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.
Chiropractic care is a natural treatment utilized to provide regular health maintenance to the spine, intervertebral discs, nerves and other tissues surrounding these structures, without the use of drugs or surgery. It focuses on the proper alignment of the joints in the body, particularly the spine, to reduce spinal nerve stress, promoting overall wellness.
Chiropractic is a well-known, alternative treatment option used to treat a variety of injuries and conditions, most commonly to improve symptoms of neck and back pain. From athletes to the general population, chiropractic treatment has been regarded as a safe and effective form of care, most recently, it�s even been utilized for women throughout pregnancy.
While it�s not commonly considered, chiropractic care can offer tremendous benefits for patients during their pregnancy and there have been no known contraindications to chiropractic treatment throughout this stage of a woman�s life.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe During Pregnancy?
All doctors of chiropractic, or chiropractors, are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and overall health and wellness of women throughout their pregnancy or those whom are trying to conceive is a routine care for a majority of chiropractors.
Many chiropractors take a specific interest in prenatal and postnatal care and they may pursue additional training to specialize in the treatment of pregnant women. The following represents designations of chiropractors who�ve taken advanced steps in working with infertility and pregnancy health and wellness.
DACCP � Diplomate with ICPA reflecting highest level of advanced training
CACCP � Certified with the ICPA reflecting advanced training
Member of ICPA reflecting special interest
Webster Certified � trained to work specifically with pelvic balance in pregnancy
Chiropractors which have acquired professional training to work with pregnant women commonly utilize special chiropractic tables that adjust to a woman�s pregnant body. They are also trained to utilize treatment methods and techniques which avoid the use of unnecessary pressure on the abdomen. In addition, a doctor of chiropractic will provide the patient with the most appropriate set of stretches and exercises that are safe to perform during pregnancy.
The Importance of Chiropractic During Pregnancy
Throughout the pregnancy process, a woman�s body will undergo a variety of physiological and endocrinological changes in preparation for creating the best environment for the development of the baby. Furthermore, the body will have to adjust to its new body mechanics, especially the normal structure and function of the spine. Several pregnancy body changes include: a protruding abdomen; increased back curve; pelvic alterations; and postural adaptations.
These new adjustments can challenge the structure and function of the body, to the point that a misalignment of the spine of other joints as well as the irritation and inflammation of the tissues can occur. Ultimately, restoring the original alignment of the spine and the balance of the pelvis in relation to the rest of the body is one of the main reasons why chiropractic care is essential throughout a woman�s pregnancy.
A misalignment of the spine or pelvis, also known as a subluxation, can reduce the amount of room available for the proper development of the baby. This restriction is medically referred to as an intrauterine constraint. Also, the misalignment of these specific structures can make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery, affecting the mother�s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the ease of labor, leading to the use of other medical interventions, such as c-sections.
Maintaining the spine�s natural alignment helps the entire body function effectively. Because the nervous system is the master communication system between the brain and the rest of the body, including the reproductive system, ensuring the connection between these is not interfered by a subluxation is fundamental to guarantee the well-being of the individual.
Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment Throughout Pregnancy
Chiropractic during pregnancy can provide a substantial amount of benefits for pregnant women. These benefits include: maintaining overall health and wellness throughout pregnancy; helps control symptoms of nausea; reduces labor and delivery time, relieved neck, back and joint pain; and it can help prevent a potential cesarean delivery.
Talking to a Health Care Provider
As the amount of women who seek to take advantage of the benefits chiropractic care can offer throughout their pregnancy increases, more healthcare providers have begun to seek the services of doctors of chiropractic who specialize in the treatment of pregnant women. When considering chiropractic to maintain overall health and wellness during pregnancy, or when searching for an alternative treatment option for an injury or condition while pregnant, make sure to discuss these options with your healthcare provider. Chiropractic care should not be utilized as a sole source of treatment and maintenance during pregnancy, however, chiropractic can be used in collaboration with other medical services to ensure the patient receives the best care throughout their pregnancy.
Kinesio Taping Can Benefit Pregnancy
Aside from chiropractic care, there are other treatment methods and techniques which can also benefit women throughout their pregnancy. Many individuals use kinesio tape, also known as elastic therapeutic tape, an elastic cotton strip with an acrylic adhesive that comes in a variety of colors. Kinesio tape is generally utilized in athletes to treat a variety of injuries or conditions, however, applying the elastic therapeutic tape on pregnant women can help relieve many pregnancy discomforts, providing other great benefits.
The elastic therapeutic tape, or kinesio tape, functions by treating as well as helping to recover from and prevent injuries. With its acrylic adhesive, it serves to lift the skin and promote better blood circulation. Used universally today by the growing population, kinesio tape has even been utilized by the elderly to treat normal home injuries. Apart from treating injuries, elastic therapeutic tape can help stabilize and correct posture.
When it�s applied properly by a professional, the natural elasticity of the tape will gently lift the skin to help relieve pressure from pain receptors. Once it�s applied, the individual�s circulation will improve, working immediately and continuing to provide relief 24/7 for approximately 3 to 5 days per application. In addition, kinesio taping helps ease the body�s natural healing process, allowing for the individual�s original range of motion to improve by also providing stability and support to the surrounding muscles, joints and other tissues, as well as reducing pain and discomfort, swelling and controlling inflammation as a result of the improved blood flow.
