Back Clinic Back Pain Chiropractic Treatment Team. At the El Paso Back Clinic, we take back pain very seriously.
After diagnosing the root cause of your discomfort/pain, we’ll do everything within our power to cure the area and relieve your symptoms.
Common causes of back pain:
There is an infinite number of forms of back pain, and a variety of injuries and diseases may cause discomfort in this area of the body. One of the most Frequent ones we see one of our patients in East Side El Paso and surrounding areas comprise:
Disc Herniation
Inside the backbone are flexible discs that cushion your bones and absorb shock. Whenever these discs are broken, they may compress a nerve leading to lower extremity numbness. StressWhen a muscle at the trunk is overexerted or hurt, causing stiffness and pain, this type of injury is generally classified as a back strain. This can be the consequence of attempting to lift an item that can result in excruciating pain and impairment and is too heavy. Diagnosing the underlying cause of your pain.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the slow wearing down of protective cartilage. When the back is affected by this condition, it causes damage to the bones that results in chronic pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. SprainIf ligaments in your spine and back are stretched or torn, it’s called a spine sprain. Typically, this injury causes pain in the region. Spasms cause back muscles to overwork they may start to contract, and can even stay contracted– also called a muscle spasm. Muscle spasms can present with pain and stiffness until the strain resolves.
We want to accomplish the diagnosis straight away, integrating a background and exam along with state-of-the-art imaging, so we can provide you with the most efficient therapy choices. To begin, we will speak with you regarding your symptoms, which will provide us with critical information regarding your underlying condition. We’ll then perform a physical exam, during which we’ll check for posture issues, evaluate your spine and assess your backbone. If we guess injuries, like a disk or neurological injury, we’ll probably order imaging tests to obtain an analysis.
Regenerative remedies to your back pain. At the El Paso Back Clinic, you may be certain that you’re in the best possible hands with our Doctor of Chiropractic and Massage Therapist. Our purpose during your pain treatment isn’t only to relieve your symptoms — but also to avoid a recurrence and to treat your pain.
Here, you can find expert advice on coping with spine and back pain, the aftermath of a car accident, and improving your quality of life.
Introduction
People who have been in an automobile accident, even a little one, may have physical injuries to their back, spine, and upper and lower limbs. Acute or persistent pain may be the consequence of injuries brought on by the abrupt forces involved in a collision. Does stiffness affect your shoulders, back, and neck? Do you have back discomfort that radiates down? Or have you been unable to do your everyday chores due to persistent headaches? Today, we’ll examine and comprehend the reasons behind back and spine discomfort, identify its symptoms, and investigate how people may heal and reclaim their quality of life with the aid of efficient therapies like chiropractic adjustments.
Spine & Back Pain Causes After a Car Accident
The spine and back are vulnerable during a car accident due to the rapid acceleration, deceleration, and twisting motions that occur. Common causes of pain include:
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: A person in a rear-end collision will experience a common injury known as whiplash. This musculoskeletal injury occurs when the head and neck are forcefully jerked forward and backward. (Stroke, 2023) This can strain or tear muscle tissue structures in the neck and upper back, leading to the development of pain and stiffness throughout the body.
Herniated Discs: The impact of a car collision can cause the spinal segments to compress or displace the intervertebral discs, causing them to bulge or rupture. This may irritate nearby nerves, compressing them, resulting in back pain-associated numbness or weakness within the upper and lower extremities. (Ge et al., 2019)
Spinal Misalignment: The sudden jolts and movements the body experiences after a car collision can misalign the spinal vertebrae, disrupting the spine’s natural curvature. This can lead to numerous pain-like symptoms, such as muscle spasms, restricted movement, and pain.
Fractures or Dislocations: In severe accidents, the spinal vertebrae may fracture or dislocate, causing intense pain and potential nerve damage. These injuries can negatively influence an individual’s social and financial situation when being treated. (Fakharian et al., 2017)
Facet Joint Injuries: The facet joints, which connect the vertebrae, can become sprained or damaged during a collision, leading to pain.
Symptoms of Spine & Back Pain
Depending on the collision’s severity, the spine and back can develop symptoms depending on the type of injury the person is experiencing. Common signs include:
Localized or Radiating Pain
Stiffness
Muscle Spasms
Numbness or Tingling
Headaches
Fatigue or Weakness
Delayed onset of symptoms is common, with pain or discomfort appearing hours or days after the accident. Seeking prompt medical evaluation is critical to prevent complications.
From Injury to Recovery with Chiropractic Care- Video
The Role Of Chiropractic Care in Treatment
Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option focusing on restoring spinal alignment, improving mobility, and reducing pain within the musculoskeletal system. It is particularly effective for managing spine and back pain caused by car accidents. Key benefits of chiropractic care include:
Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use controlled, manual techniques to realign the spine, relieve pressure on the compressed nerves, and restore joint function. This can reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore the normal range of spinal movement. (Choi et al., 2015)
Soft Tissue Therapy: Chiropractors can incorporate massage or myofascial release techniques to help relax the tight muscles, reduce spasms, and promote healing in strained ligaments and tendons.
Pain Management: Since chiropractic care can alleviate pain without reliance on medications, which may have side effects. Chiropractic adjustments and therapies target the root cause of discomfort.
Rehabilitation Support: Chiropractors often provide exercises and stretches as part of the individual’s customized treatment plan to strengthen muscles and prevent future injuries.
Holistic Approach: Chiropractic care emphasizes overall wellness, addressing physical symptoms and lifestyle factors that impact the person’s recovery process.
