Back Clinic Chiropractic Spine Care Team. The spine is designed with three natural curves; the neck curvature or cervical spine, the upper back curvature or thoracic spine, and the lower back curvature or lumbar spine, all of which come together to form a slight shape when viewed from the side. The spine is an essential structure as it helps support the upright posture of humans, it provides the body with the flexibility to move and it plays the crucial role of protecting the spinal cord. Spinal health is important in order to ensure the body is functioning to its fullest capacity. Dr. Alex Jimenez strongly indicates across his collection of articles on spine care, how to properly support a healthy spine. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
When diagnosed with degenerative disc disorder, among the primary things that lots of patients ask is, “Am I going to need surgery to repair this?” For many people, the answer is no. You in fact need to meet some rather stringent demands in order for your doctor to recommend operation:
You have attempted several months�ordinarily about six months�of non-operative treatments, plus they haven’t helped reduce your pain. What this means is that you simply have attempted physical therapy, medications, rest, among others, and your pain is still interfering with your life.
Your disc degeneration is at two levels not just one. When you have multi-level disc degeneration, you might not be the best candidate for surgery as you may lose an excessive amount of mobility in your back if you have a fusion (that sort of surgery is clarified below).
You’re comparatively young. Recovery from operation could be a tough procedure, so that your body requires in order to manage it. Younger individuals are somewhat more effective at recovering than older folks that are more prone to complications from operation. There’s not a certain “you should not have surgery if you are older than this” age. Your physician will probably be able to create that recommendation.
Operation could be required immediately for those who have among these red flags:
Loss in bladder or bowel control
Cauda equina syndrome is an incredibly serious ailment. Your cauda equina�or “horse’s tail”�is several nerves that resembles, competently enough, a horse’s tail. It is situated at the conclusion of the spinal cord, and it is a surgical emergency when the cauda equina is compressed. You might have extreme low back pain, weakness in your legs, radiculopathy (pain that goes out of your back and into your legs), and incontinence.
Types of Surgery for Degenerative Disc Disease
Up until lately, surgery for degenerative disc disease has called for two main parts: removal of what’s causing pain and then fusing the back to control movement. When the surgeon removes tissue that’s pressing on a nerve, it is called a decompression surgery. Fusion is a stabilization surgery, and frequently, a decompression and fusion are done at the exact same time.
Traditional surgical options that are decompression include:
Facetectomy: There are joints in your spine called facet joints; they help stabilize your back. Yet, facet joints can put pressure on a nerve. “Ectomy” means “removal of.” So a facetectomy involves removing the facet joint to reduce that pressure.
Foraminotomy: If part of the disc or a bone spur (osteophyte) is pressing on a nerve as it makes the vertebra (through an exit called the foramen), a foraminotomy might be done. “Otomy” means “to make an opening.” So a foraminotomy is making the opening of the foramen larger, therefore the nerve can depart without being compressed.
Laminectomy: At the rear of every vertebra, there is a bony plate that protects your spinal canal and spinal cord; it’s known as the lamina. It may be pressing in your spinal cord, hence by removing section or all of the lamina, the surgeon may make more room.
Laminotomy: Similar to the foraminotomy, a laminotomy makes a more substantial opening, this time in your bony plate shielding your spinal canal and spinal cord (the lamina). The lamina may be pressing therefore the surgeon may make more room for the nerves using a laminotomy.
All of the above decompression techniques are done from the back of the spine (posterior). Sometimes, though, a surgeon has to do a decompression from the front of the spine (anterior). As an example, a bulging disc or a herniated disc shoving into your spinal canal sometimes cannot be removed from behind because the spinal cord is in the way. In that case, the decompression procedure is normally performed from the front (anterior). The main anterior decompression techniques are:
Discectomy: It might be pressing on your own nerves in case you are in possession of a bulging disc or a herniated disc. In a discectomy, the surgeon will remove all or area of the disc. The surgeon can do a discectomy using a minimally invasive approach. Minimally invasive means that there are smaller incisions as well as the surgeon works with a microscope and very little surgical tools. You’ll possess a recovery period that is shorter when you possess a minimally invasive discectomy.