A variety of benefits kinesio tape can offer include: prevention of injury; treatment and rehabilitation; promotes blood circulation; posture correction; optimized performance; near immediate treatment; stays on up to 3 to 5 days throughout treatment; able to shower and sleep with it for continuous relief; no heavy bracing; and it offers no restrictions due to its elasticity.
How Kinesio Tape Helps Pregnant Women
During pregnancy, the use of elastic therapeutic tape can be a safe and effective treatment option for pregnancy discomfort as well as for other types of injuries and conditions. Low back pain and pelvic pain can be common issues that affect pregnant women.
Kinesio tape is a drug-free alternative, similar to chiropractic care, that can offer pregnant women additional relief from the well-known symptoms which develop during pregnancy, including back pain, swollen feet, sciatica, and carpal tunnel, among others. Because of this, elastic therapeutic taping can be one of the most ideal options for expecting mothers who seek natural relief from the common symptoms associated with pregnancy.
Kinesio tape can also function similarly to a support belt or belly band, with the proper placement of the colorful tape to either the back or abdomen. The most frequent postural pain and discomfort pregnant women experience can be relieved using the kinesio tape in this manner as it will help distribute the weight of the additional pounds. It can also greatly reduce fatigue as well. In comparison to purchasing support belts and belly bands, elastic therapeutic tape can be considerably more economic in the long run. For most pregnant women, symptoms of pain and discomfort while pregnant can make sleeping difficult. Nonetheless, because these tapes can be worn while sleeping, they can provide continuous relief and a much needed rest.
Many healthcare professionals are trained to apply elastic therapeutic tape, however, one can learn to apply them themselves. Using kinesio tape can be challenging and difficult to apply at first. It�s important to allow a primary care physician, chiropractor or other healthcare specialist to demonstrate the proper way to apply kinesio tape before attempting to apply it yourself. Some elastic therapeutic tape may need to be altered before being applied to achieve a specific function. Always make sure the skin is dry and clean before applying the tape to ensure it lasts longer. To remove the tape, use baby oil on the strips to gently loosen the adhesions.
Technique #1: Belly Belt
This first technique functions by lifting the lower belly to help relieve painful symptoms as a result of the increased amount of pressure being placed onto the pelvic flooring. Begin by attaching one strip of tape firmly at the middle of the lower belly. Then, follow by pulling both sides of the tape upward to lift the belly, attaching the ends securely. If you need to apply more strips, repeat the process using a second strip and check how it feels for you.
Technique #2: Front Sling
This technique is excellent for providing frontal support for pregnant women. Using two strips of kinesio tape, attach the ends firmly at the bottom, pulling each strip upwards and securing them under the breasts. Women with smaller and/or shorter torsos can cut the elastic therapeutic tapes in half and follow the same application process.
Technique #3: Baby Belt
This technique can be significantly helpful for pregnant women whose bellies are protruding outwards quite a bit. Using two strips of kinesio tape, you are going to form an �X� at your belly button, beginning from the bottom, just above the hip bones. While pulling the tape across the belly, make sure to pull firmly in order for the tape to hold your belly in place securely.
Technique #4: Maximum Support
This fourth technique is for pregnant women who experience full belly pain. If you have lower back pain as well as belly pain, you can combine this technique with the following technique (see next technique). Using 4 strips of elastic therapeutic tape, beginning at one hip, apply the tape and pull it diagonally across your belly button up to the opposite ribcage. With a second strip, follow the same procedure as before on the opposite side. Next, take a strip of kinesio tape and apply it from the bottom, up on each side of the navel. Make sure to firmly attach the elastic therapeutic tape at the bottom and then pull upwards to anchor it at the top above the diaphragm.
Technique #5: Lower Back & Belly Support
If you need both lower belly and back support, this one is good for you. You will need two strips.. Using one strip you will have someone attach one end to one side of your lower back and firmly stretch it across, anchoring on the other side. With your second strip, you will stretch only the middle by pulling at both ends, attaching the middle part of the tape first to your lower abdomen. Then, you will firmly pull each side upward to secure. It should feel as if you are �lifting� up your belly. The discomfort should go away immediately.
Technique #6: Frontal Belly Support
The next technique is perfect for pregnant women who�ve only experienced discomfort in the front and lower abdominal regions. Utilizing two strips of elastic therapeutic tape, with the first strip, begin by applying it at the pubic line then pull upward, attaching the end of the tape right under the diaphragm. With the second strip, begin by applying it at one end of the lower belly, above the pubic line, and stretch it across. With smaller women, it might be necessary to cut the strips in half and follow the same procedure.
Technique #7: Diaphragm Support
This final technique is considered fundamental for when the baby gets so big that they begin to push into the diaphragm and can make normal breathing difficult. For this procedure, only one strip of elastic therapeutic tape is necessary. Smaller pregnant women may have to cut the strip in half and follow the same procedure. Foremost, you will need to firmly attach and hold the strip at one end while pulling it across to the other side, focusing on pulling it downward. The point is to bring the top of the belly down to ease the diaphragm.
