Back Clinic Treatments. There are various treatments for all types of injuries and conditions here at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic. The main goal is to correct any misalignments in the spine through manual manipulation and placing misaligned vertebrae back in their proper place. Patients will be given a series of treatments, which are based on the diagnosis. This can include spinal manipulation, as well as other supportive treatments. And as chiropractic treatment has developed, so have its methods and techniques.
Why do chiropractors use one method/technique over another?
A common method of spinal adjustment is the toggle drop method. With this method, a chiropractor crosses their hands and pressed down firmly on an area of the spine. They will then adjust the area with a quick and precise thrust. This method has been used for years and is often used to help increase a patient’s mobility.
Another popular method takes place on a special drop table. The table has different sections, which can be moved up or down based on the body’s position. Patients lie face down on their back or side while the chiropractor applies quick thrusts throughout the spinal area as the table section drops. Many prefer this table adjustment, as this method is lighter and does not include twisting motions used in other methods.
Chiropractors also use specialized tools to assist in their adjustments, i.e., the activator. A chiropractor uses this spring-loaded tool to perform the adjustment/s instead of their hands. Many consider the activator method to be the most gentle of all.
Whichever adjustment method a chiropractor uses, they all offer great benefits to the spine and overall health and wellness. If there is a certain method that is preferred, talk to a chiropractor about it. If they do not perform a certain technique, they may recommend a colleague that does.
Although the cerebellum has many responsibilities, its central function is to coordinate and handle motor activities. Balance, coordination, posture, equilibrium and eye motion are controlled in part by the cerebellum. Additionally, it works to calibrate motor actions in order for our movements to have a smooth, flowing nature to them. The cerebellum receives data from various other structures, like the inner ear and the vestibular system, and fine-tunes incoming sensorimotor information to achieve naturally smooth movements.
Cerebellum Exercises
Many cerebellum exercises are available which help the cerebellum enhance the operation of its neurons. Essentially, neurons want stimulation to be able to function accordingly. When neurons do not get enough stimulation, they become unstable, which can lead to a lot of behavioral difficulties, such as the ones connected with ADHD, among others. But, exercising the cerebellum can increase operation as well as decrease negative symptoms.
Exercises that require focused attention are demonstrated to help cerebellar development. Deliberate and purposeful physical movements, such as balancing on a balance board or working with a rehabilitation ball, will help neurons get the stimulation they need to maximize their functioning. Because there’s a substantial connection between physical activity and mental functioning, pairing physical tasks with psychological exercises is also very beneficial towards enhancing cerebellar functioning. By way of instance, a child diagnosed with ADHD may be requested to keep their balance on a balance board whilst simultaneously reciting the alphabet.
If a child or individual demonstrates weak cerebellar development in one quadrant, doing physical exercises between the legs and arms on the exact same side of the body is able to help that portion of the cerebellum “catch up” to the level of development of it’s other half. These exercises might involve arm or leg stretches or complex motions that include the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Vestibular-based actions, such as catching and throwing a ball or performing balance exercises such as standing on one leg, are also great cerebellum exercises that ease the stabilization, growth and development of neurons.
Cerebellar rehabilitation programs incorporate each of these exercises into an extensive regimen for tapping into the brain’s neuroplasticity. The exercises involved require patients to perform tasks that involve balance, spatial judgments, and motor actions, all which enhance cerebellar functioning and operation. Basically, since the brain’s neural networks arrange the incoming sensory information, they improve their functioning and become more effective.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Cerebellar ataxia is a disorder which affects the normal functioning of the brain and the nervous system by decreasing balance and coordination, most commonly in the back, arms and legs. Cerebellar rehabilitation exercises are often utilized to help alleviate the symptoms associated with cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellar exercises can also be recommended by a chiropractor or physical therapist for children and individuals in order to stimulate the brain and help with cerebellar development. Participating in cerebellar exercises has been demonstrated to improve balance, coordination and posture as well as promote more natural and smooth motor activities.
