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Spinal Hygiene

Back Clinic Spinal Hygiene. The spine is the protective housing for the nervous system, a system so powerful that it controls every function in the human body. The nervous system tells your body to breath, tells your heart to beat, tells your arms and legs to move, tells your body when and how to produce new cells and it even has the power to control healing. A damaged or misaligned spine can dramatically interfere with the signals constantly being sent through the nervous system, eventually resulting in bodily pain, internal deterioration and loss of many of the everyday functions we take for granted.

Spinal hygiene is extremely important, yet 89 percent of the world’s population does not realize the importance of maintaining proper alignment of the vertebrae through chiropractic adjustment, as well as protecting the spine from injury through healthy living practices. Instead we neglect our spines. As children we start our lives with tumbles and trips that jar our spines, we grow into adults with poor posture, we lift things that are too heavy, carry overloaded back packs, and we suffer injury through car accidents, sports impacts and stress.

Get in on the health trend of the future-today. Join the growing percentage of the population that enjoys greater health and wellness through regular care of their spines. Talk to your chiropractor today about ways you can improve your spinal hygiene.


Intervertebral Foramen: The Gateway to Spine Health

Intervertebral Foramen: The Gateway to Spine Health

For individuals looking to improve their spinal health, can understanding the anatomy of the intervertebral foramen help in injury rehabilitation and prevention?

Intervertebral Foramen: The Gateway to Spine Health

Intervertebral Foramen

The intervertebral foramen, aka neural foramen, is the opening between the vertebrae through which spinal nerve roots connect and exit to other body areas. If the foramina narrows, it can place added pressure on the nerve roots near and around them, causing pain symptoms and sensations. This is known as neuroforaminal stenosis. (Sumihisa Orita et al., 2016)

Anatomy

  • The vertebrae comprise the spinal column.
  • They protect and support the spinal cord and most of the weight placed on the spine.
  • Foramen is the singular form, and foramina is the plural form.

Structure

  • The body is the large, round part of the bone that makes up each vertebra.
  • The body of each vertebra is attached to a bony ring.
  • As the vertebrae are stacked on each other, the ring creates a tube through which the spinal cord passes. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2020)
  1. The intervertebral foramen opening is between every two vertebrae, where the nerve roots exit the spine.
  2. Two neural foramina exist between each pair of vertebrae, with one on each side.
  3. The nerve roots move through the foramen to the rest of the body.

Function

  • The intervertebral foramina are exits from which the nerve roots leave the spine and branch out to the rest of the body.
  • Without the foramen, nerve signals cannot transmit to and from the brain to the body.
  • Without nerve signals, the body is unable to function correctly.

Conditions

A common condition that can affect the neuroforamina is spinal stenosis. Stenosis means narrowing.

  • Spinal stenosis is (not always) usually an age-related disorder associated with arthritis. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
  • Stenosis can occur in the spinal canal, known as central canal stenosis, and the foramina.
  • Pain brought on by neuroforaminal spinal stenosis and arthritis-related bone growth/bone spurs/osteophytes that are present in one or more foramen rub against the nerve root that passes through the space, causing radicular pain.
  • Pain accompanied by other sensations, like tingling or numbness, is known as radiculopathy. (Young Kook Choi, 2019)
  1. The main symptom is pain.
  2. Numbness and/or tingling can present depending on the injury.
  3. Neurogenic claudication occurs as a result of ischemia or a lack of blood circulation to the nerves and typically presents with a heaviness in the legs.
  4. It is typically associated with central stenosis rather than foraminal stenosis.
  5. Most individuals with spinal stenosis feel better when flexing or bending forward and worse when arching their backs.
  6. Other symptoms include weakness and/or difficulty walking. (Seung Yeop Lee et al., 2015)

Treatment

Stenosis treatment aims to relieve pain and prevent nerve symptoms from occurring or worsening. Conservative treatments are recommended and can be highly effective.
These include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture
  • Chiropractic
  • Non-surgical decompression
  • Therapeutic massage
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs
  • Targeted exercises and stretches
  • Cortisone injections. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)
  • Surgery is usually not necessary.

However, a doctor may recommend surgery for an individual who is experiencing:

Different surgical techniques include:

  • Decompression laminectomy – entails removing the buildup of bone in the spinal canal.
  • Spinal fusion – when there is instability of the spine or severe foraminal stenosis.
  • However, most cases don’t require fusion. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2021)

Root Causes Spinal Stenosis


References

Orita, S., Inage, K., Eguchi, Y., Kubota, G., Aoki, Y., Nakamura, J., Matsuura, Y., Furuya, T., Koda, M., & Ohtori, S. (2016). Lumbar foraminal stenosis, the hidden stenosis including at L5/S1. European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 26(7), 685–693. doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1806-7

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2020). Spine Basics (OrthoInfo, Issue. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/spine-basics/

