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.
How do healthcare professionals provide a clinical approach in the role of nursing to reducing pain in individuals?
Introduction
The practice of Registered Nurses (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), and Licensed Practical Nurses (L.P.N.) is governed by the Nurse Practice Act. Nurses working in the specializations above must keep up their practice skills and knowledge, which includes familiarity with the rules and regulations that pertain to their profession. Practicing practical nursing is authorized for Licensed Practical Nurses (L.P.N.s). Today’s article looks at the role of nursing. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess any pain or discomfort they are experiencing. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate into their personalized treatment plan to manage the pain. Dr. Jimenez, DC, includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Roles In Nursing
The Nurse Practice Act describes practical nursing as “the performance of selected various actions, including the administration of numerous treatments and medications, in the care of the ill, injured, and providing the promotion of wellness, health maintenance and prevention of illnesses while following under the direction of a registered nurse, a licensed physician, osteopathic physician, podiatric physician, or a licensed dentist.” It was revised in 2014 and now teaches broad health and wellness concepts to non-nursing students and the public. The main goal for an RN is to complement the access to health care for individuals in pain or who are dealing with chronic issues. (Cassiani & Silva, 2019)
Many individuals are under the supervision of a registered nurse, doctor, or dentist, individuals who have completed a prelicensure practical nursing education program approved by the Board, a professional nursing education program, and graduate practical nursing students qualifying as professional nursing students; however, licensed practical nurses who have not completed the specified course under Rule 64 B9-12.005, FAC, may perform a limited scope of intravenous therapy. This range consists of:
Intravenous Therapy Within the Scope of the Practical Nurse:
Calculate and adjust the flow rate of IV therapy.
Observe and report both subjective and objective signs of various reactions to IV administration to the patient.
Must inspect the insertion site, change the dressing, and remove the intravenous needle or catheter from the peripheral veins
Hanging bags or bottles of hydrating fluid.
Intravenous Therapy Outside the Scope of the Practical Nurse:
Initiation of blood and blood products
Initiation or administration of cancer chemotherapy
Initiation of plasma expanders
Initiation of administration of investigational drugs
Making IV solution
IV pushes, except for heparin flushes and saline flushes
It is appropriate for licensed practical nurses to provide treatment for patients undergoing such therapy, even though this rule restricts the practice of licensed practical nurses. 64B-12.005 Requirements for Competency and Knowledge required for the LPN to be qualified to give IV therapy. If the IV Therapy Course Guidelines published by the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses Education Department are completed, an LPN may be certified to administer IV therapy. The LPN can take part in further training to provide IV therapy via central lines while supervised by an RN. “The Central Lines. The Board acknowledges that a Licensed Practical Nurse, as defined in subsection 64B9-12.002, FAC, may provide intravenous therapy via central lines under a registered professional nurse’s supervision with the necessary education and training. Four hours of instruction is the minimum required for appropriate education and training. The thirty hours of education for intravenous therapy needed for this rule’s subsection may include four hours of training. At the very least, didactic and clinical practicum instruction in the following areas must be included in the education and training mandated by this subsection:
Central venous anatomy and physiology
CVL site assessment
CVL dressing and cap changes
CVL flushing
CVL medication and fluid administration
CVL blood drawing
CVL complications and remedial measures
The Licensed Practical Nurse will be evaluated on clinical practice, competency, and theoretical knowledge and practice after completing the intravenous therapy course via central lines. A Registered Nurse must witness the clinical practice assessment and file a proficiency statement on a Licensed Practical Nurse. The Licensed Practical Nurse will be evaluated on clinical practice, competence, and theoretical knowledge and practice. A Registered Nurse who oversees the clinical practice assessment must sign a proficiency statement attesting to the Licensed Practical Nurse’s competence in administering intravenous treatment through central lines. The applicant’s Licensed Practical Nurse personnel file must contain the proficiency statement. 64B9-12.005 code.
Professional nursing is practiced by registered nurses (RNs). The Nurse Practice Act defines this as “the performance of those numerous acts requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and nursing skill based upon the applied principles of psychological, biological, physical, and social sciences.” Professional nursing goes beyond hands-on care to include nursing diagnosis, planning, supervision, and training other staff members in the theory and execution of any tasks mentioned above. Additionally, nurses must use numerous experiences to assist patients with an understanding of empathy to make them feel comfortable and safe. (Torres-Vigil et al., 2021)
Delegations & Certificates For Nursing
The delegation of responsibilities to another healthcare provider or a competent unlicensed individual is permitted by the Florida Nurse Practice Act. When assigning a task or activity, the registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) must consider appropriateness. They had to consider the possibility of patient injury, the difficulty of the work, the outcome’s predictability or unpredictability, and the resources—including staff and equipment—available in the patient environment. The RN and the LPN may assign tasks outside the supervising or delegating nurse’s scope of practice. These tasks include determining the nursing diagnosis or interpreting nursing assessments, developing the plan of care, establishing the goals of nursing care, and assessing the progress of the care plan. The role of nursing is to promote advocacy and create a direct relationship with patients. (Ventura et al., 2020)
464.0205 Retired Volunteer Nurse Certificate
A retired practical or registered nurse may apply for a retired volunteer certificate from the Board of Nursing to work with underprivileged, impoverished, or critically ill populations. They are directly supervised by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, director of a county health department, and:
Provides services under the certificate only in sponsored settings that the Board has approved
The scope of practice for a certified volunteer is limited to primary and preventive health care by the Board.
A retired volunteer nurse shall not:
Administer controlled substances
Supervise other nurses
Receive monetary compensation
464.012 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
“The Barbara Lumpkin Prescribing Act” was proposed towards the end of 2018. This Act helps many practitioners convert a certificate to a license, and it takes effect on October 1, 2018. This Act established a transition timeline and process for practitioners certified as advanced registered nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists as of September 30, 2018, to practice as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Until the department and Board complete the transition from certification to licensure, established under this Act, an advanced registered nurse practitioner who is holding a certificate to practice on September 30, 2018, may continue to practice with all the rights, authorizations, and responsibilities under this licensure section as an advanced practice registered nurse. They may also use the applicable title under s.464.015 after this Act’s effective date.
The Board of Nursing requires the following to establish an APRN license:
A nurse who wants to become an advanced practice registered nurse must apply to the APRN department, provide documentation that they meet the requirements set out by the Board, and have a valid license to practice professional nursing or an active multistate license to practice professional nursing by s. 464.0095.
Accreditation by a relevant specialty board. To become a certified nurse in any nursing department and to renew your current state license, you must first obtain this certification. For a duration deemed suitable for preparing for and passing the national certification examination, the Board may, by rule, grant certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse practitioners, psychiatric nurses, and certified nurse midwives provisional state licensure.
Completing a master’s program in a clinical nursing specialty field and training in particular practitioner skills. For candidates who will graduate on or after October 1, 1998, paragraph (4)(a) requires completion of a master’s degree program to be eligible for initial certification as a certified nurse practitioner.
The Board of Nursing defines APRN’s role/duties:
Prescribe, dispense, administer, or order any medication; however, an advanced practice registered nurse is only permitted to prescribe or dispense the controlled substance as specified in s.893.03 if they have completed a master’s or doctoral program that provides training in specialized practitioner skills and leads to a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical nursing.
Initiate appropriate therapies for certain conditions.
Performed additional functions as may be determined by rule under s.464.003.
Order diagnostic tests and physical and occupational therapy.
Order any medication for administration to a patient in a facility.
Beyond the general duties mentioned in subsection (3), an APRN is qualified to carry out the following tasks within their area of expertise:
Within the confines of established protocol, the certified nurse practitioner may carry out any or all of the following actions:
Manage selected medical problems.
Order physical and occupational therapy.
Initiate, monitor, or alter therapies for certain acute illnesses.
To monitor and manage patients with stable chronic diseases.
Established behavioral problems and diagnoses and made treatment recommendations.
The Stature goes on to define the functions of anesthetists and nurse midwives. Refer to the Statue for more details.
Obtaining & Maintaining Nursing License
A license may be acquired through testing, endorsement, or the Nurse Licensure Compact’s enactment. Upon application and a non-refundable payment fee determined by the Board, the department will grant the necessary license by endorsement to engage in professional or practical nursing to the applicant who can provide proof to the Board that they:
Possesses a valid license to practice professional or practical nursing in another state or territory in the United States, provided that the requirements for licensure in that state were either more stringent or substantially equivalent to those in Florida when the applicant obtained their original license.