It�s important to consult your healthcare provider or chiropractor before attempting any of the following kinesio tape techniques by yourself to discuss whether kinesiology taping is appropriate for you. Furthermore, be sure to notify your healthcare practitioner if you have sensitive skin to ensure you do not react negatively from the tape adhesive. Once the kinesio tape is applied, a healthcare professional can provide careful instructions on how you can preserve the usefulness of the tape while showering, bathing and dressing.
The above information is by no means a replacement to a consultation with a licensed healthcare provider. Consultation with a chiropractor or other healthcare provider is recommended for any individual suffering from symptoms due to an injury or condition. If you are not experienced with using elastic therapeutic tape, allow a medical doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or other experienced healthcare provider to demonstrate how to properly apply the tape for use at home.
Massage for Pregnant Women
Just as chiropractic treatment and various techniques using elastic therapeutic tape can benefit women throughout their pregnancy, massage can also be a helpful alternative to provide further relief to pregnant women. The goal of every pregnancy massage is to provide unique and special needs to expecting mothers.
Certified pregnancy massage therapists are qualified and experienced to perform the specially designed massage techniques on women to help relieve the most common pregnancy symptoms, making sure to protect both mother and child during the massage.
Pregnancy massage can differ greatly from others and it is often unique in its application. During the massage, the pregnant women is carefully supported using cushions and pillows to provide the expectant mother with superior comfort. This type of massage is above all very gentle and deep tissue techniques are never utilized as a safety precaution. In addition, many areas of the body are avoided to protect both mother and child, providing extra attention only to specific areas of the body which are particularly affected by pregnancy, such as the back and/or the feet. Regardless of these safety precautions, pregnancy massage is generally not advised during the first trimester.
The gentle pregnancy massage can tremendously help both physical and emotional pain and discomfort in pregnant women and the psychological benefit of itself can be greatly therapeutic. In addition to stress and anxiety reduction, a pregnancy massage can help reduce common symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as swollen ankles and lower back pain.
In conclusion, a woman�s overall health and wellness is fundamental throughout their pregnancy and alleviating painful symptoms along with those common discomforts associated with the stages of pregnancy can help provide comfort to expecting mothers. From chiropractic care and the application and use of elastic therapeutic tape to pregnancy massages, there are a variety of safe, efficient and beneficial alternative treatments and techniques that can help pregnant women throughout their pregnancy without the need of drugs. The above mentioned treatment options are natural alternative which have been considered by many women. If you are in need of relief or simply wish to enjoy the benefits of these procedures, make sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider before following through with these treatments.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Your body is designed to work well and take care of itself, as long as you take care of it. In part, this means eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting the right amount of sleep. But sometimes you do need outside help to keep your body working at peak efficiency. Chiropractic care serves as an excellent example. Your chiropractic visits�do more than crack your back. Your treatment sessions can help improve your overall body structure and health.
1. Better Posture
If you work in an office or over a machine during the day, you likely develop a slump in your workplace. Your back starts to curve, your shoulders droop forward, and soon you start feeling a bit of an ache to your torso at the end of every day. If you let it go for long, you soon discover you don�t stand or sit as tall as you used to. You can almost feel your body deteriorate around you, from your spine out to your arms and legs.
Chiropractic care helps head this off at the pass. You stretch your body out and stretch and straighten your�back. The small curves that start to set in on you unfurl, and you soon feel your whole body relaxing as a result. The treatment soon has you standing taller, working more comfortably and moving into your evening feeling stronger than ever.
2. Better Body Movement
As you stand straighter and move through your day with your back set more correctly, you begin to see the benefits extend into other areas. One is your overall range of motion. A straighter, better aligned back gives your arms and legs a better base from which to move. You can move more comfortably and freely through your day and your whole body responds, adjusting to your centered, realigned core.�Your body is meant to be flexible;�designed to bounce back and recover quickly and freely from exertion.
Stiffness in the center stifles this natural state throughout the body and chiropractic care brings you back to where you should remain. Instead of movements beginning out of place, you can move your arms and legs with a fuller range of motion. Your body no longer fights itself for you to move. Everything flows in concert, and you feel better with every step and arm swing.
Football & Chiropractic
3. Greater Strength
Beyond flexibility, you also generate strength from your core. Personal trainers and fitness gurus explain this theory from their perspective of toning stomach and back muscles- and they are correct. However,�strength runs deeper than even the muscle groups, extending to your skeletal structure underneath it all. Your spinal column and hips underlie and support the movements you make at a basic, foundational level. When your spine is misaligned, the system of bones and muscles cannot create and work in the harmony with which they were designed to act.
A chiropractic alignment returns the natural order and base of your strength. It allows your vertebrae to work together, each bone supporting and adding to the strength of the next. The result? A body working as one powerful unit, creating and building strength from the center, rather than relying on a less complete support system. You work less to do more, and have more power to use when you need to use it.
�A Healthier You
4. More Effective Nervous System
The body needs a straight, free spine for more than just physical support. Your spine protects the spinal cord, the center (with your brain) from which all communication through your nervous system emanates. If the bones contract or move out of place, that communication system works less efficiently. You cannot react as quickly or respond as well to the world around you.