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Lumbar spinal stenosis (OrthoInfo, Issue. orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis/

Choi Y. K. (2019). Lumbar foraminal neuropathy: an update on non-surgical management. The Korean journal of pain, 32(3), 147–159. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.147

Lee, S. Y., Kim, T. H., Oh, J. K., Lee, S. J., & Park, M. S. (2015). Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature. Asian spine journal, 9(5), 818–828. doi.org/10.4184/asj.2015.9.5.818

Lurie, J., & Tomkins-Lane, C. (2016). Management of lumbar spinal stenosis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 352, h6234. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h6234

Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Myelopathy (Health Library, Issue. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21966-myelopathy

Relief from Degenerative Pain Syndrome: A Decompression Guide

Relief from Degenerative Pain Syndrome: A Decompression Guide

Can working individuals dealing with degenerative pain syndrome incorporate decompression to provide body relief and mobility?

Introduction

As part of the musculoskeletal system, the spine allows the body to stand vertically and helps protect the spinal cord from injuries. Since the central nervous system provides neuron signals from the brain to the nerve roots, the human body can be mobile without pain or discomfort. This is due to the spinal discs between the facet joints, which can be compressed, absorb the vertical axial pressure, and help distribute the weight to the lower and upper extremity muscles. However, as many people realize, repetitive movements and wear and tear on the spinal structure can lead to overlapping risk profiles that can cause the spinal disc to degenerate and invoke pain in the musculoskeletal system. To that point, it can cause the individual to be in extreme pain and discomfort over time. Today’s article looks at how degenerative pain syndrome affects the spine, the symptoms it’s associated with, and how decompression can reduce degenerative pain syndrome. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatments to relieve degenerative pain syndrome that is causing mobility issues on the spine. We also inform and guide patients on how decompression can help reduce the pain-like symptoms correlating with degenerative pain syndrome. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the referred pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from degenerative pain that is affecting their quality of life. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

 

Degenerative Pain Syndrome On The Spine

 

Do you feel muscle aches or pains in your back after an extended period of lying down, sitting, or standing? Do you feel constant pain after carrying a heavy object from one location to another? Or does twisting or turning your torso provide temporary relief? Many people often don’t realize that many of these pain-like issues are associated with degenerative pain syndrome that affects the spine. Since the body ages naturally, the spine does as well through degeneration. When the spinal discs start to degenerate, it can cause the vertical axial pressure to flatten and squeeze the disc, disrupting its ability to keep hydrated and causing it to protrude out of its original position. At the same time, the height of the spinal disc will gradually fall, and the consequence is a change in dynamics in the affected spine segments. (Kos et al., 2019) Degeneration can cascade down to the surrounding ligaments, muscles, and joints when degeneration starts to affect the spine. 

 

The Symptoms Associated With Degenerative Pain

When the surrounding joints, muscles, and ligaments are affected by degenerative disc pain, it can be due to multiple factors contributing to the pain-like symptoms. Inflammation is one of the symptoms that are associated with degenerative pain syndrome, as disturbances can affect the circadian rhythm and disrupt homeostasis, which then leads to increased stress on the spinal disc, which then contributes to the degenerative process. (Chao-Yang et al., 2021) Inflammation can cause the affected muscles to be inflamed and cause more overlapping risk profiles, as it can affect the upper and lower extremities. Additionally, mechanical loading may affect disc degeneration in various ways at the different vertebral levels. (Salo et al., 2022) This can lead to pain-like symptoms like:

  • Arm and leg tenderness
  • Nerve pain
  • Loss of sensory functions on the upper and lower extremities
  • Tingling sensations
  • Muscle pain

However, numerous treatments can help restore spinal mobility and lessen the painful effects of the degenerative pain syndrome of the spine.

 


The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness- Video

When it comes to seeking treatment for degenerative pain syndrome, many individuals will do research on which treatment is affordable for their pain, hence why many people opt for non-surgical treatment to alleviate their pain. Non-surgical treatments are customized to the individual’s pain. They can help kickstart the person’s wellness journey, which can include a combination of exercise, manual therapy, and lifestyle modifications. (Brogger et al., 2018) The video above shows how a non-surgical approach can benefit someone with degenerative pain syndrome affecting their spine. 


Decompression Reducing Degenerative Pain Syndrome

 

With many available treatments to reduce pain-like symptoms affecting the spine, non-surgical treatments can be an option. Ranging from chiropractic care to acupuncture, non-surgical treatments can be combined to minimize the pain-like effects. Decompression, as part of the non-surgical treatment options, is an excellent way to reduce the degenerative pain process in the spine. Decompression allows the spinal column to be gently pulled through a traction machine to relieve the spinal disc. When a traction machine decomposes the spine, the pain intensity is significantly reduced in all body parts. (Ljunggren et al., 1984) This is due to negative pressure being reinstated back to the spine to increase disc height and restore the nutrients back to the affected disc and rehydrate them. (Choi et al., 2022) When people start incorporating decompression through consecutive treatment, their pain intensity is reduced, and their spine is mobile again while slowing down the degenerative process on the spine. This allows them to take better care of their bodies by making small changes in their health and wellness.

