness classes provide several health benefits that could reduce mood disorders like depression and anxiety while improving cognitive skills. This means that dance fitness classes like Zumba do repetitive movements to the beat of the music that engages the individual to repeat the steps while having fun. When the muscles begin to do repetitive movements, this motor function sends the signal to the brain, making the person remember the movements later, known as muscle memory. When an individual suffers from neurological disorders like dementia or Alzheimers, dancing could potentially be involved with music therapy, allowing the individual to reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders from progressing further.
How Does The Body React To Dancing?-Video
Have you felt terrific after listening to a good song? How about feeling like you just had a workout? Or have you noticed certain areas in your body like your abdominals, legs, and back looked more toned? All these are beneficial signs that you should add dancing to your regime. The video explains what happens to the body when people are dancing. Dancing could potentially be a mediator for many athletes that play sports.
An example would be football and ballet. How do football and ballet relate to each other? Football utilizes efficient and precise movements that benefit every position on the field, while ballet requires speed to make them flawless on stage. Combining the two, many football players will increase their speed and agility associated with ballet to avoid tackles, jump higher, catch passes and avoid injuries on the field. Dancing is an excellent way to get some cardio exercises in, and combined with other treatments can make a difference in a person.
Chiropractic Care & Dancing
Like all athletic individuals, professional dancers utilize various treatments to recover and improve their performance. Treatments like chiropractic care are safe, effective, and widely used by young and professional athletes that want to prevent injuries from progressing. Chiropractic care for professional athletes and the general population can help prevent and treat injuries like back and neck pain or aggravating conditions like sciatica through spinal manipulation. Chiropractic care also helps restore an individual’s original well-being while increasing their strength, flexibility, and mobility. By working with an experienced chiropractor, an individual can regain their stamina by adopting new ways to prevent injuries caused by spinal complications from reoccurring in the body.
Conclusion
Dancing for 30 minutes to an hour can be used as part of an exercise regime and could potentially reduce chronic issues that affect the body’s brain, heart, and muscles. Dancing could also enhance a sports athlete’s performance by increasing their agility, endurance, and performance. Combined with chiropractic care, individuals will begin to see improvements in their range of motion, flexibility, and even an increase in their brain function to dance longer and improve their health and wellness. So whether you are a professional or not, dancing is for everyone.
Reference
Barranco-Ruiz, Yaira, et al. “Dance Fitness Classes Improve the Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Women.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, MDPI, 26 May 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7312518/.
Gyrling, Therese, et al. “The Impact of Dance Activities on the Health of Persons with Parkinson’s Disease in Sweden.” International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, Taylor & Francis, Dec. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8547839/.
Merom, Dafna, et al. “Dancing Participation and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality: A Pooled Analysis of 11 Population-Based British Cohorts.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2016, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26944521/.
Fatigue Ankylosing Spondylitis: Fatigue is a significant complaint for individuals dealing with ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is chronic inflammation of the spine’s joints that can cause them to become fused or locked up. The process can cause the spine to stiffen, limiting movement, reducing flexibility, and generating a severe hunched posture. Symptoms can include back pain, stiffness, and the inability to take a deep breath if the ribs are involved. Fatigue can have a variety of causes, but in ankylosing spondylitis, inflammation and cytokines play a significant role. The underlying cause of ankylosing spondylitis is still being researched, but it currently affects around 300,000 Americans.
Fatigue Ankylosing Spondylitis
Most individuals with ankylosing spondylitis experience pain in the lower back but can also feel pain in their hips and neck, have abdominal pain, or experience problems with vision. Inflammatory back pain is usually strongest in the morning but can also come from inactivity.
Spinal Condition and Extreme Exhaustion
The inability to move along with a decreased spinal range of motion impacts body functionality, sleep quality, and respiratory function affecting energy levels and leading to mild to severe fatigue. Studies have shown that 50% – 85% of individuals with ankylosing spondylitis experience fatigue.
Fatigue is brought on by inflammation, as the body generates the same chemicals when fighting a cold or flu; an individual’s body constantly works to reduce inflammation, leaving them drained and unable to perform ordinary tasks. Inflammatory diseases take a significant toll on the whole body, leading to an increased risk of depression and increased fatigue levels.
