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 dealing with hip pain, find the relief they are looking for from spinal decompression to reduce their sciatica pain?
Introduction
When it comes to individuals doing everyday movements, the body can be in weird positions without pain or discomfort. Hence, people can stand or sit for prolonged periods and feel all right when doing strenuous activities. However, as the body ages, the surrounding muscles and ligaments can become weak and tight, while the spinal joints and discs start to be compressed and wear and tear. This is because many individuals make repetitive motions on their bodies that cause pain-like symptoms in the back, hips, neck, and body extremities, leading to referred pain in different body locations. When individuals are experiencing musculoskeletal pain in their bodies, it can cause overlapping risk profiles that can hinder the individual and cause them to be miserable. Additionally, when people experience musculoskeletal pain in their bodies, many will seek treatment to reduce the referred pain-like symptoms associated with the musculoskeletal pain. Today’s article will examine one type of musculoskeletal pain on the hips, how it can cause sciatica pain-like problems, and how treatments like decompression can reduce the pain-like effects of hip pain correlated with sciatica. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatments to relieve hip pain associated with sciatica. We also inform and guide patients on how decompression can help reduce pain-like symptoms like sciatica and restore hip mobility. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from hip pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Hip Pain Associated With Sciatica
Do you often experience stiffness in your lower back and hips after sitting down for an excessive period? How about feeling radiating pain running down from your lower back to your legs? Or do you think your hip and thigh muscles become tight and weak, which is affecting your gait stability? Many individuals experiencing these pain-like issues are experiencing hip pain, and it can be an issue when it is not treated over time. Since hip pain is a common and disabling condition that is challenging to diagnose, many individuals often express localized pain in one of the three anatomic regions: the anterior, posterior, and lateral hip sections. (Wilson & Furukawa, 2014) When individuals are dealing with hip pain, they will also experience referred pain in their lower backs, which causes them to be in distress and miserable. At the same time, simple ordinary movements like sitting or standing can affect the muscles and ligaments surrounding the hips and can be damaging. This can cause hip pain to be referred from the lumbar spine and spine problems, which then cause musculoskeletal issues in the lower extremities. (Lee et al., 2018)
So, how would hip pain be associated with sciatica and causing pain in many lower extremities? The hip areas in the musculoskeletal system have numerous muscles surrounding the pelvic bone area that can become tight and weak, causing referred musculoskeletal pain from intrapelvic and gynecologic issues. (Chamberlain, 2021) This means that musculoskeletal disorders like piriformis syndromes associated with hip pain can lead to sciatica. The sciatic nerve travels down from the lumbar region and the buttocks and behind the leg. When a person is dealing with sciatica and is going to their primary doctor to get treated for the pain, their doctors will do a physical examination to see what factors are causing the pain. Some of the common findings during a physical exam were tenderness and palpation of the greater sciatic notch and the reproduction of pain along the hips. (Son & Lee, 2022) This causes associated symptoms that correlate with sciatica and hip pain, including:
Tingling/numbing sensations
Muscle tenderness
Pain while sitting or standing
Discomfort
Is Motion The Key To Healing- Video
Spinal Decompression Reducing Hip Pain
However, many individuals will find non-surgical treatments to help reduce sciatica associated with hip pain. Non-surgical treatments are customized to a person’s pain and are cost-effective while being gentle on the spine. Spinal decompression can help reduce hip pain associated with sciatica. Decompression on the spine allows gentle traction to stretch out weak muscles along the lower back and hips while the spinal discs are experiencing negative pressure. When a person is dealing with sciatica pain associated with hip pain and trying decompression for the first time, they are provided with the relief they deserve. (Crisp et al., 1955)
Additionally, many individuals who incorporate decompression for their hip pain can begin to feel its effects as it helps improve blood flow circulation back to the hips to start the natural healing process. (Hua et al., 2019) When people begin incorporating decompression for their hip pain, they can relax as they feel all their aches and pain gradually disappear as mobility and rotation are back on the lower extremities.
References
Chamberlain, R. (2021). Hip Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis. American Family Physician, 103(2), 81-89. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33448767
Crisp, E. J., Cyriax, J. H., & Christie, B. G. (1955). Discussion on the treatment of backache by traction. Proc R Soc Med, 48(10), 805-814. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13266831
Hua, K. C., Yang, X. G., Feng, J. T., Wang, F., Yang, L., Zhang, H., & Hu, Y. C. (2019). The efficacy and safety of core decompression for the treatment of femoral head necrosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res, 14(1), 306. doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1359-7
Lee, Y. J., Kim, S. H., Chung, S. W., Lee, Y. K., & Koo, K. H. (2018). Causes of Chronic Hip Pain Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed by Primary Physicians in Young Adult Patients: a Retrospective Descriptive Study. J Korean Med Sci, 33(52), e339. doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e339
Son, B. C., & Lee, C. (2022). Piriformis Syndrome (Sciatic Nerve Entrapment) Associated With Type C Sciatic Nerve Variation: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review. Korean J Neurotrauma, 18(2), 434-443. doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2022.18.e29
Wilson, J. J., & Furukawa, M. (2014). Evaluation of the patient with hip pain. American Family Physician, 89(1), 27-34. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24444505
For individuals dealing with fibromyalgia, can incorporating acupuncture as part of integrative treatment help with pain relief?
