Back Clinic Conditions Treated. Chronic Pain, Auto Accident Care, Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Back Injuries, Sciatica, Neck Pain, Work Injuries, Personal Injuries, Sports Injuries, Migraine Headaches, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Wellness & Nutrition, Stress Management, and Complex Injuries.
At El Paso’s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center, we are focused on treating patients after debilitating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility, and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
If Dr. Alex Jimenez feels you need other treatment, then you will be referred to a clinic or Physician that is best suited for you. Dr. Jimenez has teamed with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and premiere rehabilitation providers to bring El Paso the top clinical treatments to our community. Providing the top non-invasive protocols is our priority. Clinical insight is what our patients demand in order to give them the appropriate care required. For answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents how metabolic connections are causing a chain reaction to major chronic diseases in this 2-part series. Many factors often play a role in our health and wellness. It can lead to overlapping risk factors associated with pain-like symptoms in the muscles, joints, and vital organs. Part 2 will continue the presentation on metabolic connections with major chronic diseases. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with metabolic connections. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers’ crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., makes use of this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Inflammation Affects The Body
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So here you have a lean set of adipocytes on the left, and then as they start to plump up with more cellular weight, you can see those macrophages, the green boogies come around looking, saying, “Hey, what’s going on here? It doesn’t look right.” So they are investigating, and this causes local cell death; it’s just a part of the inflammatory cascade. So there is also another mechanism happening here. Those adipocytes are not just getting plumper by accident; it’s often related to a calorie surfette. So this nutrient overload damages the endoplasmic reticulum, leading to more inflammation. What these cells and the adipocytes are trying to do is protect themselves from glucose and lipo toxicity.
And the whole cell, the adipocyte cell, is creating these caps that are trying to say, “Please stop, we can’t take any more glucose, we can’t take any more lipids.” It’s a protection mechanism known as insulin resistance. It’s not just some random thing happening. It is the body’s way of trying to prevent glucose and lipotoxicity. Now that the inflammation alarm is occurring more than just in the adipocytes, it’s getting systemic. Other tissues and organs are starting to feel the same burden of the calorie surfette, causing inflammation and cell death. So glucose and lipotoxicity look like fatty liver when dealing with the liver. And you can also have it just like fatty liver progresses to cirrhosis with hepatocyte death. The same mechanism that’s happening in muscle cells. So our skeletal muscle cells specifically see cell death after inflammation and see fatty deposition.
The best way to think about it is, for example, the cows raised for food consumption and how they have marbled. So that’s the fatty deposition. And in humans, you can think about how people become sarcopenic as they become more and more insulin resistant. It’s the same phenomenon when body tissue tries to protect itself from glucolipotoxicity, causing a local inflammatory response. It becomes an endocrine response when it starts targeting other tissues in the periphery, whether the liver, muscle, bone, or brain; it’s just whatever is happening; they’re in the visceral adipocytes that can occur in other tissues. So that’s your paracrine effect. And then it can go viral, if you will.
Inflammation Associated With Insulin Resistance
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: You’re getting this local and systemic pro-inflammatory response coupled with insulin resistance, returning to this protection mechanism against glucose and lipotoxicity. Here you see how the blood vessels in our arteries get caught in the loop of fatty deposition and cell death. So you’ll see leaky blood vessels and fatty deposits, and you’ll see damage and pro-atherogenesis. Now, this is something we explained in AFMCP for the cardiometabolic module. And that is the physiology behind the insulin receptor. This is known as the lock and jiggle technique. So you have to have insulin lock into the insulin receptor up at the top., which is known as the lock.
And then there’s a phosphorylation cascade called the jiggle that then creates this cascade that ultimately causes the glucose-4 channels to open up the glucose-4 receptors to go into the cell so that it can be then the glucose, which is then utilized for energy production by the mitochondria. Of course, insulin resistance is where that receptor isn’t sticky or as responsive. And so not only do you fail to get glucose into the cell for energy production, but you are also rendering a hyper insulin state in the periphery. So you get hyperinsulinemia as well as hyperglycemia in this mechanism. So what can we do about that? Well, many nutrients have been shown to improve the lock and jiggle things that can improve the glucose-4 transporters coming up towards the periphery.
Anti-Inflammatory Supplements Reduce Inflammation
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: You see these listed here: vanadium, chromium, cinnamon alpha lipoic acid, biotin, and another relatively new player, berberine. Berberine is a botanical that can dampen all primary pro-inflammatory signals. So what precedes these comorbidities often and it’s insulin dysfunction. Well, what precedes insulin dysfunction many times? Inflammation or toxicity. So if berberine is helping the primary inflammation issue, it will address the downstream insulin resistance and all the comorbidities that can happen. So consider berberine as your option. So again, this shows you that if you can reduce inflammation up here at the top, you can minimize many cascade effects downstream. Berberine specifically seems to act in the microbiome layer. It modulates the gut microbiota. It may create some immune tolerance, therefore not rendering as much inflammation.
So consider berberine as one of the tools you can use to support insulin dysfunction and insulin resistance-related comorbidities. Berberine seems to increase insulin receptor expression, so the lock and jiggle work more effectively and improve the cascade with the glucose-4 transporters. That’s one mechanism by which you can start to find the root cause of many of the conditions we discussed when you see paracrine and endocrine glucose toxicity, lipotoxicity organ damage. Now another mechanism for you to consider is leveraging NF kappa B. So the goal is to keep NF kappa B grounded because as long as they don’t translocate, a host of inflammation signals do not get triggered.
