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.
In many individuals with spinal issues, how does spinal decompression compared with traditional care restore muscle strength?
Introduction
Many people unknowingly put pressure on their spines during daily activities, causing intervertebral disc compression and tightness in surrounding ligaments, muscles, nerve roots, and tissues. Repetitive motions and aging can also lead to intervertebral disc cracking and misalignment, resulting in pain and discomfort in the three common areas: the back, neck, and shoulders. Spinal stenosis is a spinal condition where the spinal cord is compressed and narrow and can cause symptoms of muscle weakness and pain to the upper and lower body extremities if left untreated. This article explores how non-surgical treatments like advanced oscillation and spinal decompression can restore muscle strength and alleviate the effects of spinal stenosis. By working with certified medical providers who use our patients’ information to treat individuals suffering from spinal stenosis. We inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain spinal mobility and restore muscle strength. We encourage our patients to ask essential questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their situation. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Spinal Stenosis Causing Muscle Strength Issues
Do you find yourself struggling to hold onto objects while doing activities? Are you experiencing strange sensations like numbness or tingling in your arms or legs? Or you’re dealing with chronic back and neck pain that won’t go away. These issues can all be related to problems with your spine, which can cause your muscles to weaken and lead to conditions like low back pain, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.
Research shows that spinal stenosis is a common condition caused by nerve root impingement or ischemia in the spinal canal. This can lead to pain, weakness, sensory loss in your extremities, and tingling or numbness in your hands or feet. Additionally, studies have found that spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine can increase your risk of developing locomotive syndrome, which can further affect the muscle strength in your arms and legs. {Kasukawa, 2019}
Strong muscles are important for daily movements, such as using your arms, legs, hands, and feet. However, spinal stenosis affects your muscle strength. In that case, it can cause various issues, including numbness or tingling in your upper and lower limbs, severe pain when walking but relief when sitting or resting, decreased grip strength, sciatic pain that mimics and reduced walking distance. While spinal stenosis can be caused by normal or traumatic factors that affect the mobility, flexibility, and stability of the upper and lower muscle quadrants in the body, several available treatments can alleviate the effects of spinal stenosis and help restore muscle strength to the body.
Discovering The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care-Video
Many people experiencing musculoskeletal pain symptoms related to spinal stenosis use over-the-counter medication, hot/cold therapy, and stretching to alleviate the referred pain. Traditional surgery is an effective option to remove the damaged disc that is aggravating the nerve root and relieve the spinal column. However, this surgery is typically only recommended when other treatments have failed and can be expensive. {Herrington, 2023} Nevertheless, numerous cost-effective non-surgical treatments are available to help reduce the pain-like symptoms caused by spinal stenosis and alleviate associated symptoms. Chiropractic care and spinal decompression are non-surgical treatments that use mechanical and manipulated techniques to realign the body and minimize nerve entrapment that causes pain-like symptoms. The video above provides more information about how non-surgical treatments can assist many individuals in maintaining mobility and flexibility by providing a personalized treatment plan to prevent the recurrence of musculoskeletal and spinal conditions.
Advanced Oscillation For Spinal Stenosis
Many people opt for non-surgical treatments such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, spinal decompression, and advanced oscillation to alleviate pain. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” written by Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., it is noted that advanced oscillation therapy can be tailored to an individual’s needs, helping to minimize pain symptoms caused by spinal stenosis. Advanced oscillation settings can help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms associated with spinal stenosis while promoting the replenishment of nutrients in the spine. In addition, advanced oscillation can help the body restructure and re-tone the targeted spinal structures, loosening them up and reducing nerve entrapment. Advanced oscillation is one of the non-surgical treatments that synergizes well with spinal decompression.
Spinal Decompression To Restore Muscle Strength
Now spinal decompression has a unique ability to reduce the effects of spinal stenosis as it is safe on the spine, cost-effective, and non-invasive. What spinal decompression therapy does to the body is like advanced oscillation. It uses gentle traction to reduce intervertebral disc pressure through negative pressure, allowing oxygen, fluids, and nutrients to the spinal disc and releasing the aggravating nerve root. {Choi, 2015} Spinal decompression can also help restore disc height from the spine, allowing the compressed disc causing spinal stenosis to be put back into its original space. {Kang, 2016} When many individuals start thinking about their health and wellness, non-surgical treatments can give them a positive experience and improve their pain.