Introduction
The musculoskeletal system helps the various muscles, tendons, and ligaments be mobile while stabilizing the vertical pressure. The upper and lower extremities work together, enabling the host to be mobile without feeling pain and discomfort. However, many individuals have dealt with pain, whether it is acute or chronic, at one point in their lives. When the body is dealing with pain, the response signal from the brain will show where the pain is located, which causes muscle soreness. To that point, the immune system will start to heal the affected area naturally. However, when a person has an autoimmune disease, the body will be impacted for no reason, which then causes the immune system to release inflammatory cytokines to healthy cells and muscular structures. When this happens, it can affect their quality of life and cause painful sensations to the musculoskeletal system, forcing individuals to seek treatment. Today’s article focuses on the correlation between the musculoskeletal system and fibromyalgia and how treatments like acupuncture can help reduce the pain-like symptoms that are caused by fibromyalgia. We talk with certified medical providers who utilize our patients’ information to provide acupuncture treatments to lessen the overlapping risk profiles associated with fibromyalgia. We also inform and guide patients on how various treatments can help reduce the pain-like symptoms related to fibromyalgia. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from fibromyalgia. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Musculoskeletal System & Fibromyalgia
Have you been experiencing tingling sensations in your arms, legs, feet, and hands? Do you feel your muscles and joints lock up and feel stiff constantly in the morning? Or have you been dealing with unquestionable pain in your body that is affecting your daily routine? Many of these pain-like symptoms are associated with an autoimmune disease known as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is often characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain that is associated with neurosensory disorders. People with fibromyalgia will have musculoskeletal pain symptoms from muscle and joint stiffness to fatigue and myofascial pain. (Siracusa et al., 2021) This is because the vagus nerve in the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system is in constant “fight or flight” mode, which causes many individuals to become hypersensitive and experience amplified painful sensations. This forces the muscle fibers in the musculoskeletal system to develop tiny nodules known as trigger points in the soft tissues. This causes muscle pathophysiology as a primary mechanism that mediates the onset of symptoms that pertain to fibromyalgia. (Geel, 1994) Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is a challenge to diagnose when comorbidities factors start to overlap and can play a role in this autoimmune disease.
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition that increases a person’s sensitivity to pain while including multiple tender points at specific areas of the body, causing widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain. Many individuals dealing with chronic musculoskeletal pain are unaware of the proper pathway to care as it generates a negative impact on pain, disability, and quality of life. (Lepri et al., 2023) Since fibromyalgia is associated with musculoskeletal pain, it can be combined with myofascial pain syndrome since both are characterized by muscle tenderness. (Gerwin, 1998) However, there are numerous treatments available to reduce the painful effects of fibromyalgia and help restore a person’s quality of life.
From Inflammation to Healing- Video
Do you feel muscle pain and tenderness in various areas of your body? Do you feel muscle and joint stiffness in your upper and lower extremities? Or do you feel numbing or tingling sensations in your arms, hands, legs, and feet? Many people dealing with these pain-like issues are experiencing an autoimmune disorder known as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a challenging autoimmune disorder to diagnose. However, the symptoms are often correlated with muscular pain. This can cause many individuals to reduce their quality of life. Fibromyalgia can cause the body to be hypersensitive to pain and can cause chronic inflammation of the joints. However, some treatments are non-surgical, cost-effective, and can help provide the pain relief many people deserve. The video above explains how various non-surgical treatments can help reduce inflammatory and pain effects on the body through various treatments that can be combined to minimize the pain-like symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Acupuncture Reducing Fibromyalgia Pain
When it comes to treating fibromyalgia and reducing pain-like symptoms, many people will seek out non-surgical treatments to manage and improve the symptoms correlating with fibromyalgia. Acupuncture can help ease the pain-like symptoms that are affecting the body and reduce the myofascial trigger points correlating with fibromyalgia. Since acupuncture originated in China, it is one of the most popular sensory stimulation therapies that are non-surgical; acupuncturists who are highly trained use various techniques to insert and manipulate fine needles to stimulate specific anatomic trigger points in the body to restore balance to the body. (Zhang & Wang, 2020) For individuals dealing with fibromyalgia pain, acupuncture can be combined with other therapies as part of the individual’s personalized treatment plan. Acupuncture helps improve muscle pain caused by fibromyalgia.
Additionally, acupuncture can assist in regulating the somatosensory function of the body and reduce symptoms of muscle stiffness while enhancing a person’s quality of life. (Zheng & Zhou, 2022) Fibromyalgia is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect the musculoskeletal system and can cause unbearable pain to many people by disrupting a person’s quality of life. When combined with other therapies, acupuncture can provide a significant positive effect on managing fibromyalgia and enhancing a person’s quality of life. (Almutairi et al., 2022)
References
Almutairi, N. M., Hilal, F. M., Bashawyah, A., Dammas, F. A., Yamak Altinpulluk, E., Hou, J. D., Lin, J. A., Varrassi, G., Chang, K. V., & Allam, A. E. (2022). Efficacy of Acupuncture, Intravenous Lidocaine, and Diet in the Management of Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel), 10(7). doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071176
Geel, S. E. (1994). The fibromyalgia syndrome: musculoskeletal pathophysiology. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 23(5), 347-353. doi.org/10.1016/0049-0172(94)90030-2
Gerwin, R. D. (1998). Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia: Diagnosis and treatment. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 11(3), 175-181. doi.org/10.3233/BMR-1998-11304
Lepri, B., Romani, D., Storari, L., & Barbari, V. (2023). Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 20(5). doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054098
Siracusa, R., Paola, R. D., Cuzzocrea, S., & Impellizzeri, D. (2021). Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update. Int J Mol Sci, 22(8). doi.org/10.3390/ijms22083891
Zhang, Y., & Wang, C. (2020). Acupuncture and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Curr Rheumatol Rep, 22(11), 80. doi.org/10.1007/s11926-020-00954-z
Zheng, C., & Zhou, T. (2022). Effect of Acupuncture on Pain, Fatigue, Sleep, Physical Function, Stiffness, Well-Being, and Safety in Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain Res, 15, 315-329. doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S351320
Can individuals dealing with neck pain incorporate acupuncture as part of their health and wellness treatment to relieve headaches?