 


References

Brogger, H. A., Maribo, T., Christensen, R., & Schiottz-Christensen, B. (2018). Comparative effectiveness and prognostic factors for outcome of surgical and non-surgical management of lumbar spinal stenosis in an elderly population: protocol for an observational study. BMJ Open, 8(12), e024949. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024949

Chao-Yang, G., Peng, C., & Hai-Hong, Z. (2021). Roles of NLRP3 inflammasome in intervertebral disc degeneration. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 29(6), 793-801. doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2021.02.204

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, 1-9. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837

Kos, N., Gradisnik, L., & Velnar, T. (2019). A Brief Review of the Degenerative Intervertebral Disc Disease. Med Arch, 73(6), 421-424. doi.org/10.5455/medarh.2019.73.421-424

Ljunggren, A. E., Weber, H., & Larsen, S. (1984). Autotraction versus manual traction in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs. Scand J Rehabil Med, 16(3), 117-124. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6494835

Salo, S., Hurri, H., Rikkonen, T., Sund, R., Kroger, H., & Sirola, J. (2022). Association between severe lumbar disc degeneration and self-reported occupational physical loading. J Occup Health, 64(1), e12316. doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12316

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Understanding the Effects of Spinal Decompression Therapy

Understanding the Effects of Spinal Decompression Therapy

Can individuals dealing with neck and back pain find the relief they need from the effects of spinal decompression therapy?

Introduction

Across the world, many individuals deal with neck or back pain from excessive sitting or standing, poor posture, or lifting heavy objects that cause their spine and muscles to ache constantly. Since the body is in constant movement, the spine is being compressed through repetitive movement that can cause the spinal discs to pop out of their original position and aggravate the surrounding nerves to cause pain-like symptoms in the neck and back regions. Many people start to complain about their necks and backs hurting and feeling referred pain in different locations in the upper and lower body portions. This can range from acute to chronic, depending on the severity of the pain. When people are experiencing these musculoskeletal pain disorders in their bodies, many will seek treatment to alleviate the pain in their necks and backs to return to their daily routines. Hence why, treatments like spinal decompression can have a positive effect on providing the relief that many individuals deserve. Today’s article looks at why the neck and back in the human body are the most common pain areas many people endure and how spinal decompression can reduce neck and back pain. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various techniques to relieve neck and back pain from the body. We also inform patients how treatments like decompression can reduce musculoskeletal pain disorders from the neck and back. We encourage our patients to ask intricated questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with their neck and back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

 

Why Are The Neck & Back Common Pain Areas?

Do you feel muscle tension in your neck after being hunched on the computer or your phone for a long time? Do you feel aches and pains in your back after carrying or lifting a heavy object? Or do you feel tingling or numbness in your arms or legs? Many of these pain-like symptoms are often correlated with neck and back pain that can be a nuisance to many individuals. So why is it that the neck and back of the human body are the most common pain areas that many people worldwide endure? Many people with highly demanding jobs often perform normal movements repetitively, which causes stress on the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and joints, and the accessory muscles will begin to be overworked and tight. Neck and back pain are amongst the most common symptom-related complaints that contribute to high levels of lost workdays, disability, and health care use. (Corwell & Davis, 2020) This causes many individuals to have unwanted socio-economic stress when they visit their primary care doctors. Additionally, neck and back pain are non-neurologic causes in the musculoskeletal system; these can generate pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, spinal discs, articular cartilage, and bone. (Meleger & Krivickas, 2007) To that point, when neck and back pain are not treated right away, it can lead to correlating pain symptoms that can lead to a life of disability. Since the spine has multiple structures, from the neck to the lower back, when a person is in pain, it can lead to various pain generators that can cause some visceral pain. (Patel et al., 2015) Hence why, neck and back pain are multi-factorial and lead to numerous disorders.

 

 

When it comes to reducing neck and back pain from the body, many individuals will seek medical treatment to relieve themselves from the pain. However, many primary care doctors will assess their patients to determine what the root cause of their pain by taking notes of their daily routine. Many normal causes of neck and back pain can be due to:

  • Poor Posture
  • Stress
  • Physical Inactivity
  • Trauma/Injuries
  • Excessive sitting/standing
  • Lifting/carrying heavy objects

These causes can lead to a life of disability and affect a person’s quality of life; however, luckily, many individuals have researched and looked for treatment that is cost-effective and can help reduce the pain they are experiencing.