A chiropractic realignment helps return your body to peak functional capacity. The nerves no longer get pinched off or otherwise interrupted in the process of moving impulses and stimuli though the body. Your senses sharpen and work better, resulting in an improved reaction time. Your internal safety systems and mechanisms work better, and your whole body functions more smoothly. You start to heal yourself more quickly, from physical aches and pains to infections because your signaling mechanisms and pathways are more clear. You can respond to issues inside your body more quickly, and fight off issues more readily.
Whole Body Wellness
5. Pain Relief
In the midst of all of this, some of the symptoms that may initially drive you to a chiropractor can start to diminish. Pain does not come directly when you are not aligned properly. The body has a remarkable tolerance to small changes, and at times,�big changes. This generally works to your advantage, but it has the downside of masking smaller problems and concerns until they become bigger ones. Your body starts to cover up alignment issues with shifts in posture and resilience. By the time you feel the discomfort, you have likely shifted dramatically out of place.
Because of this, expecting immediate relief from chiropractic treatment may be setting yourself up for disappointment. You sometimes do feel instantaneous improvement, but the more likely scenario is to feel your physical symptoms gradually improve. With the help from your body, time heals. Maintaining your body to help�it do its job more effectively goes a long way toward making your life more comfortable.
Your body can do amazing things for you if you let it. Unfortunately, the stress and the wear and tear we put it through over time can diminish its effectiveness in handling everyday experiences and events. When you take the time and effort to maintain your physical condition, you free your body up to do the things it was meant to do: support, protect, and take care of itself. We are remarkable beings, designed to achieve incredible things both mentally and physically.�Chiropractic care�helps you maintain your body, as a support system and a base for everything else that you do.
Sometimes you need outside help to keep your body working at peak efficiency. Chiropractic care serves as an excellent example. Chiropractic �does more than crack your back and treatment can help improve your overall body structure and health.
are impairments in detecting, modulating, interpreting, or responding to sensory stimuli. One study estimates that 5 percent of elementary aged children met the criteria for SPD. These conditions are closely related to other neurodevelopmental disorders and often overlap with autism and ADHD. Recent studies have shown the benefits of chiropractic in enhancing the functionality of individuals with SPD and Autism.
In 2011, we have more children and young adults affected by neurodevelopmental disorders than ever before in history. There are many factors involved in this such as birth and/or early childhood trauma, environmental toxins, food allergens, the avoidance of breast feeding and heavy vaccination. These are all areas that show promise as causative factors in the formation of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Birth trauma can come in the form of a forceps or vacuum extraction delivery. Even normal vaginal or cesarean birth processes can be particularly traumatic. The most vulnerable area of the infant�s body is the upper cervical spine. This also happens to be the area where the brain stem ties into the top of the spinal cord. Birth trauma can significantly damage this region andcreate a neurological insult that is referred to as subluxation.
Subluxation alters neurological processing
Subluxation is a term used to describe mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves. Subluxation scrambles the neurological feedback loop by causing altered rhythms of neurological flow. Subluxation insults the neurology of the infant and affects normal development and maturation. This can often create an environment conducive to the formation of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD andSPD.
Many chiropractors specialize in the location, diagnosis and correction of subluxation patterns in infants and young children. These chiropractors often have unique training with digital technology that uses thermographic and surface electromyography to calibrate the function of the nervous system and identify areas of neurological insult. They are also gifted with palpation, posture and body motion observations to locate specific biomechanical and neurological imbalances in the young child.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Two recent studies published in the 2011 edition of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health showed the benefits of chiropractic on SPD and Autism. In both cases the children were diagnosed with upper cervical subluxation patterns that were thought to have occurred from early childhood traumas. The children also showed signs of neurological imbalance and subluxation in other regions of the spine. Results of their care were startling and would naturally be considered major breakthroughs in the medical model.
The children�s care consisted of specific chiropractic adjustments for a period of weeks to remove subluxation and balance the neurology. They also followed an anti-inflammatory nutritional program that involved a gluten-free, casein-free diet and nutritional supplements such as probiotics and digestive enzymes.Most natural health practitioners would agree that the majority of children with neurodevelopmental disorders have neurological and digestive damage. The digestive issues typically involve leaky gut syndrome, gut dysbiosis, Candida infections and chronic food allergens. These problems typically present together and can be remedied with an anti-inflammatory diet and nutritional supplements.
There are 10 other case studies of children with similar neurodevelopmental issues who have seen significant improvements through chiropractic care. This is evidence of the role that subluxation plays in affecting normal sensory system maturation and development.
Hopefully these recent studies will shine a light on the impact of subluxation correction on healthy neurological balance. This can range from immune system disorders, chronic disease and neurodevelopmental problems. More research dollars should be spent on inexpensive, low risk, non-invasive modalities such as chiropractic care for childhood health problems and normal brain and immune system maturation processes.
Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) are impairments in detecting, modulating, interpreting, or responding to sensory stimuli. One study estimates that 5 percent of elementary aged children met the criteria for SPD.