Chiropractic care is effective for conditions like whiplash, which is associated with neck and lower back pain. Compared to standard medical care, it reduces pain and improves function. (Bryans et al., 2014)
Other Treatment Options
While chiropractic care is highly effective, a comprehensive treatment plan may include:
Physical Therapy: To restore strength and flexibility back to the body while reducing low back and neck pain. (Alrwaily et al., 2019)
Pain Management: Over-the-counter or prescription medications for short-term relief.
Medical Imaging: X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to diagnose fractures or herniated discs.
Surgery: In rare cases, for severe injuries like spinal fractures or significant disc herniations.
When to Seek Care
Individuals involved in a car accident must have a prompt evaluation by a healthcare provider, such as a chiropractor or physician. Even if symptoms are mild, this is essential because if the injuries are untreated, they can cause overlapping risk profiles or long-term complications to the body. A chiropractor can assess spinal alignment, recommend a personalized treatment plan, and coordinate with other providers.
Conclusion
Following a vehicle accident, those who have back and spine pain may find that their everyday lives are significantly impacted, but recovery may be aided by prompt action and the right treatment. A safe and efficient method for controlling pain, regaining function, and averting chronic problems is chiropractic therapy. A chiropractor may help people recover from accidents by determining the root causes of pain-like symptoms and promoting general wellbeing.
Injury Medical Chiropractic & Personal Injury Clinic
We associate certified medical providers who understand the importance of assessing individuals with pain-like symptoms affecting their spines and backs. When asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate customized treatment plans for their pain correlated with musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer
References
Alrwaily, M., Schneider, M., Sowa, G., Timko, M., Whitney, S. L., & Delitto, A. (2019). Stabilization exercises combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Braz J Phys Ther, 23(6), 506-515. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2018.10.003
Bryans, R., Decina, P., Descarreaux, M., Duranleau, M., Marcoux, H., Potter, B., Ruegg, R. P., Shaw, L., Watkin, R., & White, E. (2014). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with neck pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 37(1), 42-63. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.08.010
Choi, J., Lee, S., & Jeon, C. (2015). Effects of flexion-distraction manipulation therapy on pain and disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. J Phys Ther Sci, 27(6), 1937-1939. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.1937
Fakharian, E., Mohammadzadeh, M., Saberi, H. R., Fazel, M. R., Rejali, M., Akbari, H., Mirzadeh, A. S., & Mohammadzadeh, J. (2017). Spinal injury resulting from car accident: Focus to prevention. Asian J Neurosurg, 12(2), 180-184. doi.org/10.4103/1793-5482.152110
Ge, C. Y., Hao, D. J., Yan, L., Shan, L. Q., Zhao, Q. P., He, B. R., & Hui, H. (2019). Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review. Clin Interv Aging, 14, 2295-2299. doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S228717
Dr. Alex Jimenez: Pioneering Integrative Care as a Chiropractor and Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Alex Jimenez, a licensed chiropractor and board-certified nurse practitioner based in El Paso, Texas, brings over 25 years of expertise to his Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic practice. His dual licensure provides unique insights into the etiologies, pathogenesis, and treatment of complex clinical conditions, enabling him to deliver patient-centered, integrative care that bridges physical medicine, functional medicine, and advanced diagnostics. Combining chiropractic expertise with nurse practitioner-driven medical management, Dr. Jimenez offers comprehensive treatment protocols tailored to acute and chronic conditions, promoting metabolic resilience, longevity, and whole-person wellness.
Dual Expertise: Chiropractic and Nurse Practitioner Roles
Dr. Jimenez’s practice stands out due to his ability to integrate the biomechanical focus of chiropractic care with a nurse practitioner’s diagnostic and therapeutic scope. As a chiropractor, he specializes in restoring musculoskeletal function, particularly after trauma, neck, back, spine, and soft tissue injuries. His chiropractic interventions emphasize non-invasive techniques, such as spinal decompression, manual adjustments, and functional rehabilitation, to alleviate pain and enhance mobility.
As a board-certified nurse practitioner, Dr. Jimenez employs evidence-based medicine to address systemic and metabolic dysfunctions. His expertise extends to managing chronic degenerative disorders, hormonal imbalances, weight loss, sexual health, and pain syndromes. This dual perspective allows him to identify underlying disease causes, from biomechanical misalignments to physiological imbalances, and design treatment regimens that address symptoms and root causes.
The synergy of these roles enables Dr. Jimenez to offer a holistic approach that is particularly effective for complex conditions such as sciatica, fibromyalgia, disc herniation, spondylolisthesis, and chronic neck or back pain. His integrative protocols combine functional medicine assessments, lifestyle interventions, and advanced diagnostics to achieve homeostasis and physiological balance.
Treatment Protocols: Evidence-Based and Patient-Centered
Drawing from integrative protocols outlined on his website, www.chiromed.com, Dr. Jimenez employs a multidisciplinary approach to patient care. His treatment plans are grounded in evidence-based medicine, functional medicine, and lifestyle wellness strategies, tailored to each patient’s unique health profile, lifestyle, and medical history. Below are key components of his integrative care model:
1. Chiropractic Care and Functional Rehabilitation
Spinal Decompression: Non-surgical decompression therapy is used to relieve pressure on spinal discs, addressing conditions like disc herniation, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. This modality promotes healing by improving blood flow and nutrient delivery to affected areas.
Manual Adjustments: Targeted adjustments correct spinal misalignments, reduce nerve compression, and restore joint mobility. These are particularly effective for whiplash, scoliosis, and poor posture.