Introduction
As part of the musculoskeletal system, the neck allows the head to go into full rotation without feeling discomfort or pain. The neck is part of the cervical spine region and is surrounded by numerous ligaments, muscles, and tissues that help protect the spinal cord and the spinal column. However, the neck is also the most susceptible to injury neck to back pain as it is one the top three complaints many individuals suffer from at some point in their lives. When people experience neck pain, numerous causes can contribute to developing neck pain, while pain-like symptoms like headaches contribute to the body. This causes many individuals to seek treatment and find the relief they are looking for to reduce neck pain while continuing their daily routine. Today’s article looks at how neck pain is associated with headaches and how treatments like acupuncture can help with neck pain and reduce the painful effects of headaches. We talk with certified medical providers who utilize our patients’ information to provide acupuncture treatments to lessen the impact of headaches caused by neck pain. We also inform patients how multiple non-surgical treatments can help reduce headaches and pain-like symptoms associated with neck pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from neck pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Neck Pain & Headaches
Have you been experiencing unexplained stiffness along the sides of your neck? Do you feel a dull ache at the base of your neck or skull after looking down at your phone for an extended period? Or do you experience frequent headaches that are constant throughout the day? Many people dealing with these pain-like issues are associated with neck pain that is affecting their quality of life. Neck pain is amongst the top three complaints many people have experienced at some point. Neck pain has common presenting symptoms that are diagnosed, and the prevalence is much higher in older adults due to degenerative spinal changes in the facet joints and spinal discs. (Childress & Stuek, 2020) Many individuals experience common musculoskeletal pain conditions like muscle strains and stiffness when this happens. At the same time, neck pain can also be associated with neurological conditions that cause overlapping risk profiles, forcing many individuals to miss out on important events. Neck pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal condition affecting many individuals as it induces them to miss work. This is because various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors contribute to developing neck pain. (Kazeminasab et al., 2022) These risk factors can range from physical inactivity to poor posture, causing overlapping risk profiles that can trigger neck pain to advance over time.
So, how are headaches associated with neck pain? When a person is experiencing a headache, many would often think that the headaches are caused by not eating enough food or drinking enough water. Those are some of the factors that contribute to headaches, but they can also be due to the stress and comorbidities that are associated with neck pain. This is due to the risk factors many individuals don’t realize contribute to neck pain. Factors like the forward head position from smartphone usage cause tension on the cervical structures, generating potential degeneration and tearing of the neck structures. (Maayah et al., 2023) As repetitive motions affect the neck structure more over time, the nerve roots that surround the spine and spread through the upper extremities can become aggravated, and cause referred pain to different areas of the body, leading to headaches. When dealing with headaches associated with neck pain, they will feel stress, affecting their productivity. The headaches can range from acute to chronic, depending on the severity. Fortunately, many individuals dealing with headaches associated with neck pain will seek treatment to reduce the pain-like symptoms and feel the relief to return to their daily routine.
Healing After Trauma- Video
Many individuals who are dealing with neck pain often deal with headaches as a sign that risk factors are in play, like poor posture, slouching, or traumatic injuries that can affect their ability to work or participate in activities. This can cause many people to feel miserable and decrease their quality of life, thus causing them to seek out treatment for their pain, hence why many individuals opt for non-surgical treatments due to them being affordable and personalized. Non-surgical treatments range from chiropractic care to acupuncture, depending on the severity and location of where the pain is in the body. The video above shows how non-surgical treatments can help many individuals positively influence healing after a traumatic injury and restore a person’s well-being.
Acupuncture For Neck Pain
Non-surgical treatments are excellent for individuals trying to find the relief they seek in their neck pain. As stated earlier, non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and tailored to the person’s pain. Acupuncture is a form of non-surgical treatment that can help reduce the comorbidities associated with neck pain. Acupuncture is a medical practice in which highly trained, licensed, and certified professionals use solid, super-thin needles to be placed at specific points to treat the body. What this does is that when the needles are penetrating the points, it will begin to open any blockage or excess energy to flow correctly, restore balance to the body, and relieve the individual’s symptoms. (Berger et al., 2021) Some of the beneficial results that acupuncture can provide individuals with neck pain is a reduction of pain and disability to the neck while treating referred pain that is causing overlapping risk profiles to induce headaches. (Peron et al., 2022)
Acupuncture Relieving Headaches
Since headaches are associated with neck pain, acupuncture can help relieve the headaches from progressing further and enable many individuals to get back to their routine. Some overlapping risk profiles contributing to headaches include trigger points on the neck muscles that can cause non-dermatomal referral pain and discomfort. (Pourahmadi et al., 2019) When an acupuncturist is treating individuals for their headaches, many individuals will begin to feel the relief after a few consecutive sessions, and, combined with physical therapy to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, will notice that the pain has been reduced significantly. Acupuncture is a safe, helpful, and available alternative treatment that is beneficial for many individuals dealing with headaches associated with neck pain. (Urits et al., 2020) By incorporating acupuncture as part of a person’s treatment plan, they can begin to feel the relief they deserve while also being more mindful of how they are treating their bodies to prevent pain-like symptoms from returning.