Many cerebellar exercises can be utilized in order to help stimulate specific regions of the brain, particularly the cerebellum. Each zone of the cerebellum is in charge of performing essential functions, therefore, enhancing these different regions is fundamental towards ultimate function and operation. Below, a series of exercises have been divided to enhance specific zones of the cerebellum.
General Cerebellar Exercises
Spinning in a desk seat can stimulate the ipsilateral cerebellum
Vertical muscle stretch can stimulate the ipsilateral cerebellum
Squeezing a tennis ball can stimulate the ipsilateral cerebellum
Passive or active non-linear complex movements can stimulate the ipsilateral cerebellum
Finger to nose extending can stimulate the ipsilateral cerebellum
Vermal and Paravermal Exercises
Passive and active gaze stabilization exercises using central fixation
Wobble board/unsteady surface exercises
Balance beam exercises and tandem walking
Bouncing a ball against the floor or throwing it against the wall
Core exercises, such as planks, sit-ups and yoga
Learning how to balance on a bicycle
Supine cross crawl action
Lateral Cerebellum Exercises
Cognitive procedures
Learning a musical instrument
Tracing a maze
Playing “catch”
Tapping fingers/hand or toes/feet to the beat of a metronome
Seeking to compose with eyes shut
Strategic board games
Cerebellar Rehabilitation Exercises for Cerebellum Dysfunction
When the cerebellum is damaged or not fully developed, individuals can display erratic or slow movements, demonstrate an inability to judge distance, have difficulty performing rapid moves, and walk with an unnatural gait. Dysfunction from the cerebellum have also been linked to symptoms of ADHD and other behavioral disorders. Cerebellar rehabilitation exercises can be helpful towards enhancing the indications of cerebellum dysfunction, most commonly, cerebellar ataxia.
Cerebellar ataxia is a disease which originates from the cerebellum. Cerebellar ataxia can happen as a result of several ailments and presents with symptoms of an inability to coordinate balance, gait, upper/lower extremity and eye motions. Healthcare professionals frequently use visual monitoring of people performing motor tasks so as to look for signs of ataxia. Research studies have shown that cerebellar rehabilitation exercises can be helpful towards improving symptoms related to cerebellum dysfunction.
Treatment of cerebellar ataxia generally involves treating the underlying illness in addition to the symptoms. Cerebellar rehabilitation exercises are used to improve balance and increase the independence of the patient using methods focusing on balance, posture and coordination control. Stabilizing the back and proximal muscles ought to begin with mat activities, like moving onto the forearms out of a lying face down position and crawling/moving onto the knees into a sitting posture. Gait training should also be performed, since it’s an excellent indicator of balance and insertion.
Cerebellar rehabilitation exercises for cerebellum dysfunction can also improve proprioception. Proprioception is controlled by the cerebellum and involves knowing which body parts are situated in space and in connection with each other. Treatment entails plyometric exercises, balance board and mini trampoline exercises. Vibration and match treatment can also be utilized to enhance proprioception, posture and movement. Yoga and other body-awareness exercises might also be included in the treatment plan to increase proprioception.
Rehabilitation goals include enhancing balance and posture against external stimuli, increasing joint stabilization as well as creating independent, practical gait to promote independence. Training principles include progressing from simple to complicated exercises and providing support with home exercise and sports activities. Cerebellar rehabilitation exercises should be prescribed by a healthcare professional who specializes in cerebellum dysfunction, such as a chiropractor or physical therapists. The language of the brain is repetition, and rehabilitation can enhance brain function. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
Knee Injuries: Alex Jimenez was a wrestler for 15 years when he suffered an ACL tear. Once diagnosis confirmed his knee injury, Alex Jimenez began an extensive care regimen, consisting of chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez and crossfit rehabilitation, in order to help him recover. Now that Alex Jimenez dedicates himself to health and fitness, he’s always mindful of engaging in the proper exercises to avoid suffering another sports injury. With a positive mentality, Alex Jimenez was able to find his life plan when his ACL tear healed completely.