Fulfills the requirements outlined in s.464.008 for licensing and has passed a state, regional, or national exam that is at least as difficult as the one administered by the department.
Has spent two of the previous three years actively practicing nursing in a different state, territory, or jurisdiction within the United States without having any action taken against their license by any jurisdiction’s licensing body. Under this paragraph, applicants who obtain a permit must finish a board-approved Florida laws and rules course within six months of receiving their license. After reviewing the findings of the national criminal background check, the applicant will be granted the relevant license by endorsement as soon as the department determines that the applicant has no criminal history.
It will be assumed that any exams and requirements from other US states and territories are roughly the same or more demanding than those from this state. This assumption will materialize on January 1, 1980. The Board may, however, establish rules designating some states and territories, the qualifications and exams for which shall not be deemed to be substantially similar to those of this state.
When an individual submission of the appropriate application and fees, as well as the successful completion of the criminal background check that is required under subsection (4), an applicant for licensure by endorsement who is relocating to this state due to the official military orders of their spouse with a military connection and who is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact in another state will have all the requirements satisfied.
The applicant must submit a set of fingerprints to the department on a form and per departmental rules. The applicant must also pay the department a sum equal to the expenses the Department of Health paid for the applicant’s criminal background check. For a statewide criminal history check, the Department of Health will send the applicant’s fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement will forward the fingerprints to the FBI for a nationwide criminal history check. When an applicant satisfies all other requirements for licensure and has no criminal record, the Department of Health will review the results of the criminal history check, issue a license, and refer all other applicants who have a criminal history back to the Board for a decision on whether or not to issue a permit and under what circumstances.
Until the investigation is finished, at which point the requirements of s.464.018 will take effect, the department will not grant an endorsement license to any applicant who is being investigated in another state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States for an act that would violate this part or chapter 456. After completing all necessary data collection and verification, the department will issue a license within 30 days. It will also develop an electronic applicant notification process and provide electronic notifications upon application receipt and completion of background checks. Suppose the applicant must appear before the Board because of information on their application or because of screening, data gathering, and verification procedures. In that case, the 30-day license issuance time will be extended. The qualifications for licensure by endorsement in this section do not apply to an individual with an active multistate license in another state under s. 464.0095.
Licensure By Examination
Anyone who wants to take the licensing exam to become a registered nurse must apply to the department. The department will assess each candidate who:
The applicant has fulfilled the requirements by filling out the application form and paying the $150 fee set by the Board. Additionally, they have paid the $75 examination fee set by the Board and the actual cost per applicant to the department for purchasing the exam from the NCSBN (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) or a comparable national organization.
Possesses enough information as of October 1, 1989, or later, which the department needs to provide to conduct a statewide criminal records correspondence check with the Department of Law Enforcement.
Possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent, is in good mental and physical health, and has fulfilled the prerequisites for:
Graduation from an approved program
Graduation from a pre-licensure nursing education program equivalent to an approved program determined by the Board.
Graduated on or after July 1, 2009, from an accredited program
Graduation before July 1, 2009, from a pre-licensure nursing education program whose graduates were eligible for examination.
Completing courses in a professional nursing education program may satisfy the educational criteria for licensing as a licensed practical nurse. Possesses the ability to communicate in English, as assessed by a department exam. Unless rejected by s.464.018, any applicant who passes the exam and has completed the educational requirements listed in subsection (1) is eligible to become a licensed practical nurse or registered professional nurse, as the case may be.
Regardless of the jurisdiction in which the examination is administered, any applicant who fails the test three times in a row will need to finish a remedial course approved by the Board to be eligible for reexamination. The candidate may be permitted to attempt the test up to three times after completing the remedial course before being forced to undertake remediation. After the remedial process, the applicant has six months to petition for a reexamination. By regulation, the Board will set requirements for remedial education.
An applicant who completes an approved program must be enrolled in and complete a board-approved licensure examination preparing course if they choose not to take the license examination within six months of graduation. The applicant cannot use federal or state financial aid to cover any course-related expenses; they are solely responsible for covering them. The Board will set rules for the preparatory courses for licensing exams. Section 464.0095 exempts an individual from the licensure requirements if they currently have an active multistate license in another state (2).
Licensure Upon Enactment of the Nurse Licensure Compact
Florida passed the Nurse Licensure Compact into law. This allows nurses to participate in 26 states’ licensing compacts. The call to remove the burdensome and redundant system of duplicate licensure and to advance public safety and health advantages led to the enactment of this law. The official statement is as follows:
“This agreement becomes operative and legally binding on December 31, 2018, whichever comes sooner, or on the day it is enacted into law by at least 26 states. Within six months following the implementation date of this compact, any member states that were also parties to the previous Nurse Licensure Compact (“prior compact”) that this compact replaced are considered to have withdrawn from the previous compact.”
Until a party state is withdrawn from the prior compact, each party state to this one shall respect a nurse’s multistate licensure privilege to practice in that party state granted under the preceding compact. Any party state may opt out of the compact by passing a law canceling it. A party state’s departure becomes effective six months after the repealing Act is passed. Any cooperative arrangement, including nurse licensure agreements, between a party state and a nonparty state that complies with the other conditions of this compact remains valid and unaffected by this compact. The party states may alter this contract. Only when it is incorporated into the laws of every party, state a modification to this compact is binding on the party states and becomes effective. Before all party states adopt this compact, representatives of nonparty states to the agreement will be invited to engage in commission activities without being able to vote.
Unlocking Vitality: Chiropractic Wisdom & The Science of Functional Healing-Video
Continuing Nursing Education Requirement
Licenses need to be renewed every biennium or every two years. One contact hour must be completed for each calendar month of the licensure cycle in a given year. The hours stipulated in subsection (1) at the designated times must include the following continuing education courses as a necessary component:
A 2-hour course in prevention of medical errors must be completed each biennium.
A 1-hour course in HIV/AIDS in the first biennium only
A 2-hour course in Florida laws and rules in each biennium
Effective August 1, 2017, a 2-hour course in recognizing impairment in clinical approach and every other biennium after that.
On or after January 1, 2019, a 2-hour course on human trafficking and each biennium after that.
A 2-hour course in domestic violence is required every third biennium.
In addition, the Florida Board of Nursing requires general hours of continuing education to fulfill the requirement of one contact hour for each calendar month of the licensure cycle. These hour requirements are updated on their website. In addition to the courses mentioned above, they currently demand 16 hours of continuing education in general nursing.
Nurse Licensee With Two Licenses & CE Requirements
A licensee with an RN and an LPN license may fulfill CE requirements by completing the necessary RN-specific continuing education. Visit the Board of Nursing website for further information regarding the rules, as mentioned earlier, and the exceptions.
Standards For Continuing Education
Learner Objectives: The objectives should outline the anticipated behavioral outcomes of the learners and be measurable, reachable, and pertinent to the state of nursing practice today. The goals will dictate the curriculum, mode of instruction, and assessment strategy.
Subject Matter: The content must be specifically created to satisfy the participants’ learning needs, levels, and objectives. The information will be arranged logically and incorporate advice from subject-matter experts. Appropriate subject matter for continuing education offerings should include information from one or more of the following. It should represent the learner’s professional educational needs to address the consumer’s health care demands:
Nursing areas and special health care problems.
Biological, physical, behavioral, and social sciences.
Legal aspects of healthcare
Management/administration of health care personnel and patient care
Teaching/ learning process of health care personnel and patients
Evaluation: It must be demonstrated in a way that satisfies the Board that participants are given the chance to assess the educational opportunities, delivery strategies, facilities, and resources utilized in the offering. At the end of the learning process, self-directed learning activities—such as computer programs, web-based courses, internet research, and home study—must be used to assess student knowledge. There must be ten questions or more in the assessment. For the learner to be eligible for the contact hours, they must receive an evaluation score of at least 70%. The provider is required to grade the assessment.