References
Berger, A. A., Liu, Y., Mosel, L., Champagne, K. A., Ruoff, M. T., Cornett, E. M., Kaye, A. D., Imani, F., Shakeri, A., Varrassi, G., Viswanath, O., & Urits, I. (2021). Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Neck Pain. Anesth Pain Med, 11(2), e113627. doi.org/10.5812/aapm.113627
Childress, M. A., & Stuek, S. J. (2020). Neck Pain: Initial Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician, 102(3), 150-156. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32735440
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
Maayah, M. F., Nawasreh, Z. H., Gaowgzeh, R. A. M., Neamatallah, Z., Alfawaz, S. S., & Alabasi, U. M. (2023). Neck pain associated with smartphone usage among university students. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0285451. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0285451
Peron, R., Rampazo, E. P., & Liebano, R. E. (2022). Traditional acupuncture and laser acupuncture in chronic nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 23(1), 408. doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06349-y
Pourahmadi, M., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Keshtkar, A., Koes, B. W., Fernandez-de-Las-Penas, C., Dommerholt, J., & Bahramian, M. (2019). Effectiveness of dry needling for improving pain and disability in adults with tension-type, cervicogenic, or migraine headaches: protocol for a systematic review. Chiropr Man Therap, 27, 43. doi.org/10.1186/s12998-019-0266-7
Urits, I., Patel, M., Putz, M. E., Monteferrante, N. R., Nguyen, D., An, D., Cornett, E. M., Hasoon, J., Kaye, A. D., & Viswanath, O. (2020). Acupuncture and Its Role in the Treatment of Migraine Headaches. Neurol Ther, 9(2), 375-394. doi.org/10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1
Can individuals with osteoarthritis incorporate spinal decompression therapy to restore spinal mobility and quality of life?
Introduction
As the body ages, so does the spine, as the spinal disc between the joints and the bones starts dehydrating from constant compression through repetitive motions. The many environmental factors contributing to this degenerative disorder can vary within the person and lead to arthritic conditions within the upper and lower extremities. One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis, and it can affect many people worldwide. Dealing with osteoarthritis in their joints can cause numerous pain-like symptoms that correlate with other body conditions, causing referred pain. However, many treatments can help slow the process of osteoarthritis and relieve the body from the pain-like symptoms of the joints. Today’s article looks at how osteoarthritis affects spinal mobility and how treatments can restore spinal mobility from the effects of osteoarthritis. We talk with certified medical providers who utilize our patients’ information to provide various treatments to reduce the impact of osteoarthritis on the joints. We also inform patients how multiple treatments can help slow down the degenerative process of osteoarthritis. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricated and important questions about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from osteoarthritis. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Does Osteoarthritis Affect Spinal Mobility?
Have you noticed morning stiffness after a good night’s rest? Do you feel tenderness in your joints after some light pressure? Or do you feel limited mobility in your joints, causing a restricted range of motion? Many of these pain-like scenarios are correlated with osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disorder that has affected many individuals, including older adults. As stated earlier, when the body ages, so do the joints, bones, and spine. Regarding osteoarthritis, the joints will degenerate through natural wear and tear around the cartilage. Osteoarthritis affects multiple joints like the hips and knees, which are the most common, and the spine, and causes numerous sensory-motor dysfunctions. (Yao et al., 2023) When the cartilage around the affected joints starts to deteriorate, the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis causes a disturbed cytokine balance of the proinflammatory cytokines to initiate a vicious cycle that causes cartilage and other intra-articular structure damage around the joint. (Molnar et al., 2021) What this does is that when osteoarthritis starts to affect the joints, it can lead to numerous referred pain-like symptoms.
However, although osteoarthritis can affect the joints, naturally, numerous environmental factors do play a part in the development of osteoarthritis. Physical inactivity, obesity, bone deformities, and joint injuries are some of the causes that can progress the degenerative process. The symptoms that are associated with these environmental factors include:
Pain
Joint stiffness
Tenderness
Inflammation
Swelling
Grating sensation
Bone spurs
Many individuals dealing with pain-like symptoms caused by osteoarthritis will explain to their primary doctors that the pain varies in duration, depth, type of occurrence, impact, and rhythm. This is because the pain from osteoarthritis is complex and multifactorial. (Wood et al., 2022) However, many individuals can look for the help they need to reduce the pain-like issues caused by osteoarthritis through treatments that can slow down the degenerative progress.
An In-depth Look At Spinal Decompression-Video
When it comes to seeking treatment to reduce the effects of osteoarthritis, many individuals seek out treatments that are cost-effective and safe for older individuals. Non-surgical treatments could be the solution many individuals seek to reduce the progress of osteoarthritis. When people experiencing osteoarthritis go to non-surgical treatments, they find out that the pain is decreased, their range of motion is increased, and their physical function has improved. (Alkhawajah & Alshami, 2019) At the same time, non-surgical treatments can be combined with other therapies to the individual’s personalized treatment plan. No-surgical treatments can range from chiropractic care to spinal decompression as they work on gently realigning the spine through traction and help reduce joint and muscle pain. The video above gives an in-depth look at spinal decompression and how it can benefit individuals who are in pain.
