Back Clinic Chronic Pain Chiropractic Physical Therapy Team. Everyone feels pain from time to time. Cutting your finger or pulling a muscle, pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. The injury heals, you stop hurting.
Chronic pain works differently. The body keeps hurting weeks, months, or even years after the injury. Doctors define chronic pain as any pain that lasts for 3 to 6 months or more. Chronic pain can affect your day-to-day life and mental health. Pain comes from a series of messages that run through the nervous system. When hurt, the injury turns on pain sensors in that area. They send a message in the form of an electrical signal, which travels from nerve to nerve until it reaches the brain. The brain processes the signal and sends out the message that the body is hurt.
Under normal circumstances, the signal stops when the cause of pain is resolved, the body repairs the wound on the finger or a torn muscle. But with chronic pain, the nerve signals keep firing even after the injury is healed.
Conditions that cause chronic pain can begin without any obvious cause. But for many, it starts after an injury or because of a health condition. Some of the leading causes:
Arthritis
Back problems
Fibromyalgia, a condition in which people feel muscle pain throughout their bodies
Infections
Migraines and other headaches
Nerve damage
Past injuries or surgeries
Symptoms
The pain can range from mild to severe and can continue day after day or come and go. It can feel like:
A dull ache
Burning
Shooting
Soreness
Squeezing
Stiffness
Stinging
Throbbing
For answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900
Can individuals with arthritis incorporate various natural remedies to reduce joint pain in their extremities and restore mobility?
Introduction
Regarding the body, joints allow the upper and lower extremities to be mobile. This allows the host to move, bend, flex, and rotate without feelings of pain and discomfort. However, as many people age, so do the body and joints, as wear and tear can cause limited movement and stiffen the body. When this happens, it can lead to inflammatory effects and joint disorders. When the joints develop limited mobility and have overlapping risk profiles, it can come in the form of arthritis. When it comes to arthritis can come into two forms: osteo and rheumatoid, and both forms can cause two different inflammatory effects on the joints, causing pain and discomfort to the individual. Luckily, there are natural ways to manage the overlapping pain profiles caused by arthritis. In today’s article, we will look at the difference between the two forms of arthritis and how various natural remedies can help reduce pain-like symptoms caused by arthritis. We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of how arthritis can affect the joints and cause pain-like symptoms to their extremities. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate various natural remedies to reduce pain-like symptoms related to arthritis and restore joint health. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Osteoarthritis Vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
How often do you experience pain in your upper and lower extremities in the cold and feel better with the heat? Do you experience your fingers locking up constantly, making it difficult to grasp objects? Or do you notice swelling or redness in your joints, causing a decreased range of motion? When it comes to the joints dealing with these pain-like issues, it could be due to inflammation, causing the surrounding muscles, tissues, and tendons to become swollen. When it is not being treated, it can lead to the development of arthritis. Arthritis can come in two forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These two forms can affect the joints differently, confusing many individuals. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune joint disease that causes hyperplasia of the joint tissue and synovial inflammation, which causes cortical bone loss and marginal bone erosion. (Liu et al., 2021) Osteoarthritis can develop when the cartilage between the bones wears down, and it causes the pain associated with inflammation that sensitizes the joint capsule. (Knights et al., 2023) At the same time, osteoarthritis is a well-known degenerative joint disease that is the main cause of disability in a person’s daily living. It has a multifactorial etiology affecting the joint structures. (Yunus et al., 2020) When dealing with either of these forms of arthritis, many people have found natural remedies to help manage the symptoms and reduce the pain.
Unlock The Secrets of Inflammation- Video
Natural Remedies For Arthritis
When it comes to reducing pain-like symptoms that are caused by arthritis and managing their associated symptoms, many people start to make small changes in their daily routine. Many people start changing their eating habits by incorporating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods to reduce inflammatory cytokines and help reduce the progression of arthritis. (Gioia et al., 2020) At the same time, changing dietary habits are a small part of creating healthy habits. Therapeutic exercises and braces for the joints can also help reduce the pain and progression of arthritis. (Siddiq et al., 2024) When people commit to a healthy diet full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties and exercise, it can help reduce not only arthritis but also the co-morbidities associated with arthritis, like chronic musculoskeletal pain. (Sakamoto et al., 2023)
Turmeric & Magnesium
Another natural remedy that many people can incorporate to reduce arthritis affecting their joints is taking turmeric and magnesium supplements. Turmeric is part of the curcumin plant, a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce pain affecting the joints by decreasing the inflammatory status of arthritis. (Calderon-Perez et al., 2021) This is because turmeric and curcumin are natural oxygen scavengers and active nitrogen providers that effectively treat pain from arthritic joints. (Zeng et al., 2021) At the same time, magnesium supplements can help relieve pain and arthritic joints by achieving a holistic analgesic effect on the individual. (Zhu et al., 2024) By incorporating these supplements as part of a holistic treatment plan for individuals with arthritis in their joints, they can manage their symptoms and reduce pain.