Chiropractic Care For Knee Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. The prevalence of ACL injury is higher in athletes who take part in sports, such as basketball, soccer, skiing, and football. Roughly half of ACL injuries occur together with injury to the meniscus, articular cartilage, or other ligaments. Furthermore, patients may have lumps of the bone beneath the cartilage surface. These might be seen on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and might indicate injury to the overlying articular cartilage.
We are blessed to present to you�El Paso�s Premier Wellness & Injury Care Clinic.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to subscribe and share us.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a common type of vertigo, a sensation of spinning or whirling and loss of balance, which has been reported to account for as many as 17 percent of all cases of dizziness. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is believed to be caused by a health issue in the inner ear. While it is typically associated with aging, head injuries have also been found to cause BPPV.
BPPV occurs when several of the small crystals found in the inner ear, known as otoconia, become loose and wind up in one or more of the three fluid-filled semicircular canals of the ear. Whenever these crystals move around the inner ear, they can cause the fluid in the semicircular canals to become displaced. This ultimately results in a spinning or whirling sensation, otherwise referred to as vertigo. The symptoms of BPPV can often come on suddenly when an individual with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo moves their head in a certain position. By way of instance, symptoms may trigger when turning over in bed during night time. Symptoms of BPPV can last anywhere from several seconds to several minutes, and may include:
Dizziness;
A feeling that surroundings are spinning or moving (vertigo);
A loss of equilibrium or balance;
Nausea; and
Vomiting.
BPPV Treatment
Although many healthcare professionals often prescribe drugs and/or medications for BPPV, there is not enough evidence to support their use as treatment for this condition. In other, very rare cases, surgical interventions are considered. However, in the majority of instances, BPPV can safely and effectively be adjusted mechanically.
Once a healthcare professional specializing in vestibular disorders, such as a vestibular rehabilitation therapist, a chiropractor, a specially trained physical therapist, an occupational therapist or audiologist, or an ENT (ear, nose & throat specialist who specializes on vestibular disorders), has properly diagnosed the individual’s type of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo by performing tests like the Dix-Hallpike Test, then they’ll have the ability to understand which of the semicircular canal(s) the crystals are in, and whether it is canalithiasis, where the loose crystals can move freely in the fluid of the tube, or cupulolithiasis, where the crystals are believed to be ‘hung up’ on the bundle of nerves that feel the fluid motion, then they can recommend you the appropriate therapy maneuver.
Other Auditory & Vestibular Function Tests
The Dix-Hallpike Test is commonly used to diagnose BPPV, however, if the diagnosis is negative, healthcare professionals may utilize a variety of other auditory and vestibular function tests in order to properly diagnose the patient’s source of their symptoms.
The most common treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is called the Epley maneuver. The Epley maneuver, sometimes referred to as canalith repositioning, is a procedure which involves a succession of head movements, normally performed by a healthcare professional who is qualified and experienced in the treatment of vestibular disorders, in order to relieve the symptoms associated with BPPV.
Research studies have demonstrated that the Epley maneuver is a safe and effective treatment for the condition, offering both immediate and long-term relief. The Epley maneuver, named after Dr. John Epley, has been named the canalith repositioning maneuver because it�helps reposition the small crystals in a individual’s ear, which may be causing the sensation of dizziness. Repositioning these small crystals, also known as otoconia, ultimately helps to relieve BPPV symptoms.
The Epley maneuver is performed by placing the patient’s head at an angle from where gravity can help alleviate the symptoms. Tilting the head can move the crystals from the semicircular canals of the inner ear. This means that they will stop displacing the fluid, relieving the dizziness and nausea they may have been causing. In this way, the Epley maneuver alleviates the symptoms of BPPV. But, it may need to be repeated more than once, as occasionally, some head movements can once again displace the small crystals of the inner ear, once they had already been repositions after the initial treatment.
When a healthcare professional carries out the Epley maneuver, they’ll perform the following measures:
Ask the patient to sit upright in an examination table, completely extending their legs out in front of them.
Rotate the patient’s head in a 45-degree angle to the side they’re experiencing the worst vertigo.