Women often seek out chiropractic care during their pregnancies. One of the main reasons for this is that if they are having musculoskeletal pain, their Obstetrician or Midwife generally has very limited options for conventional medical treatment. They are less likely to prescribe medication, which presents an amazing opportunity for us as chiropractors. What initially began as a strange combination of a sports certification and a prenatal/pediatric certification has created a successful and in-demand niche for us. For the most part, I cannot imagine treating prenatal patients without having the sports background. First, most women at some point in their lives have been or currently are an athlete. And second, one of the most common complaints women have during pregnancy is myofascial pain, and who better to treat that than a sports chiropractor? Here are 5 common and easy-to-treat complaints during pregnancy:
One: Pubic Bone Pain
This pain is very common during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Women will often describe it as exquisitely tender, worse with rolling over in bed at night, walking or climbing stairs. Conventional medical opinion is that the ligaments during pregnancy are much more relaxed (due to the hormone, relaxin) causing separation of the pubic symphysis and thus inflammation and pain. Sports chiropractors are uniquely qualified to assess this joint, and the common causes of pain can include:
1. Adductor hypertonicity easily addressed with myofascial release or techniques such as Graston, which can be done over leggings or on skin.
2. SI Joint fixation or Pubic Symphysis fixation. While I am generally a diversified adjuster, an activator adjustment to the superior or more-tender pubic rami will go a long way in terms of providing relief. I strongly discourage any audible manipulation of the pubic symphysis.
3.�Kinesiology taping�of a �RockTape Baby Belt� or modified version of this can provide significant relief and is much more comfortable than a pelvic support belt.
4. Using an ice pack for 15 minutes prior to going to bed at night will decrease pain and inflammation while sleeping.
Two: Rib Pain
Rib pain, especially in the lower and floating ribs, is common as the weight of the abdomen is pulling on the oblique abdominal muscles and their attachments at the ribs. Adjusting the ribs at the thoracic spine and incorporating myofascial release or Graston Technique will work quickly (often in just 1 treatment). Finish up with a few strips of kinesiology tape and your patient will feel significantly better.
Three: Upper Abdominal Numbness
Upper abdominal numbness is a common symptom during the later stage of pregnancy. It often presents as numbness but can also be painful and worse with sitting. One of the easiest ways to provide relief is with one simple strip of kinesiology tape over the top of the abdomen directly under the rib cage.
Four: Swelling in the arms and legs
Swelling in the arms and legs is very common and can lead to numbness, tingling or pain. Before beginning treatment, be sure to assess if the swelling in the feet is significant and test for pitting edema which can be a warning sign of preeclampsia. This can be corroborated with a high blood pressure reading and is very dangerous. Two very effective sports techniques for use with lower extremity swelling include 1.�NormaTec PULSE Recovery System�which is not contraindicated in pregnancy. Patients can do a few 20-30 minutes sessions per week to promote circulation and decrease swelling. 2. Kinesiology taping for edema on the ankles.
Five: Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain in pregnancy is very common. Evaluating a pregnant patient prone is very easy if you have pregnancy cushion that sits on top of your table. If you do not, you can evaluate the lower back in the seated or side lying position. Lower back pain can generally be addressed with diversified adjustments (without any rotation as to not stress the abdomen). In addition, the Webster Technique for pregnancy is a valuable tool for assessing and treating lower back pain during all stages of pregnancy. There are also valuable kinesiology tape applications for lower back pain,�RockTape features a pregnancy taping pdf online. In addition, there are no contraindications to using the Graston Technique to address myofascial pain in the lower back.�
Most of the taping techniques discussed above can be done by patients themselves after a one-time demonstration. Have an assistant or patient�s family member take a video of the application for reference at home. Many sports chiropractic techniques can be used very effectively on prenatal patients.
The goals of the chiropractic treatment of a thoracic disc herniation are to reduce pain and dysfunction while the body heals itself.
Since most disc extrusions naturally regress in a few months, chiropractors will attempt to reduce the pain and pressure caused by the disc herniation. Chiropractic treatment of a thoracic disc herniation may include one or a combination of the following:
Some chiropractors will recommend nutritional support, such as proteolytic enzymes, to reduce the pain and swelling associated with a disc herniation.
More Chiropractic Treatments for Upper Back Problems
In addition to joint dysfunction, myofascial pain syndrome, and thoracic herniated disc, which have already been reviewed in this article, chiropractic care may be a treatment option for additional upper back problems, such as thoracic joint dysfunction, thoracic outlet syndrome, and shoulder dysfunction related to the upper spine.
Will your back pain become chronic?
Joint dysfunction
The thoracic spine is a marvel of joint interaction and complex motion patterns. Composed of a total of 220 separate joints,1 it makes up the lion�s share of the 313 total joints in the entire spine. With this many interactive articulations it is easy to see that maintaining normal joint function, motion, and position is important. Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments.
There are a variety of chiropractic-adjustment techniques that can be used to adjust a dysfunctional joint:
Most chiropractors employ manual adjusting techniques that utilize precise thrusting adjustments to help normalize joint function.
Chiropractors can also use softer directional adjusting techniques or adjusting instruments to accommodate the needs of the patient.
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a disorder in which the nerves of the brachial plexus and blood vessels are compressed. This compression can cause great pain and altered sensations such as a �pins and needles� sensation in the hands.
Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome can include stretching, manual trigger-point therapy, and myofascial anchor-and-stretch release techniques to the affected muscles. Chiropractors may also include adjustments and postural instruction.
Thoracic/shoulder dysfunction
The function of the shoulder and the upper back are interrelated. Studies have shown that thrusting manipulations applied to the thoracic spine and ribs have reduced shoulder pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic region can be beneficial to certain types of shoulder dysfunction.
There are many causes and treatment options for thoracic spine disorders. Chiropractors have a wide range of treatment options for treating these conditions. Chiropractors are increasingly joining collaborative spinal care teams as a drug-free option for treating spinal and musculoskeletal conditions.
The thoracic spine is a marvel of joint interaction and complex motion patterns. Composed of a total of 220 separate joints, it makes up the lion�s share of the 313 total joints in the entire spine. �It’s easy to see that maintaining normal joint function, motion, and position is important. Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments.
When an individual has experienced an injury or developed a condition as a result of trauma from an accident or due to the natural process of degeneration over time, deciding on the best healthcare provider to receive treatment from is an essential choice. If you’ve been harmed, it’s in your best interest to find the most effective form of treatment according to your special needs, and choosing the right doctor can greatly affect your overall improvement.
Not all medical services are right for everyone. In addition, the individual’s health plan may or may not provide coverage for all forms of care. It’s important to understand your financial responsibilities before using any medical services. Educating yourself with the proper information regarding the various types of care that different healthcare specialists can provide and asking providers the most convenient questions about their treatment methods can help individuals make informed decisions when choosing the best healthcare professional.
Choosing the Best Chiropractor
Chiropractic care is one of the most popular alternative treatments utilized to treat common symptoms, such as neck and back pain. Doctors of chiropractic, abbreviated as DCs, focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders associated with the musculoskeletal and the nervous system. Primarily specializing in the structure and function of the spine and other tissues surrounding the spinal bones, a chiropractor can restore the original health and wellness of the body naturally, without the use of medications and/or surgery. Chiropractic treatment consists of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to cure injuries or conditions that may have altered the spine’s alignment.
Choosing a chiropractor is a personal choice. There are many chiropractic offices in the United States, and every one of them can provide the essential treatment and care you will need to recover from an injury or condition. However, each individual may be looking to have their specific; personal needs met depending on their type of complication. To start, you may want to ask for recommendations from several friends or loved ones who’ve received treatment from a chiropractor before. Finding the right healthcare professional at that point can make a huge difference in their overall recovery experience.
Also, you can ask your primary healthcare physician for the names of chiropractors that offer high-quality chiropractic treatment services. Furthermore, asking questions can help people make an informed choice. You may want to meet with more than one chiropractor before choosing the right chiropractor for you.
Before asking the important questions, it’s fundamental to know whether the chiropractor you are visiting is licensed to practice in your state of residence. Then, make sure to find out if the doctor of chiropractic, or DC, has any area of specialty and inform yourself on what that is. Several chiropractors, for instance, specialize in automobile accident injuries, while others may specialize in sports injuries. Likewise, you can ask the chiropractor how many years of experience they have working in their specific field. More years of experience can often make a difference in their whole treatment performance.
Important Points to Consider
Chiropractic care is a conservative form of treatment, meaning it does not involve the prescription of drugs, nor are surgeries performed to cure patients either. Chiropractic treatment commonly utilizes spinal adjustments, manipulative procedures, and other therapeutic methods to restore the original structure and function of the spine and its surrounding tissues.
On your first visit to a chiropractor’s office, the doctor will begin by performing a full evaluation to determine the source of the individual’s symptoms. The healthcare specialist may also look at your medical history to identify whether past issues could be causing the current complications. The use of X-rays is not necessarily required to begin treatment. However, the chiropractor may either provide one or refer you to another facility to have one taken for you to rule out the possibility of a more serious injury or condition, such as a fracture, dislocation, or another form of bone disease.
Chiropractic is frequently utilized to correct spinal misalignments, or subluxations, which could be affecting the health of the spine. This treatment is also utilized to decrease pain and discomfort; reduce nerve irritation and inflammation; increase blood flow; diminish muscle spasms; and improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. Chiropractors may also recommend a series of stretches or exercises and lifestyle changes to promote a faster recovery.
After the health assessment, a chiropractor will outline an appropriate course of treatment for the individual and establish certain recovery goals for their health issue. The chiropractor should discuss with you the full details of treatment and how long it should take for the treatment to work for you. Your chiropractor will change your treatment plan as needed to help you heal as soon as possible. Whichever treatment the chiropractor suggests, they should also inform you about the benefits and risks.
If your injury or condition requires additional treatment, the chiropractor should be able to refer you to other health care professionals.