References
Calderon-Perez, L., Llaurado, E., Companys, J., Pla-Paga, L., Boque, N., Puiggros, F., Valls, R. M., Pedret, A., Llabres, J. M., Arola, L., & Sola, R. (2021). Acute Effects of Turmeric Extracts on Knee Joint Pain: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Food, 24(4), 436-440. doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2020.0074
Gioia, C., Lucchino, B., Tarsitano, M. G., Iannuccelli, C., & Di Franco, M. (2020). Dietary Habits and Nutrition in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Can Diet Influence Disease Development and Clinical Manifestations? Nutrients, 12(5). doi.org/10.3390/nu12051456
Knights, A. J., Redding, S. J., & Maerz, T. (2023). Inflammation in osteoarthritis: the latest progress and ongoing challenges. Curr Opin Rheumatol, 35(2), 128-134. doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000000923
Liu, Y. Q., Liu, Y., Chen, Z. Y., Li, H., & Xiao, T. (2021). Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis: a bi-directional Mendelian randomization study. Aging (Albany NY), 13(10), 14109-14130. doi.org/10.18632/aging.203029
Sakamoto, J., Miyahara, S., Motokawa, S., Takahashi, A., Sasaki, R., Honda, Y., & Okita, M. (2023). Regular walking exercise prior to knee osteoarthritis reduces joint pain in an animal model. PLOS ONE, 18(8), e0289765. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289765
Siddiq, M. A. B., Oo, W. M., & Hunter, D. J. (2024). New therapeutic strategies in osteoarthritis. Joint Bone Spine, 91(6), 105739. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2024.105739
Yunus, M. H. M., Nordin, A., & Kamal, H. (2020). Pathophysiological Perspective of Osteoarthritis. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 56(11). doi.org/10.3390/medicina56110614
Zeng, L., Yu, G., Hao, W., Yang, K., & Chen, H. (2021). The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biosci Rep, 41(6). doi.org/10.1042/BSR20210817
Zhu, Y., Shen, S., Cui, L., Wu, L., & Zhang, B. (2024). Magnesium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate as additives for periarticular local infiltration analgesia improve pain management after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Surg Res, 19(1), 764. doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05233-6
Can choosing the right pillow help many individuals with neck pain get a full night’s sleep and reduce pain-like symptoms?
The Effects Of Neck Pain
How often do you feel stiffness in your neck and shoulders after being hunched for an extended period? Does it hurt when turning your neck from side to side? Or have you been suffering from constant headaches or migraines that are making you have a hard time falling asleep? As the second most common musculoskeletal condition, neck pain is a multifactorial disease developed through various risk factors that can impact a person. (Kazeminasab et al., 2022) The multiple muscles surrounding the neck are constantly overstretched and tight, which can cause pain and discomfort to the upper extremities due to environmental factors. Some environmental factors can range from improper posture to injuries that can affect the neck. When many people are experiencing neck pain associated with environmental factors, it can cause considerable personal pain and discomfort, disability, impaired quality of life, and, for adults, loss of time from work. (Ben Ayed et al., 2019) At the same time, when people experience neck pain, they can develop disruptive sleeping habits. We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of the effects of neck pain and how it can disrupt their sleeping habits. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate various techniques to reduce neck pain and find ways to stay asleep longer. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Neck Pain Disrupts Sleep
Now, many people wonder how neck pain is associated with sleep. Environmental stressors like chronic stress from the workplace or natural disasters can cause a person to have tense neck muscles and can increase sleep disturbances. (Yabe et al., 2022) When environmental stressors impact the body, the musculoskeletal system becomes tight and tense in different body areas. In the neck, the muscles that surround the cervical can become tense and develop trigger points in muscle tissue, causing referred pain and discomfort. When neck pain causes disruptive sleep problems, it can cause impairment to the multifunctional protective role of sleep via physiological homeostasis and restoration. (Van Looveren et al., 2021) At the same time, some of the pain-like symptoms that can be increased with neck pain associated with disruptive sleep include: (Chin et al., 2021)
Soreness
Pain
Numbness
Difficulty in movement
However, there are ways to reduce the effects of neck pain and get a full night’s sleep, starting with the bedroom.