Functional Strength Training: Dr. Jimenez designs conditioning programs to enhance recovery and prevent re-injury. These programs are tailored for athletes and individuals seeking optimal performance and incorporate mobility, flexibility, and agility training.
2. Functional Medicine Assessments
Functional medicine tools evaluate metabolic, hormonal, and nutritional status. These assessments identify the root causes of conditions such as fatigue, weight gain, or chronic pain, enabling precise interventions.
Advanced diagnostic protocols, including blood panels and imaging, provide data-driven insights into etiologies and pathogenesis. This allows Dr. Jimenez to address underlying dysfunctions rather than merely masking symptoms.
3. Lifestyle and Nutritional Interventions
Weight Loss and Metabolic Resilience: Dr. Jimenez integrates nutritional counseling and metabolic optimization strategies to support sustainable weight loss and prevent chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular disorders.
Hormone and Sexual Health: Personalized regimens address hormonal imbalances and sexual dysfunction, improving quality of life and overall wellness.
Pain Management: Nutritional and lifestyle modifications complement physical therapies to manage chronic pain syndromes, reducing reliance on pharmaceuticals.
4. Specialized Care for Complex Conditions
Sciatica and Disc Injuries: Dr. Jimenez employs targeted decompression and rehabilitation protocols to alleviate nerve compression and restore function.
Chronic Degenerative Disorders: Conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, and spondylolisthesis are managed through integrative plans that combine physical therapy, nutritional support, and metabolic optimization.
Sports and Auto Accident Injuries: Tailored rehabilitation programs address soft tissue damage, shoulder injuries, and whiplash, ensuring rapid recovery and long-term resilience.
5. Advanced Wellness Programs
Dr. Jimenez’s clinic offers comprehensive wellness programs on longevity, skin care, and hair loss. These programs integrate nutritional supplementation, lifestyle coaching, and cutting-edge therapies to promote vitality and aesthetic health.
High-level conditioning programs optimize performance for athletes, incorporating functional strength training and recovery-focused interventions.
Integrative Team and Clinic Highlights
Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic is El Paso’s largest mobility, flexibility, and agility center, integrating chiropractors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, nutritionists, and physical performance trainers. The clinic’s multidisciplinary team collaborates to deliver personalized care, ensuring patients achieve measurable health outcomes. Key services include:
Acupuncture: A Complementary therapy to reduce pain and promote relaxation.
Advanced Nutritional Programs: Evidence-based dietary plans to support metabolic health and recovery.
Physical Performance Training: Programs to enhance fitness, prevent injuries, and optimize athletic performance.
The clinic accepts major insurances, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and First Health, making care accessible to a broad patient base.
Insights from Dual Licensure
Dr. Jimenez’s licensure as both a chiropractor and nurse practitioner provides him with a comprehensive understanding of disease processes and treatment modalities. His chiropractic training equips him to address biomechanical dysfunctions, while his nurse practitioner expertise allows him to manage systemic conditions with a medical lens. This dual perspective enhances his ability to:
Clarify Etiologies: By combining musculoskeletal assessments with metabolic and hormonal evaluations, Dr. Jimenez identifies multifactorial causes of conditions, ensuring targeted interventions.
Understand Pathogenesis: His knowledge of disease progression informs proactive treatment plans that halt or reverse degenerative processes.
Design Appropriate Regimens: Integrating physical, nutritional, and medical therapies, Dr. Jimenez creates synergistic treatment plans that address both symptoms and underlying dysfunctions.
This integrative approach is particularly valuable for patients with chronic or multifactorial conditions, as it addresses the interplay between physical, metabolic, and lifestyle factors.
Patient-Centered Care: In-Person and Online
Dr. Jimenez’s practice emphasizes personalized attention, whether patients visit in person at 11860 Vista Del Sol, Suite 128, El Paso, TX 79936, or engage through telehealth. His functional medicine series, accessible via www.dralexjimenez.com, educates patients on holistic health principles, covering topics from spinal health to metabolic optimization. The website features:
Informative Content: Blog posts, articles, and videos provide insights into chiropractic care, functional medicine, and injury rehabilitation.
Patient Testimonials: Success stories highlight the transformative impact of Dr. Jimenez’s care, showcasing outcomes for conditions like sciatica, sports injuries, and chronic pain.
Appointment Booking: A user-friendly interface allows patients to schedule in-person or online consultations, with clear guidance on what to expect during their first visit.
Commitment to Education and Community Health
Dr. Jimenez is dedicated to empowering patients through education. His website is comprehensive, offering evidence-based information on health conditions, treatment options, and wellness strategies. By fostering health literacy, Dr. Jimenez enables patients to make informed decisions and take charge of their well-being.
His commitment extends to the El Paso community, where he aims to expand access to integrative care. Dr. Jimenez promotes proactive health management and preventive care through workshops, online content, and community outreach.
Conclusion
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s dual expertise as a chiropractor and nurse practitioner positions him as a leader in integrative medicine. His ability to bridge physical medicine with systemic health management allows him to address complex clinical issues with precision and compassion. Dr. Jimenez delivers personalized care that promotes healing, resilience, and longevity by leveraging evidence-based protocols, advanced diagnostics, and lifestyle interventions.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.dralexjimenez.com or contact the clinic at +1-915-412-6677.
Can individuals incorporate these simple but effective exercise routines to reduce pain and discomfort in their spine and back?