Other Points to Consider
Finally, when choosing the best chiropractor, you should expect the chiropractor’s office staff to treat their patients with courtesy. Both the doctor and the staff alike should be prompt and professional, and they should be able to answer your questions and doubts. Be sure to pay special attention to how the office staff treats you. Be sure to pay attention to how the office staff treats you. After asking yourself the questions listed above and meeting the chiropractor and office staff, think about your answers before choosing the right chiropractor for you. Once you feel comfortable with all the information you have gathered about the doctor of chiropractic, it’ll be easier to make an educated choice for treatment.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to think about when choosing a chiropractor. Because you deserve the best care possible, it’s ultimately essential to do the most research you can do before making a choice. In addition, be sure to talk to different doctors. Most of all, take the time you need to make a choice you feel good about; after all, it’s your overall health and wellness you have to worry about to regain your original well-being.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
Chiropractors who provide care for children � and families � can attest to the many benefits of a healthy spine to a growing child. However, this relatively new area of focus for chiropractic is susceptible to many misconceptions, among the public and the health-care community.
Many of the public perceptions about chiropractic care for children, however, are far from the truth. We explore these misconceptions and spoke to the experts to get the real facts about this thriving chiropractic focus area.
Myth #1 Chiropractic care of children is new.
When some individuals first learn that DCs treat children as well as adults, they may get the wrong idea that chiropractic for kids is new � which is to say untested, experimental and dangerous.
That isn�t the case. Sure, the modern era of this field dates only as far back as the 1980s. But the fact is, the practice actually has much older and stronger roots. �If you go back to 1910, [founder of chiropractic] D.D. Palmer indicated how important it is to check a child�s spine from birth and throughout life,� notes Jeanne Ohm, CEO of the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association (ICPA), a non-profit organization in Philadelphia.�
By the 1980s, many DCs had developed their practices to treat adults specifically. In 1986, Dr. Larry Webster in the U.S. helped re-establish chiropractic care for children as a legitimate area of focus. He started teaching his child-friendly techniques, and he created the ICPA to further help chiropractors treat children.
Webster passed away in 1997, but his legacy continues. The ICPA now has more than 4,000 members and hundreds of DCs are studying to become chiropractors with a special focus on kids.
Myth #2 Children don�t need chiropractic care.
DCs who treat kids often hear questions along these lines: Why in the world would a child need to see a chiropractor? What good does chiropractic do for a toddler, or even a newborn?
Chiropractors have a few good answers.
�We may see a one-week-old child who is already showing signs of favoring, turning her head to one side versus the other,� says Dr. Judy Forrester, owner of Synergea Family Health Centre, a multidisciplinary clinic in Calgary, Alta. �That may seem minimal� but if we can determine any imbalances or asymmetry with the muscular function or the joint alignment, and we address it early, it�s better. Once those postural patterns and habits develop as they grow, they can be much more difficult to change.�
Dr. Liz Anderson-Peacock is a Barrie, Ont., chiropractor who focuses on care for children. She notes the link between the central nervous systems and various childhood afflictions.
�Children may have symptoms like ear infections, difficulty breathing, colic, attention deficit. We do not treat those things per se. We see those as expressions of the body not interpreting the world properly,� explains Anderson-Peacock, who also serves in the editorial board for the Journal of Maternal, Pediatric and Family Health.
�The organizing system for us to respond to the world is the nervous system. The questions we ask are: if there is something going on with the nervous system, what is it, and can chiropractic care help?�
Anderson-Peacock now spends most of her time travelling around the world doing lectures and other speaking engagements. She also conducts seminars for the ICPA about chiropractic care for children and families.
Ohm from the ICPA links chiropractic to the very moment a child emerges from the womb. �Birth can be traumatic,� she says. The event could cause physical damage that leads to difficulties later. So if a baby develops breathing trouble, �the real cause may simply be a misalignment to the spine from the birth process. Parents who get that will stop at the clinic on the way home from the birth centre to make sure everything is OK.�
Chiropractic & Children
Myth #3 Chiropractors use the same techniques on children as adults.
�That�s what terrifies a lot of chiropractors about adjusting children, as well as parents,� Anderson-Peacock says. �They think we�re going to adjust them like an adult.�
But DCs who treat children do not apply heavy pressure. �Often, it�s a matter of moving the child into a position of ease, holding that position and things will reset quite nicely on their own,� Anderson-Peacock says. Care, she points out, is nowhere near as forceful as it may be for adults.
�That�s why extra training is so crucial. These children are not like miniature adults. For example, spines are primarily cartilaginous until the age of six, and we know cartilage will deform when we have abnormal function. So we want to make sure that function is restored normally. And since the bones are immature, the alignment issues are different. We want to minimize rotations and traction, because children have different needs, due to the immaturity of their musculoskeletal and ligamentous structures.�
The ICPA aims to validate techniques for chiropractic care for children, particularly to help dispel the idea that DCs use the same pressure on kids as they do on adults, Ohm notes. The organization is working with Walter Herzog, co-director of the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Calgary, to study the pressure required when caring for children. The report should be out by the end of 2015.
Chiropractic & Children with Chronic Conditions
Myth #4 There are no real experts in chiropractic care for children.
In Canada, chiropractic care for children is not a recognized area of specialty, which leads some people to think there are no genuine experts in the field. But that isn�t true.
Many DCs follow accredited courses to develop child-specific skills. Anderson-Peacock spent three years studying at the International Chiropractors Association�s Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE)-accredited program in pediatric chiropractic. She achieved her Diplomate in Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics (DICCP) in 1996.