References
Cassiani, S. H. B., & Silva, F. (2019). Expanding the role of nurses in primary health care: the case of Brazil. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem, 27, e3245. doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.0000.3245
Torres-Vigil, I., Cohen, M. Z., Million, R. M., & Bruera, E. (2021). The role of empathic nursing telephone interventions with advanced cancer patients: A qualitative study. Eur J Oncol Nurs, 50, 101863. doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2020.101863
Ventura, C. A. A., Fumincelli, L., Miwa, M. J., Souza, M. C., Wright, M., & Mendes, I. A. C. (2020). Health advocacy and primary health care: evidence for nursing. Rev Bras Enferm, 73(3), e20180987. doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0987
Emotional challenges like anxiety and depression or digestive disorders can cause individuals to experience a nervous stomach. Can knowing common symptoms, what causes them, and when to see a healthcare provider help manage the disorder?
Nervous Stomach
A nervous stomach is usually nothing to worry about, but it can happen occasionally as a reaction to a new environment, groups of people, foods, stress, and anxiety. Symptoms include indigestion, fluttering stomach/butterflies, or a gut-wrenching feeling. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023) Causes include underlying psychological and physical health conditions, certain medications, and lifestyle factors. Individuals experiencing chronic or ongoing symptoms should speak with a healthcare provider about their full range of symptoms. Treatments include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms
Nervous stomach symptoms can vary. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, and physical symptoms may also lead to stress and anxiety. This is because the brain and gut connection communicates which hormones and neurotransmitters will be released and when. Common symptoms include: (Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023)
Loss of appetite
Butterflies or fluttering feeling in the stomach
Upset stomach
Indigestion
Bloating
Flatulence
Gut-wrenching feeling
Cramping
Nausea, dry heaving
Increased need to urinate or have bowel movements
Constipation
Diarrhea
Out-of-sync hunger cues
Causes
In most cases, a nervous stomach will come and go. However, it can also be caused by disorders such as anxiety disorder, depression, or gastrointestinal and digestive disorders. Brain health contributes to gut health, and vice versa. The brain is always communicating with the digestive system, and the digestive system is always sending information back to the brain. (Foster, J. A., and McVey Neufeld, K. A. 2013) (University of Chicago Medical Center, 2024) Common causes of a nervous stomach include: (Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023)
Over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause a nervous stomach as a side effect. This can happen when taking a single medication or more than one simultaneously. It can also occur in those with food sensitivities or other medical conditions. (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024) This is why consulting and updating a healthcare provider on the current list of prescribed and over-the-counter medications is important. Some meds can irritate the stomach, while others can cause constipation or diarrhea, leading to discomfort and nervous stomach symptoms. Common medications that may cause stomach side effect symptoms include: (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can weaken the stomach lining.
Iron, antacids, and pain meds can cause constipation.
Antibiotics can cause diarrhea.
Home Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity and cause/s. An infrequently nervous stomach may benefit from over-the-counter therapies to calm it and/or lifestyle changes to reduce stress. Tips for reducing stress and anxiety include (Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023)
More frequent short breaks during the day
Practicing slow and deep breathing
Listening to guided meditations for stress-relief
Adding exercise to the daily routine
Realizing that stomach problems are part of anxiety and worrying about symptoms may make them worse.
Medical Treatment
Individuals may benefit from additional support treatment options with a healthcare provider (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024)
Antidepressant treatment for nervous stomach and/or irritable bowel syndrome.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for stress relief and learning how to manage anxiety.
Medical hypnotherapy
If symptoms are a side effect of medication or certain foods, a healthcare provider can develop an effective treatment plan that includes using another medication that is easier on the stomach or seeing a dietician.
Complications
Left untreated, a nervous stomach can contribute to further symptoms and other health problems. One study looked at the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and certain psychiatric disorders. (Fadgyas-Stanculete, M. et al., 2014) This does not mean that a psychiatric disorder causes a nervous stomach or that a nervous stomach causes a psychiatric disorder. It is more likely that a combination of chemicals released when stressed can hurt gut health. This creates imbalances known to be risk factors for digestive disorders and conditions. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023)
Seeing a Healthcare Provider
Most nervous stomach symptoms resolve on their own. However, certain signs and symptoms can indicate that it is time to see a healthcare provider. Discuss symptoms with a healthcare provider who will order lab tests to check for underlying causes like anemia. See a healthcare provider immediately if you notice the following (University of Chicago Medical Center, 2024)
Symptoms are making work and/or normal life challenging.
Chronic or unresolved gastrointestinal issues like heartburn.
Unexplained weight reduction – losing weight without exercising or diet changes.
Blood in stool or blackish, tarry stools.
Vomiting
If there is a medical history of digestive disorders or cancers such as stomach cancer or colon cancer, this will help a healthcare provider. Depending on overall symptoms and family medical history, individuals may be referred to a gastroenterologist and/or a mental healthcare provider, like a counselor or psychiatrist. At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, we treat injuries and chronic pain syndromes by developing personalized treatment plans and specialized clinical services focused on injuries and the complete recovery process. We work with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution through an integrated approach to treating injuries and chronic pain syndromes, improving flexibility, mobility, and agility programs to relieve pain and help individuals return to optimal health. If other treatments are needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers to provide the most effective treatments.
Foster, J. A., & McVey Neufeld, K. A. (2013). Gut-brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312. doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005
Fadgyas-Stanculete, M., Buga, A. M., Popa-Wagner, A., & Dumitrascu, D. L. (2014). The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: from molecular changes to clinical manifestations. Journal of molecular psychiatry, 2(1), 4. doi.org/10.1186/2049-9256-2-4
Ness-Jensen, E., & Lagergren, J. (2017). Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Best practice & research. Clinical gastroenterology, 31(5), 501–508. doi.org/10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004
Can individuals with rheumatoid arthritis incorporate various exercises to reduce joint pain and inflammation in their hands and feet?
Introduction
The joints in the human help provide function, mobility, and flexibility to the upper and lower extremities. The joints are part of the musculoskeletal system and have an outstanding relationship with the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues that give the body structure and support that lets the individual move around and protects the important organs to function normally. However, when a person is dealing with injuries or illnesses that affect the body’s musculoskeletal function, it can cause pain to the individual. One of the symptoms that often correlate in the joints is chronic inflammation, leading to the development of an autoimmune disease known as rheumatoid arthritis. Today’s article looks at how rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints in the musculoskeletal system and how various exercises can help manage and reduce the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess rheumatoid arthritis and its associated pain symptoms affecting the joints. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate various exercises into their personalized treatment plan to manage the pain correlated with rheumatoid arthritis. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How RA Affects The Joints
Do you feel pain and tenderness in your joints affecting your daily routine? Do you experience stiffness first thing in the morning, and it goes away throughout the day? Or do you feel fatigued throughout the day, even after a good night’s sleep? Many individuals with these symptoms could be dealing with early development of rheumatoid arthritis in their joints. Now, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affects the body’s joints but is more prominent on the hands, wrists, and feet. The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can develop early or slowly depending on the environmental factors contributing to the development. Since rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as a systemic autoimmune disease, genetic and environmental risk factors that can contribute to rheumatoid arthritis development can trigger overlapping risk profiles on the joints. (Jang et al., 2022) When a person is dealing with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, one of the key pain symptoms that can affect the joints drastically is inflammation. Inflammation is associated with rheumatoid arthritis; it is reflected by joint pain, leading to swelling and subsequent destruction of the cartilage and bone. (Scherer et al., 2020) This causes many individuals to be in constant pain and prevents them from doing any activities.
Additionally, when a few joints are being affected by rheumatoid arthritis in the early stages, some of the symptoms include:
Fatigue
Flu-like symptoms
Swollen & tender joints
Stiffness
However, when rheumatoid arthritis reaches the later stages in the joints, the autoantigens that are specific to rheumatoid arthritis can lead to a self-perpetuating chronic inflammatory state on the joints, thus causing an expansion on the periarticular bone at the cartilage-bone junction, leading to bone erosion and cartilage degradation. (Lin et al., 2020) Luckily, there are therapeutic options to reduce the pain and inflammatory effects of rheumatoid arthritis and help manage the symptoms that are affecting the joints.