Instantly push the patient back, so they are lying with their shoulders touching the table. The patient’s head is retained facing the side most negatively affected by vertigo but at a 30-degree angle, so that it is lifted slightly off the table. The healthcare professional holds the patient in this position for between 30 seconds and two minutes, until their symptoms stop.
Rotate the patient’s head 90 degrees from the opposite direction, stopping when the other ear is 30 degrees away from the table. Again, the doctor holds the patient in this position for between 30 minutes and two minutes, until their symptoms cease.
Next, the healthcare professional will roll the patient in precisely the same direction that they are facing, onto their side. The moment they encounter the worst vertigo on will be facing upward. The physician holds the patient in this position for between 30 minutes and 2 minutes, until their symptoms stop.
Eventually, the healthcare professional will bring the patient back up into a sitting position.
The whole process is repeated up to three times, until the patients’s symptoms have been completely relieved.
A healthcare professional specializing in vestibular disorders, such as a chiropractor or physical therapist, will utilize the Epley maneuver to help alleviate an individual’s dizziness and nausea, among other symptoms, when they have decided that BPPV is the cause. As mentioned before, the Epley maneuver isn’t suitable to treat vertigo brought on by another health issue aside from BPPV. If the individual is unsure of what is causing their vertigo, they ought to talk to a doctor and ask to be properly diagnosed. Other causes of vertigo may include:
Migraine headaches
Ear infections
Anemia
Cerebellar stroke
After performing the Epley maneuver, a doctor will advise the patient who has BPPV to prevent specific movements that may dislodge the crystals. These movements include:
Bending quickly
Lying down fast
Leaning the head
Moving the head back and forth
Many research studies have been done on the safety and effectiveness of therapy maneuvers for BPPV, such as the Epley maneuver, together with results and outcome measures demonstrating that the rates of recovery are well into the 90 percent range by 1 to 3 treatments. The more infrequent cupulolithiasis, or ‘hung-up’ version of BPPV, can be a little more stubborn to resolve, as this type of BPPV is generally the consequence of trauma or injury.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
If you’ve ever experienced a sudden spinning or whirling sensation, dizziness and nausea when you make certain head movements, especially while rolling over in bed at night or when getting out of bed in the morning, you may be suffering from a common condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV. This type of vertigo can be frustrating to deal with and it can tremendously affect an individual’s quality of life. A healthcare professional who specializes in vestibular disorders, including chiropractors and physical therapists, frequently diagnose BPPV using the Dix-Hallpike Test before following up treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using the Epley maneuver.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, or BPPV, is a frequent health issue, and will be encountered more and more as our population ages. The effect can vary from a mild annoyance to a highly debilitating condition, and can affect function and safety as well as increase the risk of falls. Fortunately, symptoms tend to decrease in intensity over time as the brain gradually adjusts to the strange signals it is receiving, or as the condition resolves on its own. However, with a healthcare professional who’s suitably qualified and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV, most patients will find overall relief of their problem once it readily corrected and their world stops spinning or whirling. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
Skateboarding: Javier Mata has entrusted Dr. Alex Jimenez for many years now, receiving trustworthy chiropractic care after experiencing several low back pain injuries throughout his life. Javier Mata first considered the non-surgical treatment choice following his own father’s recommendation to seek chiropractic care after he himself received treatment with Dr. Alex Jimenez. Javier Mata has found tremendous relief through spinal adjustments and manual manipulations and he highly recommends chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez.
Skateboarding Injury Treatment
Skateboarding is a popular recreational activity among children and teenagers. Although it is an enjoyable and exciting activity, skateboarding carries with it a serious risk for injury. Roughly 70,000 injuries requiring a trip to the emergency department occur each year. There are many things that parents and children can do to help prevent skateboarding injuries, such as carefully selecting safe places to ride and wearing protective gear, especially helmets. Many accidents happen when a child loses balance, falls off the skateboard and lands on an outstretched arm. Skateboarding accidents often involve the wrist, ankle, or face and sprains or strains may occur.
We are blessed to present to you�El Paso�s Premier Wellness & Injury Care Clinic.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to subscribe and share us.