Why It’s Important To Keep The Back Mobile
When many individuals are dealing with back pain from their upper, middle, and lower portions, it can put a halt to a person’s routine. When back pain becomes present, it causes the person to find a comfortable place like a couch or a bed and lie down. However, this can cause more issues than the original one, affecting the individual. Back pain is a common worldwide problem and is the leading issue of disability associated with a high socio-economic cost. (Chou, 2021) Additionally, when a person is dealing with back pain, they are also dealing with degenerative issues that are also affecting their spines, thus causing problems to their joints, discs, and bones. (Hauser et al., 2022) This is because back pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal disorder that can cause referred pain to different body locations. So when a person dealing with back pain rests, it can become an issue as inflammation builds up and swelling in the affected areas. Hence, many doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and spine specialists recommend keeping mobile to allow blood flow and the body’s natural healing response to reduce pain and speed up recovery. Since back pain relief is challenging through visceral-somatic disturbances, it is important to find various treatment options to aid the person’s specific condition. As a person goes to get treatment for their back pain, it is important to note that the causes of their back pain can help determine which exercises can be most effective within their treatment plan. We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of the benefits of incorporating simple but effective exercises for their back pain. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to integrate an exercise routine to reduce the chances of environmental factors causing back pain to return. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Understanding Academic Low Back Pain- Video
Effective But Simple Exercises For The Back
Many people often wonder, “If I am dealing with back pain, why should I exercise to reduce this pain?” The answer is simple: since the affected back muscles are tight and weakened, simple but effective exercises can help recover. Exercise therapy can help increase muscle-joint strength in the body while improving muscle function and increasing range of motion. This boosts a speedy recovery and allows the individual to return to their usual activities. (Hayden et al., 2021) At the same time, with a customized treatment plan, exercise therapy can incorporate other non-surgical treatments with one goal: to restore normal musculoskeletal function and reduce the pain caused by environmental factors, diseases, or injuries. (Karlsson et al., 2020) Now, depending on the severity of the back pain, there are simple but effective exercises below to help reduce the pain and restore mobility to the back.
Physical Therapy & At-Home Workouts
Physical therapy and at-home exercises can help many individuals with back pain. They can help figure out which position can help centralize the pain and correct any restricted motions. Many physical therapists incorporate the McKenzie method to strengthen and support the spine while decreasing pain and inflammation. At-home exercises can be combined with a series designed to be practical, assessable, and feasible for therapeutic gain or even to improve physical capacity to maximum effort. (Quentin et al., 2021)
Water Exercises
Water exercises are amazing exercises that can help lessen the body’s weight to take pressure and stress off the spine. This is because water is supposed to help cleanse and rejuvenate the body. When individuals are experiencing chronic back pain, aquatic physical therapy can help relieve pain intensity, relax the aching muscles, and even promote a positive workout experience for the individual. (Ma et al., 2022) After a few consecutive sessions, many individuals can see improvement in pain intensity and restored mobility function in their routines.
Tai Chi & Stabalizing Exercises
Now, another simple and effective exercise routine can help stabilize the surrounding muscles in the back and spine and become effective as part of a health and well-being routine. Tai chi and Qigong practices can help the individual emphasize stillness and controlled movements to promote calmness, resilience, body awareness, and relaxation for proper body alignment. (Yang et al., 2024) Tai chi and Qigong can also help support immune function in the body while regulating inflammation, which can help reduce and prevent diseases. (Oh et al., 2020) At the same time, yoga can help improve flexibility, mobility, and stability within the muscles and joints while also improving spinal alignment, which can help many individuals have proper posture. (Zhu et al., 2020) Depending on which exercise a person prefers for their treatment plan and to reduce their back pain; it is important to make these small changes to achieve optimal results. Making these small changes can help many individuals reduce the chances of their back pain returning and help them along with their health and wellness journey.
Hauser, R. A., Matias, D., Woznica, D., Rawlings, B., & Woldin, B. A. (2022). Lumbar instability as an etiology of low back pain and its treatment by prolotherapy: A review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 35(4), 701-712. doi.org/10.3233/BMR-210097
Hayden, J. A., Ellis, J., Ogilvie, R., Malmivaara, A., & van Tulder, M. W. (2021). Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 9(9), CD009790. doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2
Karlsson, M., Bergenheim, A., Larsson, M. E. H., Nordeman, L., van Tulder, M., & Bernhardsson, S. (2020). Effects of exercise therapy in patients with acute low back pain: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Syst Rev, 9(1), 182. doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01412-8
Ma, J., Zhang, T., He, Y., Li, X., Chen, H., & Zhao, Q. (2022). Effect of aquatic physical therapy on chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 1050. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05981-8
Oh, B., Bae, K., Lamoury, G., Eade, T., Boyle, F., Corless, B., Clarke, S., Yeung, A., Rosenthal, D., Schapira, L., & Back, M. (2020). The Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on Immune Responses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicines (Basel), 7(7). doi.org/10.3390/medicines7070039
Quentin, C., Bagheri, R., Ugbolue, U. C., Coudeyre, E., Pelissier, C., Descatha, A., Menini, T., Bouillon-Minois, J. B., & Dutheil, F. (2021). Effect of Home Exercise Training in Patients with Nonspecific Low-Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(16). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168430
Yang, Y., McCluskey, S., Bydon, M., Singh, J. R., Sheeler, R. D., Nathani, K. R., Krieger, A. C., Mehta, N. D., Weaver, J., Jia, L., DeCelle, S., Schlagal, R. C., Ayar, J., Abduljawad, S., Stovitz, S. D., Ganesh, R., Verkuilen, J., Knapp, K. A., Yang, L., & Hartl, R. (2024). A Tai chi and qigong mind-body program for low back pain: A virtually delivered randomized control trial. N Am Spine Soc J, 20, 100557. doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100557
Zhu, F., Zhang, M., Wang, D., Hong, Q., Zeng, C., & Chen, W. (2020). Yoga compared to non-exercise or physical therapy exercise on pain, disability, and quality of life for patients with chronic low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0238544. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238544
Can individuals experiencing back pain from various factors incorporate MET (muscle energy techniques) to restore mobility?