References
Choi, J., Lee, S., & Hwangbo, G. (2015). Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(2), 481–483. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.481
Herrington, B. J., Fernandes, R. R., Urquhart, J. C., Rasoulinejad, P., Siddiqi, F., & Bailey, C. S. (2023). L3-L4 Hyperlordosis and Decreased Lower Lumbar Lordosis Following Short-Segment L4-L5 Lumbar Fusion Surgery is Associated With L3-L4 Revision Surgery for Adjacent Segment Stenosis. Global Spine Journal, 21925682231191414. doi.org/10.1177/21925682231191414
Kang, J.-I., Jeong, D.-K., & Choi, H. (2016). Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3125–3130. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.3125
Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.
Kasukawa, Y., Miyakoshi, N., Hongo, M., Ishikawa, Y., Kudo, D., Kijima, H., Kimura, R., Ono, Y., Takahashi, Y., & Shimada, Y. (2019). Lumbar spinal stenosis associated with progression of locomotive syndrome and lower extremity muscle weakness. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Volume 14, 1399–1405. doi.org/10.2147/cia.s201974
Munakomi, S., Foris, L. A., & Varacallo, M. (2020). Spinal Stenosis And Neurogenic Claudication. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430872/
In many people with facet joint syndrome, how does spinal decompression compare to traditional spinal surgery alleviate low back pain?
Introduction
Many people around the globe experience lower back pain for various reasons, such as lifting or carrying heavy objects, sedentary jobs, or traumatic events that can cause spinal injuries. The spine has a crucial role in providing mobility and flexibility without discomfort. The facet joints and spinal discs work together to generate healthy movement and stability within each segment. However, when the muscles, ligaments, and tissues surrounding the spinal disc are overstretched or compressed due to normal or traumatic factors, it can aggravate the nerve roots and cause discomfort. As we age or carry excess weight, our spinal discs can experience wear and tear, leading to facet joint syndrome. This syndrome is often associated with lower back pain caused by injured facet joints. This article will explore how facet joint syndrome is linked to lower back pain and how non-surgical treatments can help alleviate it. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from facet joint syndrome affecting spine mobility and causes low back pain. We also inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain spinal mobility and reduce pain-like symptoms that correlate with this spinal condition. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their situation. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Facet Joint Syndrome
Are you experiencing pain that radiates down to your legs, especially when standing? Do you constantly hunch over, affecting your posture during everyday activities? Have you noticed numbness or loss of sensation in your feet or buttocks? As we age or experience traumatic injuries, the facet joints on either side of our spine can become damaged, resulting in a condition called facet joint syndrome. Research indicates that environmental conditions can cause joint degeneration, leading to symptoms similar to other spinal conditions. Cartilage erosion and inflammation on the spine are common signs of facet joint syndrome, often associated with musculoskeletal disorders like low back pain.
Low Back Pain Associated With Facet Syndrome
Research studiesmusculoskeletal disorders like low back pain are associated with facet syndrome. When the facet joints start to degenerate from repetitive overuse motions caused by everyday activities, it can cause micro instabilities to the facet joints while compressing the surrounding nerve roots. When this happens, many individuals will experience low back pain and sciatic nerve pain conditions that cause them to be unstable while walking. Additional research studies stated that low back pain associated with facet syndrome can cause symptoms of restricted movement, reduce the quality of life and greatly impact the entire lumbar vertebral structure. Since low back pain is a common problem many individuals have, the combination with facet syndrome can trigger reactive muscle spasms, a protective mechanism in the spine to cause the individual to have difficulty moving comfortably and experience severe sudden pain. To that point, low back pain associated with facet syndrome causes the person to be dealing with constant ongoing pain, making a normal lifestyle almost difficult.