So our goal is to keep NF kappa B grounded. How can we do that? Well, we can use NF kappa B inhibitors. So in this presentation of treatment options for any comorbidities related to insulin dysfunction, there are many ways to reduce these overlapping conditions affecting our bodies. So you can directly affect insulin resistance through anti-inflammatory supplements or indirectly help insulin resistance or insulin dysfunction by leveraging things against inflammation. Cause if you remember, insulin dysfunction is what then causes all those comorbidities. But what causes insulin dysfunction is generally inflammation or toxins. So our goal is to address pro-inflammatory things. Because if we can address pro-inflammatory things and nip the insulin dysfunction in the bud, we can prevent all the downstream organ damage or organ dysfunction.
Reducing Inflammation In The Body
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Let’s move on to the next section that you can leverage or reduce the inflammation and insulin soup damage if you will, that the genes bathe in the body. This is the one you’ll often hear in our presentation, and that’s because, actually, in functional medicine, we help fix the gut. That’s usually where you need to go. And this is the pathophysiology for why we do that in cardiometabolic medicine. So if you have that poor or sad diet, that modern western diet with bad fats, it will directly damage your microbiome. That change in the microbiome can render increased intestinal permeability. And now lipopolysaccharides can translocate or leak into the bloodstream. To that point, the immune system says, “Oh no way, buddy. You’re not supposed to be in here.” You’ve got these endotoxins in there, and now there is a local and systemic inflammatory response that inflammation will drive the insulin dysfunction, which will cause the metabolic disorders that come after that.
Whatever the person’s genetically prone to, it gets clicked on epigenetically. So remember, if you can quell the inflammation in the microbiome, meaning create this tolerant and strong microbiome, you can reduce the inflammatory tone of the entire body. And when you reduce that, it’s been shown that it sets the insulin sensitivity. So the lower the inflammation, the higher the insulin sensitivity related to the microbiome. So surprise, it’s been shown that probiotics are associated with improved insulin sensitivity. So the right probiotics will create immune tolerance. Microbiome strength and modulation occur with probiotics. And so insulin sensitivity is preserved or regained based on where you are. So please consider that as another indirect mechanism or treatment option for leveraging cardiometabolic health for patients.
Probiotics
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So when it comes to probiotics, we will use them in someone who might also concurrently have irritable bowel syndrome or food allergies. We might pick probiotics over NF kappa B inhibitors if they also have insulin resistance issues. But if they have many neurocognitive problems, we might start with the NF kappa B. So, that’s the way you can decide which ones to pick. Now, remember, when talking with patients, it is important to discuss how their eating habits are causing inflammation in their bodies. It is also important to note that it’s not just a quality conversation; it’s a quantity conversation and an immune conversation.
This reminds you that when you fix the gut by feeding it well and reducing its inflammatory tone, you get a host of other preventative benefits; you stop or at least reduce the strength of the dysfunction. And you can see that, ultimately can reduce the overlapping risk of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. We are trying to drive home that metabolic endotoxemia, or just managing the microbiome, is a powerful tool to help your insulin-resistant or cardiometabolic patients. So much data tells us that we cannot just make the conversation about eating right and exercising.
It’s so much beyond that. So the more we can improve the gut microbiota, we can change inflammation signals through proper diet, exercise, stress management, sleep, all the other things we’ve been talking about, and fixing the gums and the teeth. The less the inflammation, the less the insulin dysfunction and, therefore, the less all those downstream disease effects. So what we want to make sure you know is to go to the gut and make sure that the gut microbiome is happy and tolerant. It’s one of the most potent ways to influence a healthy cardiometabolic phenotype. And aside, although it was a bigger thing a decade ago, non-caloric artificial sweeteners do as they might be non-caloric. And so people may be tricked into thinking it’s zero sugar.
But here’s the problem. These artificial sweeteners can interfere with healthy microbiome compositions and induce more type two phenotypes. So, even though you think you’re getting the benefit with no calories, you’re going to increase your risk for diabetes more through its effect on the gut microbiome. All right, We’ve made it through objective one. Hopefully, you’ve learned that insulin, inflammation, adipokines, and all the other things that happen in the endocrine response affect many organs. So let’s now start to look at emerging risk markers. Okay, we’ve talked a bit about TMAO. Again, that’s still a relevant concept here with gut and insulin resistance. So we want to make sure that you look at TMAO not as the end all be all but as another emerging biomarker that could give you a clue about microbiome health in general.
Looking For The Inflammatory Markers
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: We look at elevated TMAO to help the patient recognize that they have changed their eating habits. Most of the time, we help patients reduce unhealthy animal proteins and increase their plant-based nutrients. It’s generally how many doctors use it in standard medical practice. Alright, now another emerging biomarker, okay, and it sounds funny to call it emerging because it seems so obvious, and that is insulin. Our standard of care is centralized around glucose, fasting glucose, to our postprandial glucose A1C as a measure of glucose. We are glucose so centric and need insulin as an emerging biomarker if we try to be preventative and proactive.
And as you remember, we talked yesterday that fasting insulin in the bottom of the first quartile of your reference range for fasting insulin might be where you want to go. And for us in the US, that tends to be between five and seven as a unit. So notice that this is the pathophysiology of type two diabetes. So type two diabetes can happen from insulin resistance; it can also occur from mitochondrial problems. So pathophysiology of type two diabetes could be because your pancreas is not secreting enough insulin. So again, this is that little 20% that we talk about the majority of the people who are getting type two diabetes; it’s from insulin resistance, as we would suspect, from a hyper insulin problem. But there is this group of people who have damaged mitochondria, and they are not outputting insulin.