Low Back & Neck Pain Rehabilitation-Video
Choosing The Right Pillow For Neck Pain
Now, when it comes to getting a full night’s sleep, it is important to find the right mattress to stay asleep as well as feel refreshed. However, as important as it is to sleep in the right mattress when dealing with neck pain, finding the right pillow can do wonders for the neck and help people get enough sleep. When it comes to finding the right pillow, the individual needs to find a pillow with an appropriate height that can provide adequate support for the head and neck to reduce cervical spinal stress and relax the surrounding neck and shoulder muscles. (Lei et al., 2021) This is because when it comes to quality sleep, many people prefer sleeping positions, pillows, and mattresses aimed at comfort. Many pillows have a variety of materials that can help aid in comfort and help reduce neck pain. Some of the types of pillows include:
Memory foam
Polyfilled pillows
Down Pillow
Latex
Combo style
Finding the right pillow for neck pain allows the individual to have their neck fully supported while having the pillow in a lateral position to reduce neck fatigue and improve sleep quality (Son et al., 2020). By doing so, many people can finally get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling better. By choosing the right pillow, many people will begin to be more mindful of their bodies and make small changes to their routine while getting the sleep they deserve.
References
Ben Ayed, H., Yaich, S., Trigui, M., Ben Hmida, M., Ben Jemaa, M., Ammar, A., Jedidi, J., Karray, R., Feki, H., Mejdoub, Y., Kassis, M., & Damak, J. (2019). Prevalence, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Neck, Shoulders and Low-Back Pain in Secondary-School Children. J Res Health Sci, 19(1), e00440. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31133629
Chin, W. S., Chen, Y. C., Lin, T. T., Guo, Y. L., & Shiao, J. S. C. (2021). Short sleep and chronic neck and shoulder discomfort in nurses. J Occup Health, 63(1), e12236. doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12236
Kazeminasab, S., Nejadghaderi, S. A., Amiri, P., Pourfathi, H., Araj-Khodaei, M., Sullman, M. J. M., Kolahi, A. A., & Safiri, S. (2022). Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 26. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4
Lei, J. X., Yang, P. F., Yang, A. L., Gong, Y. F., Shang, P., & Yuan, X. C. (2021). Ergonomic Consideration in Pillow Height Determinants and Evaluation. Healthcare (Basel), 9(10). doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101333
Son, J., Jung, S., Song, H., Kim, J., Bang, S., & Bahn, S. (2020). A Survey of Koreans on Sleep Habits and Sleeping Symptoms Relating to Pillow Comfort and Support. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(1). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010302
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
Yabe, Y., Hagiwara, Y., Sekiguchi, T., Sugawara, Y., Tsuchiya, M., Yoshida, S., & Tsuji, I. (2022). Sleep disturbance is associated with neck pain: a 3-year longitudinal study after the Great East Japan Earthquake. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 459. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05410-w
Can non-surgical treatments help individuals with piriformis syndrome reduce referred sciatica pain and help restore hip mobility?
Piriformis Muscle & Piriformis Syndrome
Within the lower extremities, various muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerve roots allow the legs, hips, and thighs, enabling individuals to be mobile and help with good posture. One of the muscles, known as the piriformis muscle, is located in the gluteal region of the lower body, which helps the major muscles with every movement and allows the individual to walk, run, and rotate at the hips. (Chang et al., 2024) At the same time, the piriformis muscle is over the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve that travels through the lower limbs down to the heel and provides motor-sensory function to the lower limbs. (Giuffre et al., 2024) Environmental factors like physical inactivity, excessive sitting or standing, lifting heavy objects, or improper posture can affect the piriformis muscle and develop musculoskeletal issues in the lower extremities. We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of the effects of piriformis syndrome, which affects their lower body extremities and causes pain and discomfort. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate various non-surgical therapies to reduce the pain-like symptoms associated with piriformis syndrome. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Have you experienced a pins and needles sensation in your hips and thighs that make it unbearable to walk? Do you feel radiating pain that travels down to your feet? Or have you noticed tightness in your hips and glutes region when stretching? When environmental factors impact the body, especially in the upper and lower extremities, they can cause overlapping risk profiles that can develop into chronic conditions. So, environmental factors affecting the piriformis muscle can lead to a musculoskeletal condition called piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is a somatic and neuropathic musculoskeletal condition caused by excessive or prolonged contraction of the piriformis muscle. (Jankovic et al., 2013) Many individuals who have dealt with piriformis syndrome will begin to report pain in the gluteal region that is causing sensations down the leg that can compress the sciatic nerve. (Hicks et al., 2024)
What Triggers Piriformis Syndrome?