Factors That Causes Back Pain
More often than not, many individuals have experienced back pain in various parts of their lives. As one of the leading pains that people have dealt with worldwide, many factors can contribute to the development of back pain, and it can affect different musculoskeletal locations in the upper and lower body quadrants. Back pain has often been associated with the workplace or environmental factors. For back pain, the problem can range from all back sections, affecting the muscles, ligaments, tissues, intervertebral joints, or the bone itself. (Wiberg, 1949) People are constantly in motion, and the muscles can be overstretched and tight over time. When that happens, many people seek treatment to reduce back pain’s overlapping risk profiles and restore mobility. Today’s article focuses on the factors associated with back pain and how non-surgical treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) can help reduce back pain and restore mobility. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how various environmental factors are correlated with back pain and how it can affect the body. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to include various non-surgical treatments like MET to be incorporated to reduce overlapping risk profiles associated with back pain. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How often do you experience pain in different locations in your back after doing some strenuous activities? Do you feel like you are taking many breaks due to feeling tightness or sharp sensations in your back? Or have you felt that your posture is more hunched than normal? Many of these environmental factors scenarios are correlated with back pain, and it can become an issue over time. Back pain can be in two categories: specific and non-specific, and it can impact a person’s quality of life. Non-specific back pain can be associated with mobility impairment in the different back sections, referred to as radiating pain in the lower extremities or musculoskeletal disorders. (Delitto et al., 2012) This causes issues like repetitive loading to the spine and various pain-like symptoms to the back, causing a disbalance to the individual. (Zemková & Zapletalová, 2021) When it comes to environmental factors correlating with back pain, there are numerous ways for it to be developed and, over time, cause discomfort for the individual, as back pain symptoms vary for everyone.
Sleep
When it comes to the connection between sleep and back pain, these two issues can cause a vicious cycle of disturbed sleep and issues like insomnia. (Van Looveren et al., 2021) Now, when it comes to sleep disturbances and back pain, many individuals may be sleeping with the wrong mattress, causing their bodies to can cause pressure on their joints and spinal discs. This causes in-bed sleep behaviors like movements and postures could lead to health complications like pressure sores, apnea, and painful muscle spasms in the back and lower extremities. (Elnaggar et al., 2023) Luckily, there are various ways to reduce back pain, improve sleep quality, and restore body motion.
Understanding Academic Low Back Pain-Video
What Is MET?
When people come in for back pain treatment, non-surgical therapies can help stretch the overworked and tired back muscles and restore mobility to the body’s upper and lower extremities. One of the non-surgical treatments that pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists use is MET therapy or muscle energy technique therapy. MET comprises soft tissue manipulation that uses controlled isometric and isotonic contractions. (Sarkar et al., 2021) This helps the body not only improve the physiological function of the muscles but also decrease pain. MET can also be combined with other therapies to help lengthen short muscles, improve the range of motion from the joints, and increase fluid drainage from the body’s peripheral regions. (Batool et al., 2024)
MET Reducing Back Pain
Regarding MET, reducing back pain is possible as MET can be integrated with physical therapy to improve the disability and functionality of the person with back pain. (Wahyuddin et al., 2020) When people start to incorporate MET and non-surgical treatments as part of their routine for their health and well-being, they will begin to notice that the pain they have been experiencing in their back is diminishing over time. This allows them to be more mindful of their backs and bodies while making small changes to their routine. Sleeping better with a correct mattress, exercising more to stretch and strengthen muscles, eating healthier foods, and relaxing more allow people to be pain-free in their health and wellness journey.
References
Batool, K., Mehmood, M., Jafar, M., & Gull, M. (2024). Comparative efficacy of muscle energy technique and Bowen technique on hamstrings muscle tightness in chronic low back pain patients. Pak J Med Sci, 40(9), 2080-2084. doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.9.8517
Delitto, A., George, S. Z., Van Dillen, L., Whitman, J. M., Sowa, G., Shekelle, P., Denninger, T. R., & Godges, J. J. (2012). Low Back Pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 42(4), A1-A57. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2012.42.4.a1
Elnaggar, O., Arelhi, R., Coenen, F., Hopkinson, A., Mason, L., & Paoletti, P. (2023). An interpretable framework for sleep posture change detection and postural inactivity segmentation using wrist kinematics. Sci Rep, 13(1), 18027. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44567-9
Sarkar, M., Goyal, M., & Samuel, A. J. (2021). Comparing the Effectiveness of the Muscle Energy Technique and Kinesiotaping in Mechanical Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: A Non-blinded, Two-Group, Pretest-Posttest Randomized Clinical Trial Protocol. Asian Spine Journal, 15(1), 54-63. doi.org/10.31616/asj.2019.0300
Van Looveren, E., Bilterys, T., Munneke, W., Cagnie, B., Ickmans, K., Mairesse, O., Malfliet, A., De Baets, L., Nijs, J., Goubert, D., Danneels, L., Moens, M., & Meeus, M. (2021). The Association between Sleep and Chronic Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review from the Last Decade. J Clin Med, 10(17). doi.org/10.3390/jcm10173836
Wahyuddin, W., Vongsirinavarat, M., Mekhora, K., Bovonsunthonchai, S., & Adisaipoapun, R. (2020). Immediate effects of muscle energy technique and stabilization exercise in patients with chronic low back pain with suspected facet joint origin: A pilot study. Hong Kong Physiother J, 40(2), 109-119. doi.org/10.1142/S1013702520500109
Wiberg, G. (1949). Back pain in relation to the nerve supply of the intervertebral disc. Acta Orthop Scand, 19(2), 211-221, illust. doi.org/10.3109/17453674908991094
Zemková, E., & Zapletalová, L. (2021). Back Problems: Pros and Cons of Core Strengthening Exercises as a Part of Athlete Training. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5400. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105400
Can individuals relieve back pain by incorporating core strength training to reduce pain and discomfort in their lower backs?