Understanding Academic Low Back Pain- Video

Do you feel aches and pains in your neck and back? Do you feel stress in your muscles that cause you to feel miserable? Or do you feel pain in your upper or lower body portions affecting your daily routine? Many of these scenarios correlate with neck and back pain, a common issue many individuals experience. If not treated right away, it can lead to a life of disability and, for working individuals, lose a day of work. However, many individuals seek cost-effective treatments that can help reduce the pain affecting their necks and back. Treatments like chiropractic care, traction therapy, massage therapy, and spinal decompression are all non-surgical, affordable, and can help reduce pain-like symptoms associated with neck and back pain. The video above explains the causes of academic low back pain and how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can work with additional therapies to prevent back and neck pain from returning. At the same time, when individuals begin to reduce their workload and educate themselves on what to do to avoid neck and back pain from returning, they can start feeling better. (Tyrdal et al., 2022)


The Effects Of Decompression On Neck & Back Pain

As part of the non-surgical treatments, spinal decompression can help many individuals dealing with neck and back pain. What spinal decompression does is incorporate gentle traction on the spine to decompress the affected spinal disc that can be associated with neck and back pain. When the spine is being treated with spinal decompression, the gravitational traction pull helps produce a greater disc space on the spine to decrease intradiscal pressure and pain. (Vanti et al., 2021) This allows all the nutrients and fluids to return to the spine and spinal discs while promoting the body’s natural healing process.

 

 

Additionally, many individuals with neck and back pain will begin to notice a huge reduction in their pain and disability through consecutive treatment. (Vanti et al., 2023) By incorporating healthy habits to reduce the chances of neck and back pain from returning, many individuals can make small changes to their daily routine. This allows them to have a positive outlook and continue their health and wellness journey.


References

Corwell, B. N., & Davis, N. L. (2020). The Emergent Evaluation and Treatment of Neck and Back Pain. Emerg Med Clin North Am, 38(1), 167-191. doi.org/10.1016/j.emc.2019.09.007

Meleger, A. L., & Krivickas, L. S. (2007). Neck and back pain: musculoskeletal disorders. Neurol Clin, 25(2), 419-438. doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2007.01.006

Patel, V. B., Wasserman, R., & Imani, F. (2015). Interventional Therapies for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Focused Review (Efficacy and Outcomes). Anesth Pain Med, 5(4), e29716. doi.org/10.5812/aapm.29716

Tyrdal, M. K., Veierod, M. B., Roe, C., Natvig, B., Wahl, A. K., & Stendal Robinson, H. (2022). Neck and back pain: Differences between patients treated in primary and specialist health care. J Rehabil Med, 54, jrm00300. doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v54.363

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

Vanti, C., Turone, L., Panizzolo, A., Guccione, A. A., Bertozzi, L., & Pillastrini, P. (2021). Vertical traction for lumbar radiculopathy: a systematic review. Arch Physiother, 11(1), 7. doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00102-5

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Reduce Your Low Back Pain: Learn How to Decompress Spinal Discs

Reduce Your Low Back Pain: Learn How to Decompress Spinal Discs

Can individuals incorporate decompression to reduce spinal disc pressure on their lower backs to restore their quality of life?

Introduction

The spine has a wonderful relationship with the human body as it is part of the musculoskeletal system. The spine has many components allow the body to be mobile and help stabilize the different muscle groups around the upper and lower portions. When the body is in motion, the spine starts to compress the spinal discs between the spinal column, which helps reduce the vertical axial load. Many people with highly demanding jobs will often use repetitive motions that cause the spinal disc to be constantly compressed. When the spinal disc starts to be continuously compressed, it can eventually crack over time from the immense pressure. It can aggravate the surrounding nerves that can cause referred pain-like symptoms in the upper and lower extremities. To that point, it can lead to a life of disability if it is not treated right away. Luckily, numerous treatments can help reduce the immense pressure from the spinal discs and reduce the pain-like symptoms from the upper and lower extremities. Today’s article looks at how spinal pressure affects the lower back and how decompression can help reduce spinal pressure on the lower back. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various solutions to relieve spinal pressure on the spine. We also inform patients how treatments like decompression can reduce vertical axial pressure on the lower back. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with spinal pressure affecting their lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

 

How Does Spinal Pressure Affect The Lower Back?

Have you felt any muscle aches or stiffness in your lower back after bending down to pick up an object? What about feeling excruciating pain in your lower back that is radiating to your neck or your legs? Or do you feel pain in one location of your back that is not going away after rest? When many individuals are in pain, and home remedies are not providing the relief they deserve, they could be dealing with spinal pressure that is affecting their back. When people start to do repetitive motions to their bodies, the spinal disc will begin to crack and shrink depending on the environmental factor the pain is associated with.