So their blood sugar rises, and they get type two diabetes. Okay, then the question is, if there is a problem with pancreatic beta cells, why is there a problem? Is the glucose going up because the muscles have insulin resistance, so they cannot capture and bring in glucose? So is it the liver that’s hepatic insulin resistant that cannot take in glucose for energy? Why is this glucose running around in the bloodstream? That’s what this is paraphrasing. So contributing role, you have to look at the adipocytes; you have to look for visceral adiposity. You must see if this person is just a big belly fat inflammatory-like catalyst. What can we do to reduce that? Is the inflammation coming from the microbiome?
Conclusion
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Even the kidney can play a role in this, right? Like perhaps the kidney has increased glucose reabsorption. Why? Could it be because of an oxidative stress hit to the kidney, or could it be in the HPA axis, the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis where you’re getting this cortisol response and this sympathetic nervous system response that’s generating inflammation and driving the blood insulin and blood sugar disturbances? In Part 2, we will talk here about the liver. It’s a common player for many people, even if they don’t have fulminant fatty liver disease; it’s generally a subtle and common player for people with cardiometabolic dysfunction. So remember, we’ve got the visceral adiposity causing inflammation and insulin resistance with atherogenesis, and the liver is like this innocent bystander caught up in the drama. It’s happening before sometimes the atherogenesis starts.
Bicycle riding is a form of transportation and a popular leisure and exercise activity. It helps with brain, heart, and whole body health. Whether recreational or pro cyclist, road or mountain biking, injuries are most often caused by overuse, repetitive strain, or a traumatic fall. If not treated properly by a medical professional, bicycle riding injuries can develop into long-term problems. Chiropractic care, sports massage, and decompression therapy combined with functional medicine can alleviate symptoms, rehabilitate the muscles, release compressed nerves, and restore mobility and function.
Bicycle Riding Injuries
Long-term cycling can cause muscle fatigue, leading to various injuries.
Overuse injuries occur when performing the same motion over and over again.
Musculoskeletal injuries range from sprains, torn ligaments, and tendons to fractures from crashes and falls.
Bicycle Setup
Not having the correct bike setup for the individual affects posture.
A seat that is too high causes the hips to rotate, leading to hip, back, and knee pain.
A seat that is too low causes over-flexion of the knees and pain.
Improper footwear not set in the right position can lead to pain in the calves and feet.
Handlebars that are too far forward can cause neck, shoulder, and back problems.
If any discomfort symptoms result from cycling, it’s recommended to get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible. After a correct diagnosis, resolving the issue/s could involve altering the bike setup to reduce the strain on certain body parts. Conversely, a condition could be developing that needs a personalized treatment program consisting of chiropractic care, physical therapy, steroid injections, or, if necessary, surgery.
Injuries
Hips
Tightness develops at the front of the hip/hip flexors from prolonged sitting and can lead to decreased flexibility and cause irritation of the bursa (fluid-filled sacs between the muscle and bone to reduce friction) at the front of the hip.
Symptoms at the front and outer side of the hip can travel down the thigh toward the knees.
Checking that the saddle height is correct can help.
Knees
The knee is the most common site for overuse injuries. Common knee overuse injuries include:
Patellofemoral syndrome
Patella and quadriceps tendinitis
Medial plica syndrome
Iliotibial band friction syndrome
The first four involve discomfort and pain around the kneecap. The last condition results in outer knee pain. Shoe insoles, wedges, and positioning can help prevent some of these injuries.
Feet
Foot tingling, numbness, burning sensations, or pain on the underside of the foot are common.
This occurs from pressure on the nerves that travel through the ball of the foot and toward the toes.
Shoes that are poorly fitted, too tight, or narrow are often the cause.
This comes from increased pressure in the lower leg and results in compressed nerves.
Neck and Back
Discomfort and pain in the neck result from staying in one riding position for too long.
Usually, if the handlebars are too low, the rider has to round their back, adding strain to the neck and back.
Tight hamstrings and/or hip flexor muscles can also cause riders to round/arch the back, causing the neck to be hyperextended.
Doing shoulder shrugs and neck stretches will help relieve neck tension. Regular stretching will create flexibility and make it easier to maintain proper form.
Shoulders
Shoulder overuse injuries cause muscle weakness, stiffness, swelling, tingling or numbness in the fingers, and pain. Treatments depend on the severity of the condition.
Shoulder impingement/pinching
Swelling of soft tissues
Rotator cuff tears
Injuries to the ball-and-socket joint tend to be labral tears of the socket lining cartilage or damage to other structures. Damage to the cartilage can lead to arthritis if not treated effectively.
Falls can cause:
Minor fractures or dislocation.
Fractured collarbone/clavicle – must be immobilized for four to six weeks before rehabilitation exercises are started.
Damage to the joint on the top of the shoulder/acromioclavicular joint or ACJ.
Many of these impact-related injuries can be treated with chiropractic and targeted physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and improve mobility. However, some cases, like severely displaced fractures, require surgical reconstruction or repair.
Intense aching in the forearm can make gripping and ungripping the hands difficult and painful.
These can be prevented by changing hand positions and alternating the pressure from the inside to the outsides of the palms ensuring the wrists don’t drop below the handlebars.