Introduction
Many individuals worldwide have dealt with back issues that make it difficult to complete any task that they are doing. Many often feel pain and discomfort radiating from the three sections of the back and can radiate from the neck, shoulders, and hips. When these areas of the musculoskeletal system are being affected, it can lead to a life of pain and chronic conditions that cause overlapping risk profiles. At the same time, some causes of back pain often correlate with environmental factors and weak core muscles. When a person is dealing with weak core muscles, they will experience instability and pain when they are mobile, leading to back pain. In today’s article, we look at what the core muscles are, how they are connected to back pain, and how strengthening them can reduce the effects of back pain. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how strengthening the core muscles can reduce back pain. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate various core strengthening exercises to prevent overlapping risk profiles correlated with back pain. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Are The Core Muscles?
Do you feel a constant ache or pain in your back after lifting or carrying objects in a hunched position? Do you experience muscle weakness in your torso that you can’t stay in a plank position for a few seconds? Or do you experience radiating pain from your lower back to your leg? The core muscles are a group of muscles wrapped around the torso like a support belt that helps with stability, balance, and protecting the lumbar from injuries. The core muscles are found in the lower body’s front, back, and sides. At the same time, the core muscles can help generate intrabdominal pressure while moving the vertebral column. (Flynn & Vickerton, 2024) In the core muscles, the transverse abdominis muscle or the seatbelt muscle. This muscle works with the inspiratory muscles through elastic loading to evoke transversus expiratory activity when breathing and functioning in motion. (De Troyer et al., 1990)
Core Muscles & Back Pain
The core muscles, especially the transverse abdominis muscles, are often overlooked as many individuals frequently deal with numerous factors that cause low back pain. Common core muscles are associated with back pain because environmental factors can neglect the transverse abdominis muscles. Fatigue in the core muscles can cause repetitive asymmetric loading on the spine, which enhances susceptibility to back pain and other injuries. (Zemkova & Zapletalova, 2021) Since back pain is a multifactorial condition that is one of the leading causes of hospital visits and socio-economic issues, many individuals start to neglect the core muscles over time, causing them to be weak. Some symptoms correlated with weak core muscles include:
When this happens, many people start looking for treatment to reduce their back pain and help strengthen their core muscles.
Discover The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care- Video
Strengthening Core Muscles
Before people reduce their back pain and return to their daily routine, they would have to be assessed by a pain specialist like a chiropractor to assess fully what environmental factors are causing the back pain. After the assessment, a chiropractor can work with a physical therapist to reduce back pain and strengthen the core muscles to prevent back pain from returning. When it comes to core strengthening exercises, they focus on either the deep or superficial muscles of the torso, which might produce different effects on lumbar motion. (Puntumetakul et al., 2021) Additionally, core stability exercises can reduce pain in the back and disability reduction and improve a person’s quality of life. (Kanwal et al., 2021) Engaging the muscles through core strengthening exercises can help achieve optimal strength with twisting and side-bending movements to reduce back pain.
Pay Attention To Engaged Core Muscles
However, individuals need to pay attention to engaging their core muscles while maintaining a neutral spine position for stability and preventing back pain. (Cigdem Karacay et al., 2022) This allows individuals to be consistent with strengthening their core and to commit to short workouts incorporated as part of not only their routine but also as part of their customized treatment plan. When it comes to reducing back pain, it is important to ensure that the core muscles are engaged to help build strength and stability, decrease back pain, and improve functionality. When people start strengthening their core muscles, they will be able to be more mindful about how to present themselves and live healthier lives.
References
Cigdem Karacay, B., Sahbaz, T., Gurtekin, B., Yildiz, S., & Ozcan, E. (2022). Effectiveness of whole-body vibration exercise and core stabilization exercise in chronic non-specific low back pain: A randomized-controlled study. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil, 68(2), 184-194. doi.org/10.5606/tftrd.2022.7060
De Troyer, A., Estenne, M., Ninane, V., Van Gansbeke, D., & Gorini, M. (1990). Transversus abdominis muscle function in humans. J Appl Physiol (1985), 68(3), 1010-1016. doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1990.68.3.1010
Kanwal, S., Yaqoob, I., Shakil-Ur-Rehman, S., Ghous, M., Ghazal, J., & Namroz, N. (2021). Effects of core muscle stability on low back pain and quality of life in post-menopausal women: A comparative study. J Pak Med Assoc, 71(1(A)), 37-40. doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.151
Puntumetakul, R., Saiklang, P., Tapanya, W., Chatprem, T., Kanpittaya, J., Arayawichanon, P., & Boucaut, R. (2021). The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercise with the Abdominal Drawing-in Maneuver Technique versus General Strengthening Exercise on Lumbar Segmental Motion in Patients with Clinical Lumbar Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial with 12-Month Follow-Up. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(15). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157811
Wattananon, P., Sinsurin, K., & Somprasong, S. (2020). Association between lumbopelvic motion and muscle activation in patients with non-specific low back pain during forward bending task: A cross-sectional study. Hong Kong Physiother J, 40(1), 29-37. doi.org/10.1142/S1013702520500043
Zemkova, E., & Zapletalova, L. (2021). Back Problems: Pros and Cons of Core Strengthening Exercises as a Part of Athlete Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(10). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105400
Can individuals utilize chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help restore mobility to their lower back and legs?