Exercise, Massage, and Diet
Many individuals find that their symptoms flare up after long periods of inactivity, like sleeping. This can make wanting to fall and stay asleep complicated, exacerbating fatigue and vice versa, creating a vicious cycle. Even though it can be challenging to move, gentle exercise is recommended. Exercise can help slow the disease progression, build muscle, and improve sleep. It is recommended to speak with a spine specialist, doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or exercise trainer about a customized exercise treatment program.
Many individuals with ankylosing spondylitis find therapeutic massage helpful in temporarily relieving pain, and stiffness, reducing stress and improving flexibility from increased blood circulation. A combination of gentle chiropractic massage, exercise, ergonomic adjustments, and rheumatology treatment is recommended for many cases. An anti-inflammatory diet comprised of foods like fatty fish, fruits, nuts, and leafy green vegetables can fight inflammation and decrease fatigue.
AS Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Pathology
References
Cornelson, Stacey M et al. “Chiropractic Care in the Management of Inactive Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Series.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 16,4 (2017): 300-307. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2017.10.002
Li, Ting, et al. “Fatigue in Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Associated With Psychological Factors and Brain Gray Matter.” Frontiers in medicine vol. 6 271. 21 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00271
Zhang, Jun-Ming, and Jianxiong An. “Cytokines, inflammation, and pain.” International anesthesiology clinics vol. 45,2 (2007): 27-37. doi:10.1097/AIA.0b013e318034194e
Maintaining healthy joints is crucial to preventing injuries from affecting the body. Incorporating physical activities, eating healthy foods, staying hydrated, and getting a routine check-up are ways to ensure that the body is functional, including the joints. The joints in the body act like shock absorbers that soften the impact of any injuries that the body has sustained. However, as the body ages, so do the joints, causing them to become hardened and cause problems in the body. In today’s article, we will look at sacroiliac dysfunction, what issues it affects besides back pain, and how chiropractic care manages sacroiliac dysfunction. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal therapies to help those with sacroiliac dysfunction. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Sacroiliac Dysfunction?
Are you experiencing pain in the pelvis? Do your hips seem tighter than usual? Do you feel muscle stiffness when you twist from side to side? Some of these issues are signs that you might be experiencing sacroiliac dysfunction. Around the pelvic region lies the sacroiliac joint, a weight-bearing solid joint connecting the pelvis to the sacrum. It is surrounded by tough ligaments that support the body as it distributes the weight from the upper body to the lower body. However, like all the other joints in the body, any injury or condition can cause this joint to be unstable and succumb to the pain, causing sacroiliac dysfunction. Sacroiliac dysfunction or sacroiliac joint pain is defined as one of the potential causes of axial low back pain. When there are issues affecting the sacroiliac joints, it’s associated with about a quarter of most low back pain cases. This is due to the problems that overlap with pain associated with the low back. Studies reveal that dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint can relate to leg or back pain, making diagnosing the problem difficult. Back pain associated with sacroiliac dysfunction causes the pelvis to be hypermobile, causing the risk of developing radiating groin pain. Leg pain associated with sacroiliac dysfunction causes muscle tension and stiffness to the low back, legs, or buttock region, mimicking sciatica-like symptoms.
What Other Issues Does It Affect?
Many individuals may not realize that when they are experiencing sacroiliac dysfunction, symptoms show that they overlap with lumbar spine pathologies. However, sacroiliac dysfunction can also affect the pelvic region of the body. Studies reveal that when the muscles around the body’s pelvic area become inflamed or irritated, it can cause stiffness in the sacroiliac joints, thus developing the risk of pelvic pain. Pelvic pain is usually defined as non-menstrual pain that causes functional disability to the lower extremities. Around the pelvic region, the lower sacral nerves provide extensive neurologic connections to the structures throughout the pelvic area that maintain normal pelvic organ function. When issues like sacroiliac dysfunction become the risk of pelvic pain, it may potentially involve pelvic symptoms like constipation. Studies reveal that constipation is significantly associated with a high prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse and low urinary tract symptoms. Other issues that sacroiliac dysfunction correlates with are:
Ankylosing spondylitis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory issues
Hip pain
Pelvic pain
Low back pain
Piriformis syndrome
An Overview Of Sacroiliac Joint Pain- Video
Are you experiencing radiating from your lower back down to your leg? How about stiffness in your hips? Are you feeling constipated or have a sense of fullness in your bladder? You may suffer from sacroiliac dysfunction in your pelvic region if you notice these symptoms. The video above explains how to understand sacroiliac joint pain. The sacroiliac joint connects the pelvis and sacrum, surrounded by tough ligaments and muscles that help support the body by distributing weight from the upper body to the lower body. When issues affect the sacroiliac joints can overlap other risk profiles like low back pain, leg pain, and pelvic pain. This can make diagnosing sacroiliac dysfunction difficult because the symptoms are similar to other issues. For example, hip pain is associated with piriformis syndrome while potentially being involved with sciatica. How would hip pain be correlated with piriformis syndrome? The piriformis muscle can become overused and injured and can entrap the sciatic nerve (which runs from the lumbar spine, through the hips, and down to the leg), causing radiating, throbbing pain. Other times referred pain in the low back can affect different areas in the body due to sacroiliac dysfunction. Luckily, there are treatments available to manage sacroiliac dysfunction.