Spinal Decompression Restoring Spinal Mobility From Osteoarthritis
Since spinal decompression is a form of non-surgical treatment, it can help slow down the process of osteoarthritis. Spinal decompression incorporates traction to gently pull on the spine, allowing the discs and joints to be lubricated and permitting the natural healing process to occur. This is because the surrounding muscles that protect the joints are being stretched gently and the vertebral disc space is being increased to allow the disc to be rehydrated and the protrusion to recede back to its original position. (Cyriax, 1950) Spinal decompression can help slow down the degenerative process of osteoarthritis, and when combined with physical therapy, the surrounding muscles, tissues, and ligaments are strengthened.
In contrast, joint and spinal mobility and flexibility are increased. Spinal decompression can also help many individuals reduce their chances of surgery, as consecutive sessions can help provide pain relief and functional improvement to the spine. (Choi et al., 2022) When people regain their spinal mobility back to their bodies from spinal decompression, they can make small changes in their daily routine to slow down the degenerative process of osteoarthritis.
References
Alkhawajah, H. A., & Alshami, A. M. (2019). The effect of mobilization with movement on pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 20(1), 452. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2841-4
Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837
Molnar, V., Matisic, V., Kodvanj, I., Bjelica, R., Jelec, Z., Hudetz, D., Rod, E., Cukelj, F., Vrdoljak, T., Vidovic, D., Staresinic, M., Sabalic, S., Dobricic, B., Petrovic, T., Anticevic, D., Boric, I., Kosir, R., Zmrzljak, U. P., & Primorac, D. (2021). Cytokines and Chemokines Involved in Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci, 22(17). doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179208
Wood, M. J., Miller, R. E., & Malfait, A. M. (2022). The Genesis of Pain in Osteoarthritis: Inflammation as a Mediator of Osteoarthritis Pain. Clin Geriatr Med, 38(2), 221-238. doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2021.11.013
Yao, Q., Wu, X., Tao, C., Gong, W., Chen, M., Qu, M., Zhong, Y., He, T., Chen, S., & Xiao, G. (2023). Osteoarthritis: pathogenic signaling pathways and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther, 8(1), 56. doi.org/10.1038/s41392-023-01330-w
Can individuals dealing with myofascial pain syndrome in their bodies find the relief they are looking for through acupuncture?
Introduction
The musculoskeletal system has numerous ligaments, joints, soft tissues, and muscles that allow the body to be in motion without feeling pain or discomfort. The musculoskeletal system has upper and lower body portions, and each quadrant has a specific job it needs to do. The head works with the neck for the upper body portions to allow it to turn and be mobile. The shoulders work with the arms and hands to allow flexibility while stabilizing the neck. For the lower body portions, the hips and legs stabilize the upper body’s weight and help the different quadrants flex, extend, and rotate without pain. However, when traumatic or normal forces start to affect the body, it can lead to pain and discomfort, depending on the severity. When this happens, it can cause the muscle fibers from the upper and lower body portions to become tight and form tiny nodules known as trigger points to cause myofascial pain. This causes many individuals to be in constant discomfort and feel pain in different body locations. However, there are numerous treatments that can reduce the pain from the trigger points and restore muscle function to the body. Today’s article examines how myofascial pain syndrome affects the body, how non-surgical treatments like acupuncture can reduce trigger point pain, and how acupuncture can restore body function. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various treatments to reduce the effects of myofascial pain syndrome on the body. We also inform patients how non-surgical therapies like acupuncture can help restore body function that is caused by myofascial pain. We encourage our patients to ask intricated questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing from myofascial pain syndrome that is affecting their bodies. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome Affecting The Body
Do you feel pain radiating in certain locations in your body, affecting your daily routine? Are you feeling any complaints in your back, knees, elbows, or shoulders? Or do you have mobility issues that are affecting your gait and making you feel unstable? Many of these issues that people are experiencing are known as myofascial pain syndrome, and it can cause overlapping risk profiles in the musculoskeletal system. Myofascial pain syndrome is a problematic musculoskeletal pain originating from the muscles and surrounding fascia. (Tantanatip & Chang, 2023) This common musculoskeletal condition causes localized pain in certain body areas or referred pain to various muscle locations. When a person is dealing with myofascial pain syndrome, their muscles in the upper or lower body quadrants will become overstretched and tight through repetitive motions that can cause tiny nodules known as trigger points that can be a source of where the pain might originate from. When people are dealing with myofascial pain syndrome in their bodies, they will inform their primary doctors that they are experiencing pain in different locations in their bodies that are causing them pain. The doctor then will ask the individual numerous questions and examine where the pain is occurring. The doctor will also take note of the person’s daily routine, allowing the doctor to diagnose that myofascial pain syndrome is at play.