Corpectomy (or Vertebrectomy): Occasionally, surgeons will need to take the complete vertebral body out because disc substance becomes lodged between the spinal cord and also the vertebral body and can’t be removed by a discectomy. In other cases, osteophytes form between spinal cord and the vertebral body. In these situations, the whole vertebral body may need certainly to be removed to gain access to the disc material that is pressing on your nerve�that’s a corpectomy.
After portion of a disc or vertebra continues to be taken out, your back could be shaky, meaning that it proceeds in strange ways. That makes you more at risk for serious neurological harm, and you don’t want that. The surgeon will need to stabilize your spine. Traditionally, this has been done using a fusion, and it can be done from the back (posterior) or in the front (anterior).
In spine stabilization by fusion, the surgeon creates an environment where the bones in your back will fuse together over time (usually over several months or longer). The surgeon uses a bone graft (normally using bone from your own personal body, but it is possible to utilize donor bone as well) or a biological substance (which will stimulate bone growth). Your surgeon may use spinal instrumentation�wires, cables, screws, rods, and plates�to raise stability as the bones fuse. The fusion will cease movement between the vertebrae, providing long term stability.
New Surgical Options for Degenerative Disc Disease
A fruitful fusion restricts motion in the fused area. Now there’s a brand new surgical option that helps you keep freedom: an artificial disc. The surgeon will remove your disc (a discectomy), and insert an artificial disc in its area. The notion is that the artificial disc help you move more readily and with less pain and will keep your spine flexible.
Artificial discs have become new, but they’re a fascinating development in back surgery. But because they’re so new, there haven’t been many long-term studies in the US about the effectiveness of artificial discs. Short-term studies and studies from Europe are promising, though.
Risks of Spinal Surgery
As with absolutely any procedure, there are risks involved with spine surgery for degenerative disc disease. Before requesting one to sign a surgical consent form, your doctor will discuss possible risks along with you. Possible complications include, but are not limited to:
harm to nerves or your spinal cord
non-healing of the bony fusion (pseudoarthrosis)
failure to enhance
instrumentation breakage/failure
infection and/or bone graft site pain
pain and swelling in your leg veins (phlebitis)
urinary difficulties
Complications could result in more surgery, so again �make certain that you completely understand the risks along with your surgery before proceeding. The decision for surgery is yours and yours alone.
Recovering from Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery
After surgery for DDD, you will not immediately feel better. Should you have had a fusion, it will require some time (several months or longer) for the fusion to heal properly, and in the interim,, you could have pain in the region where you had surgery. Your incisions should heal in 7 to 14 days.
Your surgeon will provide you with special directions about what you’ll be able to and can’t do following surgery. Be sure to stick together with the healing plan and never overdo it or overstress your back. Report any issues�such as increased pain, temperature, or infection�to your physician immediately.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Preventing Spinal Degeneration
As we age, it’s natural for the spine, as well as the other complex structures of the spine, to begin degenerating. Without the proper care, however, the overall health and wellness of the spine can develop complications, such as degenerative disc disease, among others, which could potentially lead to back pain and other painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option utilized to maintain and improve spine health.
Proponents of mindfulness-based stress reduction claim it can improve relationships, mental health, weight and more. But, one complaint it’s unlikely to fix is lower back pain, researchers now say.
Lower back pain doesn’t respond to the programs, which embrace meditation, heightened self-awareness and exercise, according to a review.
Although short-term improvements were reported, “no clinical significance” was found in terms of overall pain or disability when mindfulness was compared to standard treatment, said study lead author Dennis Anheyer. Anheyer is a psychology research fellow in the faculty of medicine at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany.
About eight out of 10 American adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Roughly one in five of them will struggle with chronic lower back pain, lasting three months or more, which is a major cause of job-related disability.
Because no sure-fire treatment of back pain exists, many patients try complementary therapies such as mindfulness.
Mindfulness and Stress Reduction for Back Pain
Mindfulness programs, which are growing in popularity in the West, derive from the Buddhist spiritual tradition and are used to treat pain. They include sitting meditation; walking meditation; hatha yoga and body scan along with focusing attention sequentially on different parts of the body.