How Chiropractic Care Manages Sacroiliac Dysfunction
When issues of sacroiliac dysfunction become associated with leg or back pain, physicians often misdiagnose it as a soft tissue issue rather than a joint issue. Many doctors might rule out various medical conditions before including sacroiliac dysfunction as part of the diagnosis. Some treatments like massage therapy can help loosen up the tight muscles surrounding the joints relieving the pain and discomfort. At the same time, chiropractic care utilizes spinal manipulation and mobilization to the affected spinal area. Since the sacroiliac joint is an essential part of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractors specialize in this area. Through practical, non-invasive methods, chiropractic care has proven to not only relieve pain in the spine but can also help rehabilitate the spine. Chiropractors are specially trained to guide the individual through several phases of care that help loosen the stiff muscles and strengthen the joints. Chiropractic care will help decrease the pain from returning to the body and let the individual return to their health and wellness journey.
Conclusion
Maintaining healthy joints is crucial to prevent injuries from affecting the body. The sacroiliac joints are part of the musculoskeletal system that connects the pelvic bone to the sacrum. This joint is surrounded by tough ligaments and muscles that support the upper and lower half of the body through weight distribution. When the sacroiliac joint becomes unstable, it can succumb to pain, thus becoming sacroiliac dysfunction. Sacroiliac dysfunction sometimes mimics low back and leg pain, making it difficult to diagnose. Co-morbidities like pelvic pain correlate to sacroiliac dysfunction, causing somato-visceral pain in different body areas. Treatments like chiropractic care can help strengthen the stiff muscles and joints in the body through spinal manipulation and mobilization in practical, non-invasive treatment. Chiropractic care can help rehabilitate the spine while decreasing the pain from returning to the body.
References
Jonely, Holly, et al. “Chronic Sacroiliac Joint and Pelvic Girdle Dysfunction in a 35-Year-Old Nulliparous Woman Successfully Managed with Multimodal and Multidisciplinary Approach.” The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, Maney Publishing, Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4459139/.
Raj, Marc A, et al. “Sacroiliac Joint Pain.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470299/.
Singh, Prashant, et al. “Pelvic Floor Symptom Related Distress in Chronic Constipation Correlates with a Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation and Constipation Severity but Not Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia.” Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 31 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326213/.
The muscles in our body help us be active when we want to be, rest and repair after activities, and continue to provide everyday movements that help keep the body functioning correctly. For athletes and the general population, physical training and eating healthy foods help deliver fuel to not only the internal organs but also help support the muscles, ligaments, and skeletal joints from injuries. As many individuals start to think about their health and wellness, many factors tend to pop up that can cause them to halt their health and wellness journey. Issues like stress, accidents, traumatic events, and lifestyle habits can affect the body and, over time, can become the risk of developing into chronic problems. An example would be where a person is experiencing hip pain associated with piriformis syndrome. Today’s article looks at piriformis syndrome, how it can cause more than hip pain, and how there are available treatments for piriformis syndrome. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal therapies to help those with piriformis syndrome. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Piriformis Syndrome?
Have you been experiencing pain radiating from the buttock down to your legs? Does it hurt when you are sitting down? Or are you feeling tingling sensations and numbness on your butt and thighs? Some of these symptoms might be signs that you might be experiencing piriformis syndrome. Research studies have defined piriformis syndrome as a clinical condition where everyday stress affecting the body causes the piriformis muscle (the small muscle deep in the buttock region) to become tight and irritates the sciatic nerve. When that sciatic nerve becomes aggravated, it can become the risk of developing into sciatica. Many individuals don’t realize that the sciatic nerve also gets affected when their piriformis muscles in the buttock region become overused and tight through strenuous activities. This is due to the belief that any unusual traumatic abnormality in the piriformis muscle will be associated with sciatica symptoms. However, when a person is experiencing buttock pain that travels down the leg caused by the affected piriformis muscle, many will rule out some of the more common causes of sciatica like nerve root impingement triggered by disc herniation.