 

 

Regarding spinal pressure in the lower back, the disc is thicker and the most susceptible to injury. When it comes to spinal pressure related to disc herniation, it can lead to many individuals dealing with lower back pain and can affect their quality of life. One of the symptoms of disc herniation that are correlated with spinal pressure is that the displacement of the spinal disc can cause pain and disability in the spine as a result of a traumatic injury or degenerative changes due to the natural aging process. (Chu et al., 2023) When working, individuals put constant pressure on their spines, which can speed up the development of lower back pain. 

 

Additionally, when there is immense spinal pressure on the spine, many pain-like issues that individuals don’t normally have will begin to pop up. This is due to a focal displacement of the intervertebral disc material that is beyond the normal limit of the spine and compresses one or more nerve roots, which can cause musculoskeletal issues to arise. (Trager et al., 2022) This, in turn, causes radiating extremity pain on the upper and lower body portions, sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, and even diminished muscle stretch reflexes as pain-like symptoms in the lower back. At the same time, when individuals are experiencing low back pain associated with spinal pressure, their truck muscles have an abnormal tilt when sitting, standing, and walking. (Wang et al., 2022) When this happens, it can cause them to develop poor posture, and when they are in an upright position, they will feel pain in their lower backs due to weak truck muscles. However, there are ways to relieve spinal pressure from aggravating the nerve roots affecting the lower back.

 


The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness-Video

When looking for the right treatment, many individuals want to look for something that is cost-effective and relieves their pain. Non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and utilize various techniques to help reduce musculoskeletal pain through mechanical and manual motions to strengthen weakened muscles, relieve spinal pressure off the disc, and help realign the body to promote healing properties. The video above shows how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help many individuals get their foot on the right on their health and wellness journey. At the same time, spinal decompression is another form of non-surgical treatment as it incorporates gentle traction on the spine to reduce intervertebral pressure during active and passive traction. (Andersson et al., 1983) When the spine is gently pulled, the herniated disc starts to return to its original position back to the spine, which then allows the fluids and nutrients to return to the disc and rehydrate them.


Decompression Reducing Spinal Pressure On Lower Back

So, how does spinal decompression help reduce disc pressure off the spine when dealing with low back pain? As stated earlier, spinal decompression incorporates gentle traction on the spine to be gently pulled to stretch weak surrounding muscles in the lower back. This causes an inverse relationship as the pressure within the nucleus pulposus of the herniated disc can help improve posture for many individuals with low back pain. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) Similarly, when many people incorporate decompression and chiropractic, the pain intensity is significantly reduced in all body parts, and many individuals will begin to feel the relief they deserve. (Ljunggren et al., 1984) When many individuals listen to their bodies and get the treatment they deserve, they will start to notice how decompression can help restore their bodies and positively improve their health.


References

Andersson, G. B., Schultz, A. B., & Nachemson, A. L. (1983). Intervertebral disc pressures during traction. Scand J Rehabil Med Suppl, 9, 88-91. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6585945

Chu, E. C., Lin, A., Huang, K. H. K., Cheung, G., & Lee, W. T. (2023). A Severe Disc Herniation Mimics Spinal Tumor. Cureus, 15(3), e36545. doi.org/10.7759/cureus.36545

Ljunggren, A. E., Weber, H., & Larsen, S. (1984). Autotraction versus manual traction in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs. Scand J Rehabil Med, 16(3), 117-124. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6494835

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

Trager, R. J., Daniels, C. J., Perez, J. A., Casselberry, R. M., & Dusek, J. A. (2022). Association between chiropractic spinal manipulation and lumbar discectomy in adults with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study using United States’ data. BMJ Open, 12(12), e068262. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068262

Wang, L., Li, C., Wang, L., Qi, L., & Liu, X. (2022). Sciatica-Related Spinal Imbalance in Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients: Radiological Characteristics and Recovery Following Endoscopic Discectomy. J Pain Res, 15, 13-22. doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S341317

 

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Say Goodbye To Herniation Pain Forever with Decompression

Say Goodbye To Herniation Pain Forever with Decompression

Can individuals with herniated pain associated with low back pain find relief through spinal decompression to restore mobility?

Introduction

Many people worldwide have experienced pain in the back region and often complain that it affects their mobility when doing their normal routine. The musculoskeletal system has various muscles, soft tissues, joints, ligaments, and bones that help surround the spine and protect the vital organs. The spine consists of bones, joints, and nerve roots that have an outstanding relationship with the central nervous system and musculoskeletal system as the spinal cord is protected by the spinal joints and discs that have the nerve roots spread out and help provide the sensory-motor function to the upper and lower extremities. When various pathogens or environmental factors start to cause the spine to compress the spinal discs constantly, it can lead to herniation and affect the body’s mobility over time. Individuals, both young and old, will notice that the pain is not going away from home remedies and may have to seek out treatment if the pain is too much. However, it can lead to dealing with unnecessary stress when looking for affordable treatment. Today’s article looks at how herniation can affect low back mobility and how treatments like decompression can help restore the spine. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various solutions to restore low back mobility to the spine. We also inform patients how treatments like decompression can restore the spine’s mobility to the body. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with disc herniation affecting the spine. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