Cyclists are recommended to ride with their elbows slightly bent, not with their arms locked or straight. Bent elbows act as shock absorbers when riding over bumps or rough terrain.
Using padded gloves and stretching the hands and wrists before riding can help. Changing the grip on the handlebars takes the stress off of over-used muscles and redistributes pressure to different nerves.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can range from scrapes, contusions, concussions, or traumatic brain injury.
Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic for cyclists can relieve symptoms, rehabilitate and strengthen muscles, improve posture, and prevent future injuries. Cyclists have also reported enhanced:
Respiration
Range of motion
Heart rate variability
Muscle strength
Athletic ability
Neurocognitive functions such as reaction time and information processing.
Common Bicycle Riding Injuries
References
Mellion, M B. “Common cycling injuries. Management and prevention.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 11,1 (1991): 52-70. doi:10.2165/00007256-199111010-00004
Olivier, Jake, and Prudence Creighton. “Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” International journal of epidemiology vol. 46,1 (2017): 278-292. doi:10.1093/ije/dyw153
Silberman, Marc R. “Bicycling injuries.” Current sports medicine reports vol. 12,5 (2013): 337-45. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182a4bab7
When everyday factors affect how many of us function, our back muscles begin to suffer. The back muscles in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar section surround the spine and spinal cord, which helps the body stay upright and promotes good posture. The muscles allow the upper portions of the body to bend down and twist without pain while providing stability to the lower parts of the body. However, when the body ages or everyday activities cause issues, it can develop low back pain associated with weak back muscles. There are many ways to prevent these issues from escalating with various hyperextension exercises for low back pain. This 2-part series examines how low back pain affects the body and how different hyperextension exercises can help strengthen the back. Part 1 examines how hyperextension affects the body and how it is associated with low back pain. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers’ crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., makes use of this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Low Back Pain Affecting The Body
Have you been dealing with aches and pains when bending down? Do you feel stiffness in your torso when twisting? Or have you experienced limited mobility in your hips? Many of these symptoms correlate with low back pain. Studies reveal that back pain is one of the most common issues in the emergency room. Low back pain is associated with many factors that put pressure on the various muscles in the back and can lead to underlying conditions that can cause symptoms to make the body dysfunctional. Additional studies have revealed that chronic low back pain can have influenced overlapping risk profiles, which include:
Stress
Dietary habits
Lifting heavy objects
Musculoskeletal disorders
When these factors affect the back, many individuals will be in constant pain and take medication to relieve their pain. However, medicine can only go so far as it only masks the pain, but there are other ways to reduce low back pain and help strengthen the various muscles surrounding the low back.
An Overview Of Hyperextension (Part 2)
Biomedical physiologist Alex Jimenez explains how there are a couple of different variations that you can do to prevent low back pain. The first one is the elbows in front. The second one is the elbows in front while pointing them forward and keeping them pointed forward throughout the entire movement. The third one is the hands behind the head. And then the fourth variation is putting weight behind your back once you work up to this level. And then using that weight to put more stress on a pivot point. You can also hold the weight to your chest, but putting it behind your head gives you a further pivot point or a further point on the fulcrum, which are your hips putting more stress on your spinal rectors. The repetitions and frequency should be performed at the beginning of most workouts, before or after your abdominal exercises on leg days. You can use this exercise as a warmup before deadlifting or squatting. I’ll remember you don’t have to go as much weight or as many reps when you’re doing this on leg days. So we recommend starting with four sets of 20 reps and slowly working up to four sets of 40 reps. This seems like a lot, but it will be beneficial in the end.
Various Hyperextension Exercises For The Back
When it comes to low back pain, the various muscles are weak, which can lead to multiple symptoms affecting a person’s mobility. Luckily making small changes in a daily structure, like incorporating exercises that target the back, can be beneficial. Studies reveal that exercises targeting the back muscles can help strengthen the targeted muscles to have mobility and stability in the back. As a bonus, exercises combined with chiropractic treatments can help restore the body and allow the spine to be realigned. When it comes to back exercises, hyperextension exercises can help prevent low back symptoms from reoccurring and strengthen weak back muscles. Here are some of the various hyperextension exercises that benefit the back.
Reverse Flys
There are different variations of how to do reverse flys. You can pick a moderate or lightweight dumbbell or a resistance band. This exercise is great for the upper back muscles and rear deltoids.
Sit in a chair where the dumbbells are in front of you. *For resistance bands, make sure the bands are under your feet.
Pick up the dumbbells/resistance bands with the palms of your hands and bend forward.
Squeeze the shoulder blades together, lift the arms to shoulder level with slightly bent elbows, and lower them.
Repeat for three sets of 12 reps and rest in between.
Hip Thrust
Different variations to this exercise can help with the posterior muscles in the lower back. You can use barbells, dumbbells, resistance bands, or your body weight to strengthen your core back muscles.
Lean against a bench with the knees bent and the feet flat on the floor.
Rest the shoulder blades on the bench for support and have the weight placed near your core.
Raise your body slightly by pushing your heels down to the floor and walking out slowly beyond your knees.
Push through your heels to have your hips at shoulder level, hold for a second, and lower your hips back down.
Repeat for three sets of 12 reps and rest in between.
Supermans
This exercise has two different variations and makes you aware of your back muscles. This exercise helps improve muscle mobility in all three sections of the back.
Lay on the mat face down with your arms in front and your legs straight.
Keep the head in a neutral position and raise both the arms and legs off the mat. This allows the body to be in a banana shape in a comfortable position. *If you want more challenge, lift the opposite arms and legs simultaneously.