Surprisingly, three primary causing factors can be associated with piriformis syndrome. The first causing factor is myofascial trigger points may be the results of referred pain (pain or discomfort from another body location). The second causing factor is nerve entrapment against the greater sciatic foramen passing through the various piriformis muscles. And finally, the third causing factor is sacroiliac joint dysfunction due to piriformis muscle spasm. Studies reveal that the piriformis muscle helps stabilize the sacroiliac joint; when the small muscle starts to become irritated, it causes pain in the buttock region. But how does sacroiliac dysfunction relates to piriformis syndrome? Well, since low back pain is associated with sacroiliac dysfunction, the pain will often radiate down to the knee and the groin muscles while becoming a risk of developing piriformis syndrome.
Piriformis Syndrome Causes More Than Hip Pain?
Due to its broad size in the greater sciatic foramen, the piriformis muscle can become overused and tight, thus becoming piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome can also become a risk to the numerous vessels and nerves that exit out in the pelvis region and may become compressed, causing more than just hip pain. Studies reveal that piriformis syndrome may be masquerading as ischiofemoral impingement triggering extra-articular hip pain by entrapping the quadratus femoris muscle causing groin pain. Another cause that piriformis syndrome is associated with is chronic pelvic pain. How does chronic pelvic pain correlate with piriformis syndrome? Chronic pelvic pain is a non-cyclic pain localized in the pelvis, potentially involving the surrounding muscles like the piriformis muscle supporting the irritated hip joint and pelvis region. Piriformis syndrome could also be an overlapping condition risk of developing other health issues like fibromyalgia in many people. Some conditions have common symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome, including:
Tingling sensations
Numbness
Muscle tenderness
Pain while sitting
Discomfort while exercising
The Difference Between Sciatica & Piriformis Syndrome-Video
Have you found it challenging to be comfortable while sitting down doing leisure activities? How about radiating pain that travels down your leg? Or do your hips feel tight and stiff? Experiencing these symptoms means that you might suffer from piriformis syndrome. The video above explains the difference between piriformis syndrome and sciatica. Studies reveal that piriformis syndrome is classically defined as sciatic pain; however, it is not sciatica. Sciatica is caused by compressed sciatic nerve due to herniated disc in the lumbar spine. In contrast, piriformis syndrome is caused when a traumatic injury or an underlying condition causes the piriformis muscle to spasm and aggravate the sciatic nerve. Various factors like prolonged sitting, repetitive movements that involve the legs, and even extensive stair climbing can cause the piriformis muscle to be easily damaged or injured, causing piriformis syndrome. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate sciatic nerve pain and improve piriformis syndrome.
Treatments Available For Piriformis Syndrome
Many treatments are accessible to manage the pain and discomfort caused by piriformis syndrome for suffering individuals. Some people take over-the-counter medicine to decrease the pain, while others utilize a hot/cold pack on the affected area to relieve discomfort. The symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome usually go away without any additional treatment; however, if the pain or discomfort is still there, many people might benefit from alternative options for treatment, like chiropractic care, physical therapy, or even spinal decompression. Whether it is through gentle stretching, spinal manipulation, or decompression, these treatments are for anyone dealing with piriformis syndrome and its associated symptoms. Physical therapy can help decrease the painful symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome through gentle stretches that help return a person’s range of motion. Chiropractic care incorporates spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to treat various injuries or conditions. Spinal decompression uses traction to gently pull on the spine to release the aggravated nerve from causing pain. The relief can gradually restore a person’s natural health while managing its associated symptoms with various treatments available for individuals with piriformis syndrome.
Conclusion
Piriformis syndrome is a condition where everyday stress affects the piriformis muscle in the buttock region to become irritated and tight while aggravating the sciatic nerve. Many think traumatic abnormalities affecting their piriformis muscle will be associated with sciatica symptoms. However, sciatica is due to nerve root compression triggered by disc herniation. Piriformis syndrome is where that small muscle is overused from various factors that cause more than hip and butt pain. Some overlapping conditions associated with piriformis syndrome can become mediators for groin and pelvic pain. Fortunately, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and decompression can help restore the body gradually by managing piriformis syndrome and its associated symptoms.
