In today’s big data informational era, there are many disorders, diseases, and clinical presentations that demonstrate concomitant associations, coincidences, correlations, causations, overlapping profiles, overlapping risk profiles, co-morbidities, and risks of associated disorders that clinically intermingle in presentations and outcomes.
The clinician is mandated by the depth of our present clinical understandings and our oath to our patients to see the complete clinical picture within these integrated clinical paradigms and to treat accordingly.
Somatic dysfunction is defined as the “impaired or altered function of related components of the somatic (body framework) system: skeletal, arthrodial, and myofascial structures, and related vascular, lymphatic, and neural elements.”
A viscerosomatic reflexis the resultant of the effect of afferent stimuli arising from a visceral disorder on the somatic tissues. The reflex is initiated by afferent impulses from visceral receptors; these impulses are transmitted to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, where they synapse with interconnecting neurons. These, in turn, convey the stimulus to sympathetic and peripheral motor efferents, thus resulting in sensory and motor changes in somatic tissues of skeletal muscle, viscera, blood vessels, and skin.
As an example only,visceral afferents play an important part in the maintenance of internal equilibrium and the related mutual adjustments of visceral function. They are also responsible for the conduction of pain impulses that may be caused by distention of a viscus, anoxia (particularly of muscle), irritating metabolites, stretching or crushing of blood vessels, irritation of the peritoneum, contraction of muscular walls, and distention of the capsule of a solid organ.” Because pain-sensitive nerve end- ings are not numerous in viscera, pain sensation or a visceral reflex response may result from the combined input of several different types of receptors rather than as a specific response to a particular receptor. A variety of visceral receptors have been mucosal and epithelial receptors, which respond to mechanical and epithelial stimuli; tension receptors in the visceral muscle layers, which respond to mechanical distention, such as the degree of filling; serosal receptors, which are slow adapting mechanoreceptors in mesentery or
serosa and which monitor visceral fullness; Pacinian corpuscles in mesentery and pain receptors; and free nerve endings in viscera and blood vessels.
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Our information scopeis limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez DC or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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.
In many individuals with degenerative disc disease, how does spinal decompression compare to spinal surgery improve spine flexibility?
Introduction
The spine is essential to the body’s musculoskeletal system, enabling individuals to perform daily movements while maintaining proper posture. The spinal cord is safeguarded by surrounding ligaments, soft tissues, muscles, and nerve roots. The spinal discs between the spinal column act as shock absorbers to reduce stress from axial overload and promote body mobility and flexibility. The spinal discs can naturally degenerate as a person ages, leading to degenerative disc disease. This condition can result in several spinal issues that can impact the spine’s flexibility. This article explores how degenerative disc disease affects the spine and the treatments available to restore its flexibility. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from degenerative disc disease affecting their spine’s flexibility. We also inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain spinal mobility and reduce pain-like symptoms. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Does Degenerative Disc Disease Affect The Spine?
Do you experience neck or lower back pain after a long workday? After physical activity, do you find temporary relief by twisting or turning your torso? Are you experiencing radiating pain in your upper or lower extremities that worsens when standing? These symptoms are common as the body ages over time. Muscles, organs, ligaments, and joints can all be affected, including the spine and intervertebral discs. Research studies reveal that disc degeneration frequently occurs in the spine, leading to changes that can cause misalignment and spinal issues. Degenerative disc disease can disrupt the structure of spinal discs, resulting in pain-like symptoms and accelerating degenerative changes to the spine. Regardless of age, various habits and lifestyle choices can contribute to degeneration. As additional research studies have provided, this condition is characterized by a tension-resisting annulus fibrosus and compression-resisting nucleus pulposus, causing pain and discomfort.
The Symptoms Correlating With Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when the spinal disc in the spine experiences wear and tear due to natural aging. The initial indication of this disease is disc cracking caused by repetitive motion trauma. The symptoms associated with this disease are similar but may vary based on the affected spine location. Research shows that degenerative disc disease can cause micro tears in the spinal disc, leading to decreased fluids and water intake, disc space loss, disc bulging, and irritation of the adjacent nerves. This can affect surrounding muscle tissues and disc facet joints, narrowing the spinal canal. Additional studies reveal that people with degenerative disc disease may experience various symptoms that can hinder their ability to function properly. Some common symptoms include:
Pain in the arms, legs, and feet
Sensory abnormalities (loss of sensation in the hands, feet, fingers, and back)
Muscle tenderness and weakness
Instability
Inflammation
Visceral-somatic & somatic-visceral condition
If someone experiences pain-like symptoms in conjunction with degenerative disc disease can negatively impact their quality of life and potentially lead to long-term disability. Fortunately, treatments can slow the degenerative process and alleviate the pain-like symptoms.
Secrets Of Optimal Wellness- Video
When individuals experience pain related to degenerative disc disease, they often seek ways to alleviate it. Some may consider spinal surgery to remove the affected disc and ease the pain caused by the irritated nerve. However, this option is typically only pursued if other treatments have failed and can be expensive. Fortunately, non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and safe, gently addressing the affected area for relief. Non-surgical treatments can be customized to the individual’s specific pain and condition, including spinal decompression, MET therapy, traction therapy, and chiropractic care. These methods work to realign the body and promote natural healing by rehydrating the spine, ultimately restoring flexibility.
Treatments To Improve Spinal Flexibility
Individuals with degenerative disc disease can benefit from non-surgical treatments tailored to their needs. These treatments involve an assessment by a pain specialist, such as a physical therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor, who will identify the source of the pain and use various techniques to reduce pain, improve flexibility in the spine, and loosen stiff muscles that have been affected by the disease. Additionally, non-surgical treatments can help restore sensory and mobility function to the spine and address factors that may exacerbate the degenerative process.
Spinal Decompression Protocol For Degenerative Disc Disease
Research studies suggest that spinal decompression can effectively reduce the degenerative process of spinal discs through gentle traction. During a spinal decompression treatment, the individual is strapped into a traction machine. The machine gradually stretches the spine to create negative pressure on the spinal disc, which helps to rehydrate it and increase nutrient intake, thereby jumpstarting the healing process. According to Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., in their book “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” individuals with degenerative disc disease may require higher pressure during spinal decompression treatment due to its symptomatic problems. Spinal decompression can help restore disc height and be a viable solution for those looking to improve their health.
How does non-surgical spinal decompression compare with traditional surgery to improve sensory abnornalities for individuals with herniated discs?
Introduction
The spinal column provides flexibility and stability to the body, consisting of vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve roots, and intervertebral discs. These components work with surrounding tissues, ligaments, and muscles, enabling pain-free mobility. However, activities or work that place excessive stress on the spine can cause damage, leading to misaligned discs and nerve root irritation. This can result in radiating pain in the lower extremities, which may be mistaken for other conditions such as low back pain, leg pain, or sciatica. This article will focus on the pain-like symptoms associated with herniated discs and how non-surgical spinal decompression can help people regain sensory function. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from herniated discs in their lumbar spine and inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain sensory function in their lower extremities. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
The Symptoms Associated With Herniated Discs
Are you experiencing numbness or tingling down your leg that affects your walking? Does twisting or turning make your lower back uncomfortable? Or are you suffering from low back pain caused by sciatic nerve pain, making it difficult to work or do activities? Many people don’t realize they have herniated discs until repetitive movements cause wear and tear on the spine or constant compression causes the disc to crack, allowing the inner layer to protrude and press on the spinal nerve roots. Research studies reveal that herniated discs can result from various changes that cause pain-like symptoms, including limited trunk flexion, sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities, low back pain, radicular pain, sciatica, and intense distress when sitting. Herniated discs are common, and the inflammatory response from surrounding nerve roots can cause immense pain. As additional research shows, autoimmune responses released by the nucleus pulposus play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sciatic pain and lumbar radiculopathy.
The Causes Of Herniated Disc-Video
Herniated discs can cause discomfort and pain depending on their severity and location. Several factors contribute to their development, including improper lifting of heavy objects, age, weight, and physical inactivity. Repetitive motions, constant stress, and autoimmune conditions also play a role. Disc herniation impacts the spinal structure and can cause sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities, muscular pain in the arms, back, foot, or leg, and affect the quality of life. However, non-surgical treatments are available to reduce disc herniation and restore the spine’s mobility, flexibility, and stability.
Treatments To Restore Sensory Function
If home remedies such as rest, hot and cold packs, and over-the-counter medications do not work, non-surgical treatments can effectively reduce the effects of disc herniation. These treatments are also safe, gentle, and cost-effective for many people who want relief without the financial burden. Chiropractic care, muscle energy techniques (MET), and spinal decompression are examples of non-surgical treatments that can help target the source of pain, reactivate the body’s natural healing process, and realign the body from herniated discs and spinal subluxation. These treatments can restore sensory function affected by herniated discs by addressing these issues.
Spinal Decompression
When dealing with herniated discs, many people turn to spinal decompression to alleviate pain and find relief in their spine. Studies have shown that spinal decompression involves using gentle traction to create negative pressure within the affected herniated disc. This can increase hydration and reduce pressure on the nerve root, easing the pain signals that affect the lower extremities. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., explained that the duration of treatment for spinal decompression for herniated discs can vary depending on the severity. Mild herniation may require longer treatment, while patients with multiple herniations in different spinal locations may need additional sessions. However, the treatment should effectively reduce sensory abnormalities and relieve pain for the individual.
How do non-surgical treatments compare with traditional surgical treatments to improve mobility for individuals with hamstring injuries? The hamstrings are muscles in the lower extremities that provide mobility to the legs and stabilize the pelvis. Many athletes rely on their hamstrings to perform strenuous actions such as sprinting, jumping, squatting, and kicking during sporting events. However, the hamstrings are also very susceptible to injury. Athletes who repeatedly overstretch their hamstrings can experience muscle strain until microscopic tears form, which is common. Similarly, individuals who sit for long periods can also experience hamstring issues. When individuals are not physically active, their hamstrings can become weak and shortened, leading to symptoms such as muscle pain, trigger points, and strain on the accessory muscles. Hamstring injuries can also cause other issues that affect the lower body extremities. This article will explore how hamstring injuries affect mobility and how non-surgical treatments help people regain mobility. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from hamstring injuries and inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain mobility. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Hamstring Injuries Implementing Other Issues
Do you experience stiffness in the back of your thighs when warming up before exercising? Are you feeling radiating pain from the side of your hips and glutes due to prolonged sitting? Or do you tend to limp, affecting your gait and walking? Many people are unaware they are overexerting their hamstrings, which can cause pain. Those who engage in sports or work sedentary jobs may over or underuse their hamstrings, affecting their flexibility and mobility to the lower extremities. According to research studies, hamstring injuries are the most common non-contact muscle injuries caused by two mechanisms of injuries: stretch-type and sprint-type. Sprint-type injuries associated with hamstrings occur when the muscles are overexerted due to maximal or near-maximal action, causing muscle fatigue. To that point, hamstring injuries can also affect a person’s walking mobility.
Running without properly warming up the hamstring muscle can cause muscle fatigue. Stretch-type injuries associated with the hamstring muscles involve combination movements that include extreme hip flexion and knee extension. These injuries can also mimic sciatica, leading people to believe their sciatic nerve is acting up. However, treatments available can help reduce the pain associated with hamstring injuries and lengthen the shortened muscle to reduce pain.
Best Lower Body Stretches To Increase Flexibility-Video
If you want to reduce the pain associated with hamstring injuries, incorporating RICE can help prevent it from becoming chronic. This involves gently stretching the affected muscle to avoid cramps and pain while increasing flexibility. Hamstring injuries can also be linked to other chronic issues, which can cause inflammation in the surrounding muscles. Studies show that conditions like piriformis syndrome can cause nerve entrapment in the hamstrings, resulting in radiating pain down the leg that mimics low back pain and sciatica. As previously mentioned, hamstring injuries can limit mobility and be linked to chronic conditions. Thankfully, non-surgical treatments can help reduce pain and provide relief. Check out the video above to learn different stretches that can help reduce pain in the lower body and increase flexibility.
Treatments To Restore Mobility
If rest, ice, compression, and gentle stretching do not provide relief, incorporating treatments for hamstring injuries to restore mobility can benefit many individuals. Seeking the help of a pain specialist, such as a massage therapist or chiropractor, to create a customized plan/program is recommended. There are various approaches that pain specialists can use to regain mobility and treat hamstring injuries.
MET Therapy
Many chiropractors and massage therapists incorporate MET (muscle energy techniques) therapy to gently stretch out the shortened hamstring muscle and help restore joint mobility in the lower extremities. In “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” written by Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., stated that MET is crucial in stretching and strengthening the hamstring muscles through isometric contraction. At the same time, additional research studies reveal that the MET technique allows the hamstrings to have a greater increase in hip flexion ranges. MET therapy also helps strengthen the accessory muscles surrounding the hamstrings to restore mobility.
Spinal Decompression
If hamstring injuries are caused by nerve entrapment, then trying out spinal decompression can help restore mobility to the hips and lower extremities. According to “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” written by Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., stated that spinal decompression is safe and gentle on the spine as it provides gentle traction on the spinal disc to reduce pain and increase disc height. When hamstring injuries are associated with nerve entrapment, it could result from a herniated disc that aggravates the nerve root and causes referred pain to the hamstrings. Using gentle traction on the spine can help alleviate the pain caused by the aggravating nerve and reduce pain in the hamstrings. Many individuals can incorporate these treatments to reduce hamstring injuries and regain their mobility back to their legs.
References
Chaitow, L., & Delany, J. (2002). Clinical application of neuromuscular techniques. Vol. 2, The lower body. Churchill Livingstone.
The musculoskeletal system comprises muscles, ligaments, and tissues surrounding the skeletal structure and vital organs. These components have various functions, including transporting blood and nutrients throughout the body and facilitating movement. However, chronic conditions or aging can cause pain-like symptoms, disrupting daily life and leading to disability. There are many available treatments, both surgical and non-surgical, that can help alleviate chronic pain. This article will explore how chronic pain affects individuals and how treatments like Muscle Energy Technique (MET) therapy can help address it. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from muscle pain while informing them about non-surgical treatments like MET therapy that can help reduce the effects of chronic pain associated with the musculoskeletal system. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Does Chronic Pain Affect The Individual?
Have you been dealing with shooting pain in your joints or muscles? When you wake up in the morning, do you feel constant stiffness in your joints? Or do you experience muscle pain slowly throughout the entire day? When it comes to chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system, it can be hard to pinpoint where the pain is located in the body. Research studies reveal that chronic musculoskeletal pain is a challenge for the individual and their doctors and a main contributor to disability worldwide. Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be non-specific and specific depending on the severity and factors contributing to its development. For many individuals experiencing chronic pain associated with the musculoskeletal system, the homeostatic and adaptive function in their muscle fibers has been stretched past their limits.
Additional research studies stated that factors like mechanical forces, ischemia, and even inflammation are all primary stimuli for chronic muscle pain. Factors like lifting/carrying heavy objects, persistent sitting, physical inactivities, and dietary habits all correlate to chronic muscle and joint pain, as repetitive motions or prolonged inactivity can either shorten or overstretch the muscle fibers. At the same time, chronic musculoskeletal diseases like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome can cause the affected muscles to stiffen, contract, and tender to the touch, which then causes the other surrounding muscles to take over and compensate for the pain. To that point, chronic musculoskeletal pain can cause many individuals to decrease their productivity, call off work constantly, and lead a life of disability.
From Consultation To Transformation- Video
Have you been dealing with constant muscle and joint pain throughout your life? Has the pain been unbearable that it is affecting your routine? Or do you feel aches or stiffness in your sides or different body areas? Throughout the entire world, many individuals suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain at one point in their lives, and it has become a social/economic burden. Research studies reveal that chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders can affect many other aspects of a person’s life. When chronic pain starts to affect a person’s ability to function, it can have a negative effect on the person’s mental health. When chronic pain is associated with musculoskeletal disorders, it also correlates with work, as many individuals with chronic pain have reduced work productivity, lost wages, and lost hours that can take a toll on their income. However, there is hope, as many affordable treatments can reduce the effects of chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associated symptoms. Non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and MET therapy can help many individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain find the relief they deserve. The video above explains how non-surgical treatments approach chronic musculoskeletal pain, from assessing patients through consultation to transforming their health and wellness. By taking back their health, many individuals can find relief from their pain and get back to their routines.
MET Therapy’s Approach To Chronic Pain
Non-surgical treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) therapy has a unique approach to reducing chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. In the book, “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., mentioned that the fascia and the characteristics of the connective tissues are relevant for MET by commencing stretching the affected muscles that are in chronic pain and use biomechanical forces to initiate a low intense force to lengthen the tissues and increase their flexibility. MET therapy helps many individuals with chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders, as research studies reveal that MET therapy can help increase the strength of weakened muscles and help increase the spinal ROM. MET therapy is non-surgical, cost-effective, and safe to reduce chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
Identifying The Patterns
Many pain specialists who incorporate MET will begin by assessing the individual with chronic pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders. They will get examined by testing their range of motion, spinal and joint mobility, and any additional factors to develop a personalized plan that caters to the individual. Once the pain issue is found, the individual will work with other medical professionals to help strengthen their muscles and help reduce the pain-like symptoms that are causing them. To that point, MET therapy combined with other treatments is beneficial for those with chronic illnesses and needs relief from pain.
Conclusion
Many individuals suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain often experience limited mobility, shortened muscles, and referred pain in different areas of their bodies. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a social/economic problem that has affected many individuals and left them missing out on important life events. Treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) therapy can help reduce pain by stretching the muscle fibers to alleviate pain and restore joint mobility to the body. When many individuals start to utilize MET therapy, it can reduce chronic pain and allow them to get back their health and wellness.
Regarding the musculoskeletal system, the various muscles, tissues, and ligaments help protect the spine and vital organs that make the body functional. These muscles are sectioned into different groups that help provide movement and motion to the host without feeling pain. However, when normal factors or traumatic forces begin to affect the musculoskeletal system, it can cause unnecessary stress on the muscle fibers. These environmental factors can lead to muscle pain and correlating symptoms affecting the upper and lower body portions. When muscle pain affects the body, it can mask other pre-existing conditions that can make the individual feel miserable. Fortunately, many individuals will go to therapy treatment to reduce the effects of muscle pain and have a personalized plan that they can follow to prevent muscle pain from returning in the future. Today’s article focuses on one of the non-surgical treatments known as MET (muscle energy technique) therapy that can help reduce the effects of muscle pain and what is the protocol treatment plan to relieve muscle pain in the body. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from muscle pain while informing them about non-surgical treatments like MET therapy that can help reduce the effects of musculoskeletal pain. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Does Muscle Pain Affect The Body?
Do you experience muscle aches, stiffness, or pain in one or more parts of your body? These pain-like symptoms are often caused by muscle pain. Research studies revealed that free nerve endings in muscle fibers can send pain signals to the brain, leading to decreased productivity and economic burden. Overstretching muscles during daily routines can cause trigger points, small nodules in muscle fibers that cause stiffness and contraction. This can lead to misalignment and additional problems over time.
Muscle pain can be a symptom of different conditions, with severity ranging from acute to chronic. Research studies stated that when musculoskeletal pain affects more than 30% of the world, it can significantly impact an individual’s life. This type of pain can be related to sensory innervation of the bones, joints, and muscles and can negatively affect a person’s daily routine. However, there are various ways to reduce muscle pain, which individuals can incorporate to relieve muscle pain and reduce its chances of returning.
Movement As Medicine- Video
When it comes to musculoskeletal pain, it can have a significant impact on a person’s body. It can affect their daily routine, causing them to have limited mobility and feel miserable. Musculoskeletal pain causes the involved muscle fibers to stiffen up and contract. This causes the surrounding muscles to compensate for the pain the affected muscle feels and causes body misalignment. However, all is not lost, as available treatments can help reduce the effects of muscle pain and can bring back a person’s mobility. One of these treatments is MET (muscle energy technique) therapy. Research studies reveal that MET is an osteopathic technique that many pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists use to improve musculoskeletal function by mobilizing joints, stretching tight muscles and facia to reduce pain, and improving circulation and lymphatic flow. Since many individuals don’t stretch their bodies as often as needed, their muscles can become tight and stiff, which causes the development of muscle pain. So by utilizing MET therapy, a person dealing with muscle pain can regain mobility. MET therapy can also be combined with other treatments like chiropractic care to help realign the body out of subluxation and strengthen/lengthen tight muscles. The video above explains how movement is used as medicine to reduce the effects of muscle pain.
MET Treatment Protocol
According to “Clinical Application of Neuromuscular Techniques,” written by Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., when the body is experiencing restricted joints, incorporating MET therapy can indicate where the problem is located in the soft musculoskeletal tissues. When it comes to many individuals going to MET therapy for muscle pain, many doctors have their protocol approach when assessing patients for muscle pain treatment.
Looking At Body Language
When assessing patients with muscle pain, looking at their body language and how they carry themselves is important. Many doctors and pain specialists should note how the individual is breathing, their posture, and if there is any perspiration on the skin. By taking note of how the individual looks physically, many doctors will begin to formulate a treatment plan while communicating with the patient to gather more information and create a trusting relationship. Afterward, the doctor can start the physical examination to locate where the pain is in the body.
Physical Examination
The MET treatment protocol’s physical examination portion allows the doctor to go through a sequential assessment involving observation, joint and muscle testing, palpations, evaluation of accessory movement, etc., to create a basic formula to create a personalized treatment plan. The physical examination of MET allows the muscles to influence muscle contractions on the surrounding fascia and alter the muscle’s physiology by reflex mechanisms. These stretches help the restricted joints be re-mobilized, and help stretch the tightened muscles to feel relief from metabolic waste.
Therapeutic Plan
The therapeutic plan for MET treatment is personalized and customizable for the individual to follow through to reduce muscle pain from re-occurring in the body. Many doctors specializing in MET therapy work with other associated medical providers to ensure that the person in pain has the help they need. Physical therapy, dietary nutrition, non-surgical treatments, and health coaches all work together to create a personalized health and wellness plan to make sure that muscle pain and its associated factors are being treated. This allows individuals to be more mindful of their bodies and regain their health and wellness.
Conclusion
Muscle pain can affect a person’s ability to move around and can affect multiple areas in the upper and lower body portions. Muscle pain correlates to tight muscle fibers that become stiff and can develop trigger points in the fascia and cause restricted movement. When this happens, it can cause the individual to miss out on daily activities and prevent them from working. Luckily available treatments can help reduce muscle pain by re-mobilizing the joints and stretching out the tight muscle. MET, or muscle energy technique therapy, helps stretch muscle fascia and mobilize joints to regain the body’s range of motion and help reduce muscle pain. Many people who incorporate MET into their daily routine can restore mobility and continue their health and wellness journey.
References
Chaitow, L., & Delany, J. (2002). Clinical application of neuromuscular techniques. Vol. 2, The lower body. Churchill Livingstone.
Many individuals are unaware of their pain until they perform specific movements that cause discomfort. This is due to the heavy weight that causes the body to carry an axial overload, compressing the spinal disc, which can lead to herniation or degeneration over time if not treated promptly. Compressed spinal discs can cause chronic conditions such as low back pain, spinal stenosis, or intervertebral disc disease (IDD). Several factors contribute to the development of IDD, including chronic conditions that can lead to compressed spinal discs. This condition can be relieved over time through therapy treatments that can reduce the pain effects of IDD and help individuals be more mindful of their spine. This article will discuss IDD therapy’s role in relieving spine pain, treatment protocols, and how it is combined with spinal decompression, a non-surgical therapy. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from back and spinal disc degeneration while informing them about non-surgical treatments like IDD(intervertebral disc degeneration) therapy and spinal decompression that can help relieve their pain and help rehydrate their spinal disc. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is IDD Therapy?
The spine comprises muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, and bones extending from the skull’s base to the bottom of the sacrum. Its primary function is to keep the body upright and protect the spinal cord from injuries. According to research studies, the spinal discs act as shock absorbers during movement and can become damaged over time, causing pain-like symptoms and chronic conditions. IDD therapy is a common treatment for reducing pain caused by degenerative discs.
Research suggests that intervertebral disc degeneration can cause symptoms related to musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain, disc herniation, and spinal stenosis. Conservative and non-invasive treatments can reduce the pain-like symptoms and effects caused by IDD. IDD therapy allows the spine to be re-toned, restructured and re-educated. Like spinal decompression, IDD therapy uses gentle traction pulling to rehydrate the discs and reduce the pressure on the nerve roots, as stated by research studies. IDD therapy helps restore muscle strength, increase the spine’s range of motion, and promote the body’s natural healing process to reduce spinal pain associated with environmental factors.
Home Exercise For Pain Relief- Video
Do you experience difficulty doing activities due to back pain? Do you feel stiffness or instability in your lower back? These may be symptoms of intervertebral degenerative disease caused by repetitive motions. IDD can cause chronic musculoskeletal disorders and disability. However, available non-surgical treatments like IDD therapy, which uses negative pressure to rehydrate the spinal disc, can reduce pain. Other non-surgical therapies like chiropractic care and physical therapy can help restore mobility and strengthen back muscles. Check out the video above for home exercise routines that relieve pain.
IDD Treatment Protocols
Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., wrote “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” explaining how chiropractors and massage therapists use personalized IDD therapy plans to treat musculoskeletal pain associated with intervertebral degenerative disease. IDD therapy involves strapping the individual to a traction machine and utilizing specific protocols for treatment.
The Treatment Schedule
The first step in IDD therapy is examining the individual’s range of motion, muscle strength, nerve conduction, and SSEP tests. This allows the doctor to document the pain’s location and develop a personalized treatment plan, including the indicated problem, treatment frequency, duration, etc. Afterward, the individual will receive other treatments before the IDD traction therapy machine.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Electro-stimulation
Interferential Stimulation
Hydrocolator
This machine gently pulls the spine to create negative space between the spinal column, allowing nutrients to rehydrate the disc and begin healing. The process lasts 20-30 minutes and may cause mild soreness, but progress is seen after a few sessions.
Pre-& Post-Session Physical Therapy
The benefit of combining IDD therapy with physical therapy is that stretching techniques can loosen the surrounding muscles before spinal mobilization, allowing the soft tissues to accept the treatment. After treatment, cryo-therapeutic therapy or an ice pack can alleviate soreness and inflammation. Drinking plenty of water is important to replenish intra-cellular cells, and physical activities can be slowly incorporated to strengthen muscles.
Conclusion
Taking care of the spine is important by not constantly allowing axial overload to compress the spinal disc through repetitive motion. This causes the disc to degenerate and lead to back pain. However, non-surgical treatments like IDD therapy can help reduce the pain and help strengthen the surrounding muscles protecting the spine. IDD therapy is similar to spinal decompression, which allows the individual to be harnessed to a machine and uses gentle traction on the spine to create negative space in the spinal column and promote the body’s healing factors. Many individuals can see the beneficial results over time and continue their daily routine pain-free.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