Hold for a couple of seconds for the upper and lower back and hamstrings to maintain their positions.
Lower down with control.
Repeat for three sets of 12 reps and rest in between.
Fire Hydrants
This exercise helps the lower back and glute muscles reduce the effects of low back pain and make it more challenging to use a resistance band.
Be in a cat/cow position on your mat, allowing the wrist to be aligned under the shoulders and the knees to be aligned under the hips.
Maintain a neutral spine while engaging the core.
Squeeze the glutes and lift your right leg off the mat, keeping the knee at 90 degrees. *The hips should be the only ones moving to keep the core and pelvis stable.
Lower the right leg down with control.
Repeat for three sets of 12 reps and rest before repeating the motion on the left leg.
Conclusion
All in all, having low back pain doesn’t mean your life is over. Incorporating hyperextension exercises as part of your daily routine can help strengthen your back muscles and ensure that you won’t have reoccurring symptoms from low back pain. Making these small changes can lead to beneficial results in the long run for your health and wellness journey.
References
Allegri, Massimo, et al. “Mechanisms of Low Back Pain: A Guide for Diagnosis and Therapy.” F1000Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926733/.
Casiano, Vincent E, et al. “Back Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 4 Sept. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/.
Koes, B W, et al. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Low Back Pain.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 June 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1479671/.
The body is an amazingly complex machine as it allows the individual to move each section, like the back, arms, legs, torso, neck, and head, without feeling any pain. Each section has various muscles, ligaments, and tissues that surround the skeletal joint and allow mobility, stability, and range of motion when the host is active. However, when underlying conditions start to affect the body, each section can be affected and cause pain-like symptoms associated with the muscles, ligaments, and tissues. Sometimes it can even cause referred pain in the vital organs, leading to more problems when not treated immediately. To that point, various exercises combined with therapy can help prevent pain-like symptoms from affecting the body and restore mobility to the upper and lower portions. This 2-part series will look at an exercise called hyperextension, which can help strengthen these muscles in the upper and lower portions. Part 1 will examine how hyperextension affects the body and how it is associated with low back pain. Part 2 will look at the various hyperextension exercises that can help strengthen each muscle group. We refer our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from chronic pain-like conditions associated with low back pain. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers’ crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., makes use of this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is Hyperextension?
Have you been experiencing pain-like symptoms in different areas of your body? Does it hurt when twisting and turning? Or do you constantly ache when bending over? Many of these symptoms are associated with muscle and joint pain that can affect the body and lead to hyperextension. Hyperextension is when a skeletal joint has a greater range of motion without feeling pain.
When a person suffers from a traumatic injury or has a chronic condition, it can cause the various muscles in the body to extend their range of motion and cause more pain that can affect their quality of life. A perfect example would be a person who is double-jointed in their hands, knee, elbows, and back. Even though many double-jointed people can further extend their joints, it can lead to various issues that can impact the body and lead to pain-like symptoms. For example, studies reveal that if a person has been in an auto accident and suffers from whiplash, the hyper-extended muscles can cause pain-like symptoms in the soft tissues, leading to neck pain. When this happens, it can cause symptoms of limited mobility and affect the individual.
Now if it is chronic conditions like EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) or chronic back conditions, it can affect the lower extremity muscles while affecting the mobility and stability of the body. Studies reveal that low back pain associated with hyperextension is developed when various factors can cause the spine to be in subluxation and compress the different vertebrate discs, muscles, ligaments, and tissues, which can cause pain over time. Additional studies have also found that when there are injuries in the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, it is often combined with various forces that can cause mobility issues which leads to spinal subluxation and spinal compression.
An Overview Of Hyperextension
Biomedical physiologist Alex Jimenez will be explaining a specific exercise called Hyperextensions. Hyperextensions are an exercise that is designed to strengthen the erectors of the spine. They usually involve an extension type of maneuver for the concentric portion and AF flexion for the eccentric portion. Hyperextension relies on a pivot point, usually at the hips, which stresses the lower back muscles. It also allows you to work on the lower back muscles, which we said, the glutes, hamstrings, and even the mid back, depending on the arc of the movement. So why are hyperextensions important? They strengthen the lower back muscles, also known as the spinal rectors, and are responsible for stabilizing the spine. It can help decrease the chances of lower back pain or injuries, and it also helps strengthen your deadlift and squats. And it does this by allowing you to have better stabilization throughout these dynamic movements. So what muscles are involved? Numerous muscles are involved in the upper and lower body extremities, allowing hyperextension exercises to provide more range of motion without pain. The next part will show different variations of hyperextension exercises that can help each muscle.
Hyperextension Associated With Low Back Pain
Spinal subluxation often leads to low back pain and can affect a person’s ability to move. So how is hyperextension associated with low back pain? Some factors leading to low back pain, like incorrect posture or excessive lifting of heavy objects, can affect the low back muscles. The low back muscles support the low back, stabilize the spine, and help maintain good posture. When these muscles have been overused, it can lead to various injuries. All is not lost, as studies reveal that hyperextension exercises for low back pain, when done slowly, can provide isometric endurance improvement to the back muscles and allow flexibility back to the spine. Hyperextension exercises can strengthen the lower back muscles and reduce pain. However, exercise combined with chiropractic care can enable the body to restore itself and reduce the pain-like symptoms associated with spinal subluxation to allow the range of motion back in the muscles.