References
Hicks, Brandon L., et al. “Piriformis Syndrome.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 21 Apr. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448172/.
Ro, Tae Hoon, and Lance Edmonds. “Diagnosis and Management of Piriformis Syndrome: A Rare Anatomic Variant Analyzed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Journal of Clinical Imaging Science, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 21 Feb. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843966/.
The ribs are designed to protect the lungs and heart and assist breathing. Twenty-four ribs start at the shoulders in the thoracic spine region and run down the mid-back covering the front, back, and side of the chest. Almost all ribs are attached in two places, including the spine in the back and the sternum in the front of the chest, by cartilage joints. Trauma, poor posture, intense coughing, sneezing, and heaving are a few factors that can cause mechanical rib dysfunction or rib misalignment.
Rib dysfunction and misalignment are typically caused by unhealthy postures like slumped back and rounded shoulders, weakened posterior muscles, and repetitive stress from work, sports, and intense physical activity. Any ribs can become misaligned, causing dysfunction and stress on the body. A chiropractor can adjust and reset the rib as they do for misaligned and compressed spinal joints.
Rib Cage Design
The ribcage is flexible and expands when inhaling. Each rib is attached to the spine by three joints in the back and the breastbone in the front. Breathing is an involuntary reflex that is impossible to avoid movement in these joints. The joints are small but allow flexing, so the ribs rise and fall with each breath. These rib joints can become inflamed from rib misalignment causing movement problems that can restrict breathing.
Rib Misalignment
Rib misalignment symptoms can include:
Difficulty breathing.
Difficulty when trying to sit up.
Dull, achy, deep pain next to the spine or under the shoulder blade.
Unexplained back pain.
Pain when moving or walking.
Painful sneezing and/or coughing.
Tenderness and pain in the front of the chest.
The formation of a lump over the affected rib.
Swelling and/or bruising in the region.
Numbness in nearby or surrounding ribs.
Radiating pain from the back to the front and vice versa.
Improvement when pressure is applied to the affected rib.
Rib Dysfunction
Up to 50% of emergency room visits for chest pain symptoms result from non-cardiac factors, with the majority being rib misalignment and the muscles and joints around the rib cage becoming irritated/inflamed.
Causes
There can be several reasons for a misaligned rib. The more common causes include:
Unhealthy Postures
Unhealthy postures stress the body that can place pressure on the posterior portion of the ribcage.
With time, the ribs can start to shift out of alignment.
Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports
Working out intensely can cause the ribs to shift out of position.
Weight lifting improperly can cause the body to shift along with the muscles involved not being strong enough to handle the added weight and movement, causing rib misalignment.
Pregnancy
As a woman’s body changes, the weight shifts to the front.
This can create a downward pull on the rib cage, increasing misalignment risk.
Intense Coughing or Sneezing
Excessive or severe coughing, associated with asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia, can significantly strain the ribcage.
Coughing from a common cold can generate stress to cause a rib to dislocate.
Sneezing hard can also cause a rib to shift out of place.
Illnesses associated with constant coughing and sneezing can increase an individual’s susceptibility to rib misalignment because of the weakened state of the muscles.
Intense Vomiting
Vomiting intensely or heaving can cause the condition.
Vomiting does not necessarily involve the lungs, but the convulsive action can cause a rib shift/pop out.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic can diagnose and treat rib misalignment/dysfunction by using various stretching or massage techniques to loosen the area, making the muscles more flexible, then applying firm pressure to realign the rib back. The treatment plan will include specific stretches, postural exercises, diet, and other recommendations to prevent rib problems.
Spinal Decompression In 90 Seconds
References
Flodine TE, Thomas M. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Inhaled Rib Dysfunction. [Updated 2021 Aug 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560751/
Jawed, Muzamil. and Bruno Bordoni. “Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: Muscle Energy Procedure – Exhaled Ribs.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 19 February 2022.