Discover The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care-Video
Low back pain associated with facet joint syndrome should not make life difficult. Numerous treatments pertain to relieving the pain-like symptoms and help slow the process of facet syndrome from causing more issues to the spine. Non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help reduce the effects of facet syndrome as they can provide benefits to restore spinal mobility. The video above explores the benefits of chiropractic care, as chiropractors will discuss the recommended course of personalized treatment with you. Non-surgical treatments are safe, gentle on the spine, and cost-effective as they help regain your body’s mobility from facet syndrome. At the same time, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can be combined with other non-surgical therapies that can help restart the body’s natural healing process to allow the compressed spinal disc and joint to be rehydrated.
Spinal Decompression Alleviating Facet Syndrome
According to research studies, non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help reduce the effects of facet syndrome as it can help improve the spine;’s mobility through gentle traction and can help stretch out the affected muscles associated with low back pain by taking pressure off the aggravating nerve root. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., mentioned that when individuals are going in for spinal decompression, they might experience a “popping sensation” as the jammed facet joints are being open for treatment. This is normal for early facet arthropathy and can occur within the first few treatment sessions. At the same time, spinal decompression can gently stretch the adjacent compressed nerve root and find instant relief. After the treatment, many individuals can combine other treatments like physical therapy to reduce the painful symptoms from returning. Non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression and chiropractic care can help revitalize the spine affected by facet joint syndrome and help restore a person’s quality of life.
The lumbosacral plexus is located on the posterolateral wall of the lesser pelvis, next to the lumbar spine. A plexus is a network of intersecting nerves that share roots, branches, and functions. The sacral plexus is a network that emerges from the lower part of the spine. The plexus then embeds itself into the psoas major muscle and emerges in the pelvis. These nerves provide motor control to and receive sensory information from portions of the pelvis and leg. Sacral nerve discomfort symptoms, numbness, or other sensations and pain can be caused by an injury, especially if the nerve roots are compressed, tangled, rubbing, and irritated. This can cause symptoms like back pain, pain in the back and sides of the legs, sensory issues affecting the groin and buttocks, and bladder or bowel problems. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can develop a personalized treatment plan to relieve symptoms, release the nerves, relax the muscles, and restore function.
Sacral Plexus
Anatomy
The sacral plexus is formed by the lumbar spinal nerves, L4 and L5, and sacral nerves S1 through S4.
Several combinations of these spinal nerves merge together and then divide into the branches of the sacral plexus.
Everybody has two sacral plexi – plural of plexus – one on the right side and left side that is symmetrical in structure and function.
Structure
There are several plexi throughout the body. The sacral plexus covers a large area of the body in terms of motor and sensory nerve function.
Spinal nerves L4 and L5 make up the lumbosacral trunk, and the anterior rami of sacral spinal nerves S1, S2, S3, and S4 join the lumbosacral trunk to form the sacral plexus.
Anterior rami are the branches of the nerve that are towards the front of the spinal cord/front of the body.
At each spinal level, an anterior motor root and a posterior sensory root join to form a spinal nerve.
Each spinal nerve then divides into an anterior – ventral – and a posterior – dorsal – rami portion.
Each can have motor and/or sensory functions.
The sacral plexus divides into several nerve branches, which include:
Superior gluteal nerve – L4, L5, and S1.
Inferior gluteal nerve – L5, S1, and S2.
The sciatic nerve – is the largest nerve of the sacral plexus and among the largest nerves in the body – L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3
The common fibular nerve – L4 through S2, and tibial nerves – L4 through S3 are branches of the sciatic nerve.
Posterior femoral cutaneous nerve – S1, S2, and S3.
Pudendal nerve – S2, S3, and S4.
The nerve to the quadratus femoris muscle is formed by L4, L5, and S1.
The obturator internus muscle nerve – L5, S1, and S2.
The piriformis muscle nerve – S1 and S2.
Function
The sacral plexus has substantial functions throughout the pelvis and legs. The branches provide nerve stimulation to several muscles. The sacral plexus nerve branches also receive sensory messages from the skin, joints, and structures of the pelvis and legs.
Motor
Motor nerves of the sacral plexus receive signals from the brain that travel down the column of the spine, out to the motor nerve branches of the sacral plexus to stimulate muscle contraction and movement. Motor nerves of the sacral plexus include:
Superior Gluteal Nerve
This nerve provides stimulation to the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia lata, which are muscles that help move the hip away from the center of the body.