Arthritis Explained- Video
How Various Exercises Can Help With RA
When it comes to reducing the inflammatory effects of rheumatoid arthritis, many individuals can seek out therapeutic options to restore mobility, function, and flexibility. Many individuals can incorporate various physical activities to relieve stress on the inflamed tissues while slowing the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. (Radu & Bungau, 2021) When people with rheumatoid arthritis incorporate various physical activities, they can include a healthy diet and nutrition to suppress pro-inflammatory effects associated with rheumatoid arthritis, help provide symptomatic improvement, and restore bodily function to the joints. (Gioia et al., 2020)
When people with rheumatoid arthritis start exercising as part of their personalized treatment, it can have beneficial properties as they can help with the following:
Reduce joint pain & stiffness
Improve muscle strength around the joints
Enhance physical function
Boost mental health
Reduces inflammation
Increase energy levels
The main priority of incorporating exercises to reduce rheumatoid arthritis is choosing gentle exercises on the person’s joints while providing enough movement to keep the body flexible and strong. Below are some exercises to reduce rheumatoid arthritis.
Range of Motion Exercises
Range of motion exercises can help maintain normal joint function by improving flexibility and reducing stiffness for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Some examples include:
Finger Bends: Gently bend your fingers into a fist and straighten them. Repeat several times.
Wrist Stretch: Extend your arm with the palm facing down. Gently use your other hand to press the extended hand down and back for a stretch.
Shoulder Rolls: Roll the shoulders in a forward circular motion, then reverse the direction.
Strength Training Exercises
Strength training can help build the surrounding muscles around the joints. This allows many individuals with rheumatoid arthritis to provide better support and reduce stress on the joints. Some examples include:
Resistance Bands: Use resistance bands to perform bicep curls, leg extensions, and chest presses.
Light Weights: Incorporate light dumbbells to perform exercises like shoulder presses, tricep extensions, and squats.
Bodyweight Exercises: Engage in wall push-ups, seated leg lifts, and modified planks.
Water-Based Exercises
Water-based exercises provide resistance without impact on the joints, making it ideal for those with rheumatoid arthritis. The water helps cushion the joints by easing the stiffness, building strength, and helping relax sore muscles. Some examples of water-based exercises include:
Water Aerobics: Join a water aerobics class that offers structured routines in a supportive environment.
Aqua Jogging: Use a buoyancy belt to jog in the pool’s deep end.
Swimming: Perform laps or engage in gentle exercises like the backstroke or breaststroke.
Tips For Exercising With RA
It is important to remember that when exercising with rheumatoid arthritis, it is important to always start with a gentle warm-up and always end with a cool down to prepare the muscles and joints when beginning to exercise. Another thing to remember is to stay consistent and modify when needed. This allows many individuals to listen to their bodies and modify exercises to avoid pain and discomfort. Incorporating exercises is highly effective in reducing rheumatoid arthritis activity as it can help enhance the body’s immune function and help manage the inflammatory response associated with rheumatoid arthritis. (Li & Wang, 2022)
References
Gioia, C., Lucchino, B., Tarsitano, M. G., Iannuccelli, C., & Di Franco, M. (2020). Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations? Nutrients, 12(5). doi.org/10.3390/nu12051456
Jang, S., Kwon, E. J., & Lee, J. J. (2022). Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathogenic Roles of Diverse Immune Cells. Int J Mol Sci, 23(2). doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020905
Li, Z., & Wang, X. Q. (2022). Clinical effect and biological mechanism of exercise for rheumatoid arthritis: A mini review. Front Immunol, 13, 1089621. doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1089621
Lin, Y. J., Anzaghe, M., & Schulke, S. (2020). Update on the Pathomechanism, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cells, 9(4). doi.org/10.3390/cells9040880
Radu, A. F., & Bungau, S. G. (2021). Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview. Cells, 10(11). doi.org/10.3390/cells10112857
Scherer, H. U., Haupl, T., & Burmester, G. R. (2020). The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis. J Autoimmun, 110, 102400. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2019.102400
Can athletic individuals with ACL injuries find relief through non-surgical treatments to restore knee mobility?
Introduction
The body’s lower extremities help the individuals to be mobile but also help stabilize the body’s upper weight. From the hips to the feet, many people are on their feet and using every muscle group to allow functionality. Athletic individuals use their lower extremities to do various physical activities and are susceptible to injuries. An ACL injury is one of the most common and feared injuries that can impact an athletic person’s performance. These types of injuries affect the knees of the individual and can make a person feel miserable. However, numerous surgical and non-surgical treatments can help the recovery process of an ACL injury while helping the individual restore their motion to their lower extremities. Today’s article looks at what an ACL injury is, how it affects the knees, and how non-surgical treatments can help restore knee mobility from ACL injuries. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess ACL injuries affecting their mobility. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate and provide them with numerous non-surgical treatments to be incorporated into their personalized treatment plan. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Is An ACL Injury?
Do you feel aches or pains around your knees after a long exercise regime? Do you feel or hear a loud popping sensation in your knees? Or do you experience pain and swelling affecting your ability to be mobile? Many of these pain-like scenarios are correlated with ACL injuries, that is amongst the most common and feared injuries for athletic individuals and non-athletic individuals. However, we must look at the ACL itself to better understand ACL injuries. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) plays an important role as it helps with knee joint stabilization, prevents excessive forward movements from the tibia (shin bone), and limits rotational knee movements. (Yoo & Marappa-Ganeshan, 2024) This ligament is one of the most injured structures affecting athletic performance. ACL injuries and tears can lead to many individuals having knee instability and an increased risk of future knee osteoarthritis. (Atik, 2024) This is because ACL injuries typically occur during physical activities involving sudden stops, jumps, or directional impacts to the knees.
How Does It Affect The Knees?
So, how do ACL injuries affect the knees of the individual? As stated earlier, the ACL is a crucial ligament that stabilizes the knee joint during movement. When that ligament is injured, it can cause pain-like symptoms like:
Pain
Limited range of motion
Knee instability
Altered biomechanics
This causes many people to have reduced physical activity levels, which can become a great economic burden to their daily routine. (Wang et al., 2020) When dealing with ACL injuries, it can also affect the meniscus in the knees as cartilage erosion often accelerates and can potentially lead to early osteoarthritis, which correlates with ACL injuries. (Key et al., 2022) However, when a person is dealing with ACL injuries, there are numerous treatments to reduce the pain-like symptoms caused by ACL injuries and help restore knee mobility.
Overcoming An ACL Injury-Video
Non-Surgical Treatments For ACL Injuries
When finding the right treatment for ACL injuries, many individuals can incorporate non-surgical treatments as part of their customized treatment plan. Non-surgical treatments can vary and may be suitable for individuals with partial ACL tears and knee instability and who have been involved in low-impact sports. When athletic individuals are dealing with ACL injuries, by incorporating non-surgical treatments, they can address the impairments, achieve functional stability, and safely return to their physical activities while improving the neuromuscular system to achieve functional knee stability. (Diermeier et al., 2020) Non-surgical treatments can positively impact many individuals by relieving the overlapping pain-like issues affecting the knees and the severity of ACL injuries.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is one of the many non-surgical treatments that can benefit individuals dealing with ACL injuries. Chiropractic care incorporates mechanical and manual manipulation to diagnose and treat any musculoskeletal issues associated with ACL injuries and emphasizes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. For many athletic and non-athletic individuals with ACL injuries, chiropractic care can offer several benefits:
Pain management
Enhancing mobility and flexibility
Improving balance
Strengthening supporting muscles
Chiropractic care can help individuals by stretching and strengthening weak muscles and soft tissues that can help break down scar tissues that may have surrounded the knee while improving blood flow to the injured area. Chiropractors can also incorporate specific rehabilitation exercises and physical therapy for the individual, focusing on strength, flexibility, and stability in the knees and surrounding muscles.
Physical Therapy
Another form of non-surgical treatment is through physical therapy. Physical therapy can help many individuals with ACL injuries through strength training, balance, and range of motion exercises that are catered to strengthen the surrounding muscles and help maintain the knee’s stability, flexibility, and mobility. Stretching exercises like Pilates and Tai Chi are favorable for ACL rehabilitation as they are important for functional outcomes and ACL stability. (Giummarra et al., 2022) Additionally, many individuals can utilize a functional knee brace to provide additional support to the knees when doing any physical therapy, as they can help stabilize the knee and prevent unwanted movements that could exacerbate the ACL injury. While ACL injuries are serious, non-surgical treatments offer viable alternatives for many athletes. Individuals can effectively manage their injuries and lead active, fulfilling lives by focusing on physical therapy, utilizing supportive braces, and adopting lifestyle modifications.