Three causing factors can trigger piriformis syndrome in the lower extremities. Environmental factors like excessive movement, physical inactivity, or musculoskeletal conditions can compress the sciatic nerve over time, entrapping it and causing gradual pain. Additionally, trigger points in the muscles caused by repetitive strain can lead to muscle spasms or inflammation to irritate the sciatic nerve, which may present with a different musculoskeletal condition. (Pfeifer & Fitz, 1989) Finally, many people will begin to think that the pain they are experiencing is sciatica pain instead of piriformis syndrome.
Sciatica-Like Symptoms
Now, sciatica and piriformis syndrome are completely different but have similar symptoms that cause them to correlate. Sciatica is caused by spinal issues affecting the lower back that causes radiating pain down the leg. Piriformis syndrome only involves the piriformis muscle pressing one sciatic nerve area, causing overlapping risk profiles. Some of the common symptoms both sciatica and piriformis are associated with include:
Numbness
Tingling & burning sensations
Inflammation
Muscle spasms & tenderness
Pain & discomfort when sitting or standing
Sciatica: Causes, Symptoms, & Tips- Video
Non-Surgical Treatments For Piriformis
Luckily, numerous treatments are non-surgical and can help many individuals with piriformis syndrome find relief. Non-surgical treatments are affordable and non-invasive, customized to the person’s pain. With piriformis syndrome, non-surgical treatments can help improve pain and functionality back to the lower extremities and provide symptomatic relief from the piriformis muscle. (Vij et al., 2021) Some of the non-surgical treatments that are excellent for reducing pain-like symptoms associated with piriformis include:
Physical Therapy: Physical therapies allow the muscles to be mobilized and stretched and decompress the musculoskeletal structures. (Gandolfi et al., 2023)
Acupuncture: A trained acupuncturist incorporates small needles into the acupoints around the piriformis and provides anti-inflammatory effects. (He et al., 2023)
Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractors utilize mechanical and manual spinal manipulation to realign the body, stretch and strengthen the affected muscles, and alleviate pain.
Rest: Avoiding strenuous activities and sleeping on the right mattress can help reduce spinal pain associated with piriformis syndrome and improve sleep quality.
Incorporating these non-surgical treatments to reduce piriformis syndrome can help many individuals be more mindful of their bodies daily. They can be part of a daily routine in a person’s health and wellness journey in managing piriformis syndrome and reducing its pain-like symptoms. Doing so allows the lower extremities to be mobile again and the individual to be pain-free.
References
Chang, C., Jeno, S. H., & Varacallo, M. (2024). Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb: Piriformis Muscle. In StatPearls. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30137781
Gandolfi, M. G., Zamparini, F., Spinelli, A., & Prati, C. (2023). Asana for Back, Hips and Legs to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dental Professionals: In-Office Yoga Protocol. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol, 9(1). doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9010006
Jankovic, D., Peng, P., & van Zundert, A. (2013). Brief review: piriformis syndrome: etiology, diagnosis, and management. Can J Anaesth, 60(10), 1003-1012. doi.org/10.1007/s12630-013-0009-5
Pfeifer, T., & Fitz, W. F. (1989). [The piriformis syndrome]. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb, 127(6), 691-694. doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1040313 (Das Piriformis-Syndrom.)
Vij, N., Kiernan, H., Bisht, R., Singleton, I., Cornett, E. M., Kaye, A. D., Imani, F., Varrassi, G., Pourbahri, M., Viswanath, O., & Urits, I. (2021). Surgical and Non-surgical Treatment Options for Piriformis Syndrome: A Literature Review. Anesth Pain Med, 11(1), e112825. doi.org/10.5812/aapm.112825
Can individuals dealing with narcolepsy find ways to reduce its effects on the musculoskeletal system and improve sleep?
What Is Narcolepsy?