Introduction
Many individuals are always on the move and utilize the lower half of the body to go from one location to another. From the lower back to the feet, many individuals do repetitive movement that causes the lower back muscles to be constantly stretched. This, in turn, can lead to overlapping risk profiles that can affect the lower back and a long nerve connected to the lower back, known as the sciatic nerve. When numerous issues affect the sciatic nerve, many individuals experience pain and discomfort over time, which can develop into something chronic without treatment. Luckily, when individuals begin to think about their health and wellness, it reduces the chances of pain and discomfort from returning. Today’s article looks at the causes of sciatica and how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help relieve sciatica pain and restore mobility to the lower back and legs. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how sciatica pain correlates with the lower back. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care to reduce sciatica pain and help realign the body. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Causes Sciatica?
Do you feel numbness or tingling sensations in your legs, making walking unbearable? Do you experience pain or discomfort in your lower back after lifting a heavy object? Or how long have you stretched your body after sitting down or standing excessively at work? Many of these scenarios are often correlated with low back pain. However, low back pain is always connected with sciatica and can impact the body. While the sciatic nerve plays a huge role in direct motor function to the hamstrings and lower extremities, sciatica is when environmental factors impact or compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain-like symptoms to the lower extremities. (Davis et al., 2024) Since the sciatic nerve is large and travels down to the feet, it allows mobility to the lower extremities. When many individuals experience low back pain, they will also experience sciatica.
Sciatica also means that pain will always be transmitted along the sciatic nerve root, leading to various impairments and socioeconomic consequences and affecting a person’s quality of life. (Siddiq et al., 2020) Many of the causes of sciatica pain can vary as they are all correlated with low back pain. Some of the various environmental factors that can cause sciatica include:
Physical inactivity
Excessive sitting or standing
Poor posture
Musculoskeletal conditions
Another environmental factor that leads to the development of sciatica is disc degeneration. This can cause the nerves to be irritated due to herniation and cause asymptomatic overlapping risk profiles (Zhou et al., 2021). When people are dealing with the overlapping risk profiles of sciatica, many often seek treatment to reduce the pain and restore mobility to the lower extremities.
Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, & Tips- Video
How Chiropractic Care Reduces Sciatica
Since sciatica is commonly experienced as a frequent symptom cause of low back and leg pain, the symptoms can range from a mild tingling sensation to a burning sensation, and treatment is needed. Many individuals will seek out non-surgical treatments to reduce the pain caused by sciatica. Non-surgical treatments are non-invasive, affordable, and customizable to the individual. One of the non-surgical treatments is chiropractic care, which can help many individuals dealing with sciatica. A chiropractor can diagnose a person’s sciatica and assess the root cause of the symptoms to provide the most appropriate form of treatment. The main goal for chiropractic care is to restore the natural mobility of the spine and provide progressive relief from pain and stiffness in the lower extremities while improving a person’s daily living. (Kruse et al., 2019)
Chiropractic Care Restores Lower Back & Leg Mobility
Chiropractors utilize manual and mechanical spinal manipulation to increase lumbar spinal mobility and flexibility and improve the legs biomechanically. (Siciliano et al., 2024) Chiropractic treatments can also use various methods like neural mobilization intervention to decrease the pain and restore nerve function in the lower extremities and lower back. (Peacock et al., 2023) This allows individuals to have a reduced disability from sciatica associated with low back pain, and it is possible to prevent sciatica from occurring in the future. As many people begin to become more mindful of what is causing their sciatica, they can find effective ways to improve their spine’s well-being and prevent sciatica symptoms from affecting the lower extremities.
Kruse, R. A., White, B. A., & Gudavalli, S. (2019). Management of Lumbar Radiculopathy Associated With an Extruded L4-L5 Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis Using Flexion-Distraction Manipulation: A Case Study. J Chiropr Med, 18(4), 311-316. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2019.02.001
Peacock, M., Douglas, S., & Nair, P. (2023). Neural mobilization in low back and radicular pain: a systematic review. J Man Manip Ther, 31(1), 4-12. doi.org/10.1080/10669817.2022.2065599
Siciliano, T. B., Gudavalli, M. R., & Kruse, R. (2024). Spinal manipulation and mobilization forces delivered treating sciatica: a case report. Front Integr Neurosci, 18, 1356564. doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2024.1356564
Siddiq, M. A. B., Clegg, D., Hasan, S. A., & Rasker, J. J. (2020). Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain, 33(4), 305-317. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
Can individuals with nerve injuries incorporate non-surgical treatments to reduce pain sensations and restore motor function to their bodies?