Inferior Gluteal Nerve
This nerve provides stimulation to the gluteus maximus, the large muscle that moves the hip laterally.
Sciatic Nerve
The sciatic nerve has a tibial portion and a common fibular portion, which have motor and sensory functions.
The tibial portion stimulates the inner part of the thigh and activates muscles in the back of the leg and the sole of the foot.
The common fibular portion of the sciatic nerve stimulates and moves the thigh and knee.
The common fibular nerve stimulates muscles in the front and sides of the legs and extends the toes to straighten them out.
Pudendal Nerve
The pudendal nerve also has sensory functions that stimulate the muscles of the urethral sphincter to control urination and the muscles of the anal sphincter to control defecation.
The nerve to the quadratus femoris stimulates the muscle to move the thigh.
The nerve to the obturator internus muscle stimulates the muscle to rotate the hips and stabilize the body when walking.
The nerve to the piriformis muscle stimulates the muscle to move the thigh away from the body.
Conditions
The sacral plexus, or areas of the plexus, can be affected by disease, traumatic injury, or cancer. Because the nerve network has many branches and portions, symptoms can be confusing. Individuals may experience sensory loss or pain in regions in the pelvis and leg, with or without muscle weakness. Conditions that affect the sacral plexus include:
Injury
A traumatic injury of the pelvis can stretch, tear, or harm the sacral plexus nerves.
Bleeding can inflame and compress the nerves, causing malfunction.
Neuropathy
Nerve impairment can affect the sacral plexus or parts of it.
Neuropathy can come from:
Diabetes
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Certain medications – chemotherapeutic meds
Toxins like lead
Alcohol
Metabolic illnesses
Infection
An infection of the spine or the pelvic region can spread to the sacral plexus nerves or produce an abscess, causing symptoms of nerve impairment, pain, tenderness, and sensations around the infected region.
Cancer
Cancer developing in the pelvis or spreading to the pelvis from somewhere else can compress or infect the sacral plexus nerves.
Treatment of the Underlying Medical Condition
Rehabilitation begins with the treatment of the underlying medical condition causing the nerve problems.
Cancer treatment – surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation.
Antibiotic treatment for infections.
Neuropathy treatment can be complicated because the cause may be unclear, and an individual can experience several causes of neuropathy simultaneously.
Major pelvic trauma like a vehicle collision can take months, especially if there are multiple bone fractures.
Motor and Sensory Recovery
Sensory problems can interfere with walking, standing, and sitting.
Adapting to sensory deficits is an important part of treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery.
Chiropractic, decompression, massage, and physical therapy can relieve symptoms, restore strength, function, and motor control.
Sciatica Secrets Revealed
References
Dujardin, Franck et al. “Extended anterolateral transiliac approach to the sacral plexus.” Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research: OTSR vol. 106,5 (2020): 841-844. doi:10.1016/j.otsr.2020.04.011
Eggleton JS, Cunha B. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Pelvic Outlet. [Updated 2022 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557602/
Garozzo, Debora et al. “In lumbosacral plexus injuries can we identify indicators that predict spontaneous recovery or the need for surgical treatment? Results from a clinical study on 72 patients.” Journal of brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injury vol. 9,1 1. 11 Jan. 2014, doi:10.1186/1749-7221-9-1
Gasparotti R, Shah L. Brachial and Lumbosacral Plexus and Peripheral Nerves. 2020 Feb 15. In: Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK, editors. Diseases of the Brain, Head and Neck, Spine 2020–2023: Diagnostic Imaging [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2020. Chapter 20. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554335/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-38490-6_20
Norderval, Stig, et al. “Sacral nerve stimulation.” Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke vol. 131,12 (2011): 1190-3. doi:10.4045/tidsskr.10.1417
Neufeld, Ethan A et al. “MR Imaging of the Lumbosacral Plexus: A Review of Techniques and Pathologies.” Journal of Neuroimaging: official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging vol. 25,5 (2015): 691-703. doi:10.1111/jon.12253
Staff, Nathan P, and Anthony J Windebank. “Peripheral neuropathy due to vitamin deficiency, toxins, and medications.” Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.) vol. 20,5 Peripheral Nervous System Disorders (2014): 1293-306. doi:10.1212/01.CON.0000455880.06675.5a
Yin, Gang, et al. “Obturator Nerve Transfer to the Branch of the Tibial Nerve Innervating the Gastrocnemius Muscle for the Treatment of Sacral Plexus Nerve Injury.” Neurosurgery vol. 78,4 (2016): 546-51. doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000001166
General health, diet, exercise, and lifestyle are important, but the importance of the spinal structure is often forgotten. The spine, or backbone, is the body’s central support structure that holds the body together, supports its weight, and protects the nervous system. It connects different parts of the musculoskeletal system to help sit, stand, walk, twist, and bend. When the spine is misaligned, injured, and/or damaged, it can lead to various health issues, from chronic conditions to organ dysfunction. Chiropractic spinal structure restoration benefits overall health and can help relieve symptoms and restore mobility, flexibility, and function.