 

Disc Herniation Affecting Low Back Mobility

Do you often experience stiffness or limited mobility in your lower back that causes you to walk a little slower than usual? Do you feel pain in your lower back muscles from stretching or bending down to pick up an object? Or do you feel numbness or tingling sensations down your legs that feel uncomfortable? When many individuals start to do repetitive motions, that can cause their spinal discs to compress over time and eventually become herniated. When many individuals overwork their bodies, their spinal discs can eventually crack, causing the inner portion to protrude and press on the surrounding nerve root. This causes the disc tissue to have a central ballon-type cyst that causes degenerative changes, leading to low back pain and herniation. (Ge et al., 2019)

 

 

At the same time, when many individuals start to deal with lower back pain from herniated discs, they will begin to lose mobility in their lower backs. This could be due to weak abdominal muscles combined with limited mobility. When many individuals do not have strong core muscles to provide support and mobility to their lower backs, it can start with simple muscle aches, leading to constant lower back pain without treatment and negatively impacting their quality of life. (Chu, 2022) However, dealing with low back pain does not have to be tedious as numerous therapies can reduce the effects of low back pain correlated with disc herniation while restoring low back spinal mobility.

 


The Science Of Motion-Video

Have you ever experienced unquestionable muscle aches that radiate from your lower back and travel down your legs? Do you feel stiffness when bending down to pick up an object that causes muscle strain on your lower back? Or do you feel pain in your lower back from excessive sitting or standing? When many people are dealing with these pain-like issues in their lower backs, it can lead to a life of disability while affecting their quality of life. This is due to a disc herniation that affects a person’s lower back mobility and, when not treated right away, can lead to chronic issues. However, many individuals will seek treatment for their lower back pain and find the relief they need. Many therapeutic exercises combined with non-surgical treatments can help retrain the weakened trunk muscles to stabilize the lower back better and help reduce lower back pain. (Hlaing et al., 2021) When individuals start to think about their health and wellness, especially when they are dealing with low back pain affecting their mobility, they will find that most of the pain is from normal, repetitive factors that cause their spinal disc to be compressed and herniated. Hence, applying traction to the lumbar spine can help reduce lumbar disc protrusion that causes low back pain. (Mathews, 1968) Treatments like chiropractic care, traction therapy, and spinal decompression are all non-surgical treatments that are cost-effective and gentle on the spine. They help realign the body and help kick start the body’s natural healing factor to rehydrate the spinal discs. When many individuals start to do continuous treatment to reduce their lower back pain associated with herniated discs, they will begin to see improvements in their spinal mobility and their pain diminished. Check out the video above to look at how non-surgical treatments can help restore mobility to the body and reduce pain-like symptoms.


Decompression Restoring The Spine

When it comes to reducing pain-like symptoms caused by disc herniation that is causing limited mobility and low back pain, spinal decompression could be the answer that many individuals are looking for to incorporate into their health and wellness routine. Since lumbar herniated spinal discs are a common cause of low back pain and radiculopathy, spinal decompression can help gently pull the herniated disc back to its original position to promote healing. Since spinal decompression and lumbar traction are part of the physiotherapy treatment, they can help decrease the pain intensity from the spine and reduce the size of the herniated disc. (Choi et al., 2022) When many individuals feel relief from the gentle pull from spinal decompression, they will notice that their mobility is back. After consecutive treatment, their pain will be diminished as their spinal disc is completely healed. (Cyriax, 1950) With many individuals who are looking for numerous treatments to reduce their lower back pain and regain their sense of life, incorporating these treatments can provide beneficial results to their musculoskeletal system.


References

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

Chu, E. C. (2022). Large abdominal aortic aneurysm presented with concomitant acute lumbar disc herniation – a case report. J Med Life, 15(6), 871-875. doi.org/10.25122/jml-2021-0419

Cyriax, J. (1950). The treatment of lumbar disk lesions. Br Med J, 2(4694), 1434-1438. doi.org/10.1136/bmj.2.4694.1434

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

Hlaing, S. S., Puntumetakul, R., Khine, E. E., & Boucaut, R. (2021). Effects of core stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise on proprioception, balance, muscle thickness and pain related outcomes in patients with subacute nonspecific low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 22(1), 998. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04858-6

Mathews, J. A. (1968). Dynamic discography: a study of lumbar traction. Ann Phys Med, 9(7), 275-279. doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/9.7.275

Disclaimer

Understanding Healthy Spinal Rotation

Understanding Healthy Spinal Rotation

For individuals trying to maintain a healthy spine, can understanding the causes and prevention of rotated vertebrae help protect the spine from harmful rotation of vertebrae?