When myofascial pain syndrome affects body function, it can come in the forms of nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain. When the muscle fibers in the upper and lower extremities are dealing with trigger points, the surrounding nerve roots that provide the sensory-motor function to the arms and legs can become irritated, causing spot tenderness, referred pain, and nerve root compression that can cause the muscles to succumb to muscle trauma and muscle overload. (Fernandez-de-Las-Penas et al., 2023) To that point, myofascial pain syndrome can affect a person’s quality of life as the mechanisms of the comorbidities combined with the psychological stressors that are impacting the muscles might sensitize the trigger points. (Sabeh et al., 2020) However, when the pain becomes excruciating in the muscles that are caused by myofascial pain syndrome, many individuals will start to seek treatment to not only reduce the pain but also restore their body functionality.
The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness- Video
Have you been dealing with radiating or localized pain in different body locations? How about experiencing mobility issues when moving your upper or lower extremities? Or do you experience stability issues from walking from one location to another? Many of these pain-like scenarios are associated with myofascial pain syndrome that is affecting the musculoskeletal system. When the human body is dealing with myofascial pain syndrome, it can be difficult to diagnose due to the affected muscles causing referred pain. At the same time, when a person is dealing with myofascial pain syndrome is not finding treatment to reduce the pain, it can lead to major health problems like:
Mobility impairment
Muscle pain and hypersensitivity
Nerve issues
Neurological issues
When people with myofascial pain syndrome are looking for treatment, they are looking for cost-effective treatments that can be combined with other therapies that can help reduce the pain and restore body function to the extremities. Non-surgical treatments can be the solution for many individuals because they are cost-effective and can be personalized. The video above shows how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help restore the body through manual and mechanical manipulation that can stretch and locate the trigger points while restoring body function to the extremities.
Acupuncture Reducing Trigger Point Pain
When a person goes in for non-surgical treatments for their myofascial pain syndrome, acupuncture could be the answer. Acupuncture is an Eastern medical practice from China performed by highly trained licensed professionals. So, how can acupuncture help alleviate trigger point pain from myofascial pain syndrome? Acupuncturists use solid, super thin needles to place them in specific points in the body to reduce the referred pain-like symptoms causing issues. This causes the myofascial trigger points to become inactive and, reduces intramuscular hypertension, relieves uneven musculoskeletal pull, and improves mechanical balance in the upper and lower extremities. (Lin et al., 2022)
Acupuncture Restoring Body Function
Acupuncture is traditionally used to restore the normal flow of energy to the body. Still, in the modern era, it has been shown to have multiple positive effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. So, since myofascial pain syndrome is both nociceptive and neuropathic, the effects of acupuncture can change the pain’s perspective while causing the body’s natural healing process to be restored. (Kelly & Willis, 2019) At the same time, acupuncturists can gently prick and stimulate the affected tendon with the myofascial to induce a muscle twitch to relax the tight muscle. (Qiu et al., 2023) This allows the body to relax and helps reduce the chances of trigger points returning to the muscle facia. For individuals who are looking for treatment for their myofascial pain syndrome, incorporating acupuncture could be the solution to restore body function to the musculoskeletal system.
References
Fernandez-de-Las-Penas, C., Nijs, J., Cagnie, B., Gerwin, R. D., Plaza-Manzano, G., Valera-Calero, J. A., & Arendt-Nielsen, L. (2023). Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Nociceptive Condition Comorbid with Neuropathic or Nociplastic Pain. Life (Basel), 13(3). doi.org/10.3390/life13030694
Lin, X., Li, F., Lu, H., Zhu, M., & Peng, T. Z. (2022). Acupuncturing of myofascial pain trigger points for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 101(8), e28838. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000028838
Qiu, X. H., Yang, X. Y., Wang, Y. Y., Tian, S. L., Yan, Y. B., Xu, A. P., Fu, F., Wen, F. Y., Yang, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y. Q., Yang, Z. W., Xu, C., Sun, Q. H., Wu, X. L., Dai, X. Y., Li, N., & Cheng, K. (2023). Myofascial acupuncture versus routine acupuncture for mechanical neck pain: a protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 13(8), e068129. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068129
Sabeh, A. M., Bedaiwi, S. A., Felemban, O. M., & Mawardi, H. H. (2020). Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Its Relation to Trigger Points, Facial Form, Muscular Hypertrophy, Deflection, Joint Loading, Body Mass Index, Age and Educational Status. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent, 10(6), 786-793. doi.org/10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_328_20
Can working individuals with low back pain incorporate nonsurgical treatments to reduce limited mobility and provide relief?