The seven studies that were reviewed involved close to 900 patients who had lower back pain for at least three months. Six of the studies were conducted in the United States; the seventh in Iran.
Some patients were offered standard back pain treatment, such as physical therapy and exercise routines that aim to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles; prescription and over-the-counter pain medications; ice packs and heat packs; and spinal manipulation and/or massage (chiropractic care). In some cases, surgery is recommended for chronic back pain.
Other patients engaged in mindfulness programs aimed at stress relief. Six of the programs were variations on an eight-week program developed at the University of Massachusetts. Most had a weekly 2.5 hour group session; one also had a day-long silent retreat.
Practitioners were also encouraged to engage in 30 to 45 minutes of meditation at home, six days a week. “We found that mindfulness-based stress reduction could decrease pain intensity at short-term, but not at long-term,” said Anheyer. Despite the negative findings, Michigan orthopedist Dr. Rachel Rohde isn’t ready to rule out mindfulness as a back-pain treatment.
The size of the research review was relatively small, said Rohde, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.
Also, “pain” is perceived differently by everyone, she said. In the case of chronic pain, people tend to try everything they can to feel better, making it difficult to figure out exactly what works and what doesn’t, she added.
The idea that changing the way you think can change the way you feel — the premise of cognitive behavior therapy — is used as a treatment for chronic pain, Rohde continued. “I think that mindfulness-based stress reduction is somewhat of an extension of this and probably would work very well for some and perhaps not so well for others,” she added.
The researchers behind the new review suggested that future studies look at specific components of mindfulness programs, such as yoga and mindful meditation. Yoga, they said, has been shown to increase function and decrease disability in patients with low back pain.
SOURCES: Dennis Anheyer, M.A., B.Sc., psychology research fellow, faculty of medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, department of internal and integrative medicine, Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany; Rachel S. Rohde, M.D., associate professor of orthopedic surgery, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Michigan Orthopaedic Institute, P.C., Royal Oak, Michigan; April 24, 2017, Annals of Internal Medicine
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness
Maintaining overall health and wellness through a balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and proper sleep is essential for your whole body�s well-being. While these are some of the most important contributing factors for staying healthy, seeking care and preventing injuries or the development of conditions through natural alternatives can also guarantee overall health and wellness. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment option utilized by many individuals to ensure whole body wellness.
Chronic low back pain can be a challenge to treat, but new research suggests that massage therapy may provide some relief.
“Current medical guidelines actually recommend massage therapy prior to the use of opioid medications for lower back pain,” explained William Elder, the study’s principle investigator. “Yet even with those guidelines, physicians and nurse practitioners are not recommending massage therapy,” said Elder. He’s with the University of Kentucky’s departments of family and community medicine and clinical services.
Low back pain is a common problem, and for most people, it’s short-lived. But for about 15 percent of people with low back pain, the problem becomes chronic and lasts more than three months, the study authors said. There aren’t a lot of effective treatment options for chronic back pain, and physicians often prescribe opioid painkillers such as OxyContin or Percocet to ease the pain. But those drugs come with a risk of addiction.
Other possible treatments include exercise, steroid injections, behavior changes, chiropractic, acupuncture and surgery, according to the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Massage for Back Pain
The new study sought to simulate real-world back pain and treatment. Researchers asked physicians to recommend massage for people with chronic back pain. Just over 100 study volunteers were then paired with an approved, experienced massage therapist in their area who assessed the problem and created a treatment plan. The study participants received 10 treatments, which they set up directly with their therapist.
More than half of the participants had less pain after 12 weeks and many continued to report reduced pain after three months.
The research also showed that massage therapy worked better with patients aged 50 years and older, although younger people benefited, too.
“These results are exciting because it shows that most doctors can refer their patients for massage as a treatment. It’s applicable to the real world,” said Elder. “Some medical providers have taken interest in massage, but most don’t know which type would be helpful. We learned that just referring the patient to a massage therapist and letting them work to select the therapy is effective,” he added.
Dr. Anders Cohen, the neurosurgery division chief at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City, recommends massage therapy to his patients as part of what he calls a comprehensive treatment plan.