Understanding Healthy Spinal Rotation

Spinal Rotation

Healthy spine rotation is an important aspect of injury prevention, and rotated vertebrae or a twisted spine can result from spine, nerve, or muscle disease or certain movements.

Normal Spine Twisting Capability

The spine can move in several ways. Spine movements include:

  • Bending  – Rounding forward
  • Extending – Arching backward
  • Tilting sideways is powered by muscles that aid in twisting.

Although the spine can move in many directions, there are limits to how far it can and should go. (Xinhai Shan et al., 2013). This is especially true with twisting. The spinal column is made of 26 interconnected bones called vertebrae. When moving, each vertebrae bone moves accordingly. Rotated or twisted vertebrae, especially when bending forward like lifting heavy objects, are associated with a risk of back injuries like strain and herniated discs.

How Rotation Works

Rotation is a basic movement in which individuals can turn their spinal column. When twisting, the spine also bends to the side. The muscles involved in spine rotation include:

  • The internal oblique abdominals and the external oblique abdominals don’t directly attach to the spine but are the primary muscles responsible for powering spinal rotation in the lower back.
  • Intrinsic muscles, including the multifidus and longissimus, contribute to twisting movement as well.
  • The multifidus helps the spine twist when one side is contracted/activated and extends the lumbar spine when both sides contract.
  • The multifidus helps control the movement, and the longissimus provides the movement with some extension.

Age and The Spine

As individuals age, the body accumulates tension and/or weakness in the oblique abdominal and other trunk muscles. Sedentary habits primarily bring on these changes. (Pooriput Waongenngarm et al., 2016)

  • Chronically tight back and abdominal muscles impair the range of motion of the trunk, as well as twisting ability.
  • Muscle weakness and tightness affect spinal movements.
  • Weakened muscles can decrease support for spinal movement and decrease overall trunk stability.

Spinal Rotation and Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a common condition that causes a lateral curve of the spine. Some of the vertebrae become displaced to the side. Often, abnormal vertebral rotation underlies this displacement. Treatment often focuses on controlling vertebral rotation with medical guidance and physical therapy. (John P. Horne et al., 2014)

Over-Rotating The Spine

Many individuals over-rotate their spines with manual work, which can increase the risk of back injuries. (National Institutes of Health. 2020). Over-rotation can happen with activities like digging or shoveling.

Exercise For A Healthy Spine

A recommended way to achieve optimal rotation of the spine is with daily back exercises. (National Spine Health Foundation. 2015). An effective back exercise program will consist of movements in every direction.

  • Yoga is recommended because it places emphasis on developing flexibility and strength in all directions.
  • Pilates does the same.
  • An injury prevention exercise program will work the hip and pelvic muscles as well.
  • Individuals with a spine condition should consult their healthcare provider or physical therapist about how to exercise the spine safely, as rotation exercises could worsen back problems like bulging or herniated discs.

Core Strength For A Pain-Free Back


References

Shan, X., Ning, X., Chen, Z., Ding, M., Shi, W., & Yang, S. (2013). Low back pain development response to sustained trunk axial twisting. 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, 22(9), 1972–1978. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2784-7

Waongenngarm, P., Rajaratnam, B. S., & Janwantanakul, P. (2016). Internal Oblique and Transversus Abdominis Muscle Fatigue Induced by Slumped Sitting Posture after 1 Hour of Sitting in Office Workers. Safety and health at work, 7(1), 49–54. doi.org/10.1016/j.shaw.2015.08.001

Horne, J. P., Flannery, R., & Usman, S. (2014). Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: diagnosis and management. American family physician, 89(3), 193–198.

National Institutes of Health. (2020). Low Back Pain Fact Sheet.

National Spine Health Foundation. (2015). Breaking Down The Exercises That Break Down Your Spine.

Stand Desks to Improve Circulation, Back Pain, and Energy

Stand Desks to Improve Circulation, Back Pain, and Energy

For individuals working at a desk or work station where the majority of the work is done in a sitting position and increases the risk for a variety of health problems, can using a standing desk help prevent musculoskeletal problems and improve short and long-term wellness?

Stand Desks to Improve Circulation, Back Pain, and Energy

Stand Desks

More than 80% of jobs are done in a seated position. Stand desks have proven to help. (Allene L. Gremaud et al., 2018) An adjustable stand desk is intended to be the standing height of an individual. Some desks can be lowered to use while sitting. These desks can improve:

  • Blood circulation
  • Back pain
  • Energy
  • Focus
  • Individuals who are less sedentary may experience decreased depression, anxiety, and risk of chronic disease.