Conclusion
Hyperextension in the body allows the various muscle groups to extend their full range of motion. When multiple factors or chronic conditions begin to affect the different muscles in the body, it can lead to pain-like symptoms associated with the upper and lower extremities. Fortunately, the combination of exercises and chiropractic care can restore the body and the muscles to relax. In part 2 of this series, we will look at the various hyperextension exercises for low back pain and how they can help increase the body’s range of motion.
References
Johnson, G. “Hyperextension Soft Tissue Injuries of the Cervical Spine–a Review.” Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 1996, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1342595/.
MACNAB, I. “Low Back Pain. the Hyperextension Syndrome.” Canadian Medical Association Journal, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Sept. 1955, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1826142/.
Manniche, C, et al. “Intensive Dynamic Back Exercises with or without Hyperextension in Chronic Back Pain after Surgery for Lumbar Disc Protrusion. A Clinical Trial.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 1993, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8484146/.
Oh, In-Soo, et al. “Pure Hyperextension Injury of the Lower Lumbar Spine with an Ureteral Impingement.” European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3641240/.
Nowadays, many individuals are incorporating various fruits, vegetables, lean portions of meat, and healthy fats and oils into their diet to get all the vitamins and minerals that their bodies need. The body needs these nutrients biotransformed into energy for the muscles, joints, and vital organs. When normal factors like eating unhealthy foods, not getting enough exercise, and underlying conditions affect the body, it can cause somato-visceral issues that correlate with disorders that push many individuals to feel unwell and miserable. Luckily, some supplements and vitamins like magnesium help with overall health and can reduce the effects of these environmental factors that are causing pain-like symptoms in the body. In this 3-part series, we will look at the impact of magnesium helping the body and what foods contain magnesium. Part 1 looks at how magnesium correlates with heart health. Part 2 looks at how magnesium helps with blood pressure. We refer our patients to certified medical providers that provide many available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from underlying conditions associated with low magnesium levels affecting the body and correlated to many underlying conditions affecting a person’s health and wellness. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis. We accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers’ hard-hitting questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., only utilizes this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
An Overview Of Magnesium
Have you been experiencing muscle numbness in different locations in your body? What about muscle cramps or fatigue? Or have you been experiencing issues with your heart? Suppose you have been dealing with these overlapping issues that are affecting not only your body but your overall health. In that case, it could correlate with your body’s low magnesium levels. Studies reveal that this essential supplement is the body’s fourth most abundant cation when it comes to magnesium since it is a co-factor for multiple enzymic reactions. Magnesium helps with cellular energy metabolism, so the muscles and vital organs can function properly and helps replenish intracellular and extracellular water intake. Magnesium helps with the body’s metabolism, but it can also help reduce the effects of chronic conditions affecting the body.
How Magnesium Helps The Body
Additional studies reveal that magnesium is important in lowering chronic conditions’ effects on the body. Magnesium could help many individuals dealing with cardiovascular issues or chronic diseases associated with the heart or the muscles surrounding the upper and lower extremities of the body. How can magnesium help with overlapping health disorders that can affect the body? Studies show that taking magnesium can help prevent and treat many common health conditions:
Metabolic syndrome
Diabetes
Headaches
Cardiac arrhythmias
Many of these conditions are associated with everyday factors that can affect the body and lead to chronic disorders that can cause pain to the muscles, joints, and vital organs. So, taking magnesium can reduce pre-existing conditions from elevating the body and causing more harm.
Magnesium In Food
Biomedical physiologist Alex Jimenez mentions that magnesium supplementation usually causes diarrhea and explains what foods are high in magnesium. Surprisingly, avocados and nuts have a chaulk full of magnesium. One medium avocado has about 60 milligrams of magnesium, while nuts, especially cashews, have approximately 83 milligrams of magnesium. One cup of almonds has about 383 milligrams of magnesium. It also has 1000 milligrams of potassium, which we covered in an earlier video, and around 30 grams of protein. So this is a good snack to break up the cup into about half-cup serving throughout the day and snack on as you’re going. The second one is beans or legumes; for example, one cup of black beans cooked has around 120 milligrams of magnesium. And then wild rice is also a good source of magnesium. So what are the signs of low magnesium? The symptoms of low magnesium are muscle spasms, lethargy, irregular heartbeat, pins and needles in the hands or legs, high blood pressure, and depression. This video was informative for you regarding magnesium, where to find it, and the best supplemental forms to take it in. Thank you again, and tune in next time.
Foods Containing Magnesium
When it comes to taking magnesium, there are many ways to incorporate magnesium into the body’s system. Some people take it in supplemental form, while others eat healthy, nutritious foods with a chaulk full of magnesium to get the recommended amount. Some of the foods that are riched in magnesium include:
Dark Chocolate=65 mg of magnesium
Avocados=58 mg of magnesium
Legumes=120 mg of magnesium
Tofu= 35 mg of magnesium
What is great about getting these magnesium riched foods is that they can be in any dishes we consume for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Incorporating magnesium in a healthy diet can help boost the body’s energy levels and help support the major organs, joints, and muscles from various disorders.
Conclusion
Magnesium is an essential supplement that the body needs to boost energy levels and help reduce the effects of pain-like symptoms that can cause dysfunction in the body. Whether it is in supplemental form or eating it in healthy dishes, magnesium is an important supplement that the body needs to function properly.
References
Fiorentini, Diana, et al. “Magnesium: Biochemistry, Nutrition, Detection, and Social Impact of Diseases Linked to Its Deficiency.” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8065437/.