Spinal Structure Restoration
Chiropractic care goes beyond relieving muscle or joint pain and discomfort. Although injury rehabilitation is a primary reason for going to a chiropractor, it is in its ability to reset and rebalance the body. Just like a vehicle or piece of equipment that needs regular maintenance, tune-ups, rotation, and realignment, chiropractic provides these benefits.
Improved Range of Motion
As the body ages or suffers from injuries or illnesses, the body’s mobility and flexibility decrease, which causes stiffness and a limited range of motion.
When the spine is not aligned correctly, it can cause restrictions in the range of motion.
Chiropractic techniques improve joint function, correct misalignments, and strengthen and stabilize the spine, improving mobility and flexibility.
Spinal structure restoration improves joint mobility and flexibility.
The improved range of motion helps relieve muscle tension, stiffness, and pain.
Improved Posture
Spinal misalignment typically leads to posture problems, neck and back pain, headaches, and other health issues.
Correcting the spinal structure will:
Correct posture.
Reduce the risk of health issues.
Provide more energy.
Enhance mental clarity.
Improve sleep.
Restore mobility.
Increase athletic and physical performance.
Pain and Discomfort Relief
Misalignments can cause nerve irritation, inflammation, and muscle tension, leading to chronic pain in various areas, like the neck, back, shoulders, and hips.
Chiropractic is a natural and non-invasive treatment that can help manage pain and discomfort without medication.
Specifically addresses the underlying cause of the pain rather than just the symptoms, resulting in long-lasting relief.
Chiropractic combines traditional techniques, such as adjustments, decompression, and traction, with advanced elements and a personalized approach.
Adjustments and customized spinal traction setups alleviate pain and restore proper function to the spine.
When the spine is properly aligned, the central nervous system’s electrical signals can travel more effectively.
Increased Nerve Function
Spinal misalignment can interfere with nerve function, leading to other musculoskeletal issues.
Chiropractic releases compressed, tangled, or trapped nerves and restores nerve circulation, improving nerve function.
Enhanced Musculoskeletal Performance
Individuals can benefit from chiropractic care, especially those involved in physically demanding occupations that place repeated stress on the body.
Chiropractic can help prevent injuries, improve alignment and balance, reduce inflammation, and speed recovery.
Spinal correction includes traction that targets and releases specific muscle groups and ligaments and stimulates detoxification that can enhance musculoskeletal performance.
Immune System Function
Spinal misalignments can disrupt immune system function.
The system relies on proper communication between the brain and immune organs.
Chiropractic improves nerve function and reduces spine and back stress, allowing the system to function optimally.
By taking a holistic and personalized approach to spinal structure restoration, individuals can prevent the development of chronic health conditions and improve their quality of life.