A healthcare professional may refer you to a physical therapist to help you relieve your sciatica. Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help unwind you and your body. These ultimately prepare your body for therapeutic exercises, which are the active treatments commonly utilized as a part of physical therapy.
Your physical therapist can give you passive treatments such as:
Deep tissue massage: This procedure targets chronic muscle stress which can be compressing or irritating your sciatic nerve and its associated nerve roots. The physical therapist uses direct friction and pressure to attempt to release the tension in your soft tissues, such as the tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Hot and cold therapies: By employing heat, the physical therapist seeks to get more blood to the target region because an increased blood circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. By way of instance, a heating pack placed on your piriformis muscle may help to reduce muscle spasms that could be causing your sciatica. Cold therapy, on the other hand, slows down blood flow, helping to decrease inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Your physical therapist will alternate between hot and cold therapies in order to achieve the desired results.
TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation): It may even be used at home, if your physical therapist thinks it is necessary. A machine stimulates your muscles through a variety of safe intensities of electric current. TENS helps decrease muscle spasms, and it might increase your body’s production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. The TENS equipment your physical therapist utilizes is larger than the “at-home” usage system. Whether big or small, a TENS device may be an essential treatment for sciatica and its associated symptoms.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound sends sound waves deep in your muscle tissues and makes a gentle heat that enhances circulation and helps to speed up recovery. Greater circulation can help to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.
In the active part of physical therapy, your physical therapist will teach you various exercises to help treat your sciatica. Your physical therapy’s treatment program is individualized, taking into account your overall health and wellness as well as your medical history. It might consist of strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, and movements to increase endurance and range of movement.
Physical therapy might be part of a comprehensive sciatica treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare professional. Aside from receiving physical therapy for your sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, the following list includes other treatment options which are often considered when discussing the best treatment options for your source of sciatica symptoms. These treatments include:
Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture;
Chiropractic care;
Drugs and/or medications; and
Surgery
If necessary, your physical therapist may teach you how to fix your posture and integrate ergonomic principles into your everyday activities. This will be done in order to work on preventing future episodes of sciatica. Of the list of treatment options to help treat sciatica, chiropractic care and physical therapy are similar to each other and may involve common treatment modalities. However, a chiropractor uses spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to relieve symptoms of sciatica by carefully restoring the original alignment of the spine and reducing spinal stress and tension.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
As its previously been addressed, because sciatica can occur due to a variety of injuries and/or aggravated conditions, a proper diagnosis followed by the best treatment option for the patient’s source of their symptoms is key for overall improvement and prevention of further episodes of sciatic nerve pain. Among the various types of treatment, chiropractic care and physical therapy are popular alternative treatment approaches which help treat sciatica, without the need for drugs and/or medications or surgical interventions. Chiropractic care focuses on correcting the alignment of the spine through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations in order to release tension on the spine and improve sciatic nerve pain.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option which is regularly used to treat sciatica. Proper diagnosis of sciatica Is essential before considering any of the above treatment modalities. Because there are lots of disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor’s first step towards treating sciatica would be to determine what’s causing the patient’s relapse. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient’s medical history as well as a physical and neurological evaluation.
Diagnostic testing includes x-rays, MRI, CT scans and/or electrodiagnostic tests (nerve conduction speed, electromyography). These examinations and evaluations help to detect potential contraindications to spinal adjustments and manual manipulations along with other chiropractic alternative treatment options. The aim of chiropractic care is to help the human body heal itself. Chiropractic care is noninvasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.
The type of chiropractic care provided depends on the reason for the individual’s sciatica. A sciatica treatment program might include several distinct therapies like ice/cold treatments, ultrasound, TENS, (similar to those used in physical therapy) and spinal adjustments and manual manipulations. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations differ from a swift high velocity push to those that combine minimal pressure and gentle force. Mastery of every method is an art which requires great precision and skill. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the treatment modalities that differentiate chiropractic care from other medical disciplines.