References
Atik, O. S. (2024). The risk factors for second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear after ACL reconstruction. Jt Dis Relat Surg, 35(2), 255-256. doi.org/10.52312/jdrs.2024.57920
Diermeier, T., Rothrauff, B. B., Engebretsen, L., Lynch, A. D., Ayeni, O. R., Paterno, M. V., Xerogeanes, J. W., Fu, F. H., Karlsson, J., Musahl, V., Svantesson, E., Hamrin Senorski, E., Rauer, T., Meredith, S. J., & Panther Symposium, A. C. L. T. C. G. (2020). Treatment after anterior cruciate ligament injury: Panther Symposium ACL Treatment Consensus Group. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc, 28(8), 2390-2402. doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06012-6
Giummarra, M., Vocale, L., & King, M. (2022). Efficacy of non-surgical management and functional outcomes of partial ACL tears. A systematic review of randomised trials. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 332. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05278-w
Key, S., Baygin, M., Demir, S., Dogan, S., & Tuncer, T. (2022). Meniscal Tear and ACL Injury Detection Model Based on AlexNet and Iterative ReliefF. J Digit Imaging, 35(2), 200-212. doi.org/10.1007/s10278-022-00581-3
Wang, L. J., Zeng, N., Yan, Z. P., Li, J. T., & Ni, G. X. (2020). Post-traumatic osteoarthritis following ACL injury. Arthritis Res Ther, 22(1), 57. doi.org/10.1186/s13075-020-02156-5
Yoo, H., & Marappa-Ganeshan, R. (2024). Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament. In StatPearls. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32644659
How can healthcare professionals recognize and establish protocols for individuals who are being trafficked and provide a safe place?
Introduction
Today, we will look at part two of this series, which is about recognizing trafficking in a clinical setting. Today’s article in this two-part series of recognizing trafficking helps inform many healthcare professionals to understand the roles and protocols for identifying trafficking that is affecting their patients and help provide a safe, positive space for them. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess and identify trafficking in the clinic while taking the proper protocols to ensure patient safety. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate and provide them with a safe and positive space. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Health Care Professional’s Role in Identifying Trafficking
Even though they may come across victims of human trafficking and have the chance to step in, many healthcare professionals believe they lack the knowledge and self-assurance needed to recognize these victims and offer them the kind of aid they need. As an illustration:
Just 37% of social workers and medical professionals surveyed again had any training in recognizing and supporting victims of human trafficking (Beck et al., 2015).
It is extremely hard for processors to identify and aid victims because traffickers move their victims around a lot and employ various strategies to evade discovery. Frequently, it could be your final interaction with the victim (Macy & Graham, 2012).
There can be a companion who comes across as very domineering, who won’t let the patient spend time alone with you, or who insists on filling out paperwork or talking on the patient’s behalf.
It’s possible that neither the victim nor their friend will have identification or insurance paperwork and will just pay in cash.
The victim or their companion may refuse to answer questions.
The victim may decline additional testing and follow-up care.
The victim may have physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and signs of psychosocial stress.
The victim may not know the city and state that they are in.
The victim may appear fearful when asked questions or in the presence of their companion.
The victim may exhibit feelings of shame, guilt, helplessness, or humiliation.
You may notice inconsistencies in basic information, such as age, name, address, work history, or information regarding living status and daily activities.
If the patient does not speak English, where are they from, and how did they arrive?
If the patient is a minor, who and where is the guardian?
The victim may have unusual tattoos to indicate that they are the “property” of their trafficker.
Recognizing the Signs of Trafficking
You can more easily spot possible victims and offer the right help if you are aware of the typical warning indicators of human trafficking. The following are typical signs that someone is being trafficked. Naturally, not all victims or forms of trafficking will exhibit all of the indicators. Work and Living Conditions (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d.):
The victim may not be able to come and go on their own or leave their current home or work situation.
Human trafficking victims are often minors who are forced to engage in commercial sex acts.
The individual may work in the commercial sex industry and be under the control of a pimp or manager.
The victim may be required to work unusual or excessively long hours.
The victim may receive little, if any, pay or may only receive tips.
The victim may be subjected to unusual or extreme restrictions at work or may not be allowed to take breaks.
The victim may owe a large debt to their “employer.”
The victim may have been lured to their current work or living situation through false promises about the nature of their work or living environment.
The victim’s home or work location may have unusually high security, such as opaque or boarded-up windows, bars on windows, high fences, and security cameras.
The victim may be required to live at their work location.
The victim may experience various signs of abuse at the hands of their employer.
The victim may not be paid directly. Instead, the money is directed to the supervisor or manager, who deducts a large percentage for living expenses and other debts.
The victim may be forced to meet unreasonable daily quotas.
The victim may be forced to work in unsafe work environments without the proper safety equipment.
Chiropractic Care for Healing After Trauma-Video
Best Practice Guidelines for Interviewing Trafficking Individuals
As a healthcare provider, you must continuously weigh the different courses of action at every interview process step. To establish trust and ensure safety, practitioners must, above all, put aside preconceived notions and assumptions about the victims and their behavior (Hodge, 2014; DeBoise, 2014; Hemmings, Jakobowitz, & Abas, 2016). Zimmerman and Watts (2003) suggest that the World Health Organization has produced rules for every phase of the interview process, which include the following recommendations:
It’s critical to keep in mind that every trafficking scenario and survivor is distinct, making it crucial to pay attention to and accept each person’s account.
It could take some time for victims to open up and be willing to talk about their experiences because it can be hard for them to build rapport and trust.
You should take precautions to protect both you and the victim because you should anticipate that the victim is at risk of psychological, bodily, social, and legal harm.
To prevent further upsetting the victim, you should consider the risks and advantages before beginning the interview process, as it can be a traumatic experience in itself.
While you should direct victims to available resources when necessary, you should avoid making unfulfilled promises or pledges.
The amount of time it takes for victims of human trafficking to be prepared to embrace change might vary greatly. Some victims can be eager to look for new possibilities and to improve their circumstances. Some people can be less likely to accept assistance because they haven’t developed enough trust issues or because they fear retaliation from their trafficker.
Depending on the situation, many service providers or interpreters must be present during the interview. Everyone taking part in the interview process ought to be reasonably knowledgeable about human trafficking, including how traffickers manipulate their victims and how to interact with them in a way that respects their cultural differences. To maintain anonymity and ensure the victim can communicate freely and honestly, you should refrain from using interpreters who are acquainted with the victim or who live in the same neighborhood.
Having an emergency safety plan in place is crucial to shielding the victim from harm—both from others and self-harm.
Consent must always be obtained voluntarily for all interventions, including interviews. For many victims who have never known autonomy or self-determination, this may be a foreign idea.
Avoid using legal or technical jargon.
Furthermore, it’s critical to remember that trauma survivors may suffer after treatment can have a lasting effect on all facets of their lives, making psychological, emotional, and physical safety a top priority. It is reasonable to presume that the person provides the most accurate account of their experience at that time. A person’s guarded, defensive, and belligerent behavior may be only their coping mechanism for their trauma. (V. Greenbaum, 2017)
How to Report Known or Suspected Trafficking
The best way to report suspected trafficking is by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline or texting the number 711 if the patient responds affirmatively to the evaluation questions if your findings imply that they might be victims of human trafficking. Additionally, you can text 233733. Basic details about the case will be requested from you, such as (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d.):
the location of the suspected trafficking
the name of the alleged trafficker, if possible
your city and state
how you learned about the hotline
Health care providers who know or believe that a youngster is being abused, neglected, or abandoned should report their concerns to law enforcement or the relevant child welfare agency right away, as they are required reporters under child abuse and neglect statutes. You can report abuse online or by calling the Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline in the state you are residing in.
Documenting Physical Findings
Physical findings should be meticulously and precisely recorded using written descriptions, freehand sketches that have been identified and annotated, and digital or film photos with the patient’s consent. Regarding photography, the picture should show the patient’s face and the lesion or injury measured using a coin, ruler, or other common object. The photo should include a piece of paper bearing the date the picture was taken. More photos can capture up close shots of every pertinent lesion or injury. Serial follow-up photos over seven to ten days can be used to record the healing or advancement of ecchymoses and other injury-related symptoms. A statement identifying the photographer and attesting to the accuracy and integrity of the images ought to be incorporated into the chart. Before any photos are taken, consent for the photographic documentation should be sought and recorded. Patients should be aware of their rights, which include the ability to decline all photographic documentation or limit it to a limited number of specified locations.