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, César, and María L Cuadrado. “Physical therapy for headaches.” Cephalalgia: an international journal of Headache vol. 36,12 (2016): 1134-1142. doi:10.1177/0333102415596445
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. What are the organs of the immune system? [Updated 2020 Jul 30]. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279395/
Izzo, Roberto, et al. “Biomechanics of the spine. Part I: spinal stability.” European Journal of Radiology vol. 82,1 (2013): 118-26. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2012.07.024
Jenkins, Hazel J et al. “Current evidence for spinal X-ray use in the chiropractic profession: a narrative review.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 26 48. Nov 21 2018, doi:10.1186/s12998-018-0217-8
McHardy, Andrew, et al. “Chiropractic treatment of upper extremity conditions: a systematic review.” Journal of Manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 31,2 (2008): 146-59. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2007.12.004
Sharrak, Samir. and Yasir Al Khalili. “Cervical Disc Herniation.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, Aug 29, 2022.
Individuals dealing with or managing chronic back pain should incorporate swimming exercises. Swimming is a low-impact aerobic conditioning exercise that’s easy on the back and healthy for the spine. When an individual struggles with back problems, they may be tempted to rest and avoid physical activity/exercise. Total rest is not recommended as it can cause the muscles that support the back to weaken or atrophy. When the muscles weaken, they cannot stabilize the spine or body correctly, which causes conditions to worsen or contribute to new injuries. Starting swimming exercises can expand the spine, relieve painful pressure or strain on the back and strengthen the muscles for spinal health.
Starting Swimming Exercises
Swimming does not impact the spine and other musculoskeletal structures because the water suspends the body.
Swimming is a full-body, low-impact exercise which is excellent for individuals of all ages and all body shapes and sizes.
Talk to a healthcare professional about any questions or concerns about how swimming may impact your body.
Swimming benefits include stress relief, a strengthened musculoskeletal system, and support in heart health.
Swimming for Back Problems
Relaxes The Nervous System
Tense muscles can cause or contribute to back problems and pain symptoms and aggravate spinal conditions.
Swimming exercises release endorphins to relax the nervous system and tense muscles.
Relieves Pressure on Joints
The water lightens the body relieving pressure on the joints and muscles.
Builds Muscle to Support the Spine
The resistance and movement strengthen the whole body with the joints and spine supported.
Swimming engages muscles not always used, specifically those needed to improve spinal stability.
Exercises for Back Relief
Checking with a physician before exercising is recommended, especially if starting a new exercise routine. When you meet with the Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Cline team, we can determine if starting swimming exercises would benefit you. Once cleared, here are some swimming exercises that could help bring relief:
Walking
Walking around the pool means movement that the body needs to heal and build muscle without aggravating symptoms.
Aerobics
Water aerobics is perfect for working on cardiovascular health needed to build strength.
Increase mobility and flexibility.
Swimming Laps
Start slow when swimming laps, maybe only twice a week at first.
The different types of strokes work various muscles in the hips, chest, and back.
Treading water is a great way to get the body used to the movements.
A swim coach can provide tips on the proper technique and form.
Swim Exercise Tools and Accessories
Proper swimming equipment can make the exercise sessions much more enjoyable.
Swim Cap
Swim caps protect the hair from the water’s elements and keep hair from blocking the view.
Goggles
Goggles protect the eyes and help to see better underwater.
Look for a comfortable pair that doesn’t leak.
Sun protection and clothing
A day in the sun and water increases the risk of exposure to UV rays.
Waterproof Headphones
For listening to music or podcasts while swimming.
Kickboard
Many pools can provide kickboards that swimmers can borrow during their time there.
Lean the upper body on the board and kick, focusing on lower body movements.
Pull Buoy
Pull buoys help focus on the upper body and arm work.
It is placed between the upper thighs to help the legs float as the individual pulls with their arms.
It is recommended to take some lessons to learn how the body moves through the water. Once a basic understanding of balance and buoyancy is met, individuals can propel through the water more efficiently.