Everyone has dealt with acute or chronic pain at some point in their lives. The body’s response tells many of us where the pain is located and can leave the body sore as the immune system begins to heal the affected area. When disorders like autoimmune diseases start to attack the body for no reason, then that is when chronic issues and disorders begin to overlap in risk profiles on other various problems that affect both the muscles and organs. Autoimmune diseases like fibromyalgia can affect a person’s body; however, they could be associated with different issues affecting the body. Today’s article looks at fibromyalgia, how it affects the musculoskeletal system, and how chiropractic care helps manage fibromyalgia in the body. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help those with fibromyalgia. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Have you experienced excruciating pain that is spread all over your body? Do you have trouble sleeping and feel exhausted every day? Do you experience brain fog or other cognitive disturbances? Many of these issues are signs and conditions of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic condition that is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. Symptoms like fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and multiple somatic symptoms often overlap and accompany this disorder. Around two to eight percent of the world population suffers from fibromyalgia, and it affects women more than men. Sadly though, fibromyalgia is a challenge to diagnose, and the pain can last several months to years. Some of the main symptoms that fibromyalgia does to the body include:
Muscle and joint stiffness
General sensitivity
Insomnia
Cognitive dysfunction
Mood disorders
Fibromyalgia could also potentially be associated with specific diseases like diabetes, lupus, rheumatic diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders.
How Does It Affect The Musculoskeletal System?
The musculoskeletal system in the body has three muscle groups: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles that provide different functions correlating how the body moves. Individuals with fibromyalgia will experience amplified painful sensations affecting their brain and spinal cord to process pain and nonpainful signals potentially associated with musculoskeletal disorders. The neural structures from the brain become hyper-reactive to any soft tissues close to the spine, known as segmental facilitation. These changes that occur to the soft tissues are called trigger points, and if situated in the muscles, they are referred to as “myofascial” trigger points. Studies reveal that the pathophysiology of musculoskeletal dysfunction can be considered secondary to central abnormalities of pain modulation associated with fibromyalgia.
An Overview Of Fibromyalgia-Video
Have you been experiencing excruciating pain in different areas of your body? Have you been constantly tired throughout the entire day? Or has your mood been dampened all of a sudden? These are the signs that you have fibromyalgia, and the video above gives an overview of what fibromyalgia is. Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic disorder that is difficult to diagnose. Studies reveal that fibromyalgia is possible to be described as a cognitive disorder that triggers painful amplifications and sensory nociceptors that become hypersensitive. So what does this mean, and how is the nervous system affected by fibromyalgia? The nervous system has the central and peripheral systems. The peripheral system has a component known as the autonomic nervous system that regulates involuntary bodily functions. The autonomic system consists of two subsystems: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. For individuals with fibromyalgia, the sympathetic nervous system, which provides the “fight or flight” response, is constantly active, causing the parasympathetic nervous system, which provides the “rest and digest” response, to be inactive in the body. The good news is that individuals with fibromyalgia and its associated symptoms can find relief through treatment.
Chiropractic Care & Fibromyalgia
Even though there hasn’t been a cure for fibromyalgia yet, treatments are available to manage and improve the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia with chiropractic care. Chiropractic care can help relieve fibromyalgia pain by carefully correcting spinal misalignments or subluxations through spinal adjustments and manual manipulations of the body. Studies reveal that the effectiveness of chiropractic care for fibromyalgia patients helps improve their range of motion to the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine. Chiropractic care can help improve their flexibility, decrease their pain levels, and have better sleep quality. People diagnosed with fibromyalgia need to understand that many options for pain management don’t rely on medicines. Chiropractic care is gentle and non-invasive. It can be helpful for individuals that want to take control of their circumstances and have chiropractic therapy as a vital part of managing their well-being.
Conclusion
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system by causing stiffness in the muscles and joints, general sensitivity, and other chronic issues associated with this disorder. Individuals with fibromyalgia will describe their pain as unbearable due to the nerves in the sympathetic system being hyperactive and tender to the touch. Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic care can help relieve fibromyalgia pain through spinal adjustments and manual manipulations. Chiropractic care for individuals with fibromyalgia can help improve their range of motion and flexibility and decrease their pain levels without using medicines. Incorporating chiropractic care as a treatment for fibromyalgia can be vital in managing a person’s well-being.
References
Bhargava, Juhi, and John A Hurley. “Fibromyalgia – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540974/.
Blunt, K L, et al. “The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Fibromyalgia Patients: A Pilot Study.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1997, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9272472/.