Around the world, many individuals have gotten 8 hours of sleep by doing errands to function throughout the day. Sometimes, it is important to take naps between certain hours of the day to give the body a chance to rest and continue for the rest of the day before going to bed. However, more individuals have experienced sleep disturbances like scrolling through their phones, dealing with chronic conditions like migraines or insomnia, or not having a proper sleep schedule that can negatively impact their sleep. One of the sleep disturbances is narcolepsy, which can cause individuals to have sleep issues throughout the day and even affect their musculoskeletal system. In today’s article, we will be looking at what narcolepsy is, its symptoms, how it affects the muscles, and what treatments can reduce narcolepsy and improve sleep. We associate with certified medical providers who inform our patients of the effects narcolepsy causes on a person and their bodies. While asking important questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to include various techniques to reduce the overlapping risk profiles related to narcolepsy and help improve their sleep quality. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., envisions this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Do you often feel extremely tired throughout the day, and is it causing you to take a nap in weird places? Do your arms and legs feel weak from carrying various objects? Or do you feel general aches or pains in your neck, shoulders, and back? Many of these scenarios are associated with sleep disturbances that can affect the musculoskeletal system. One of the sleep disturbances is narcolepsy, characterized by the onset of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that can correlate with the lack of orexin neurons from the central nervous system, thus causing daytime sleepiness. (Slowik et al., 2024) Narcolepsy has two forms depending on the severity of the condition: type 1 (narcolepsy with cataplexy) and type 2 (narcolepsy without cataplexy). Depending on the severity of narcolepsy, it can disrupt the brain from generating and regulating REM sleep and cause issues for the body when it is awake during the day. (Thorpy et al., 2024) This chronic sleep disorder can disrupt a person’s quality of life and affect their socio-economic lifestyle.
Symptoms
Narcolepsy has four main symptoms that can affect a person who is experiencing this condition. The four symptoms are:
Excessive daytime sleepiness causes people to fall asleep suddenly during mid-conversation or when doing activities.
Cataplexy: Sudden or temporary episodes of muscle weakness in the upper and lower musculoskeletal quadrants. (Sunwoo, 2021)
Sleep hallucinations: This can cause individuals to hallucinate visions, causing the symptoms to be mistaken for psychotic symptoms. (Hanin et al., 2021)
Sleep paralysis: When the individual is partly awake but cannot move.
Additionally, when narcolepsy starts to affect a person, it could lead to the development of comorbidities like obesity and musculoskeletal issues that may lead to sleep disturbances to take effect. (Maski et al., 2022)
How Does It Affect Muscles?
Now, narcolepsy can affect the musculoskeletal system as the central nervous system has neurons known as orexin to stimulate the body’s muscles, tissues, and vital organs. When narcolepsy starts to affect orexin, it can cause overlapping risk profiles to the muscles that become weak, and environmental factors like obesity and metabolic syndrome can complicate diagnosing narcolepsy. (Dhafar & BaHammam, 2022). Now, as environmental factors do play a huge part in the body, causing people to develop narcolepsy, it is important to realize that when muscle weakness can contribute to the issue, it can lead to disastrous consequences. Strong emotions that are associated with muscle weakness for narcoleptic individuals can cause their body to collapse and lead to cataplexy. Cataplexy in narcoleptic individuals often has a sequence starting from the top of the head down to the legs, causing muscle tone loss, and is frequently mistaken for seizures. (Latorre et al., 2022) Luckily, there are ways to manage narcolepsy and improve sleep quality.
The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness- Video
Narcolepsy Treatments To Improve Sleep
When it comes to managing narcolepsy and its associated symptoms, many people can make small changes to their daily routine and incorporate treatment to improve their sleep quality and their lifestyle, too. Many individuals with narcolepsy take medication to not only stimulate their central nervous system neurons but also to reduce daytime sleepiness. Additionally, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help stretch and restore muscle weakness associated with narcolepsy to help individuals manage their symptoms. Other treatments include:
Exercise regularly to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness
Eating a well-balanced, healthy meal
Incorporating these small changes as part of a daily routine can help mitigate narcolepsy and its associated symptoms. All in all, many individuals with narcolepsy can manage their symptoms and live a healthier life.