Sciatica Secrets Revealed
References
Bartels, Else Marie, et al. “Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis.” The Cochrane Database of systematic reviews vol. 3,3 CD005523. 23 Mar. 2016, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005523.pub3
Cole, A J et al. “Spine pain: aquatic rehabilitation strategies.” Journal of Back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation vol. 4,4 (1994): 273-86. doi:10.3233/BMR-1994-4407
Ferrell, M C. “The spine in swimming.” Clinics in sports medicine vol. 18,2 (1999): 389-93, viii. doi:10.1016/s0278-5919(05)70153-8
Su, Yanlin, et al. “Swimming as Treatment for Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” BioMed research international vol. 2020 6210201. 15 May. 2020, doi:10.1155/2020/6210201
Wirth, Klaus, et al. “Strength Training in Swimming.” International Journal of environmental research and public health vol. 19,9 5369. 28 Apr. 2022, doi:10.3390/ijerph19095369
The spine consists of soft tissues, ligaments, the spinal cord, nerve roots, and cartilage, forming an S-shaped curve with three regions: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Its primary functions are to keep the body upright, provide mobility, and support the upper body’s weight. Injuries or other factors can cause mild to severe pain-like symptoms that affect the spine’s three regions, leading to misalignment and disc herniation, which can cause further complications. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can restore the spine’s functionality by realigning the body and restoring the spinal discs. This article will discuss how disc herniation affects the spine and body and how decompression therapy can treat it. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to provide non-surgical treatments, including spinal decompression, to relieve pain-like symptoms associated with disc herniation and prevent chronic musculoskeletal issues. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Does Disc Herniation Affect The Spine?
Do you experience stiffness or tingling in your neck, shoulders, or low back? Do you have radiating pain that is similar to other musculoskeletal conditions? Or do you feel aches and pains during stretching? These symptoms are often associated with spinal disc herniation, as research studies revealed, where the nucleus pulposus within the spine displaces and compresses the spinal nerve or cord. This can be caused by poor posture, incorrect lifting of heavy objects, or excessive twisting and turning, leading to wear and tear on the spinal disc. Left untreated, this can cause neurologic compromise or activity limitation to the rest of the body, as additional research shows. The three spinal regions can all be affected by this condition, causing a range of issues such as:
Numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers
Muscle weakness and stiffness in the neck and shoulders
Gait disturbances
Paralysis
Cardiovascular abnormalities
Back pain
Muscle weakness in hips, legs, buttocks, and feet
Sciatic nerve mimicry
An Overview Of Disc Herniation-Video
Have you been experiencing numbness, tingling sensations, or instability when walking? These issues could be caused by disc herniation, which occurs when the spinal cord and nerves are compressed or aggravated by the nucleus pulposus. This can cause pain in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar areas and affect the functioning of your extremities. Research studies have revealed the severity of the herniation depends on the section affected, the size of the spinal canal, and pressure on the nerves. However, non-surgical, safe, and gentle treatments, such as chiropractic care and decompression therapy, can alleviate the effects of disc herniation. Watch the video above to learn more about the causes of disc herniation and the available treatments.
Decompression Therapy Treating Disc Herniation
If you are experiencing disc herniation, some treatments can help restore functionality to your spine. According to research studies, decompression therapy is one such treatment that works by using negative pressure within the spinal disc to increase hydration. This process pulls nutrients and oxygenated blood back into the disc, reducing pressure on the entrapped surrounding nerve root. Additionally, decompression therapy relieves the associated symptoms caused by disc herniation. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” written by Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., and Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, they explain that individuals with a herniated disc who use decompression therapy will feel negative or non-gravitational pressure within their spinal canal, which reduces the pressure from inside the disc. Decompression therapy helps restore the spine’s functionality and facilitates natural healing.
Other Treatments For Disc Herniation
Combining decompression therapy with chiropractic care can be effective in treating disc herniation. Chiropractic care involves spinal adjustments and manual manipulation to restore the natural alignment of the spine, which can relieve pressure on nerves caused by disc herniation. Gradual realignment of the vertebrae can help alleviate symptoms and reduce pain and discomfort while restoring the spine’s strength, flexibility, and mobility.
Conclusion
If the spinal cord is affected by environmental factors or injuries, it can cause pain and discomfort to the person. This is known as disc herniation, where the nucleus pulposus in the spine protrudes out of the spinal socket and presses on the spinal nerve. This can lead to neurological problems and affect the three spinal regions, causing mild to severe issues depending on the pressure on the spinal cord. However, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and decompression therapy can safely and gently manipulate the spine, realigning and hydrating the disc so the body can heal naturally. This can relieve pain and discomfort in the spine and restore mobility to the body.