However, sciatica can be brought on by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic care. If the chiropractor determines that the patient’s source of their symptoms requires treatment from a different type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another healthcare professional. In some instances, the chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and also co-manage the patient’s care with another healthcare professional.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
If you have lower back or buttocks pain which runs into your thigh or past the knee to one leg and foot, a healthcare professional may diagnose your symptoms as sciatica. Sciatica is a medical term used to describe painful sensations caused by the compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve. This compression is normally caused by a disc herniation or a bone spur pressing on one of the nerves in the lower back.
Sensations, or unusual feelings, could include numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and sometimes pain referred to as electric-shock-like. Determined by the individual nerve that is affected, pain may radiate only into the buttocks or all the way down to the foot.
Sciatica pain generally radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the human body, usually from the lower back, down the buttocks, and into the thigh and leg as well as the foot. One hallmark of classic sciatica is when the painful symptoms are felt beneath the knee and sometimes down into the foot and great toe. Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the body, however, it may occasionally affect both sides of the body.
Radicular Pain or Radiculopathy
Radicular pain, or radiculopathy, are different terms used to describe similar symptoms. Your healthcare professional may commonly utilize these terms interchangeably while discussing your sciatica. Radiculopathy is pain and/or an adverse sensation that travels past the affected site, along the length of a nerve. When a spinal nerve root is compressed, pinched or injured, it may become inflamed. Common conditions which could cause this kind of problem are spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis or herniated discs.
What to Expect from a Sciatica Diagnosis
In order to determine the proper diagnosis of your sciatica symptoms, a healthcare professional may ask a series of questions, for instance:
When did the pain begin?
Where do you feel the pain?
What activities worsen or reduce pain and symptoms?
Does the pain go all the way down your leg or does it stop at the knee?
Is there weakness or tingling in your thighs or feet?
How severe is your pain, on a scale of 1 to 10? (10 being the worse pain possible)
The healthcare professional may conduct a straight-leg test to find out whether you’ve got irritation or inflammation on a nerve. In order to perform this evaluations, you lie on your back while the doctor lifts each leg. When lifting a leg causes, or generates sciatic-like pain and sensations, you might have a bulging or ruptured disc, best known as a disc herniation.
Furthermore, the healthcare professional may ask you to walk as you normally do, then on your heels and next on your toes. This enables the physician to confirm your balance and aspects of lower-body strength. Compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve may cause muscle fatigue in the foot that will be revealed by these tests and evaluations. During your examination, your healthcare professional will:
Look at your position and range of movement
Note any movement that causes pain
Examine the curvature and alignment of your spine
Feel for muscle strain
Assess your sensation
Test your reflexes and muscle strength
Your doctor may order a plain x-ray, CT scan or MRI to help see the source of your sciatica more clearly. The CT scan or MRI provides the doctor with several snapshots of your spine, and will help confirm a suspected diagnosis. The findings of an imaging test are compared to the information that the doctor gathers during the taking of your medical history, and physical and neurological examination outcomes. An accurate identification is one of the very first steps in determining the best treatment options.
If it’s not Sciatica, What Else Could it Be?
Only a healthcare professional can tell for sure if your symptoms are sciatica or not. There are many complex structures in the spine which can result in similar kinds of pain. For instance, the joint between the pelvic and sacrum, or the sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, which is the smallest portion of the spine, may lead to pain from the buttock in the case of injury or due to an aggravated condition. You may also feel sciatica-like pain and discomfort if you sprain a very low back facet joint, which are the connecting joints at the back region of the spine. A tear in a disk can lead to pain down to the leg. The hip joint can occasionally trigger pain at the thigh as well. It’s essential to seek proper medical attention to assess the source of your symptoms.
Sciatica Treatment
Treatments for sciatica pain are diverse and there are lots of options to choose from. While sciatic nerve pain and radicular pain symptoms may resolve with the use of many traditional and alternative treatment options, severe cases may require surgery. Normally, some middle ground of these two extremes is the answer for curing sciatica.