Improve Posture and Decrease Back Pain

Sitting for prolonged periods can cause fatigue and physical discomfort. Back pain symptoms and sensations are common, especially when practicing unhealthy postures, already dealing with existing back problems, or using a non-ergonomic desk set-up. Instead of only sitting or standing for the whole workday, alternating between sitting and standing is far healthier. Practicing sitting and standing regularly reduces body fatigue and lower back discomfort. (Alicia A. Thorp et al., 2014) (Grant T. Ognibene et al., 2016)

Increases Energy Levels

Prolonged sitting correlates with fatigue, reduced energy, and productivity. A sit-stand desk can provide benefits like increased productivity levels. Researchers discovered that sit-stand desks could improve the general health and productivity of office workers. Individuals in the study reported:

  • A significant increase in subjective health.
  • Increased energy in work tasks.
  • Improved work performance. (Jiameng Ma et al., 2021)

Chronic Disease Reduction

According to the CDC, six in 10 individuals in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or cancer. Chronic disease is the leading cause of death and disability, as well as a leading force of healthcare costs. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023) While further research is needed to see if standing desks can reduce the risk of chronic disease, one study looked to quantify the association between sedentary time and the risk of chronic disease or death. Researchers reported that sedentariness for prolonged periods was independently associated with negative health outcomes regardless of physical activity. (Aviroop Biswas et al., 2015)

Improved Mental Focus

Sitting for extended periods slows down blood circulation. This decreased blood flow to the brain lowers cognitive function and increases the risk of neurodegenerative conditions. One study confirmed that healthy individuals who worked in a prolonged sitting position had reduced brain blood flow. The study found that frequent, short walks could help prevent this. (Sophie E. Carter et al., 2018) Standing increases blood and oxygen circulation. This improves cognitive function, which also helps improve focus and concentration.

Depression and Anxiety Reduction

Modern lifestyles typically contain large amounts of sedentary behavior.

However, there is a small amount about the mental health risks of prolonged sedentary behavior. There have been a few studies aimed at improving public understanding. One study focused on a group of older adults, having them self-report sedentary habits that included television, internet, and reading time. This information was compared to their individual scoring on the Centre of Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. (Mark Hamer, Emmanuel Stamatakis. 2014)

  • The researchers found that certain sedentary behaviors are more harmful to mental health than others.
  • Television watching, for example, resulted in increased depressive symptoms and decreased cognitive function. (Mark Hamer, Emmanuel Stamatakis. 2014)
  • Internet use had the opposite effect, decreasing depressive symptoms and increasing cognitive function.
  • Researchers theorize that the results come from the contrasting environmental and social contexts in which they are happening. (Mark Hamer, Emmanuel Stamatakis. 2014)
  • Another study looked at the possible correlation between sedentary behavior and anxiety.
  • Increased amounts of sedentary behavior, especially sitting, seemed to increase the risk of anxiety. (Megan Teychenne, Sarah A Costigan, Kate Parker. 2015)

Incorporating a standing desk into the workspace can help to reduce the negative effects of sedentary behaviors, leading to improved productivity, improved mental and physical health, and a healthy work environment for individuals who work long hours at a desk or workstation.


Understanding Academic Low Back Pain: Impact and Chiropractic Solutions


References

Gremaud, A. L., Carr, L. J., Simmering, J. E., Evans, N. J., Cremer, J. F., Segre, A. M., Polgreen, L. A., & Polgreen, P. M. (2018). Gamifying Accelerometer Use Increases Physical Activity Levels of Sedentary Office Workers. Journal of the American Heart Association, 7(13), e007735. doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.117.007735

Thorp, A. A., Kingwell, B. A., Owen, N., & Dunstan, D. W. (2014). Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/obese office workers. Occupational and environmental medicine, 71(11), 765–771. doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102348

Ognibene, G. T., Torres, W., von Eyben, R., & Horst, K. C. (2016). Impact of a Sit-Stand Workstation on Chronic Low Back Pain: Results of a Randomized Trial. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 58(3), 287–293. doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000615

Ma, J., Ma, D., Li, Z., & Kim, H. (2021). Effects of a Workplace Sit-Stand Desk Intervention on Health and Productivity. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(21), 11604. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111604

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic disease.

Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Faulkner, G. E., Bajaj, R. R., Silver, M. A., Mitchell, M. S., & Alter, D. A. (2015). Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of internal medicine, 162(2), 123–132. doi.org/10.7326/M14-1651

Carter, S. E., Draijer, R., Holder, S. M., Brown, L., Thijssen, D. H. J., & Hopkins, N. D. (2018). Regular walking breaks prevent the decline in cerebral blood flow associated with prolonged sitting. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 125(3), 790–798. doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00310.2018

Hamer, M., & Stamatakis, E. (2014). Prospective study of sedentary behavior, risk of depression, and cognitive impairment. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 46(4), 718–723. doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000000156

Teychenne, M., Costigan, S. A., & Parker, K. (2015). The association between sedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: a systematic review. BMC public health, 15, 513. doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1843-x