“Massage is great way to break up adhesions and is great for soft tissue,” Cohen said. “If the back pain is a soft tissue issue, such as muscles and ligaments, it works great. Plus, there is the bonus of therapeutic touch.”
Reasons for Varying Back Pain Care
Patients in the study received the massage therapy free of charge. But, cost could also explain why some physicians recommend opioids instead. Cohen noted that massage prices vary, and may not be covered under some insurance plans. Study co-author Niki Munk is a licensed massage therapist who’s with the Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She said the researchers saw that massage needs to occur regularly when someone begins treatment to reduce the pain.
Munk added that more research is needed on the ideal pain maintenance schedule. But the study authors think that once a level of comfort has been achieved, people can continue to manage their back pain through regular massage therapy on a schedule that fits their needs, such as once a month or every other month.
Munk also noted that selecting the right therapist is important.
“Look for a masseuse that you can establish a therapeutic relationship with over time,” she recommended. “Chronic low back pain is a complex issue that can’t be cured from just a one-hour massage. Find a therapeutic massage clinic and ask questions about the therapist, such as their initial training and continuing education. Also, make sure that the therapist sets up a treatment plan that will work for you,” Munk said.
The study was published online recently in the journal Pain Medicine.
SOURCES: William Elder Jr., Ph.D., professor, family and community medicine and clinical services, University of Kentucky, Lexington; Niki Munk, Ph.D., L.M.T., assistant professor, health sciences, Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indianapolis; Anders Cohen, M.D., division chief, neurosurgery, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, New York City; March 14, 2017, Pain Medicine, online
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Whole Body Wellness
Maintaining overall health and wellness through a balanced nutrition, regular physical activity and proper sleep is essential for your whole body�s well-being. While these are some of the most important contributing factors for staying healthy, seeking care and preventing injuries or the development of conditions through natural alternatives can also guarantee overall health and wellness. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment option utilized by many individuals to ensure whole body wellness.
Poor posture is an incredibly common problem in today�s world. With the increase in technology and decrease in physical exercise, many people find their posture slipping more than ever before. While we know that good posture certainly looks better, is it really cause for concern? Take a look at these ways in which poor posture may negatively impact health, followed by some tips for improving it a little more every day.
The Effects of Poor Posture
Pain in the Back, Neck, and Shoulders – Poor posture can cause stiffness or pain in any of these areas. The longer you sit or stand with bad posture, the more pronounced these pains are likely to be.
Slow Digestion – Poor posture is almost always because of slumping or slouching the shoulders and core. This can cause the digestive tract to be pressed, which can make any sort of digestion painful and more troublesome.
Poor Self Perception – Our minds often take cues from the body. If slouching is a constant, our minds get the message that we feel poorly about ourselves, and our self-esteem and perception is likely to take a hit.
Solutions for Bad Posture
Exercise – Both regular exercise as well as posture specific exercises can help strengthen the body and improve overall posture. This might include moves that especially work the core, back, and shoulders.
Find Some Triggers – Bad posture is a tough habit to break. It can help to give yourself constant reminders. Ask a friend to remind you when they see you slouching. Post sticky notes all over the mirror or your desk at work. Set intermittent alarms on your phone. Do whatever it takes to bring good posture to the forefront of your mind.
Get Chiropractic Care – This is actually a great place to start for correcting poor posture. Chiropractors can eliminate painful areas of the spine that may be contributing to poor posture. They may also help to increase flexibility, improve mobility, as well as give you some simple everyday tips for getting your posture and basic spinal health in check.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Preventing Spinal Degeneration
As we age, it’s natural for the spine, as well as the other complex structures of the spine, to begin degenerating. Without the proper care, however, the overall health and wellness of the spine can develop complications, such as degenerative disc disease, among others, which could potentially lead to back pain and other painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option utilized to maintain and improve spine health.
Do you yearn for a strong and flexible back along with a super flat tummy? So, what�s the relationship between a strong back and super flat tummy? When your back is strong and flexible, you will be able to work on strengthening and toning your core muscles. And, when your core shrinks and tones, you will enjoy a flat tummy. Bonus � better posture, better digestion, regular bowels, more energy, and a happier you!