In addition to providing essential medical care, the healthcare professional should work to establish an environment where each patient feels respected, comfortable, cared for, validated, and empowered to reveal if they so choose. If the patient does not feel “ready” to demonstrate in the clinical environment, disclosure may happen later. As a result, for at-risk patients, every single clinical interaction should be seen as a step toward their eventual safety.
Laws & Policies for Human Trafficking
The United States has enacted a variety of laws and policies designed to prevent human trafficking, punish the perpetrators, and protect the survivors. One of these laws and policies is the Trafficking Victims Protection Act law or the TVPA (U.S. Congress).
This is the centerpiece of federal human trafficking legislation. The act focuses on three primary areas:
The TVPA seeks to prevent human trafficking through increased training and awareness.
The act seeks to protect trafficking victims by providing them access to services using federal funds similar to other refugees.
The act establishes trafficking and related crimes as federal offenses subject to stiff penalties.
One way that the legislation protects victims of human trafficking is that it absolves them of consequences for engaging in criminal activities that arise from their trafficking experience, such as entering the nation using fraudulent documents or working without the proper authorization. In addition, families of trafficking victims are qualified for T visas, which let them stay in the nation to support federal law enforcement in their pursuit of the offenders. After three years, victims can then apply to become permanent residents. Depending on the specific circumstances, many individuals may be entitled to assistance and benefits, such as access to the Witness Security Program and reparations. In addition, individuals between 16 and 24 could qualify for the Job Corp program and work permits.
Others criticize the TVPA. Usually, the onus is on the victim to prove their innocence or compulsion first. Second, the act emphasizes sex trafficking more than other types of human trafficking, which ignores how intricate human trafficking is. Only victims and survivors of “severe” types of trafficking who are prepared to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution of their offenders are eligible for the services provided under the act. This ignores the severity of the abuse the victims endured and the degree of mistrust and terror they might harbor toward both the abuser and others in positions of power.
Preventing Trafficking Through Awareness, Interventions, & Resources
In the shadows, human trafficking flourishes. We eradicate the shadows where human traffickers lurk by increasing public and health practitioner awareness of the problem (Hodge, 2008; Gozdziak & MacDonnell, 2007). For instance, putting up signs and pamphlets on human trafficking can not only help to enhance public awareness but also boost the chance that victims may come forward on their own. Brochures and posters are free from the Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Trafficking.
When assisting victims of human trafficking, practitioners and service providers need to be able to engage with a variety of governmental, legal, medical, and social service organizations and institutions. Generally speaking, there are three main categories into which the care and services that a victim falls (Dell et al., 2019; Johnson, 2012; Oram & Domoney, 2018):
Immediate Services
Services Related to Recovery
Services About Reintegration
Resources for Providers
The National Human Trafficking Resource Center’s referral database can be consulted by providers looking to connect with local programs that assist victims of human trafficking or who need assistance for a victim or survivor. Many healthcare providers can check out the website to provide helpful resources in their local area.
Conclusion
Any human trafficking violates fundamental rights. Since human trafficking has many underlying roots, eradicating the issue would need different approaches on various fronts. When it comes to addressing racism, poverty, oppression, prejudice, and other factors that lead to human trafficking, healthcare professionals need to be dedicated to facing this issue both within their patient population and in partnership with colleagues from different disciplines. Physicians, social workers, counselors, and other health care professionals are required by their code of ethics to lead in addressing power abuses and advancing social justice. Practitioners can accomplish this, among other things, by teaching others and themselves about the intricate dynamics and international scope of human trafficking.
References
Beck, M. E., Lineer, M. M., Melzer-Lange, M., Simpson, P., Nugent, M., & Rabbitt, A. (2015). Medical providers’ understanding of sex trafficking and their experience with at-risk patients. Pediatrics, 135(4), e895-902. doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-2814
DeBoise, C. (2014). Human Trafficking and Sex Work: Foundational Social-Work Principles. Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism, 12(1), 227–233. muse.jhu.edu/article/541879/pdf
Dell, N. A., Maynard, B. R., Born, K. R., Wagner, E., Atkins, B., & House, W. (2019). Helping Survivors of Human Trafficking: A Systematic Review of Exit and Postexit Interventions. Trauma Violence Abuse, 20(2), 183-196. doi.org/10.1177/1524838017692553
Gozdziak, E., & MacDonnell, M. (2013, March 4). Closing the Gaps: the Need to Improve Identification and Services to Child Victims of Trafficking by School of Foreign Service – Georgetown University – Issuu. Issuu.com. issuu.com/georgetownsfs/docs/gozdziak-closing-the-gaps
Greenbaum, V. J. (2017). Child sex trafficking in the United States: Challenges for the healthcare provider. PLoS Med, 14(11), e1002439. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002439
Hemmings, S., Jakobowitz, S., Abas, M., Bick, D., Howard, L. M., Stanley, N., Zimmerman, C., & Oram, S. (2016). Responding to the health needs of survivors of human trafficking: a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res, 16, 320. doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1538-8
Hodge, D. R. (2008). Sexual trafficking in the United States: a domestic problem with transnational dimensions. Soc Work, 53(2), 143-152. doi.org/10.1093/sw/53.2.143
Macy, R. J., & Graham, L. M. (2012). Identifying domestic and international sex-trafficking victims during human service provision. Trauma Violence Abuse, 13(2), 59-76. doi.org/10.1177/1524838012440340
Oram, S. (2021). Responding to the mental health needs of trafficked women. European Psychiatry, 64(S1), S12-S12. doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.55
Zimmerman, C., & Watts, C. (2003). Ethical and safety recommendations for intervention research on violence against women. Www.who.int. www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241510189
How do healthcare professionals provide a clinical approach to recognizing trafficking to individuals seeking a safe environment?
Introduction
Around the world, there is a phenomenon that local media and organizations are paying more attention to and that many people should be aware of. This is known as trafficking, and it can encompass a wide range of activities, from forced labor in various industries to sex work. While most individuals of trafficking are usually young women or children, it can affect many individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Many survivors of trafficking are compelled to live with the psychological and physical injuries they sustained from the mistreatment they endured at the hands of their traffickers. This course aims to give medical professionals and others in allied fields an understanding of the realities of human trafficking, as well as the kinds of resources and interventions that can be used to help many individuals trafficking in this two-part series. Today’s article overviews trafficking and how it can impact the individual. In part two, we will discuss the roles and protocols of how healthcare professionals can identify trafficking while providing a safe and positive space for the individual. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess and identify trafficking in the clinic. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate a customized treatment plan for their pain and provide them with a safe and positive space. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Definition of Trafficking
It can be challenging to define trafficking since it frequently coexists with other problems like forced marriage, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and forced labor. (Hume & Sidun, 2017) As the United Nations stated, trafficking encompasses the following activities: “as recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of many individuals using the threat or use of force to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for exploitation.” (United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, n.d.) The following components of this definition include:
Act: This is a reference to the different forms of human trafficking, including the hiring, transferring, receiving, and harboring of individuals.
Means: Coercion, force, fraud, kidnapping, deception, abuse of power or weakness, or providing cash or other rewards to someone in a position of authority over the victim are typically used to carry out trafficking.
Purpose: Traffickers engage in forced labor, prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced servitude, slavery, and even organ harvesting to further their financial interests.
While the terms are occasionally used synonymously, human trafficking and people smuggling are not the same. Human smuggling is the transportation of a person into the nation by illicit means; it is voluntary, as the person smuggled usually offers compensation to another individual or party to achieve this purpose (Lusk & Lucas, 2009).
The broad term of human trafficking in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act includes both labor trafficking and sex trafficking. Sex trafficking is when someone is under the age of 18 and is obtained, patronized, or solicited for a commercial sex act by deception, force, or compulsion. The forced, coerced, or fraudulent submission of an individual to slavery, debt bondage, involuntary servitude, or peonage is considered labor trafficking. According to the U.S. Congress, the TVPA does not require that trafficking take place if a person is physically moved from one location to another.