Introduction
The human body is a complex machine of nerves, bones, organs, tissues, and muscles that help the individual be mobile, flexible, and stable during various activities without pain and discomfort. However, when numerous factors start to hurt the body, it can lead to multiple overlapping risk profiles that can affect the body’s extremities and nerve injuries. Dealing with nerve injuries can lead to referred pain in the musculoskeletal system, and many people think it is muscle pain instead of nerve injury. When that happens, many individuals will begin to seek treatment to reduce not only the symptoms of nerve injuries but also reduce the pain associated with the nerves. In today’s article, we will look at what causes nerve injuries and how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and acupuncture can help with reducing the overlapping symptoms of nerve injuries and provide relief to the body. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients about how nerve injuries can impact the musculoskeletal system. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and acupuncture to restore motor function to the body. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Causes Nerve Injuries?
Do you constantly feel tingling or numbness in your legs, arms, feet, and hands? Do your muscles feel so weak that holding objects seems difficult? Or do you feel pain in your extremities, making it difficult to do everyday tasks? The body has trillions of nerves that branch out from the central nervous system and are intertwined with the muscles, tissues, and organs for motor-sensory function. Traumatic injuries, accidents, and normal environmental factors impact the nerves and cause overlapping risk profiles. More often than not, many individuals deal with non-mechanical and mechanical nerve injuries that can occur to the body. With nerve injuries, many individuals can feel various symptoms depending on the severity. Neuropraxia, a moderate form of nerve injury, causes nerve compression in the upper and lower extremities that causes motor dysfunction. (Carballo Cuello & De Jesus, 2024)
Additionally, neuropraxia can lead to functional impairment to the motor-sensory dysfunction that disrupts the peripheral nervous system, signaling this blocks nerve conduction and transient weakness or paresthesia. (Biso & Munakomi, 2024) When this happens, many individuals dealing with peripheral nerve injury that is associated with neuropraxia can experience structural and functional impairment to the sensory-motor skills in the extremities, which leads to physical disability and neuropathic pain, thus affecting a person’s quality of life. (Lopes et al., 2022) Many individuals dealing with nerve injuries can have various recovery periods depending on the severity. Many people often think they are dealing with musculoskeletal pain in their neck, shoulders, back, and extremities, but it is associated with nerve injury. When this happens, many individuals can seek out treatment to reduce the pain-like symptoms from nerve injuries.
Is Motion The Key To Healing?- Video
Non-Surgical Treatments For Nerve Injuries
When it comes to treating nerve injuries, it depends on the severity of the symptoms they cause. Surgical options are recommended to restore motor-sensory function if severe mechanical factors cause nerve injury. However, many individuals will opt out of surgical treatments due to their high cost and will often take over-the-counter medication to ease the pain. However, if the nerve injury is non-mechanical, many individuals can seek non-surgical treatments to reduce the nerve injury affecting the musculoskeletal system. Many non-surgical treatments are preferable to many people because they are cost-effective and can ultimately enhance a person’s care and improve their recovery outcome. (El Melhat et al., 2024) Non-surgical treatments can come in many forms, from chiropractic care to acupuncture, to help reduce the effects of non-mechanical nerve injuries and help restore the sensory-motor function of the musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is one of the many non-surgical therapies that use mechanical and manual manipulation of the spine to realign the body and help restore the sensory-motor function to the extremities. With nerve injuries, chiropractic care can help with neural mobilization to release trapped nerves in the affected muscle areas, thus reducing pain-like symptoms of tingling sensations. (Jefferson-Falardeau & Houle, 2019) Additionally, chiropractic care can help increase ROM (range of motion) in the extremities and reduce numbing and tingling sensations.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another non-surgical treatment that can also help reduce non-mechanical nerve injuries to the body. When a professional acupuncturist uses small, thin needles at different pressure points to rewire the neuron signaling and restore the body’s energy flow, acupuncture can help improve the clinical efficacy of nerve pain intensity and help enhance the person’s quality of life. (Li et al., 2023) Additionally, acupuncture can help improve nerve injury’s emotional and cognitive function and can be combined with other non-surgical treatments. (Jang et al., 2021) When it comes to reducing pain-like symptoms correlated with nerve injury, non-surgical treatments can provide the relief many individuals seek and lead to a happier, healthier life.
El Melhat, A. M., Youssef, A. S. A., Zebdawi, M. R., Hafez, M. A., Khalil, L. H., & Harrison, D. E. (2024). Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med, 13(4). doi.org/10.3390/jcm13040974
Jang, J. H., Song, E. M., Do, Y. H., Ahn, S., Oh, J. Y., Hwang, T. Y., Ryu, Y., Jeon, S., Song, M. Y., & Park, H. J. (2021). Acupuncture alleviates chronic pain and comorbid conditions in a mouse model of neuropathic pain: the involvement of DNA methylation in the prefrontal cortex. Pain, 162(2), 514-530. doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002031
Jefferson-Falardeau, J., & Houle, S. (2019). Chiropractic Management of a Patient With Radial Nerve Entrapment Symptoms: A Case Study. J Chiropr Med, 18(4), 327-334. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2019.07.003
Li, X., Liu, Y., Jing, Z., Fan, B., Pan, W., Mao, S., & Han, Y. (2023). Effects of acupuncture therapy in diabetic neuropathic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med, 78, 102992. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102992
Lopes, B., Sousa, P., Alvites, R., Branquinho, M., Sousa, A. C., Mendonca, C., Atayde, L. M., Luis, A. L., Varejao, A. S. P., & Mauricio, A. C. (2022). Peripheral Nerve Injury Treatments and Advances: One Health Perspective. Int J Mol Sci, 23(2). doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020918
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