Sciatica usually may be treated nonsurgically with short (24 to 48 hours) bed rest and pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen. In some cases, the physician may prescribe drugs and/or medications that relieves nerve pain, such as gabapentin. Oral steroids are another commonly used treatment to calm pain down. Typically, patients with sciatica feel better over time, generally in a few weeks. If pain persists, however, injections might be discussed. Muscle cramps, which might accompany sciatica symptoms, might be treated with heat or cold. Your physician will tell you to take brief walks, and might prescribe physical therapy. Once you recover, your doctor may also give you exercises to strengthen your back.
Can Chiropractic Care Treat Sciatica?
Chiropractic care is one of the top treatment options used for sciatica pain. Utilizing a variety of methods and techniques, chiropractic care doesn’t simply reduce the symptoms, it can ultimately fix the health issues associated with sciatica and prevent further circumstances of the collection of symptoms.
A good chiropractic care regimen might include spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, passive therapies, spinal decompression, massage therapy, and physical therapy to help reduce pain and correct the underlying problem causing it. A great chiropractic solution is going to be a plan which entails many or all of the above mentioned remedies as determined by your personal needs and recovery timeline. Furthermore, a chiropractor may recommend a series of appropriate stretches and exercises to help speed up the recovery process and promote a long-lasting recovery so you can live a pain-free life.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Sciatica is a medical term used to describe a collection of symptoms, including, pain, numbness or tingling sensations, caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Although symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, are commonly concentrated in the lower back, radiating pain or radiculopathy may sometimes occur along the length of the sciatic nerve. A bulging or herniated disc is one of the most prevalent health issues which lead to sciatica. It’s essential to receive a proper diagnosis of any painful symptoms in order to follow-up with the best treatment options. Chiropractic care can help treat sciatica through the use of spinal adjustment and manual manipulations, among other treatment modalities, by carefully restoring the original alignment of the spine and reducing nerve compression and irritation associated with sciatic nerve pain.
If you believe that you are suffering from sciatic nerve pain, then consider the chiropractic care alternative solution. Many chiropractors can help by building a customized restoration plan around your requirements and goals. With years of experience, friendly employees, and innovative equipment, the proper chiropractor will get you back to normal the natural way. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, is a collection of symptoms caused by a wide array of underlying health issues. While there are numerous treatments for the treatment of sciatica, a doctor’s treatment plan for back pain and sciatica may also include alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, and/or yoga. Many patients have reported that alternative treatments have helped relieve their sciatic nerve pain. If you’re experiencing symptoms of sciatica, you might want to try the following alternative treatment options.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture practitioners have the belief that your body has an energy force called Qi or Chi (pronounced “chee”). They believe that if Chi is blocked, it can create physical disease. Both acupuncture and acupressure (see below) function to restore a healthy, energetic flow of Chi. (All these Eastern approaches to healing are distinct from Western scientific concepts. That doesn’t make them better or worse; it only makes them different.)
In order to perform acupuncture, acupuncturists insert very fine needles, which are sterilized and disposable, into specifically exact points on the body. These points are known as meridians. Each meridian is the same as a channel, referred to as an acupoint, or acupuncture point. Because meridians run near the skin’s surface, it is not necessary to insert needles deep into the tissue. Meridians correspond to specific sections of the human body or to a human body system like the nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or lymphatic system. During an acupuncture treatment, the acupuncture practitioner will usually gently twirl or heat some or all of the needles.
It’s common for individuals to question whether acupuncture is uncomfortable, however, even patients who have been afraid of the needles at first, have found acupuncture to be a relaxing and painless experience. If you would like to pursue acupuncture treatment, please make sure to look for a licensed acupuncture practitioner who uses sterile and disposable equipment.
Acupressure
Acupressure has often been formerly compared to acupuncture. Acupressure is a non-invasive, secure, and gentle therapy which is believed to help unblocks Qi without using needles. The acupressure practitioner uses their thumbs, fingers, and elbows to put an exact quantity of pressure to specific points in the body. Acupressure therapy comprises the use of consistent pressure to one or more points and briskly rubbing against the acupressure point to stimulate it. Acupressure points and acupuncture points are identical.
Biofeedback
This type of alternative treatment option involves much more than simply telling your body to “stop feeling pain” Biofeedback is a mind-body therapy which rewires the brain by teaching you how to change or control a habitual reaction to pain or stress.