The Statistics Of Trafficking
Determining the actual extent of the problem is challenging due to the complexity of the human trafficking issue and the fact that both the offenders and the victims frequently go unnoticed. A few published estimates from academics, researchers, and organizations and agencies responsible for recording and monitoring occurrences of human trafficking are as follows:
According to estimates from the International Labour Organization, there are over 40 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. (International Labour Organization, n.d.)
Over 51,000 complaints of cases of human trafficking have been received by the National Human Trafficking Hotline since 2007 (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d.).
The number of persons thought to be trafficked in the United States varies greatly from year to year, with estimates ranging from 40,000 to 50,000. (Weizter, 2007)
In 2017, the United States Department of Justice obtained 1,045 convictions for offenses related to human trafficking, a 78% increase from 2015. (International Labour Organization, n.d.).
According to the International Labour Organization, over 15 million people are in forced marriages, 4.8 million people are victimized by sex trafficking, and forced labor trafficking claims the lives of almost 25 million people globally. (International Labour Organization, 2017)
In the US, Florida is the third-most popular destination for victims of human trafficking. In 2018, there were 767 reports of human trafficking incidents in Florida and close to 1,900 contacts with the National Human Trafficking Hotline. There was almost 70% of sex trafficking, 16.5% of labor trafficking, and 7.5% of both sex and labor trafficking combined. Of the victims, 56% were adults, and 69% were female (National Human Trafficking Hotline, n.d.).
Data Collection Challenges
The current ICD-10-CM abuse codes could not adequately distinguish victims of human trafficking from other abuse victims, even though an increasing number of caregivers are trained to recognize and record individuals of different forms of human trafficking. Clinicians couldn’t properly identify a condition or arrange the resources needed to administer treatment without the right codes. Additionally, this made it impossible to critically monitor the existence and recurrence of human labor or sexual exploitation.
June 2018 saw the publication of the first ICD-10-CM codes for categorizing abuse related to human trafficking, as requested by the American Heart Association’s Hospitals Against Violence program. The proposal for the modification came from the AHA’s Central Office on ICD-10, which collaborated with Catholic Health Initiatives, the Human Trafficking Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Freedom Clinic. With effect from FY 2019, certain ICD-10-CM codes can be used to collect data on adult or child forced labor or sexual exploitation, whether it is proven or suspected. These new codes may be issued in addition to other current ICD-10-CM codes for abuse, neglect, and other maltreatment. These codes received support from different hospitals and health systems. Furthermore, there exist novel codes that can be utilized to record an individual’s past labor or sexual exploitation history, examine, rule out, and observe instances of exploitation, and identify multiple, repeating perpetrators of maltreatment and neglect through an external cause of code (Macias-Konstantopoulos, 2018).
The ICD-10-CM provides specific abuse codes for a range of abuse experiences, such as physical abuse of an older adult, sexual abuse of a child, and violence against a spouse or partner. Similar to how disease diagnosis codes are used, tracking the frequency and trends of particular abuse types, their relationships to other injuries and illnesses, and the kinds of resources that might be needed to stop the abuse are all made feasible by recording abuse using the relevant ICD-10-CM code. Adopting prevention strategies, creating best practices for treatment, introducing new services and payment methods, and establishing new financing and research fields are all made possible by using these codes as the primary diagnosis (Macias-Konstantopoulos, 2018).
Documenting particular types of violence and abuse alone does not give a full picture of the abuse experience. Every abuse experience is a result of a complex interaction between several variables, including the physical surroundings, social and familial dynamics, and personal risks and vulnerabilities. Healthcare professionals can respond to illnesses and injuries connected to abuse as well as underlying health-related social and mental requirements more effectively when these aspects are assessed, documented, and coded using ICD-10-CM Z codes. Similarly, applying ICD-10-CM S, T, V, W, X, and Y codes to record and classify external causes of morbidity as well as the nature, purpose, and mechanism of injury can help shed light on how abuse and violence are committed and pave the way for further preventative measures (Macias-Konstantopoulos, 2018).
Required Actions
Coders should be aware of and start using the ICD-10-CM codes for forced labor and sexual exploitation as they examine a patient’s medical records to determine which ICD-10-CM codes to include.
Hospitals and health systems should inform those who need to know—doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, and coding specialists, among others—about the significance of gathering data on forced labor and sexual exploitation of people.
By keeping track of verified and suspected cases within the healthcare system, hospitals, and health systems can better monitor victim requirements and find ways to enhance community health.This practice also offers an additional means of gathering data to help the systemic creation of a service and resource infrastructure, as well as attempts to prevent harm and inform public policy.
The accompanying chart illustrates the distinction between focused and comprehensive assessment, documentation, and coding of abuse. It also highlights how these differences may affect medical professionals’ reactions to cases and their comprehension of the kinds of resources that may be required to help victims of human trafficking (Macias-Konstantopoulos, 2018).
Beyond the Surface: Understanding the Effects of Personal Injury- Video
Common Misconceptions of Trafficking
There is a misconception that trafficking entails the kidnapping and crossing of national or international borders for various activities to individuals. This misconception fails to acknowledge that individual trafficking can be of any ethnicity, gender, or country and that it can happen almost anywhere and in any sector of the economy. A handful of the widespread myths about human trafficking are as follows:
Myth: Physical violence is a common part of trafficking. Traffickers frequently employ nonviolent tactics, such as deception, manipulation, intimidation, and deceit, to coerce their victims into exploitative circumstances, even while physical violence plays a role in many of their crimes.
Myth: Sexual exploitation is a necessary component of trafficking. It’s likely the most well-known type of trafficking, but commercial sexual exploitation of victims is also a frequent practice. However, experts think that labor trafficking is more commonplace throughout the world.
Myth: Only undocumented foreign nationals are victims of trafficking.The Polaris Project operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which has handled thousands of cases of trafficking involving foreign nationals who are lawfully employed or residing in the United States.
Myth: Only illicit or covert sectors are involved in trafficking. Trafficking has been documented concerning several legitimate industries, including manufacturing, restaurants, cleaning services, and construction.
Myth: Transporting a person across state or national borders is a part of trafficking. Human smuggling is the illicit movement of persons across state or national borders. There can be trafficking even when there is no cross-border travel. A person may even become a victim of trafficking in their own house or hometown.
Myth: Trafficking is always a part of the commercial sex trade. Any commercial sex with kids is invariably seen as human trafficking. Adult commercial sex is only classified as trafficking when the victim is coerced, compelled, or deceived into doing it against their will.
Common Forms of Trafficking
There are many forms of trafficking as many individuals that were trafficked are categorized into the following:
Sex Trafficking
Bonded Labor/Forced Labor
Child Labor
Child Conscription
The Impact & Consequences of Trafficking on Individuals
For someone who has never experienced human trafficking, it might be challenging to understand why so many victims choose to remain silent or show such a strong willingness to cooperate with their traffickers (Johnson, 2012). According to Baldwin, Fehrenbacher, and Eisenman (2015), the victim’s compliance and quiet are influenced by the following elements, which the quiet Compliance Model explains:
Coercion: Traffickers use violence, intimidation, and depriving the individual of basic needs to force them into obedience. Traffickers may employ psychological strategies, including isolation, degrading treatment, and induced tiredness in addition to physical force. As a result, the individual experiences a distorted sense of reality and feels helpless.
Collusion: The victim’s cooperation with their traffickers in trafficking or other illicit activities may result from a combination of factors, including fear, loneliness, total dependence, and even a sense of identification with the trafficker.
Contrition: The victims’ guilt and regret for their acts, despite the coerced collaboration, only serve to guarantee their quiet (Johnson, 2013).
Trafficking individuals are susceptible to a wide range of health issues, including chronic illnesses brought on by inadequate working conditions or malnourishment, unwanted pregnancies, severe injuries, and STDs. It’s crucial to remember that emotional issues are often experienced as physical illnesses or sensations in certain cultures. For instance, depression, stress, or anxiety may manifest as symptoms of exhaustion, headaches, or gastrointestinal issues (Greenbaum, 2018; Zimmerman, Hossain, & Fun, 2008).
Conclusion
It is important to recognize the signs of trafficking in individuals who have been dealing with these issues. In part 2 of this series, we will look at how healthcare workers are identified and what procedures to take when a patient is trafficked. This allows the individual to know they are in a safe and positive environment to get the help they deserve.