Introduction
Many working individuals will slowly develop low back pain due to excessive standing or sitting, physical demands that cause them to lift heavy objects, or improper footwear that causes them to be imbalanced. Since the spine is part of the musculoskeletal system, the spinal discs in the lumbar region are the most susceptible to being compressed. They can be one of the issues why many individuals tend to develop lower back pain. Low back pain is common for working individuals and is a multifactorial musculoskeletal disorder that causes many working people to miss out on work. However, many people with low back pain often seek treatment to reduce the pain and help them get back to work. Today’s article looks at the causes of low back pain and how nonsurgical treatments can help reduce low back pain and restore mobility to the body. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various treatments to ease low back pain. We also inform patients how nonsurgical treatments can help restore mobility to the body while giving numerous techniques to reduce the chances of low back pain returning. We encourage our patients to ask intricated questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with their backs. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Causes For Low Back Pain
Do you feel stiffness in your lower back after a hard workday? Do you experience muscle aches or pain in your lower back after picking up a heavy object? Or do you experience limited mobility and stiffness over time after excessive standing or sitting at your job? Many individuals in these pain-like scenarios have experienced low back pain at some point in their lives, and it has impacted them to miss out on work. Since many people worldwide have experienced low back pain at some point in their lives, it has become a common problem that has become the leading cause of disability and is often associated with high cost. (Chou, 2021) Low back pain is a multifactorial condition that is specific or non-specific depending on the severity of the person’s experience. Non-specific low back pain often refers to when there isn’t a particular disease or structural reason for the pain to occur. This causes many people to go into early retirement due to losing their ability to work and become a socio-economic burden when seeking treatment. (Chenot et al., 2017) Specific low back pain is due to repetitive trauma and overusing the surrounding muscles that can cause the spine and spinal disc to be constantly compressed. This causes musculoskeletal pain symptoms and affects the rest of the lower extremities. (Will et al., 2018)
Some of the causes that low back pain is associated with can range from normal environmental factors to traumatic injuries that many working individuals have endured. Since low back pain is one of the leading causes of lost workdays around the world, some of the common causes that are contributed to low back pain include:
Mechanical strain
Obesity
Poor body mechanics
Trauma
Repetitive motions (twisting, bending, or lifting)
Herniated disc
Spinal stenosis
These pain-like causes can affect the upper and lower extremities and, when not being treated, lead to pain-like symptoms from radiating pain to limited mobility. However, when many people decide that enough is enough and want to get the treatment they need, they will seek out something that is not only affordable but can reduce the pain while restoring mobility.
The Power Of Chiropractic Care-Video
Nonsurgical Treatments For Low Back Pain
When it comes to seeking treatment for low back pain, many individuals are looking for something that is not only cost-effective but can help reduce the pain-like symptoms associated with the lower back. Nonsurgical treatments can help reduce low back pain and are cost-effective for many individuals including working individuals. Treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, and spinal decompression have various techniques and methods to provide pain relief to many individuals dealing with low back pain. Knowing the prevalence of the multiple pathologies of low back pain, a detailed history, and physical examination maneuvers allow doctors to accurately and quickly classify the most common causes of low back pain. (Kinkade, 2007) This will give them a better understanding of what kind of low back pain treatment they need to restore mobility to their bodies.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a nonsurgical treatment that incorporates manual and mechanical manipulation to realign the body out of subluxation from low back pain. Chiropractic care can be incorporated into a person’s health and wellness treatment plan as it can help improve pain and disability associated with low back pain. (Bussieres et al., 2018) Chiropractors combine various techniques to stretch and strengthen weak muscles around the lower back and reduce low back pain intensity and disability. (Vining et al., 2020) Chiropractic care can also work with other forms of therapies to reduce the chances of low back pain from returning.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is another form of nonsurgical treatment that can help the lumbar spine through gentle traction and help decompress affected spinal discs from causing mechanical back pain. Spinal decompression can also alleviate the referred pain-like symptoms from the nerve roots involved in the lumbar region while rehydrating herniated discs. Spinal decompression can also help many individuals have their lumbar range of motion back and improve their pain and endurance while restoring their quality of life. (Amjad et al., 2022) Just like chiropractic care, spinal decompression can be combined with other therapies to strengthen the surrounding muscles and ligaments.
Acupuncture
With low back pain being a common problem for many individuals, sometimes it could be due to aggravated nerve roots along the surrounding muscles that are causing referred trigger pain correlating with low back pain. When that happens, many individuals will seek out acupuncture to reduce the pain and improve their quality of life. (Baroncini et al., 2022) Acupuncture can reduce the inflammatory effects caused by inflammation associated with low back pain and can increase mobility in the sacroiliac joint to improve mobility. (Sudhakaran, 2021) Depending on the source of pain in the back, acupuncture can help reduce the pain and provide relief. Many individuals seeking treatment for their lower back can incorporate these treatments to improve their health and restore their quality of life.
References
Amjad, F., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Gilani, S. A., Ahmad, A., & Hanif, A. (2022). Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy on pain, range of motion, endurance, functional disability and quality of life versus routine physical therapy alone in patients with lumbar radiculopathy; a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 255. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05196-x
Baroncini, A., Maffulli, N., Eschweiler, J., Molsberger, F., Klimuch, A., & Migliorini, F. (2022). Acupuncture in chronic aspecific low back pain: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res, 17(1), 319. doi.org/10.1186/s13018-022-03212-3
Bussieres, A. E., Stewart, G., Al-Zoubi, F., Decina, P., Descarreaux, M., Haskett, D., Hincapie, C., Page, I., Passmore, S., Srbely, J., Stupar, M., Weisberg, J., & Ornelas, J. (2018). Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Other Conservative Treatments for Low Back Pain: A Guideline From the Canadian Chiropractic Guideline Initiative. J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 41(4), 265-293. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.12.004
Chenot, J. F., Greitemann, B., Kladny, B., Petzke, F., Pfingsten, M., & Schorr, S. G. (2017). Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Dtsch Arztebl Int, 114(51-52), 883-890. doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2017.0883
Vining, R., Long, C. R., Minkalis, A., Gudavalli, M. R., Xia, T., Walter, J., Coulter, I., & Goertz, C. M. (2020). Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med, 26(7), 592-601. doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0107
Will, J. S., Bury, D. C., & Miller, J. A. (2018). Mechanical Low Back Pain. American Family Physician, 98(7), 421-428. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30252425
Can individuals incorporate decompression to reduce spinal disc pressure on their lower backs to restore their quality of life?