References
Dhafar, H. O., & BaHammam, A. S. (2022). Body Weight and Metabolic Rate Changes in Narcolepsy: Current Knowledge and Future Directions. Metabolites, 12(11). doi.org/10.3390/metabo12111120
Hanin, C., Arnulf, I., Maranci, J. B., Lecendreux, M., Levinson, D. F., Cohen, D., & Laurent-Levinson, C. (2021). Narcolepsy and psychosis: A systematic review. Acta Psychiatr Scand, 144(1), 28-41. doi.org/10.1111/acps.13300
Latorre, D., Sallusto, F., Bassetti, C. L. A., & Kallweit, U. (2022). Narcolepsy: a model interaction between immune system, nervous system, and sleep-wake regulation. Semin Immunopathol, 44(5), 611-623. doi.org/10.1007/s00281-022-00933-9
Maski, K., Mignot, E., Plazzi, G., & Dauvilliers, Y. (2022). Disrupted nighttime sleep and sleep instability in narcolepsy. J Clin Sleep Med, 18(1), 289-304. doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9638
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 receive a full night’s rest by recognizing sleep disturbances to only get proper muscle function and improve their health?
What Causes Sleep Disturbances?
As many people are in a constant state of motion and trying to complete their tasks, they will feel extremely exhausted and tempted to take a quick nap on their bed. However, a short nap can sometimes turn longer and thus affect a person’s sleep schedule. At the same time, when the body is ready to go to sleep, sometimes the mind is wide awake, causing people to become more tired throughout the day. These types of sleep disturbances can not only affect the person but also affect the body as well. In today’s article, we will be looking at what causes sleep disturbances, how improper sleep affects the muscles in the body, and how to incorporate various ways to reduce sleep disturbances. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how various sleep disturbances can affect the individual and the body. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to include various techniques to reduce sleep disturbances that can impact the musculoskeletal system. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How often do you feel general aches and pains in your upper and lower extremities that make you sluggish? Do you experience constant headaches that make it difficult to get out of bed? Or do you feel stiffness in your neck, shoulder, and back in the morning that goes away throughout the day? When it comes to the correlation between what causes sleep disturbance to the body, it can vary from person to person, depending on the situation. Let’s say a person is dealing with a stressful situation that causes them to be unable to get a good night’s rest; that would be known as a sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbances, by definition, are causes that can impact a person’s fundamental aspects of their sleep hygiene. (Cormier, 1990) Understandably, everyone is trying to practice good sleep hygiene; however, when environmental factors cause overlapping risk profiles to develop into sleep disturbances, they can affect the body. These can range from cognitive disorders to musculoskeletal conditions and chronic conditions.
How Does Improper Sleep Affect The Muscles & Body?
When classifying sleep disorders that can cause improper sleep in the body, four major categories can be the issue. They are:
Disorders that initiate and maintain sleep
Excessive somnolence disorders
Sleep-wake schedule disorders
Various dysfunctions are associated with sleep (Weitzman, 1981)
These four categories can cause many people to develop improper sleeping habits that can affect their bodies and muscles. Symptoms like fatigue correlate with poor sleep quality and can increase muscle pain intensity. At the same time, many individuals dealing with fatigue can experience muscle pain intensity associated with comorbidities that can make a person feel miserable. (Boggero et al., 2022) Environmental factors affecting the musculoskeletal system can correlate with metabolic disorders and thus affect sleep. Additionally, improper sleep and disturbances have been interplayed with metabolic disorders that can increase the risk of obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance and cause many people to have improper sleeping habits and, which, in turn, affects their musculoskeletal system. (Wei et al., 2022) Some of the effects of improper sleep that can affect muscle include:
Muscle weakness
Instability
Muscle pain
Discomfort
However, when people start to decide to try to improve their sleep schedule and reduce sleep disturbances, many people start to look for ways to get a full night’s rest.
Chronic Pain Chiropractic Care- Video
Ways To Reduce Sleep Disturbances
When trying to improve sleep quality while reducing disturbances, many people start to find ways to incorporate proper sleeping habits. Since sleep’s ultimate goal is to help individuals maintain and improve physical and mental health, many can achieve long-term sleep improvement through appropriate sleep hygiene and modifications. (Baranwal et al., 2023) Some of the ways many people can reduce sleep disturbances are the following:
Exercise
Sleeping on the right mattress
Establish a bedtime routine
Limit electronic screen time
Reduce eating and drinking caffeinated drinks before bed
Incorporating these small changes allows the individual to have proper sleeping habits and reduce overlapping risk profiles affecting the body and musculoskeletal function.