In this article, we�ll be looking at some poses, 7 to be precise, that will stretch, strengthen, and tone your back. So are you ready?
7 Yoga Postures for a Strong and Flexible Back
Parivrtta Trikonasana � Revolved Triangle Pose
As the name suggests, it involves a twist. Just make sure you twist from your abdomen while maintaining the length of your spine to reap the most out of this posture.
Stand with your feet together, palms resting along the body. Inhale and separate your feet about 4 feet apart. Raise your arms at shoulder level, palms facing the floor. Roll your shoulders down and away from your ears. Engage your core and lengthen your spine. Exhale and turn both feet to your right. Inhale and square your hips to the right.
Exhale and place your left palm inside your right foot. Inhale, twist your torso and lift your right arm up, fingertips pointing to the ceiling. Gaze at the fingertips. Beginning students should keep their head in a neutral position, looking straight forward, or turn it to look at the floor.
Hold the posture without compromising on your breath for seven breaths. Exhale, release the twist, and bring your torso back to upright with an inhalation. Repeat for the same length of time with the legs reversed, twisting to the left.
Marjariasana � Bitilasana � Cat Cow Pose
This flow is one of the simplest movements practiced in Yoga Vinyasas to warm up your back and core. But those who practice it daily vouch for its core and back strengthening benefits.
After completing Parivrtta Trikonasana on both sides, join the feet together. Inhale and swing your arms over your head. Exhale and fold forward, placing your palms on either side of your feet. Walk your legs back and drop your knees down to come into Table Top position.
Adjust your knees to stack them under your hips. Stack your shoulders over your palms. Allow the tops of your feet to press on the floor; toes extended backward. Spread the fingers and press the palms into the floor.
Inhale, arch your back, and gaze up, stretching your neck [Cow]. Hold for seven breaths. Exhale, round your back, pull your navel towards your spine, engage your gluteus muscles, and tuck your chin to the chest. Gaze down [Cat] and hold the posture for seven breaths.
Repeat the movement slowly ten times.
Tips: If you have a knee injury, fold your mat or use a folded blanket to add additional cushioning for your knees.
Bhujangasana � Cobra Pose
This backbend works wonderfully stretching your upper and lower back, toning the muscles, and strengthening them. Just do this stretch after a long day of sitting and experience its soothing impact!
Once you complete Cat Pose for the last time, bring your spine to a neutral position in Table Top. Gently walk your arms forward and lower your body to the floor. Stretch your legs backward. Allow the forehead to rest on the ground.
Adjust your palms to align them along with your chest, wrists stacked under your shoulders. Press the tops of your feet on the floor, toes extended back. Keep your legs active. Roll your shoulders down and away from the ears so that the shoulder blades come closer.
On an inhale, press the palms firmly into the floor and lift your forehead and chest off the mat until your ribs are completely away from the floor. Allow your hips to rest on the ground. Exhale and on the next inhalation, bend backward, tilting your head slightly back.
Deepen the stretch until your experience a tingle on your lower back. Hold the posture, squeezing your gluteus and pulling your navel to the spine, for seven deep breaths.
Exhale and slowly come back to lying.
Tips: Gaze forward if you have any neck injury.
Dhanurasana � Bow Pose
Bending your body like a bow improves the suppleness of your back. As you pull your heels away from the buttocks, the legs stretch, and tone. Other benefits � better digestion, flatter stomach, and toned arms.
From Bhujangasana, exhale and lie with your forehead on the floor. Separate your legs as wide as your hips. Bend your knees and allow the heels to come close to your buttocks. Let the big toes to come into contact. Hold the ankles with your palms. Inhale and lift your head and chest off the mat until your entire rib cage is up from the floor.
Balance on your lower abdomen and pull your legs away from your buttocks. Squeeze your buttocks to feel the stretch on your back. Hold the posture, breathing deeply, for seven deep breaths.
Variation: Practice Parsva Dhanurasana by turning your torso sideways on an exhalation. Maintain the legs. Come back to center before repeating on the other side.
Setu Bhandasana � Bridge Pose
This posture strengthens your core, legs, back, and hips. Feel free to use a block or anything else to support your lower back.