References
Baldwin, S. B., Fehrenbacher, A. E., & Eisenman, D. P. (2015). Psychological Coercion in Human Trafficking. Qualitative Health Research, 25(9), 1171-1181. doi.org/10.1177/1049732314557087
Greenbaum, V. J. (2017). Child sex trafficking in the United States: Challenges for the healthcare provider. PLoS Med, 14(11), e1002439. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002439
Hume, D. L., & Sidun, N. M. (2017). Human Trafficking of Women and Girls: Characteristics, Commonalities, and Complexities. Women & Therapy, 40(1-2), 7-11. doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2016.1205904
Lusk, M., & Lucas, F. (2008). The challenge of human trafficking and contemporary slavery. Journal of Comparative Social Welfare, 25(1), 49–57. doi.org/10.1080/17486830802514049
Macias-Konstantopoulos, W. L. (2018). Diagnosis Codes for Human Trafficking Can Help Assess Incidence, Risk Factors, and Comorbid Illness and Injury. AMA J Ethics, 20(12), E1143-1151. doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2018.1143
Parreñas, R. S., Hwang, M. C., & Lee, H. R. (2012). What Is Human Trafficking? A Review Essay. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 37(4), 1015–1029. doi.org/10.1086/664472
Saiz Echezarreta, V., Alvarado, C., & Gómez-Lorenzini, P. (2018). Advocacy of trafficking campaigns: A controversy story. Comunicar, 26(55), 29–38. doi.org/10.3916/c55-2018-03
Weitzer, R. (2007). The Social Construction of Sex Trafficking: Ideology and Institutionalization of a Moral Crusade. Politics & Society, 35(3), 447-475. doi.org/10.1177/0032329207304319
Zimmerman, C., Hossain, M., Yun, K., Gajdadziev, V., Guzun, N., Tchomarova, M., Ciarrocchi, R. A., Johansson, A., Kefurtova, A., Scodanibbio, S., Motus, M. N., Roche, B., Morison, L., & Watts, C. (2008). The health of trafficked women: a survey of women entering posttrafficking services in Europe. Am J Public Health, 98(1), 55-59. doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.108357
How do healthcare professionals provide a clinical approach to recognizing HIV for individuals in pain and providing relief?
Introduction
The human body has dealt with various environmental factors, injuries, and pathogens that can cause issues to the body system. As many individuals are always on the go from one location to another, being healthy is extremely important. Making time to make an appointment for a person’s health and well-being is extremely important, as many people have experienced comorbidities and overlapping risk profiles that are causing them pain. When individuals experience onset issues of fatigue, muscle and joint pain, or immune disorders, many healthcare professionals must assess the situation and ask the individuals when they experienced these overlapping risk profiles and how they affect their daily activities. One of the overlapping risk profiles that seems to affect the body is a viral infection known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. This can get many healthcare professionals to come up with a personalized treatment plan to reduce these overlapping risk profiles and educate the individual on what to do to manage HIV symptoms. Today’s article looks at how HIV can impact a person, their symptoms, and non-surgical treatments to manage HIV. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess the effects of HIV and its associated symptoms. We also inform and guide patients on how to be aware of the impact of HIV and ask their associated medical providers intricate questions to integrate a customized treatment plan to incorporate multiple non-surgical therapies to manage the symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Is HIV?
Do you constantly feel tired even after taking a good night’s rest? Do you feel your throat being sore without the flu symptoms? Or are you experiencing muscle and joint pain in different locations of your body? Worldwide, many individuals have often experienced these symptoms from a viral infection known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. HIV belongs to the retroviridae family, which targets the body’s immune system, especially the CD4+ T cells. The CD4+T cells play an important role in the body’s immune response, but when HIV starts to deplete the receptors and terminate the host cells. (Masenga et al., 2023) This causes individuals to have acute stages of HIV and, if not treated immediately, can lead to the progression of severe stages. However, how do individuals contract HIV? Well, the most common mode is through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or through maternal-infant exposure, which diminishes the T-helper cell population and, over time, can increasingly weaken the immune system. (van Heuvel et al., 2022) This causes many individuals to develop various symptoms from HIV that can vary, depending on the severity and the progression stages of the virus.
The Symptoms
Now, for the progression of HIV to infect the body’s immune system and cause various symptoms to affect the individual, many healthcare professionals have to look at the process of the host’s exosomes and their correlation role with HIV. The generational process of exosomes causes overlapping risk profiles with the viral assembly of HIV as exosomes can transport the virus from the infected cells to the uninfected cells of the body by helping it regulate the host’s immune response to the virus infection. (Chen et al., 2021) To that point, it can lead to the progression of several stages of HIV and its associated symptoms. When a person is dealing with an HIV infection in its acute stages, the symptoms can be mild and easily mistaken for a common viral infection. Some of the symptoms can include:
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Difficulty falling asleep
Fatigue
Neuropathy
Shortness of breath
Swollen glands
This is because the inflammatory cytokines from the immune system are heightened and influenced by HIV. When inflammatory cytokines become associated with HIV, symptoms have a huge impact on an individual’s life, causing them to be miserable. (Schnall et al., 2020) Additionally, when HIV is in a clinical latency stage, the virus is less active but can still replicate without exhibiting any symptoms in the body. However, when HIV progresses to its severe stage, it can lead to the development of AIDS. Luckily, treatment advancements to treat HIV from its acute stages can help manage the associated symptoms.
The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness- Video
Non-Surgical Treatments For HIV
When it comes to treating HIV, non-surgical treatments can help manage its associated symptoms while dramatically improving the life expectancy and quality of life of the individual who is affected by the virus. For non-surgical treatments, the main goal is to diagnose HIV as early as possible and to assess the situation by coming up with new and innovative HIV testing initiatives to increase the frequency and prevention of HIV in both clinical and non-clinical settings. (Delaney & DiNenno, 2021) Below are some non-surgical treatments to manage HIV.
Antiretroviral Treatments
Now, some of the non-surgical treatments to manage HIV is by taking antiretroviral therapy. This allows the individual with HIV to be more mindful of taking antiretroviral medications daily, which then helps improve sustained viral suppression of HIV and provides effective strategies of therapeutic approaches to enhance antiretroviral activities. (Huerta, 2020) Additionally, the primary goal of antiretroviral therapy is to reduce the HIV load to an undetectable level, keep the immune system functioning, and prevent the progression development of AIDS.
Lifestyle Adjustments
While living with HIV today is vastly different from decades past, thanks to significant medical advancements. Many individuals can go to their healthcare providers for an early diagnosis and effective treatment to live long and healthy lives. Awareness, education, and staying proactive with health checks remain key in the fight against HIV and its progression. Additionally, proper nutrition, regular exercise, and mental health support are also crucial for people living with HIV, helping to boost the immune system and manage symptoms. At the same time, regular visits to a healthcare provider for blood tests are essential to monitor the effectiveness of ART and adjust the treatment regimen as needed to live a healthier life.
References
Chen, J., Li, C., Li, R., Chen, H., Chen, D., & Li, W. (2021). Exosomes in HIV infection. Curr Opin HIV AIDS, 16(5), 262-270. doi.org/10.1097/COH.0000000000000694
Delaney, K. P., & DiNenno, E. A. (2021). HIV Testing Strategies for Health Departments to End the Epidemic in the U.S. Am J Prev Med, 61(5 Suppl 1), S6-S15. doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.06.002
Huerta, L. (2020). Editorial: Anti-infective 2020: HIV-From pathogenesis to treatment. Curr Opin Pharmacol, 54, x-xii. doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2020.12.001
Masenga, S. K., Mweene, B. C., Luwaya, E., Muchaili, L., Chona, M., & Kirabo, A. (2023). HIV-Host Cell Interactions. Cells, 12(10). doi.org/10.3390/cells12101351
Schnall, R., Jia, H., & Reame, N. (2020). Association Between HIV Symptom Burden and Inflammatory Cytokines: An Analysis by Sex and Menopause Stage. J Womens Health (Larchmt), 29(1), 119-127. doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.7749
van Heuvel, Y., Schatz, S., Rosengarten, J. F., & Stitz, J. (2022). Infectious RNA: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Biology, Therapeutic Intervention, and the Quest for a Vaccine. Toxins (Basel), 14(2). doi.org/10.3390/toxins14020138
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