Misalignment of the spine can occur due to various factors, causing stress and joint shifting. The spine plays an important role by supporting the body’s weight and maintaining stability, consisting of vertebrae, facet joints, spinal nerves and cord, and intervertebral discs. The surrounding muscles, tissues, and ligaments protect the spinal cord from damage. However, the spine may develop chronic conditions due to axial load pressure, affecting the body. Fortunately, non-surgical and non-invasive treatments can realign the spine and naturally heal the body. This article discusses spinal subluxation and its symptoms, along with the effectiveness of spinal decompression in alleviating subluxation. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using non-surgical therapies like spinal decompression to alleviate pain-like symptoms associated with spinal subluxation. We encourage referring patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable tool to ask our providers essential questions at the patient’s request. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is Spinal Subluxation?
Are you experiencing muscle tightness in your neck, back, or shoulders? Do you feel pain radiating down your arms or legs? Or are you experiencing muscle aches in different parts of your body? These issues may be caused by spinal subluxation, which research shows can occur in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine sections. A spinal subluxation can be caused by traumatic injuries or normal factors that cause the spinal vertebrae to shift out of alignment. This can cause a lot of discomfort. Studies also reveal that spinal subluxation can interfere with neuron communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to unwanted symptoms that affect the functioning of the nervous and organ systems and overall health.
Symptoms Associated With Spinal Subluxation
A spinal subluxation happens when the spine shifts out of alignment due to traumatic or normal factors. According to Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C, FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., in their book “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” biomechanical instability can cause the surrounding muscles and joints to destabilize or increase antagonist coactivation to stabilize the body. Simple movements like bending, twisting, or turning can cause the surrounding muscles to overstretch and make the body feel unstable. Research studies mentioned that displacement in any part of the spinal skeletal frame could press against the surrounding nerves, which can cause neuron signals to be hardwired and create too much or too little communication with the surrounding muscles and joints. Other symptoms associated with spinal subluxation include:
Muscle tightness around the back
Pain and discomfort
Headaches
Limited mobility
Tingling sensations
Digestive and respiratory issues
Low energy
Thoracic Spine Pain- Video
Do you experience pain or discomfort when twisting, turning, or bending? Have you felt muscle aches, pain, or tenderness in your back, or do you feel unsteady when walking? These symptoms may be caused by spinal misalignment or subluxation. Subluxation occurs as pressure compresses spinal discs, causing vertebrae to shift from their normal position. A subluxation can occur in different spine sections, resulting in overlapping risks. This causes pain in various body parts, known as referred pain. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and spinal decompression can reduce the effects of subluxation, realign the spine, and promote natural healing for muscles, ligaments, and joints. The video above explains thoracic spine pain symptoms and how manual and mechanical manipulation can alleviate pain-like symptoms, rehydrate spinal discs, and kick-start the body’s natural healing process.
If you suffer from muscle pain associated with spinal subluxation, you can alleviate the associated pain symptoms in several ways. One option is spinal decompression, a non-surgical treatment shown to effectively reduce residual pain and disability, improve range of motion, and modulate neural mechanical sensitivity, as research studies mentioned. Through gentle spine stretching, spinal decompression helps realign the body and allows spinal discs to return to their original position. This, in turn, will enable nutrients, fluids, and oxygenated blood to rehydrate the discs and promote natural healing. For added benefits, spinal decompression can be combined with additional treatments, such as physical therapy and chiropractic care. Best of all, it is a safe and non-invasive treatment allowing individuals to be more mindful of how they move their bodies.
Conclusion
Spinal misalignment or subluxation can occur over time due to traumatic injuries or normal factors. This can cause the spinal vertebrae to shift out of alignment, leading to referred muscle pain and chronic issues that can eventually result in disability. However, non-surgical and non-invasive treatments like spinal decompression use mechanical traction to gently stretch the spine and realign it, releasing the body’s natural healing process. Additionally, non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression help individuals be more mindful of their bodies and prevent new injuries from occurring. Combining spinal decompression with other therapies can promote health and wellness in many individuals.
References
Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.
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