Release your legs and palms and lie down on your abdomen, resting the forehead on the floor. Take five deep breaths to relax your body and breath. Turn to your right and lie down on your back, hands resting on the sides, palms flat on the floor.
Roll your shoulders down to rest them firmly on the floor. Bend your knees, separating them hip-distance apart. Allow your knees to fall towards each other slightly. Pressing the feet and palms into the floor, inhale, and lift your hips away from the floor.
Exhale, squeeze your thighs and roll them inward. Lift your hips higher to bring your chest closer to the chin. If possible, interlace your fingers beneath you.
Hold the posture breathing for seven long, deep breaths.
Exhale and slowly release your hips to the floor.
Variation: Once you are in Bridge Pose, inhale and lift your right leg perpendicular to the floor and hold for five breaths. Exhale, release the right leg, and repeat on your left.
Chakrasana � Wheel Pose
It is a complete body strengthener and toner. However, if you have a meniscus, ligament, wrist, or shoulder injury, please refrain from practicing this pose as it could worsen the pain and inflammation.
Keep your legs just as you kept for Setu Bhandasana. Place your palms at shoulder level, fingers pointing towards you. Pressing the palms and feet into the floor, lift your head and body off the floor. Tilt your head backward and gaze up to feel the stretch on your neck.
Stretch your thighs and shoulders. In the final position, your body looks like an arch, almost like a wheel. Breathing deeply, hold the posture for seven deep breaths.
To release the position, lower your body till it touches the ground. Straighten your legs.
Tips: Avoid the posture if you have hypertension or vertigo and during menstruation.
Ardha Matsyendrasana � Half Spinal Twist
Ardha Matsyendrasana translates into the half twist pose of the king of fishes. An excellent detoxifying pose, it works on stretching and strengthening your upper back.
After completing Chakrasana, turn to your right and sit with your legs extended forward. Bend the right leg, lift it and place it close to your left hip. Bend the left leg and place it under the right buttocks. Inhale and lift your left arm up. Exhale and bring the left arm around your right leg and hold your right toes. The left armpit should rest outside the left knee.
Place your right arm on your back, allowing the right fingertips to rest on your left thigh. Exhale and twist to your right. Look over your right shoulder and fix your gaze at one point. Hold for seven breaths.
Inhale and come back to center slowly and stretch out your legs. Repeat on your left side.
While certain poses outlined above might feel terrible during the first practice, regular practice will make you perfect.
So start practicing these poses to tone your back and improve your core!
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Preventing Spinal Degeneration
As we age, it’s natural for the spine, as well as the other complex structures of the spine, to begin degenerating. Without the proper care, however, the overall health and wellness of the spine can develop complications, such as degenerative disc disease, among others, which could potentially lead to back pain and other painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option utilized to maintain and improve spine health.
There are more benefits to gardening than blossoming flowers and fresh produce. It’s also an opportunity to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.
With thousands of people getting treated in emergency rooms for gardening-related injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) wants to ensure that outdoor gardeners are practicing safety first.
Research from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) shows the following results for individuals treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2015:
Approximately 64,595 were treated for injuries related to hand garden tools
More than 92,000 for lawn and gardening equipment
More than 20,000 for trimmers and small power garden tools
Although equipment contributes to a significant number of injuries, they aren’t the sole cause of gardening injuries. Poor posture and body positions while gardening can lead to muscle and tendon injuries.
Expert Advice to Avoid Injury
“While gardening helps to relieve mental stress, many people underestimate the physical stress your body can endure during this activity,” said orthopaedic spine surgeon Raj Rao, MD. The constant bending, reaching and squatting involved could result in injuries to the lower back and knees, therefore it’s important to be mindful of your body’s position while gardening to avoid aches and strains.”
The AAOS recommends the following gardening safety tips, and urges gardeners to share them with family and friends.
Loosen your joints and muscles before gardening with simple stretches.
Take breaks. Do not stay in one position for too long. Switch positions often to avoid overworking one part of the body.