Schwalfenberg, Gerry K, and Stephen J Genuis. “The Importance of Magnesium in Clinical Healthcare.” Scientifica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/.
The cardiovascular system allows oxygen-rich blood and other enzymes to travel throughout the body and allow the various muscle groups and vital organs to function and do their jobs. When multiple factors like chronic stress or disorders begin to affect the heart, it can lead to cardiovascular issues that mimic chest pains or heart disorders that can affect a person’s daily lifestyle. Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure the heart stays healthy and prevent other chronic issues that can disrupt the body’s function. Today’s article looks at one of the essential supplements known as magnesium, its benefits, and how it corresponds with heart health in this 3-part series. Part 2 looks at how magnesium lowers blood pressure. Part 3 looks at the different foods containing magnesium and improves health. We refer our patients to certified providers that consolidate many available treatments for many individuals suffering from low magnesium levels affecting the cardiovascular system and correlating to chronic conditions that can cause overlapping risk profiles in the body. We encourage each patient by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis when it is appropriate. We understand that education is a fantastic way when asking our providers intricated questions at the patient’s request and understanding. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., only utilizes this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is Magnesium?
Have you noticed that your blood glucose levels are elevated? What about feeling low on energy? Or have you been dealing with constant headaches? When many individuals are dealing with these issues that affect their health, it could be due to low magnesium levels affecting their bodies. Studies reveal that magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation that is a cofactor for 300+ enzymes in the body. Magnesium is an essential supplement that is an important electrolyte that hydrates the intracellular water intake in the body. Additional studies have revealed that magnesium plays a huge role in the body’s metabolism and involves hormone receptor bindings to allow muscle contraction, cardiac excitability, neurotransmitter release, and vasomotor tone. Magnesium is also necessary for the body as it is an active transport for potassium and calcium to go across the cellular membrane for proper functioning.
The Benefits Of Magnesium
When it comes to magnesium, there are many beneficial properties that it can provide to the body. Some of the benefits of taking magnesium include:
Boost exercise performance
Regulating neurotransmitters
Reduce depression and anxiety
Regulate blood glucose levels
Prevent migraines
When many individuals have low magnesium levels, studies reveal that common health conditions like migraines, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiac arrhythmias. These various health conditions can affect not only the vital organs in the body, but when a person has low magnesium levels, their energy levels are low, and they begin to feel sluggish. Additionally, a person with low energy levels from magnesium deficiency can affect their health and wellness. Studies reveal that magnesium deficiencies could cause overlapping risk profiles in the body, which can develop into chronic disorders like cardiovascular issues, hypotension, and osteoporosis.
An Overview Of Magnesium
Biomedical physiologist Alex Jimenez will be going over magnesium with you. But before we get started, it’s important to define some things. The first one is glycolysis. So if we break that down, glyco means carbohydrates or sugar. Lysis implies the breakdown of such glycolysis, the breakdown of carbohydrates. The next one is the co-factor. A co-factor is defined as a non-protein chemical compound that is required for enzymatic activity. You can think of this as the enzyme being the car, and the co-factor is the key. With the key, the vehicle can get started. So what is magnesium? Magnesium is a positively charged cat ion and an electrolyte we need for our bodies. So why is magnesium important? Because it supports proper muscle and nerve function? It regulates glucose metabolism or the breakdown of carbs in glycolysis. And five out of the ten steps in glycolysis require magnesium as a co-factor. So that is over 50% of the breakdown of carbs requires magnesium as a co-factor. It helps regulate our bone density.
Magnesium & Heart Health
As stated earlier, magnesium is an essential supplement that helps with intracellular water intake and helps with the body’s energy levels. So how does magnesium help the heart? Studies reveal that the many diverse roles that magnesium offers to the body allow it to regulate blood pressure and glycaemic control associated with the heart. Many cardiac patients take magnesium to ensure the intracellular membranes travel through the heart. Additionally, additional studies reveal that foods rich in magnesium can help lower the risk of major cardiovascular risks like ischemic heart disease and coronary heart disease. Magnesium also helps reduce pain-like symptoms associated with metabolic syndrome and hypertension that can affect the various muscle groups and joints. When the intracellular membrane is supported by magnesium and travels from the heart to the rest of the entire body, fewer pain-like symptoms can affect joints, muscles, and vital organs.
Conclusion
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant essential supplement that provides intracellular water intake in the body and can provide support to the cardiovascular system. This supplement plays a huge role in the body as it supports its metabolism and makes sure that it reduces cardiovascular issues. When many individuals have low magnesium levels, chronic problems like cardiovascular disorders, metabolic syndrome, and musculoskeletal disorders will develop and affect the body’s function to work properly. Incorporating magnesium-rich foods or supplements can lower the risk of these issues from progressing further and help regulate the elevated hormone levels affecting the body. Part 2 will look at how blood pressure is reduced when taking magnesium.
References
Al Alawi, Abdullah M, et al. “Magnesium and Human Health: Perspectives and Research Directions.” International Journal of Endocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Apr. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5926493/.
Allen, Mary J, and Sandeep Sharma. “Magnesium – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishin, 3 Mar. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519036/.
DiNicolantonio, James J, et al. “Magnesium for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease.” Open Heart, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 July 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6045762/.
Rosique-Esteban, Nuria, et al. “Dietary Magnesium and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review with Emphasis in Epidemiological Studies.” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Feb. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852744/.