Finding The Right Mattress
Everyone knows that finding the best mattress is important for a good night’s rest. It is also important for people to find the right mattress to stay asleep and reduce musculoskeletal conditions. When it comes to finding the right mattress, it is important to ensure that the mattress’s firmness plays a huge role in improving a person’s sleep quality and reducing pain and disability for people dealing with sleep disorders associated with musculoskeletal conditions. (Caggiari et al., 2021) This allows the individual to have few sleep disturbances and helps them have that full 8 hours of sleep.
Reduce Screen Time
The next way to reduce sleep disturbances is by reducing screen time to prevent it from affecting sleep habits. Since many people are more technologically advanced, it is hard not to doom scroll at night. When many people are on their phones in bed, it can lead to sleep onset latency and cause issues like daytime tiredness. (Brautsch et al., 2023) The best way to reduce tiredness and sleep issues at night is by allowing 30 minutes to digitally disconnect and place any electronic away from the bed to ensure that the 8 hours of sleep is met. This, in turn, allows the brain to turn off and disassociate from anything digital or social media. When it comes to incorporating proper sleep habits, making small changes in a person’s routine can become beneficial in the long run as not only the body can relax but also the muscles.
References
Baranwal, N., Yu, P. K., & Siegel, N. S. (2023). Sleep physiology, pathophysiology, and sleep hygiene. Prog Cardiovasc Dis, 77, 59-69. doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2023.02.005
Boggero, I. A., Pickerill, H. M., & King, C. D. (2022). Fatigue in Adults with Chronic Arthralgia/Myalgia in the Temporomandibular Region: Associations with Poor Sleep Quality, Depression, Pain Intensity, and Future Pain Interference. J Oral Facial Pain Headache, 36(2), 155-163. doi.org/10.11607/ofph.2944
Brautsch, L. A., Lund, L., Andersen, M. M., Jennum, P. J., Folker, A. P., & Andersen, S. (2023). Digital media use and sleep in late adolescence and young adulthood: A systematic review. Sleep Med Rev, 68, 101742. doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2022.101742
Caggiari, G., Talesa, G. R., Toro, G., Jannelli, E., Monteleone, G., & Puddu, L. (2021). What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality? Review of the literature. J Orthop Traumatol, 22(1), 51. doi.org/10.1186/s10195-021-00616-5
Cormier, R. E. (1990). Sleep Disturbances. In H. K. Walker, W. D. Hall, & J. W. Hurst (Eds.), Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations (3rd ed.). www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21250242
Wei, Z., Chen, Y., & Upender, R. P. (2022). Sleep Disturbance and Metabolic Dysfunction: The Roles of Adipokines. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(3), 1706. doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031706
Can individuals dealing with scoliosis incorporate various exercises and stretches to improve their posture and reduce pain?
What Is Scoliosis?
More often than anything, many people have tried to maintain proper posture to prevent musculoskeletal and spinal conditions from forming. However, it can be difficult to maintain an appropriate posture when strenuous environmental factors come into play. This can range from being in a hunched position to developing spinal conditions that can affect the curvature of the spine. One of the most well-known spinal conditions many people can develop through numerous risk factors is spinal scoliosis. Spinal scoliosis is often defined as a curvature deviation in the normal vertical spinal line. (Janicki & Alman, 2007) This causes the spine to develop an S or C curve in the thoracic or lumbar portion of the spine, leading to overlapping risk profiles in the body and causing pain-like symptoms that can make a person feel miserable. Today’s article looks at scoliosis, how it affects the body, and how various exercises can help manage scoliosis. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how non-surgical treatments, like various exercises, help manage symptoms associated with scoliosis. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to include various exercises and pain management techniques to reduce pain-like symptoms correlating with scoliosis. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Does It Affect The Body?