To avoid injuring your back when lifting heavy objects, position yourself close to the object you want to lift. Separate your feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a solid base of support. Then bend at the knees, tighten your stomach muscles and lift with your leg muscles as you stand up. If an object is too heavy or is an awkward shape, do not try to lift it by yourself. Get help.
Protect your back and knees from strain by sitting on a garden stool when possible to help relieve pressure on your spine and knees.
Consider having a vertical garden, wall planters or hanging plant baskets to avoid the repetitive back bending and kneeling positions that’s involved in traditional gardening.
Stay hydrated with fluids, especially if you’re working up a sweat.
Children should not be allowed to play in or near where sharp tools, chemicals or gardening equipment are being used or stored.
Remove stones, toys and other objects from the yard before you start gardening.
Wear protective gloves, sturdy shoes and long pants when working in the garden to protect against insect bites and injuries from stepping on sharp objects, or cuts from handling sharp tools.
Familiarize yourself with the plants that are in your garden. If you identify poisonous plants or trees, ensure you keep young children away and educate them about the potential risks. If you cannot identify a plant or tree, take a sample to your local garden center for identification.
Keep gardening equipment in good working order. For example, when using a hedge trimmer for the first time in a season, have it serviced to ensure that it is working correctly.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Preventing Spinal Degeneration
As we age, it’s natural for the spine, as well as the other complex structures of the spine, to begin degenerating. Without the proper care, however, the overall health and wellness of the spine can develop complications, such as degenerative disc disease, among others, which could potentially lead to back pain and other painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option utilized to maintain and improve spine health.
If getting through life without stress is a goal, it�s possible that expectations have been set a little too high.
While it�s an excellent idea to limit stress as much as possible, it�s next to impossible to eliminate it completely. But is stress really that harmful? Or is it more like poor posture or back pain � an inevitable part of life that is uncomfortable but relatively harmless in most cases?
Actually, these three common ailments can bring about a bit of pain and ill health to life. And it�s also possible that they feed off of each other. If you live in an environment, where stress, bad posture, and back pain are rampant, take a look at how they are connected and what you can do to feel some relief.
Improper Posture Complications
First, it�s important to understand where bad posture originates. Most people have great posture as kids, but it suffers greatly with age. This could be from poor habits, such as excessive TV time or inactivity, or it could be from long commutes and hours spent in desk chairs. Once poor posture is a habit, it pulls on the shoulders, rounds the upper back, and can cause restrictions in the vertebrae of the spine. All of these contribute to pain and discomfort that are hard to correct without assistance.
Posture and Stress
Stress may come about from various places in life including work, family situations, and finances. Once the body is stressed, it tenses. The tighter and more inflexible the body becomes, the more difficult it is to regain a relaxed, proper posture. When combined with a posture that is already suffering, the symptoms that come with either, such as body pain, headaches, and insomnia, can intensify.
The Connection Between Back Pain, Stress and Posture
Tension in the vertebrae, tense joints and muscles, and inflexibility in the body are linked to back pain, naturally. Both poor posture as well as stress can enhance back pain and make it feel stronger and occur more frequently. And without help in the causes of the pain, the three work in a frustrating cycle. Poor posture and stress lead to back pain, and then back pain forces poor posture and more stress.
Solving the Issues
One of the best things to do to alleviate stress and back pain, as well as regain good posture, is to change lifestyle habits. Exercise, strength training, and support devices all work wonders. Another great option is to get regular chiropractic care. Since residents of Houston are unlikely to escape work or long commutes anytime soon, it can feel as though back pain is here to stay, but it doesn�t have to be. Chiropractors can use spinal manipulation to release the tension in the spine and enhance overall health. Need a great place to go? Try The Joint Chiropractic. With walk-in visits and affordable pricing, getting care is easier than ever. There really can be an end to the cycle mentioned above, and it may begin with a quick trip to The Joint today.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Additional Topics: Preventing Spinal Degeneration
As we age, it’s natural for the spine, as well as the other complex structures of the spine, to begin degenerating. Without the proper care, however, the overall health and wellness of the spine can develop complications, such as degenerative disc disease, among others, which could potentially lead to back pain and other painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a common alternative treatment option utilized to maintain and improve spine health.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