Schwalfenberg, Gerry K, and Stephen J Genuis. “The Importance of Magnesium in Clinical Healthcare.” Scientifica, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/.
Swaminathan, R. “Magnesium Metabolism and Its Disorders.” The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1855626/.
As more and more people start to keep track of their health, many often try to figure out what foods contain the right amount of vitamins and supplements to benefit their bodies and support the vital organs and the body’s gene levels. Many fruits and vegetables have a chock-full of vitamins and minerals that the body needs for energy and to prevent chronic issues from affecting the body. Today’s article looks at the most beneficial mineral the body needs, potassium, its benefits, and what kind of foods have potassium for the body. We refer our patients to certified providers that consolidate many available treatments for many individuals suffering from low potassium levels affecting a person’s body and correlating to chronic conditions that can cause overlapping risk profiles. We encourage each patient by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis when it is appropriate. We understand that education is a fantastic way when asking our providers intricated questions at the patient’s request and understanding. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., only utilizes this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
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What Is Potassium?
Have you been experiencing muscle cramps and aches throughout your entire body? What about feeling tired constantly or experiencing low energy? Or have you noticed that your blood pressure is elevated? Many of these chronic issues are correlated with low levels of potassium in the body. Studies reveal that potassium is an essential mineral that the human body needs to function properly. Potassium is important since it is an electrolyte to replenish the body when a person sweats. Many athletic people need to fill their bodies with electrolytes after an intense workout session to ensure that the extracellular and intracellular compartments are hydrated. Additional studies also mentioned that potassium is one of the shortfall nutrients that many people often forget because of the adequate intake that needs to be met for the body to have the recommended amount of potassium to function throughout the entire day. However, incorporating different types of food that have potassium can provide the recommended amount that the individual needs and provide beneficial results.
The Benefits Of Potassium
When it comes to the body and potassium, there are many beneficial factors that this essential mineral can provide. Research studies have revealed that increasing potassium intake with healthy, nutritious foods can benefit body health. Some of the beneficial properties that potassium can provide include the following:
Lowering blood pressure
Reduce the progression of renal disease
Decrease the risk of osteoporosis
Manages hypercalciuria
Prevent diabetes development
All these chronic issues that can affect the body are correlated with low potassium levels. When the body doesn’t have the right amount of vitamins and supplements to help prevent these issues, it can lead to pain-like symptoms associated with the muscles, joints, and vital organs. So when pain specialists like chiropractors or functional medicine doctors thoroughly examine patients and ask questions to determine if the patient’s body has low potassium levels. When the body has low potassium levels, studies reveal that chronic issues like hypertension and elevated glucose levels could potentially lead to cardiovascular problems associated with chest pain and diabetes. When these overlapping issues affect the body, it is known as somato-visceral pain. Somato-visceral pain is when the affected organs are causing problems to the body’s muscles and causing referred pain in different locations.
An Overview Of Potassium
Biomedical physiologist expert Alex Jimenez is going to be going over potassium. He mentions that potassium is a cat ion that is positively charged. So potassium is important for a few different reasons. It helps us regulate our heartbeat. It helps us regulate how our muscle and nervous tissue work, and it’s important for synthesizing protein and metabolizing carbohydrates. The recommended daily amount of potassium is 4.7 grams for the U.S. and 3.5 for the U.K. So, an average of three and a half grams. When we think about potassium and what foods are high in potassium, what’s the first that comes to mind? The banana, right? A banana only has 420 or 422 milligrams of potassium. So to get our daily amount of potassium, that’s going to require us to eat eight and a half bananas. I don’t know anybody eating eight and a half bananas unless you’re a monkey. So let’s look at other foods high in potassium to help counterbalance the nutritional amount instead of just eating eight and a half bananas. Some foods high in potassium are dried fruits, specifically dried apricots and raisins, which have about 250 milligrams per half-cup serving.
Foods That Are High In Potassium
It is easy to incorporate potassium into a person’s daily habits. Many pain specialists like chiropractors work with associated medical providers like nutritionists and physical therapists to restore the body, prevent chronic conditions from progressing further, and reduce muscle and joint pain. Everybody knows that bananas are one of the more known fruits with potassium; however, eating bananas alone can be tiresome. So many fruits and vegetables have higher potassium levels and can help replenish the body’s electrolytes. Some of the nutritious foods that have potassium include:
Banana
Avocado
Sweet Potatoes
Spinach
Dried Fruits (Apricots, Raisins, Peaches, Prunes)
Now eating potassium-riched foods can help the body’s intra- and extracellular water intake but combined with treatments and exercises can prevent chronic issues associated with muscle and joint pain. When people utilize these healthy habits in their daily lives, they can feel better and function throughout the day.
Conclusion
Trying to be healthier should not be difficult and can begin small with the right motivation. Incorporating a healthy diet combined with exercises and therapy treatments can restore the body to its healthier version and prevent overlapping issues affecting the muscles, joints, vital organs, and gene levels. Eating whole, nutritional foods filled with potassium can help restore lost electrolytes and help prevent chronic disorders from progressing further in the body to avoid muscle and joint pain.
References
He, Feng J, and Graham A MacGregor. “Beneficial Effects of Potassium on Human Health.” Physiologia Plantarum, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2008, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18724413/.
Stone, Michael S, et al. “Potassium Intake, Bioavailability, Hypertension, and Glucose Control.” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 July 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4963920/.
Sur, Moushumi, and Shamim S Mohiuddin. “Potassium – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 11 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539791/.
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