Introduction
The spine has a wonderful relationship with the human body as it is part of the musculoskeletal system. The spine has many components allow the body to be mobile and help stabilize the different muscle groups around the upper and lower portions. When the body is in motion, the spine starts to compress the spinal discs between the spinal column, which helps reduce the vertical axial load. Many people with highly demanding jobs will often use repetitive motions that cause the spinal disc to be constantly compressed. When the spinal disc starts to be continuously compressed, it can eventually crack over time from the immense pressure. It can aggravate the surrounding nerves that can cause referred pain-like symptoms in the upper and lower extremities. To that point, it can lead to a life of disability if it is not treated right away. Luckily, numerous treatments can help reduce the immense pressure from the spinal discs and reduce the pain-like symptoms from the upper and lower extremities. Today’s article looks at how spinal pressure affects the lower back and how decompression can help reduce spinal pressure on the lower back. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide various solutions to relieve spinal pressure on the spine. We also inform patients how treatments like decompression can reduce vertical axial pressure on the lower back. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with spinal pressure affecting their lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Does Spinal Pressure Affect The Lower Back?
Have you felt any muscle aches or stiffness in your lower back after bending down to pick up an object? What about feeling excruciating pain in your lower back that is radiating to your neck or your legs? Or do you feel pain in one location of your back that is not going away after rest? When many individuals are in pain, and home remedies are not providing the relief they deserve, they could be dealing with spinal pressure that is affecting their back. When people start to do repetitive motions to their bodies, the spinal disc will begin to crack and shrink depending on the environmental factor the pain is associated with.
Regarding spinal pressure in the lower back, the disc is thicker and the most susceptible to injury. When it comes to spinal pressure related to disc herniation, it can lead to many individuals dealing with lower back pain and can affect their quality of life. One of the symptoms of disc herniation that are correlated with spinal pressure is that the displacement of the spinal disc can cause pain and disability in the spine as a result of a traumatic injury or degenerative changes due to the natural aging process. (Chu et al., 2023) When working, individuals put constant pressure on their spines, which can speed up the development of lower back pain.
Additionally, when there is immense spinal pressure on the spine, many pain-like issues that individuals don’t normally have will begin to pop up. This is due to a focal displacement of the intervertebral disc material that is beyond the normal limit of the spine and compresses one or more nerve roots, which can cause musculoskeletal issues to arise. (Trager et al., 2022) This, in turn, causes radiating extremity pain on the upper and lower body portions, sensory disturbances, muscle weakness, and even diminished muscle stretch reflexes as pain-like symptoms in the lower back. At the same time, when individuals are experiencing low back pain associated with spinal pressure, their truck muscles have an abnormal tilt when sitting, standing, and walking. (Wang et al., 2022) When this happens, it can cause them to develop poor posture, and when they are in an upright position, they will feel pain in their lower backs due to weak truck muscles. However, there are ways to relieve spinal pressure from aggravating the nerve roots affecting the lower back.
The Non-Surgical Approach To Wellness-Video
When looking for the right treatment, many individuals want to look for something that is cost-effective and relieves their pain. Non-surgical treatments are cost-effective and utilize various techniques to help reduce musculoskeletal pain through mechanical and manual motions to strengthen weakened muscles, relieve spinal pressure off the disc, and help realign the body to promote healing properties. The video above shows how non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care can help many individuals get their foot on the right on their health and wellness journey. At the same time, spinal decompression is another form of non-surgical treatment as it incorporates gentle traction on the spine to reduce intervertebral pressure during active and passive traction. (Andersson et al., 1983) When the spine is gently pulled, the herniated disc starts to return to its original position back to the spine, which then allows the fluids and nutrients to return to the disc and rehydrate them.
Decompression Reducing Spinal Pressure On Lower Back
So, how does spinal decompression help reduce disc pressure off the spine when dealing with low back pain? As stated earlier, spinal decompression incorporates gentle traction on the spine to be gently pulled to stretch weak surrounding muscles in the lower back. This causes an inverse relationship as the pressure within the nucleus pulposus of the herniated disc can help improve posture for many individuals with low back pain. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) Similarly, when many people incorporate decompression and chiropractic, the pain intensity is significantly reduced in all body parts, and many individuals will begin to feel the relief they deserve. (Ljunggren et al., 1984) When many individuals listen to their bodies and get the treatment they deserve, they will start to notice how decompression can help restore their bodies and positively improve their health.
References
Andersson, G. B., Schultz, A. B., & Nachemson, A. L. (1983). Intervertebral disc pressures during traction. Scand J Rehabil Med Suppl, 9, 88-91. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6585945
Chu, E. C., Lin, A., Huang, K. H. K., Cheung, G., & Lee, W. T. (2023). A Severe Disc Herniation Mimics Spinal Tumor. Cureus, 15(3), e36545. doi.org/10.7759/cureus.36545
Ljunggren, A. E., Weber, H., & Larsen, S. (1984). Autotraction versus manual traction in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs. Scand J Rehabil Med, 16(3), 117-124. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6494835
Ramos, G., & Martin, W. (1994). Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg, 81(3), 350-353. doi.org/10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350
Trager, R. J., Daniels, C. J., Perez, J. A., Casselberry, R. M., & Dusek, J. A. (2022). Association between chiropractic spinal manipulation and lumbar discectomy in adults with lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy: retrospective cohort study using United States’ data. BMJ Open, 12(12), e068262. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068262
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