Since scoliosis is a spinal deformity condition that affects the spine, it can happen at any age and is categorized into four group forms:
Congenital (Presented by birth)
Neuromuscular (Resulted from cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy)
Idiopathic (The common spinal condition)
Degenerative (Adult-onset scoliosis)
Within these four groups of scoliosis, some of the pain-like symptoms can vary depending on the size of the curve and how far the progression leads to overlapping risk profiles in the thoracic and lumbar spine portions. (Aebi, 2005) Some of the symptoms that are associated with scoliosis are back pain. Many individuals with scoliosis, especially adolescent individuals, have back pain associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis due to increasing age, injuries, and how severe the spine is curved. (Achar & Yamanaka, 2020) Additional symptoms that many individuals experience with scoliosis that can affect their bodies have specific features that cause pain. Individuals with scoliosis often have increasing asymmetrical pain when standing for prolonged periods and residing at rest, thus mimicking sciatica pain. (Zaina et al., 2023) This is because pain is one of the biomarkers for scoliosis. When pain starts to affect the body, issues like muscle dysfunction, concave disc pressure, asymmetrical facet joint strains, and a high BMI (body mass index) become the main mechanical parameters in the body. They are assessed by doctors when being examined. (Ilharreborde et al., 2023) When individuals are being assessed by their doctors to manage scoliosis, non-surgical treatments can help manage the pain-like symptoms and restore joint stability and mobility to the body.
Movement Medicine: Chiropractic Care- Video
Various Exercises For Managing Scoliosis
When many individuals dealing with scoliosis go in for non-surgical treatments, they will be assessed and evaluated by pain specialists to determine what the next steps for treatment can be provided for them. For scoliosis, non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can be provided to reduce the musculoskeletal conditions associated with scoliosis. Chiropractors utilize mechanical and manual spinal manipulation of the spine. They can set the vertebra back in place while restoring the spinal joint with optimal motion, improving the range of motion, and allowing the body to function properly. (Milne et al., 2022) At the same time, chiropractors can recommend various exercises and stretches to help manage symptoms associated with scoliosis as part of their treatment plan. Incorporating various exercises can help rectify spinal deformity, help the different muscle groups become stronger, and allow the individual to work a bit on managing scoliosis symptoms. Below are some of the various exercises and stretches to manage scoliosis.
Practicing Good Posture
Practicing good posture can benefit many individuals with scoliosis, especially young ones. Many people realize that maintaining good posture can help reduce muscle pain and tension in the back. It allows many people to realign their bodies and retrain them to stand with good posture naturally. Maintaining good posture, whether standing or seated, can allow doctors to scan the body for any tension signs. For those with scoliosis, it can gradually strengthen the weak core muscles in their bodies.
Abdominal Presses
Abdominal presses allow the individual to maintain neutral spinal alignment while strengthening the abdominal core muscles. To do this:
Individuals must lie on their backs on a yoga mat, keeping their backs in a neutral, tension-free position with bent knees.
They raise both feet and thighs off the mat to form a 90-degree angle with their knees above the hips. *They can support themselves with a chair or wall.
Next, individuals can use their hands to push and pull the knees with their abdominal muscles.
When doing this static exercise, make sure that they hold for three full breaths in two sets of ten and relax in between.
Bird-Dog
Bird-dog is a yoga move that can help stretch tight and weak muscles in the back and allow the body to balance itself. To do this:
Individuals can be on their hands and knees with a neutral spine position on a yoga mat, ensuring their hands are under their shoulders and their knees are under their hips.
With controlled breathing, extend one arm straight out while extending the opposite leg back.
Maintain the position for five to thirty seconds, andslowly return to the neutral spine.
Repeat the motion with the opposite for 10 to 15 reps.
Incorporating these exercises can help manage pain-like symptoms associated with scoliosis, help many individuals strengthen their weak muscles, and help improve their posture on their health and wellness journey.
References
Achar, S., & Yamanaka, J. (2020). Back Pain in Children and Adolescents. American Family Physician, 102(1), 19-28. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32603067
Ilharreborde, B., Simon, A. L., Shadi, M., & Kotwicki, T. (2023). Is scoliosis a source of pain? J Child Orthop, 17(6), 527-534. doi.org/10.1177/18632521231215861
Janicki, J. A., & Alman, B. (2007). Scoliosis: Review of diagnosis and treatment. Paediatr Child Health, 12(9), 771-776. doi.org/10.1093/pch/12.9.771
Milne, N., Longeri, L., Patel, A., Pool, J., Olson, K., Basson, A., & Gross, A. R. (2022). Spinal manipulation and mobilisation in the treatment of infants, children, and adolescents: a systematic scoping review. BMC Pediatr, 22(1), 721. doi.org/10.1186/s12887-022-03781-6
Zaina, F., Marchese, R., Donzelli, S., Cordani, C., Pulici, C., McAviney, J., & Negrini, S. (2023). Current Knowledge on the Different Characteristics of Back Pain in Adults with and without Scoliosis: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med, 12(16). doi.org/10.3390/jcm12165182
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