Geel, S E. “The Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology.” Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 1994, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8036524/.
Maugars, Yves, et al. “Fibromyalgia and Associated Disorders: From Pain to Chronic Suffering, from Subjective Hypersensitivity to Hypersensitivity Syndrome.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 1 July 2021, www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.666914/full.
Siracusa, Rosalba, et al. “Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 9 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8068842/.
Experiencing low back pain and diarrhea can be a symptom of a viscerosomatic reflex,somatovisceral reflex, or a combination. A reflex is an involuntary response to nervous system stimulation. A doctor tapping below the knee causes the foot to kick forward is a basic example of a reflex. This is a somatovisceral or body organ reflex. Back pain could be from awkward posture, repetitive motions like bending or twisting, or injury that affects the spinal column. The effects could cause nerve compression and damage that can cause firing misinterpreted signals impacting/damaging internal organ function, causing pain and other symptoms.
However, the damage caused to the compressed/injured organ nerves can also cause back pain symptoms. This is a viscerosomatic or organ body reflex. One study found that a group of chiropractic patients dealing with low back pain also had increased bowel problems, even though there was no specific cause, link, or association between the two. Lower back pain and diarrhea may be completely unrelated, but if symptoms are recurring, there is an increased chance of an underlying medical issue.
Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic medicine is founded on the nervous system’s control of the body’s organ systems, whose impulse signals travel through the spinal cord. Body systems include the muscles, bones, and all organs. Any problems with the spine and/or nerve changes from normal wear and tear, injury, or infection can affect signal transmissions that can alter system functions. Altered nerve conduction can impact overall health and is referred to as reflex pathways in the nervous system. A somatovisceral reflex is where the musculoskeletal system causes altered nerve conduction creating organ system dysfunction and/or illness. Diarrhea brought on by back pain is an example.
Causes Of Back Pain and Diarrhea
Appendicitis
The appendix extends from the colon in the lower right abdomen. Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. The pain usually appears near the belly button and spreads to the right side of the stomach. Some individuals’ appendix extends behind the colon, which can also cause low back pain. Symptoms include:
Loss of appetite
Inability to relieve gas
Constipation
Abdominal pain – Moderate to severe
Diarrhea
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Appendicitis can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment; if left untreated, the condition can worsen within hours, causing a rupture that can leak through the abdominal cavity.
Fecal impaction
Fecal impaction is stools that have become hard, dry, and stuck in the rectum and can cause abdominal and low back pressure and pain. It is commonly caused by chronic constipation, which can be associated with dehydration, lack of fiber, physical inactivity, medication side effects, or long-term use of laxatives. Taking laxatives for a long time can cause the intestines to shut off automatic evacuation of the bowels. Although the condition is common in older individuals, it can happen to individuals of any age who experience chronic constipation. Symptoms can include:
Bloating
Cramping
Bladder pressure
Bladder incontinence
Leakage or sudden diarrhea after long-term constipation.
Rectal bleeding
Enteropathic arthritis
Enteropathic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease or IBD. Types include:
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Different arthritic diseases like ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis can cause symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal pain or be associated with developing inflammatory bowel disease. Varying symptoms depend on the bowel disease and arthritis type and include:
Fatigue
Cramping
Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Loss of appetite
Bloody diarrhea
Pancreatic Cancer
The symptoms of pancreatic cancer vary depending on the type, location, and cancer stage. Pancreatic cancers in the early stages usually don’t cause signs or symptoms. Possible symptoms can include:
Chiropractic is ideal for addressing reflex issues. A doctor of chiropractic adjusts the spine to improve alignment, joint motion, and nerve energy transmission, improving nerve circulation/signal flow, which can help with unrelated health conditions. A chiropractor will locate any areas of spinal misalignment; once identified, a personalized treatment plan will return the correct alignment to the spine, enabling the nervous system to return to optimal function.
Sengupta, Jyoti N. “Visceral pain: the neurophysiological mechanism.” Handbook of experimental pharmacology,194 (2009): 31-74. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-79090-7_2
Walden, Anna L et al. “Bladder and bowel symptoms among adults presenting with low back pain to an academic chiropractic clinic: results of a preliminary study.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 13,3 (2014): 178-87. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.07.006
Wood, Jackie D. “Neuropathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders.” World journal of gastroenterology vol. 13,9 (2007): 1313-32. doi:10.3748/wjg.v13.i9.1313
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