Dr. Stacey Hornick is owner of Market Mall Family Chiropractic in Saskatoon, Sask. She attended McTimoney College of Chiropractic, operated by BPP University � a post-secondary institution in London, England. Over three years, she took courses by correspondence and traveled to Thailand, Hong Kong and Australia to complete the residency portion of the program. Having succeeded in her studies last year, she was granted a master�s degree in Chiropractic Paediatrics.
Hundreds of DCs have taken the ICPA�s programs. The ICPA Diplomate Program involves a total of 400 hours of learning and achieved through the successful completion of two levels of study.
The first part � a 200-hour certification program � involves 14 classroom modules, participation in two ICPA Practice Based Research Network projects, and successful completion of the comprehensive certification� final exam.
The second part is a 200-hour advanced competency program. It requires 200 hours of work with more emphasis on research, including either a published research case study or a publishable thesis, as well as clinic work. Enrollment in the first level (200-hour certification program) is a prerequisite to enroll in part two.
Chiropractic care for kids may not be a recognized specialty in Canada, but chiropractic associations recognize it as a legitimate area of focus.
In a statement, the Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors (ACAC) has acknowledged, �chiropractic treatment is as beneficial to children as it is to adults and that the efficacy and benefits of the delivery of chiropractic care to individuals 18 years of age and under are well supported by a body of ongoing research and documented case histories.�
Chiropractic & Teens with Back Pain
Myth #5 Chiropractors don�t collaborate with pediatricians and medical doctors.
Hornick says this simply isn�t the case.
�I often refer pediatric patients to their medical doctors and to medical specialists, and we communicate clearly in the best interests of the child. I see our roles as complementary.�
Forrester also says she has good ties with medical doctors. �The majority of them are very much in favor of working together. Every once in a while you run into someone who thinks we�re all a bunch of quacks and they�re not up to date with the sorts of things we do. But by far the relationship with pediatricians is healthy and puts the patients� best interests first.�
Reality recap
Chiropractic care for kids is not new. Children benefit from chiropractic care. Techniques for children are safe and nowhere near as forceful as they may be for adults. Many DCs are qualified experts, and many child-focused chiropractors establish strong connections with medical doctors. The truth is, DCs can and do share the benefits of their profession with patients across the entire age spectrum.
Mastering pediatrics
Late last year, Dr. Stacey Hornick, a Saskatoon, Sask.-based DC focused on chiropractic care for children became one of the first Canadians to attain a Master�s of Science in Chiropractic Paediatrics.She studied at McTimoney College of Chiropractic, operated by BPP University, a post-secondary institution in London, England. The McTimoney program is the only pediatric chiropractic program that meets the academic requirements for entry into doctoral studies (PhD) in the specific content area of chiropractic pediatrics, an opportunity never before afforded the chiropractic profession, she says.
�For me, it was important to seek out a highly respected qualification in pediatric care,� Hornick says. �There were no university-accredited courses in pediatrics in North America that I was aware of at the time. I liked the idea of studying abroad and at the same time becoming an expert in pediatric-specific assessment, and adjusting techniques that were gentle yet neurologically precise.�
It takes stamina and smarts to get into and complete this tough three-year course. Read on for the requirements. Do you have what it takes?
To enter the program, a candidate must have: a professional qualification in chiropractic and registration with a relevant chiropractic governing body
In each of the first two years of the program, the student must complete:
Work at two residential schools � Hornick explains that usually, students complete their residencies at U.K. chiropractic facilities, but McTimoney also gives students the chance to practice outside of the U.K. For her part, Hornick completed her first-year residency in Thailand, which was memorable. �We stayed at the Children of the Golden Triangle Training Center. It�s a safe haven when kids can go to school and avoid the whole child-trafficking danger, which is a heart-wrenching reality in that part of the world. Many of the children at the facility were orphans � 450 of them. We got to stay with them, and between five chiropractors, we adjusted all of them in three days.�
Online course work � Subjects range from the fundamentals of chiropractic pediatrics to specific requisite topics. Hornick says first-year courses include substrates of chiropractic pediatrics, physical assessment in chiropractic skills and pediatric neurology. �The second year is more application of knowledge.� Courses include normal and variant radiology anatomy in pediatrics, clinical research methodology, and four clinical pediatrics programs.
Structured clinical education, directed and self-directed
Objective structured clinical exam
In the third year of the program, students must complete a research project, including project design, implementation and report at a publishable standard. Hornick�s dissertation: The Effect of Chiropractic on Cortisol Levels in Infants with Colic. The investigation aimed to help doctors understand why chiropractic adjustment has a positive influence on colicky infants. Hornick found that infants with colic who receive chiropractic care demonstrate salivary cortisol release patterns similar to those seen in infants with no colic.
Public�Perceptions about chiropractic care for children are far from the truth. Let’s�explore these misconceptions and speak to experts in order to get the real facts about chiropractic care for children.
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�We may see a one-week-old child who is already showing signs of favoring, turning her head to one side versus the other,� says Dr. Judy Forrester, owner of Synergea Family Health Centre, a multidisciplinary clinic in Calgary, Alta. �That may seem minimal� but if we can determine any imbalances or asymmetry with the muscular function or the joint alignment, and we address it early, it�s better. Once those postural patterns and habits develop as they grow, they can be much more difficult to change.�
