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.*
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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.
The heart is a fantastic muscle in the body that allows hormones, oxygenated blood, and nutrients to travel and transport to all the muscles, tissues, and organs, providing functionality to the body. As one of the main components of the cardiovascular system, the heart works together with the lungs to help carry the deoxygenated blood to the pulmonary system to dispose of waste from the body. The human body needs the heart to stay healthy; however, factors like stress, obesity, autoimmune diseases, and unhealthy habits can affect the heart, causing cardiac issues associated with various body problems. Today’s article focuses on coronary heart disease, what are the risks associated with coronary heart disease, and ways to prevent coronary heart disease from progressively getting worse. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in cardiology treatments that help those with issues of coronary heart disease. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is Coronary Heart Disease?
Have you been experiencing hypertension in your body or near your heart? How about unexplained chest pains that randomly showed up? Have you experienced pain running down your shoulders and arms? Many of these are signs that you could be experiencing coronary heart disease. Research studies have defined coronary heart disease as a common heart condition with plaque formation in the heart vessels that cuts off the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart and the rest of the body. As part of cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease can cause overlapping profile issues over time if it is not treated right away. Many disruptive factors can affect the heart muscle like:
Age and gender
Oxidative stress
Inflammation
Vascular immune dysfunction
Lack of physical activities
These disruptive factors can increase cardiovascular disease mortality that can affect the heart and be co-morbidities associated with different issues affecting the body. Studies reveal that the mechanisms of cardiac pain are associated with the chest and upper left arm pain. This is defined as referred pain where the sensory input from visceral organs mimics cardiac distress, and the corresponding muscles are affected. But how does this correlate to the heart muscle, and why does the chest experience pain? Visceral pain is a bit trickier to diagnose when cardiovascular disorders overlap the risk profiles associated with other issues affecting the body. For example, you could be experiencing pain in your chest and upper back, but your brain is telling you something is affecting your heart.
An Overview Of CAD-Video
Have you experienced shortness of breath? How about pain located in your chest or radiating from your shoulders and arms? Have you noticed inflammation occurring in your body? Many of these are signs and symptoms of you experiencing coronary artery disease in your body. The video above explains what coronary artery disease is and the risk factors associated with the progression of this common heart disease. Studies reveal that the risk factors can overlap in profiles that contribute to the development of coronary heart disease:
Environmental factors
Lifestyle habits
Diabetes mellitus
Obesity
Symptomatic angina
Smoking
When a person has these risk profiles overlapping different associated issues, their body becomes dysfunctional. Sometimes the symptoms affect other areas of the body, while the brain might be signaled that something is wrong with the heart. Since coronary artery disease progresses slowly over time, many individuals don’t experience the symptoms affecting their heart muscles.
Risk Issues Associated With CHD
Some of these symptoms that overlap in risk profiles may seem like heart issues but may refer to different problems affecting the body. This is defined as viscero-somatic pain, where the pain in the internal organs is associated with the corresponding muscles that share the same nerve. Chest pain associated with heart issues is a perfect example. Studies reveal that chest pains can become indistinguishable from angina, which may result from abnormalities in the thoracic viscera that overlap in profiles with heart issues. So what does it mean? It implies that sensory neurons from different visceral organs might mimic cardiac pain-causing risk-associated problems that affect the thoracic region of the spine triggering neck and upper back issues. Everything is connected as chest pains, dyspnea, and dyspepsia are intertwined with the thoracic anteriority becoming a mediator for cardiovascular diseases.
Ways To Prevent CHD
So let’s visualize a person going to their primary physician due to them experiencing heart issues associated with chest pains after the doctor goes through a manual examination on checking the individual’s heart and chest to see what problems are affecting the body. What does this implicates, and how do chest and back pains correlate with each other if there are heart issues? Studies reveal that the peripheral tissues in the body might be damaged from traumatic events that cause an inflammatory swelling in the cervical and thoracic region of the spine, causing muscle stiffness. Chiropractic care might be the answer to relieving pain and swelling triggering cervical and thoracic pain. Chiropractors use chiropractic adjustments to deliver a non-invasive, gentle treatment that reduces spinal misalignments to enhance the functionality of the musculoskeletal system. This will improve spinal health in the cervical and thoracic regions of the body by decreasing inflammatory swelling associated with heart issues. Chiropractic care, a healthy diet, and exercise also work hand in hand by positively impacting co-morbidities of coronary heart disease and other body problems like obesity to reduce cholesterol, help strengthen the weak muscles along the neck and upper back, and promote blood flow to the heart.
Conclusion
As part of the cardiovascular system, the heart supplies hormones, oxygenated blood, and nutrients throughout the entire body by ensuring that the muscles, tissues, and organs are functioning. When factors like stress, obesity, and unhealthy habits begin to affect the heart, it can develop cardiac issues like coronary heart disease associated with various body problems. Chest pains associated with heart issues that trigger neck and back pain in the body are known as viscero-somatic pain. Available treatments like chiropractic care and changing unhealthy habits work hand in hand to positively impact co-morbidities of coronary heart disease and reduce muscle stiffness along the neck and back muscles of the cervical and thoracic spine.
References
Börjesson, M. “Visceral Chest Pain in Unstable Angina Pectoris and Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. (TENS). A Review.” Herz, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 1999, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10372297/.
Foreman, Robert D, et al. “Mechanisms of Cardiac Pain.” Comprehensive Physiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25880519/.
Malakar, Arup Kr, et al. “A Review on Coronary Artery Disease, Its Risk Factors, and Therapeutics.” Journal of Cellular Physiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30790284/.
Shahjehan, Rai Dilawar, and Beenish S Bhutta. “Coronary Artery Disease – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 9 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564304/.
The gut-brain axis is fundamental to the body as it communicates bi-directional with the brain and the gut. Separately they provide different functions that are required of the body. The brain, part of the central nervous system, allows the neurons to travel to each overlapping nerve root while having a causal relationship with different muscles and organs connected to the spinal cord. While the gut, which is part of the gastrointestinal and digestive system, helps modulate the body’s homeostasis and regulates the immune system. The nerves, muscles, and organs correspond as the nerve pathways interconnect to the spinal cord. When injuries or traumatic events affect the body, it can lead the individual to suffer from pain affecting their body while increasing the risk associated within different locations. For example, chronic stress causing gut inflammation is associated with headaches or neck and back pain. Today’s article focuses on the gut-brain axis, what happens when chronic issues affect the gut-brain axis, and how somatovisceral pain affects the gut-brain axis. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in gastroenterology treatments that help those with issues that affect the gut-brain axis and overlapping problems impacting the body. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
How Does The Gut & Brain Work Together?
The way the gut and brain correlate together is quite remarkable. The gut allows food to be digested in the stomach to be bio-transformed into nutrients the body needs to function. While the brain sends neuron signals through the spinal cord, those signals help provide the sensory-motor functions to make the body move. Now, how do the brain and gut work together in the body? Well, studies reveal that the gut-brain axis correlates to the various systems like the autonomic nervous system, the HPA axis, and the nerves surrounding the gastrointestinal tract help the brain influence intestinal activity and regulate cognitive function. Each of these vital organs has a causal relationship where they:
Help with sleep regulation
Improve memory functionality
Helps coordinate physical and emotional well-being
Regulating inflammatory responses
When chronic issues affect the gut-brain axis, it can cause an overlap in risk profiles that rise in the body and not just in the brain or the gut. Studies reveal that issues that begin to affect the gut-brain axis can cause alteration within the bi-directional pathway and trigger other problems that correlate to the body.
Chronic Issues Affecting The Gut-Brain Axis
Have you been suffering from fatigue? How about reoccurring headaches that never seem to go away? Do digestive complaints like IBS, GERD, or gut inflammation affect more than your gut? These chronic issues can be various factors that impact the bi-directional connection of the gut-brain axis. Stress, gut inflammation, traumatic events, food allergens, autoimmunity, and metainflammation are some overlapping risk profiles associated with neck and back pain. Studies reveal that chronic stress in the brain can affect the gut’s composition and functionality by alternating intestinal permeability. When the gut microbiome is being affected, the harmful bacteria begin to overproduce and trigger the sympathetic branch of the nervous system to cause an imbalance of hormones to be released and be associated with stress-related muscle dysfunction in the body. So what does this implicates to the body? Let’s say, for example, that you have been experiencing pain in the cervical region of the spine, but your brain is telling the body that it is a headache. This is known as somato-visceral pain.
An Overview Of Somatosensory Tract-Video
Have you been suffering from cognitive and memory dysfunction? How about experiencing gastrointestinal issues that are affecting your gut? Or have you experienced any cramping, gnawing, or sharp pain that seems to be triggered by movement and appears in one area of the body? This is known as somato-visceral pain and is defined as soft tissues and muscles experiencing pain that can affect the internal organs. Somato-visceral pain is much easier to identify than viscero-somatic pain because visceral pain is caused by damaged internal organs associated with distress in different body locations. At the same time, somato-visceral pain is often associated with musculoskeletal pain. The video above explains the somatosensory tract that is in the body and how the body responds to the somatosensory system. The somatosensory system is located within the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is responsible for modulating the body’s sense of touch, vibration, temperature, and pain receptors that are located in the body. When traumatic events affect the somatic nerves, they can trigger changes in the gut-brain axis and cause alterations to the affected organs.
Somatovisceral Pain Affecting The Gut-Brain Axis
When dealing with chronic stress, the effects cause a dysfunctional gut-brain axis and cause issues affecting the two organs. Studies reveal that when chronic stress becomes an associated mediator for gut disturbances and dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, it can cause an overlap in risk profiles in the body. So what does this mean, and how is the body affected by somato-visceral pain? First, let’s look at what happens when the body is affected by chronic stress. When stress affects the gut and the brain, it can cause issues like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or headaches. Studies reveal that IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that trigger visceral and somatic hypersensitivity on the sensory nerves. So the body experiencing sharp pain in the back or neck may be associated with IBS.
Now looking at headaches and their causes on the body, it is one example of somato-visceral pain. When a person is dealing with neck trauma due to an auto accident that causes whiplash can trigger cervicogenic headache. How do the two correlate with somato-visceral pain? Well, somato-visceral pain is when soft muscles and tissues are affected and can cause an impact on the internal organs. For cervicogenic headaches may trigger mechanical pain along the cervical spine to be aggravated by movement and be associated with musculoskeletal issues like rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or muscle strain on the upper cervical spine. Many individuals go to available treatments that can help them better understand the issue that is causing them to be in pain and how to alleviate them.
Conclusion
The gut-brain axis is fundamental in the body as it communicates bi-directional with the brain and the gut. These two organs help keep the body functioning as the brain provides neuron signals while the gut regulates homeostasis. The gut-brain axis helps the body by correlating with the various systems that help influence intestinal activity and control cognitive function. When traumatic factors affect the body’s soft tissues and muscles and trigger organ issues, this is known as somato-visceral pain. Somato-visceral pain is when the muscles are affecting the organs, and an example is cervical muscle strain associated with headaches. Providing much-needed information on available treatments can help many individuals when being examined by their physicians.
References
Appleton, Jeremy. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Influence of Microbiota on Mood and Mental Health.” Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), InnoVision Health Media Inc., Aug. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6469458/.
Carabotti, Marilia, et al. “The Gut-Brain Axis: Interactions between Enteric Microbiota, Central and Enteric Nervous Systems.” Annals of Gastroenterology, Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/.
Martin, Clair R, et al. “The Brain-Gut-Microbiome Axis.” Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Elsevier, 12 Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047317/.
Suslov, Andrey V, et al. “The Neuroimmune Role of Intestinal Microbiota in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 6 May 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8124579/.
Yuan, Yao-Zong, et al. “Functional Brain Imaging in Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Rectal Balloon-Distention by Using Fmri.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, June 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4611816/.
The digestive system in the body helps with the process of digesting food that the host consumes. The food being digested goes through a bio-transformation where it turns into nutrients and is stored in the intestines, liver, and gallbladder, where it turns into bile to be excreted out of the system to ensure a healthy functional gut system and body. But when disruptive factors like poor eating habits or gut issues start to affect the body and gallbladder, this causes many problems that can make an individual miserable. This affects their quality of life since they are dealing with painful issues in their bodies that overlap the primary source risk profiles. Today’s article looks at the gallbladder, how it functions with the body and parasympathetic nervous system, and how referred shoulder pain and gallbladder dysfunction are connected. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in gastroenterology and chiropractic treatments that help those with issues that affect their shoulders and gallbladder. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
What Is The Gallbladder?
The digestive system comprises the mouth, the internal organs from the GI tract, the liver, the gallbladder, and the anus, where food is consumed, digested, and excreted out of the body to keep it healthy. The gallbladder is a small organ that store and releases bile at the appropriate time into the intestines to be mixed with the digested foods to be excreted out of the body. This pear-shaped organ inflates and deflates like a balloon when it stores and releases bile while having a casual relationship with the nerves and hormones that help regulate the gallbladder functioning properly. Studies reveal that the ganglia become the target of causing the hormone cholecystokinin and the parasympathetic nerve to up or downregulate the neurotransmission to the gallbladder. This causes the gallbladder to be functional in the body.
What Are Its Functions In The Parasympathetic Nervous System?
So what are the functions that the gallbladder provides to the body? For starters, the parasympathetic nervous system allows the body to rest and digest the consumed food to be turned into nutrients. The parasympathetic nervous system also provides gallbladder stimulation as studies reveal that the gallbladder receives innervation from the parasympathetic nervous system connected to the vagus nerve that transmits information to the spine and the brain. Keeping and releasing bile from this pear-shaped organ helps regulate the gastrointestinal tract. This causal relationship between the gallbladder and the parasympathetic nerve is essential because the body needs to know when to store and release bile from the gallbladder, or it might trigger some issues that can do more harm to the body and even affect the gallbladder itself.
Do You Have Shoulder Pain?- Video
Have you been experiencing gut issues causing a sharp or dull ache in your back or sides? How about questionable shoulder pain that seems to come out of nowhere? Or are your experiencing inflammation in your digestive system? Many of these symptoms are signs of visceral-somatic pain affecting the gallbladder. Visceral-somatic pain is defined when there is damage to the organ, and it starts to affect the muscles in a different location in the body. The video above gives an excellent example of visceral-somatic pain in the gallbladder and the shoulder. Now many people wonder how shoulder pain is the mediator of the gallbladder? Well, inflammation in the liver and gallbladder causes the nerve roots to be hypersensitive and compressed. This leads to overlapping profiles, triggering pain in the shoulder muscles and associated with upper mid-back pain.
Referred Shoulder Pain & Gallbladder Dysfunction
Now say the individual is experiencing shoulder pain; however, when they rotate their shoulder, there is no pain? Where is the source of shoulder pain localized, and what is causing the issue? And why is it correlating to the gallbladder? This is known as referred pain, where the source of pain is poorly localized when it is located elsewhere. Studies reveal that gallbladder dysfunctions like cholecystitis might be associated with acute thoracolumbar shoulder pain. So what does this mean? It means that any referred pain that is the causation of shoulder pain gives the impression that something is wrong with the gallbladder. This would provide much-needed information when individuals are being examined by their physicians.
Conclusion
The body needs the digestive system to help process food the host consumes and excretes for a healthy functioning system. The gallbladder stores and releases bile to the digested food. This ensures that the nutrients and bile are transported and passed out of the body. When disruptive factors cause gut issues and affect the gallbladder, it can correlate to different problems impacting the body. An example would be gallbladder issues associated with shoulder pain. This is referred to as pain, which is from an affected organ and associated with the muscle in a different location. This can make the individual feel miserable and wonder what is going on with their shoulders when it might be something associated with their gallbladder. Available treatments can provide better knowledge to determine the problem and how to alleviate the issues.
References
Carter, Chris T. “Acute Thoracolumbar Pain Due to Cholecystitis: A Case Study.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, BioMed Central, 18 Dec. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4683782/.
Jones, Mark W, et al. “Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Gallbladder.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 8 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459288/.
Everyone around the world has dealt with pain that makes them feel uncomfortable and has them place their hands on the location where the pain is originating in their bodies. Many factors can become issues in the body, like a poor, unhealthy lifestyle that causes problems in the gut system and develop painful symptoms that affect the intestines. Stressful events that cause headaches that affect the neck and upper back muscles or gut issues that cause discomfort in the abdominal and back region. All these issues are known as referred pain, where a person feels pain in one part of their body, but it is caused by a different source of pain in a different location. An example would be an individual with back pain, but the pain is originating in their abdominal organs. Today’s article looks at various issues that mask low back pain in the body, how organ issues mimic low back pain, and how to alleviate these issues affecting the body. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in gastroenterology and chiropractic treatments that help those with issues that affect their back and gut system. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Different Issues Masking Low Back Pain
Have you experienced discomfort in your abdominal region causing pain in your lower back? How about pelvic issues that are causing bowel discomfort? Or constipation issues that are compressing the nerves in your lower back? These signs and symptoms correlate to visceral-somatic pain, defined as poorly localized pain characterized by irritated internal organs that cause muscle hypersensitivity from the same nerve. So what does this mean for a person experiencing back issues affecting their quality of life? Well, this might be an indication of the individual that might be suffering from gastrointestinal problems that are correlating to low back pain. Studies reveal any disturbances causing musculoskeletal or gastrointestinal complaints that could induce referred pain through the sympathetic nervous system. An example will be if the body suffers from infections from the kidneys that are associated with low back pain.
So how would the kidneys be associated with low back pain? What is the correlation? For example, a person is constantly eating foods with either a high salt content or a high protein in their system. These high food contents begin to form kidney stones in one or both organs, thus causing a sharp pain that triggers low back pain. As the kidney stones pass through the urinary tract, it administrates radiating pain to the body’s lower abdominal and pelvic region. Another example of issues that can mask low back is constipation in the abdominal area associated with pelvic dysfunction. How does this correlate to the lower back? Think of your abdominal organs overlapped by risk profiles associated with gut disorders. Signs like hypothyroidism, SIBO, celiac disease, or IBS can increase the risk associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, which causes bloating and constipation to the abdominal organs. These issues are co-morbidities to IBS as studies reveal that the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles are co-activated to increase spine stability and intra-abdominal pressure. Now it may seem not a bad thing to the body unless the individual is constantly standing for an extended period or is obese, thus becoming a mediator for the host to suffer from low back pain while being associated with pelvic dysfunction.
Organ Issues Mimicking Low Back Pain- Video
Have you been feeling muscle tenderness in the lower extremities of your body? How about gut issues that are associated with low back pain? Or are you feeling bowel dysfunction in your pelvic region? All these issues correlate to viscerosomatic pain, where the infected organ is causing issues to the muscle in a different location. The video above explains how various organ issues can mimic spinal and back pain in the body. One of the examples that the video explains is how kidney infections are associated with back pain. Studies reveal that visceral pain originating from the upper urinary tract coincidently correlates with the characteristics of referred pain and changes in the somatic tissues of the body.
Alleviating Issues Affecting The Body
Say an individual is suffering from low back pain issues; as they get their mandatory examination, they explain to their physician about their low back pain and what is happening. Once the suffering individual is situated, the physician begins to look over the body where the pain is located, either by physical examination or through the intake form they are looking over. So what does this implicates in the body? Well, studies have revealed that systemic pathologies of the visceral organs can mimic or mask musculoskeletal pain. An example would be someone who is experiencing gastrointestinal issues in their gut, and it’s triggering muscle spasms in the back. This causes the nerve roots to be hypersensitive to the visceral organs and increases the risk associated with low back pain.
Conclusion
Dealing with pain is no joke, primarily when the pain is located in a different body region. Sometimes the pain can be an organ issue that mimics muscle pain in the back. This is known as viscero-somatic pain, defined where infected organs are either mimicking or triggering muscle issues in different body locations. This causation is usually due to various factors like unhealthy lifestyle habits affecting the visceral organs and affecting the muscles that correspond to the organs, like IBS issues affecting the lower back. Available treatments are there to figure out what problems affect the body and provide a better understanding to alleviate them.
References
Basso, Francesca Lo, et al. “Manual Treatment for Kidney Mobility and Symptoms in Women with Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Urinary Infections.” De Gruyter, De Gruyter, 1 May 2021, www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2020-0288/html.
Bussey, Melanie Dawn, et al. “Is Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Associated with Development of Transient Low Back Pain during Prolonged Standing? A Protocol.” Clinical Medicine Insights. Women’s Health, SAGE Publications, 27 May 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537301/.
J;, Stowell T;Cioffredi W;Greiner A;Cleland. “Abdominal Differential Diagnosis in a Patient Referred to a Physical Therapy Clinic for Low Back Pain.” The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2005, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16355918/.
Lacy, Brian E, et al. “Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, 1 Apr. 2020, www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(20)30433-X/fulltext.
PJ;, Pedersen KV;Drewes AM;Frimodt-Møller PC;Osther. “Visceral Pain Originating from the Upper Urinary Tract.” Urological Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 May 2010, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473661/.
In the body, the heart is a vital organ that pumps blood to all the muscles, organs, tissues, and ligaments that require the body to function and move. As part of the cardiovascular system, the heart keeps the body alive by supplying nutrients and disposing of waste and carbon dioxide away from the body. Various factors can affect the body and the heart as well stressful events, unhealthy eating habits, limited physical activities, or autoimmune conditions can cause strain on the heart. Still, they can correlate to different symptoms in the body. This causes an overlap of risk profiles that may feel something is wrong with the heart but might affect another body part. Today’s article focuses on viscero-somatic pain affecting more than the heart muscle, how referred pain is defined, and various ways for treating viscero-somatic pain in the body. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in cardiovascular and chiropractic treatments that help those with issues that affect their hearts. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Visceral-Somatic Pain Affecting More Than The Heart
Are you experiencing radiating pain affecting your neck, arms, or back? How about feeling discomfort in your chest? Do gut issues seem to cause a burning sensation affecting your chest? Many of these symptoms overlap in risk profiles that seem like issues in the heart but can refer to something else affecting the body. This is known as viscero-somatic pain, usually defined as pain coming from the internal organs affecting the muscles that share the same nerve. Studies revealed that the autonomic nervous system mediates visceral-somatic pain. For the heart, the parasympathetic innervation comes from the cardiac branches of the vagus nerves connected to the spine and the brain. Since there is extensive autonomic innervation of the heart, the vagus nerve has a minor role in afferent pain transmission signaling.
An example would be having esophageal issues that are causing chest pains in your chest. So how would that correlate to the heart? Think of it as a person experiencing chest pains and whose brain is being signaled that something is wrong with their heart. Then, when they get treated, their results show that it was esophageal issues. Studies have revealed that spinal neurons receive input from a distal esophagus and receive the same information from the heart through viscero-somatic and viscero-visceral convergence. So what does this mean? This means that the sympathetic innervation of the heart is in a casual relationship to the first five thoracic spinal nerves. This indicates that some pain fibers affecting the heart are directly from the upper thoracic spine. Additional studies have mentioned that the vagus nerve connected to the upper thoracic spine can influence harmful afferent signals of the visceral organs to involve pain and joint stiffness in multiple organs and body structures.
Visceral Pain Explained- Video
Do you feel pain occurring on your shoulders or neck? How about severe pressure on your chest that might be something else? Or have you noticed issues that are affecting your heart are affecting your chest? Many of these are signs of visceral pain, where the pain of the damaged organ affects the muscle in a different body location. The video above explains visceral pain and uses an example of the cardiac muscle being affected by visceral pain. Studies reveal that the sensory input from different visceral organs can mimic cardiac pain due to viscero-somatic convergence of the cardiac input affecting the spinothalamic tract neurons in the spine to cause back issues in the thoracic region. So what does this implicates to the body? Well, say a person is experiencing chest and shoulder pains in their body; however, they’re experiencing heart problems that also affect them.
Treating Visceral-Somatic Pain In The Body
So, a person starts experiencing chest pain radiating from heart issues and goes to the doctor to see what is wrong with them. The physicians will begin to check on their hearts to see if anything is wrong or will be looking at their spine and chest through manual examination to see what is the issue that is affecting their bodies. So what does this mean to the body? Well, it could indicate that joint and muscle dysfunction in the neck and thorax is causing non-cardiac issues in the body. The influence of the spinal nerves on the cardiovascular function of the heart, since the afferent and parasympathetic efferents innervation of the heart, could disturb the upper cervical subluxation as the vagus nerve is being compressed. This correlates to other visceral organs mimicking cardiac pain and being the cause of musculoskeletal issues in the back.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the heart is a vital organ in the body that pumps blood to all the muscles, organs, tissues, and ligaments for functionality and nutrients distribution. The heart also share nerves in the parasympathetic innervation that connects to the vagus nerves which connects to the spine and brain to send information. However, various factors like lifestyle habits can affect the heart muscle and cause the individual chest pains that the brain is getting the signals that something is wrong with the heart. This is known a viscero-somatic pain where affected organs can cause muscle issues in the body in a different location. Treatments are available to figure out what the problem is going on with the body to understand better how to alleviate these viscero-somatic issues.
References
Foreman, Robert D, et al. “Mechanisms of Cardiac Pain.” Comprehensive Physiology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25880519/.
Garrison, David W, et al. “Viscerosomatic Convergence onto Feline Spinal Neurons from Esophagus, Heart and Somatic Fields: Effects of Inflammation.” Pain, U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 1992, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1408304/.
Leach, Austin, and Mike Fisher. “Myocardial Ischaemia and Cardiac Pain – a Mysterious Relationship.” British Journal of Pain, SAGE Publications, Feb. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590151/.
Soares, Bruno, et al. “Accuracy of Physical Assessment in Nursing for Cervical Spine Joint Pain and Stiffness: Pilot Study Protocol.” JMIR Research Protocols, JMIR Publications, 17 Dec. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8726037/.
Pain in different body areas can excruciate the host as it can affect other regions. In the body, pain can affect the muscles, tissues, organs, and skeletal joints through environmental factors that affect the body’s systems. For example, the gut system provides the body with overall health and wellness by regulating homeostasis and metabolism, which can be affected by common factors like stress or unhealthy eating habits that can cause joint inflammation due to overproducing harmful gut bacteria. Or how about poor posture affecting the organs in the pelvic region and causing the lower back and neck muscles to have a dull ache in the body. Today’s article looks at how pelvic pain affects the somato-visceral reflexes in the body and how there are treatments for relieving pelvic pain. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in chiropractic treatments that help those with pelvic pain. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
Somatovisceral Reflexes & Pelvic Pain
Have you experienced pain in your lower back or pelvic regions from sitting too long? Have you experienced bladder dysfunction that is causing you to urinate frequently? Or are you suffering from muscle cramps in the pelvic area? Studies have revealed that pelvic pain can be a chronic, persistent pain associated with co-morbidities like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), neurological disorders, or low back pain. Pelvic pain is challenging to diagnose since it is multifactorial and shares various nerve roots that send signals to the brain. For example, individuals that suffer from pelvic pain will complain about the somatovisceral convergence affecting their reproductive organs and connective tissues. Other issues like prolonged sitting and poor posture can also affect the lumbosacral nerve root as it is being compressed, causing low back pain and pelvic organ dysfunction.
The somato-visceral reflexes of the pelvic muscles can become overstretched and compress the surrounding nerve roots like the sciatic nerve and the lumbosacral nerve, causing issues of sciatica or lower back pain. Studies have also revealed that individuals who suffer from spinal cord injuries can disrupt the somatic lumbosacral nerve pathway that is responsible for coordinating bladder function to the pelvic region. These pathways can also produce different autonomic reflex responses to the various organs and somatic afferents. For example, if a female is experiencing pain in her hips or thighs from hyper-sensitive nerve roots, the brain will register that as pain in her reproductive system. Or, if the pelvic muscles are hypersensitive to the touch, something might be affecting the genital regions.
An Overview Of Pelvic Pain- Video
Have you experienced muscle tenderness located in the pelvic region? Have stressful events caused changes in the reproductive system? Have you experienced pelvic pain that is associated with low back pain? You might be experiencing these systems due to pelvic pain and associated co-morbidities. The video above gives an overview of pelvic pain and how it affects the body. Research studies have revealed that the characteristic of mechanically induced pelvic pain and organic dysfunction that correlates to lower sacral nerve root compression results from low back disorders. The environmental factors that can cause low back conditions include:
Obesity
Heavy lifting
Muscle strain
Poor posture
Herniated disc
Treatments For Pelvic Pain
Various treatments can help relieve these overlapping risk profiles associated with pelvic pain and low back pain that are causing the issue and strengthen the weak muscle affected. Exercising can help support the hip and thigh muscles to prevent muscle strain on the low back and pelvic muscles with the combination of chiropractic therapy to provide beneficial pain relief. Chiropractic therapy on the lumbar spine can help alleviate pelvic pain and lumbosacral nerve root irritation affecting the pelvic region. The effects of chiropractic therapy help sustain the caudal flexion of the lumbar spine and release the muscle that aggravates the lumbosacral nerve root that is running along the pelvic region.
Conclusion
Pain affecting the pelvic region can be due to co-morbidities affecting different areas in the body. With pelvic pain being multifactoral, it can be a challenge to diagnose since it shares various nerve roots signaling to the brain. This causes many individuals to complain about somatovisceral convergence that can affect their reproductive organs and connective tissues in the pelvic region. Other issues like low back pain associated with prolonged sitting and poor posture can cause pelvic pain too. Treatments like chiropractic therapy and exercising can help strengthen the low back and pelvic muscles to alleviate painful symptoms that are causing underlying issues and discomfort in the body.
References
Browning, J E. “Mechanically Induced Pelvic Pain and Organic Dysfunction in a Patient without Low Back Pain.” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 1990, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2212886/.
Browning, J E. “Chiropractic distractive decompression in treating pelvic pain and multiple system pelvic organic dysfunction.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 12,4 (1989): 265-74. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2527938/
CM;, Spitznagle TM;Robinson. “Myofascial Pelvic Pain.” Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 9 June 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25155122/.
Craggs, Michael D. “Pelvic Somato-Visceral Reflexes after Spinal Cord Injury: Measures of Functional Loss and Partial Preservation.” Progress in Brain Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2006, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16198702/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, and Nishant Gupta. “Chronic Pelvic Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 11 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554585/.
Viscerosomatic Gut Bloating: Everybody has healthy bacteria in the gut, but it can get thrown off balance with unhealthy bacteria that start taking over. Stress, viruses, and antibiotics can disrupt healthy bacteria levels. The bacterial balance known as the microbiome in the intestines is an essential factor in body wellness. The connection between intestinal and overall health is an important one as the gut is responsible for producing serotonin, a primary chemical necessary for emotional wellbeing. A viscerosomatic reflex is an organ/s causing pain to show up in the area where the injured, infected, dysfunctional organ is or, as referred pain in other areas of the body. Stress and unhealthy foods contribute to weight gain, organ stress, and chronic pain.
Viscerosomatic Gut Bloating
Bloating
Bloating is the feeling of pressure or gas in the abdomen. Distention refers to the physical expansion of the abdomen. However, these symptoms can present separately or in combination. Bloating can be a symptom on its own but often presents alongside other gastrointestinal disorders like:
After eating, flatulence, belching, bloating, and distention are a normal part of the digestive process. These issues are not considered problems until they cause pain and/or disrupt everyday life.
Stress
Stress can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, increasing pain receptors and distress-related bloating. Stress can disrupt the normal microbiome, creating intestinal dysbiosisand bacterial overgrowth. This can lead to digestive problems and symptoms that include bloating. This can be partly from excess gas production causing the sensation of bloating and physical distention combined with stress, creating an increased perception of bloating.
Foods Can Cause Inflammation
Animal products can cause inflammation because meat, poultry, and fish contain endotoxins/lipopolysaccharides found in the outer membrane of bacterial cells. These compounds are classified as toxins as they can cause health problems. No matter how these foods are cooked or prepared, the endotoxins are still present, absorbed into the body, and can trigger immune responses like inflammation. Eggs can cause inflammation because they contain high levels of cholesterol and arachidonic acid, which is an acid that is part of the inflammatory response. Excess cholesterol in the blood can trigger inflammation as well.
Dairy products can also trigger the inflammatory response in individuals that don’t produce the lactase enzyme, which breaks down the lactose in dairy products, are intolerant of casein and whey, two proteins in cow milk, or from the hormones and antibiotics given to cows to stimulate milk production and prevent infection. Dairy consumption has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and inflammatory conditions that include:
Acne
Asthma
Type 1 diabetes
Arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Other Causes of Bloating
Other health conditions can present with visceral gut bloating and distention. This includes disorders and other underlying causes that include:
Musculoskeletal disorders can increase bloating and abdominal distention and can be triggered by stress. Two include:
Abdominal Muscle Dysfunction
These are abnormal contractions of the diaphragm and belly muscles that can occur after eating that can cause the nervous system to create a sense of bloating.
This viscerosomatic reflex leads to unhealthy postures and enlargement of the abdominal muscles that can worsen bloating sensations.
Exercises can be recommended to retrain the muscles to contract, usually after eating, which can help reduce bloating.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Stressful situations naturally cause muscles to tighten, leading to increased contractions in the pelvic floor muscles.
These muscles control the bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
The opposite can happen when the pelvic floor muscles become too relaxed. This can make it difficult to have regular bowel movements.
Increased tone and/or over-relaxed muscles can lead to various symptoms, including bloating.
Chiropractic and Health Coaching
The nervous system controls the digestive process. Properly aligning the spine releases the stress and strain on the bones, muscles, and nerves to work correctly. Chiropractic body adjustments, diet/lifestyle adjustments, supplemental recommendations, and exercises can reduce the underlying causes of viscerosomatic gut bloating. Digestive problems such as:
Chronic heartburn
Gas
Constipation
Diarrhea
Bloating
Irritable bowel syndrome
Chiropractic offers a medication-free approach to treating digestive issues.
Descompresion Espinal DRX9000
References
Dragan, Simona, et al. “Dietary Patterns and Interventions to Alleviate Chronic Pain.” Nutrients vol. 12,9 2510. 19 Aug. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12092510
Fifi, Amanda C, and Kathleen F Holton. “Food in Chronic Pain: Friend or Foe?.” Nutrients vol. 12,8 2473. 17 Aug. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12082473
Lacy, Brian E et al. “Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating.” Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology: the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association vol. 19,2 (2021): 219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056
Mari, Amir et al. “Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management.” Advances in therapy vol. 36,5 (2019): 1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7
Rice, Amanda D et al. “Decreasing recurrent bowel obstructions, improving quality of life with physiotherapy: Controlled study.” World journal of gastroenterology vol. 24,19 (2018): 2108-2119. doi:10.3748/wjg.v24.i19.2108
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