Could a person just “believe their pain away” with biofeedback? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. As a matter of fact, it requires a much more demanding effort from the individual. Biofeedback frequently requires intensive patient participation and it is not an alternative treatment option for everybody. Some experts view biofeedback as a controversial therapy because its use in the treatment of low back pain or sciatica has not been adequately researched. In spite of this view, many individuals have benefited from biofeedback.
Biofeedback involves using special equipment to quantify and provide “feedback” to the individual about his or her physiological reactions to certain stimuli, like stress and muscle tension. By instructing the patient to perform deep breathing techniques, visualization, and mental and physical exercises, the individual learns how to control their response to stress and pain related to muscle tension, in this scenario, muscle tension that may contribute to sciatica.
Yoga
Yoga stretches can decrease symptoms of sciatica when the trigger is piriformis syndrome (sometimes a controversial diagnosis). Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle found in the lower portion of the spine compresses the sciatic nerve. This muscle aids in hip rotation. Gently stretching this muscle may help reduce sciatic pain. However, certain yoga stretches may aggravate symptoms of sciatica. Poses such as forward bending and twisting can irritate sciatic nerve pain. Any exercise which involves extending the back of the thighs (hamstrings) can irritate sciatica. As with any exercise, the patient must remember not to push their body beyond their pain limitations. Respect the body, and remember: Gently stretch.
As part of your treatment plan, you might want to try other sciatica treatment options. The following list are sciatica treatment, you may want to research to determine if they’re appropriate for you:
Chiropractic care
Physical therapy
Drugs/medications
Surgery
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a popular, alternative treatment option commonly utilized to help treat sciatica. The purpose of chiropractic care is to promote the body’s capacity to heal itself naturally, without the need for drugs/medications or surgery. It’s based upon the scientific principle that limited spinal movement leads to pain and decreased function and performance.
A chiropractor may use a variety of methods or techniques to improve sciatic nerve pain. The type of chiropractic care provided depends on the reason for the individual’s sciatica. A sciatica treatment program may include ice/cold treatments, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments or manual manipulations. Below are more details on these chiropractic care modalities.
Ice/cold treatment reduce inflammation and help improve sciatic nerve pain.
Ultrasound is gentle heat made by sound waves which penetrates deep into the soft tissues. Ultrasound increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.
TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered, mobile muscle sculpting system. Variable intensities of electric current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Bigger versions of this home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals.
Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are at the core of chiropractic care. Manual manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps reestablish misaligned vertebrae in the spine. Spinal adjustments can help reduce nerve compression responsible for inducing pain, muscle spasm, inflammation and other symptoms associated with sciatica. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations have been proven to be safe and effective.
Furthermore, a chiropractor may utilize physical therapy to help improve symptoms of sciatica. After a careful diagnosis, a doctor of chiropractic can recommend a series of appropriate stretches and exercises which, together some of the chiropractic care modalities mentioned above, can help speed up the recovery process. Chiropractic care focuses on healing through movement, helping to restore the proper connection between the brain and body in order to promote natural healing of sciatica nerve pain.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Because sciatica can be caused by a variety of underlying health issues, many different treatment modalities can be used to help relieve the common low back pain complaint. However, alternative treatment options, such as acupuncture, yoga and chiropractic care, have become increasingly popular in the treatment of sciatic nerve pain. Among the wide array of alternative treatment options, chiropractic care has become one of the most well-known modalities for improving symptoms of sciatica. Chiropractic care utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully correct misalignments in the spine, or subluxations, which are often the most prevalent cause of sciatica. Other alternative treatment options can also efficiently help treat sciatic nerve pain without the need for drugs/medications or surgery.
Can Alternative Treatment Options Help Treat Sciatica?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question: several alternative treatment options can help relieve your sciatic nerve pain but they may not provide the same relief to another individual. If you’re considering trying alternative treatment options to address your own sciatica, discuss the options with your doctor. They might also have recommendations for healthcare professionals which can ultimately help improve your sciatica. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
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