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.
The back’s primary purpose is to bend, twist, and turn without pain in the body because the spine keeps the body upright and healthy. The spine is an S-shaped structure surrounded by ligaments, muscles, tissues from the musculoskeletal system, and the spinal canal, discs, and cords that help the body stay functional. When chronic issues start to affect the entire body, they can also affect the back, causing it to be in pain. When this happens, many back issues begin to rise, causing the individual to be in pain due to low back pain. Sometimes even conditions and natural aging can cause problems on the back and spine that treatments are available to help alleviate the symptoms and reduce pain. Today’s article will be looking at spondylolisthesis, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help many individuals suffering from spondylolisthesis. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Spondylolisthesis?
Have you ever felt unstable as you are moving throughout the day? How about radiating pain that travels down your legs? Or having low back pain dampening your day? You might be experiencing spondylolisthesis in your spine. Research studies have stated that spondylolisthesis is a condition that affects the lower lumbar spine by causing the spinal disc to slip out and press on the spinal nerve root. When this happens, it can cause low back pain and various issues on the spine depending on what condition the category spondylolisthesis falls under.
Spondylolisthesis can be classified into five different categories that can affect the spine. Other research studies have found that the five categories that spondylolisthesis is classified under are:
Degenerative: Where the spinal joints are arthritic and cause stress and instability to the ligamentum flavum.
Isthmic: There are fractures on the spinal joints that cause the result of anterior slippage through repetitive stress fractures on the spine.
Traumatic: Where the spine experiences high energy trauma.
Dysplastic: When there is congenital dysplasia on the spine causing the anterior and superior joints to be rounded on the vertebrae
Pathologic: Where conditions like bone tumors, osteopetrosis, or osteoporosis affect the spine.
These different categories are the causes of spondylolisthesis and result from low back pain for many individuals, while also being unilateral and bilateral depending on the category and how severe the symptoms are.
The Symptoms
With the different categories of spondylolisthesis, the symptoms can range from mild to severe pain due to the spinal discs being slipped out of place. Research studies have found that since spondylolisthesis is known to be the cause of low back pain, it can also be caused the nerve roots to be pinched due to the vertebrae disc slipping out and narrowing the space for the nerve roots. Other symptoms include:
Do you feel radiating pain down your leg? How about waking up and your back feeling stiff? Or even having a dull gradual pain in your lower back after walking around? You might be experiencing spondylolisthesis, and decompression therapy can help alleviate these symptoms. The video above shows how non-surgical decompression therapy can help alleviate low back pain caused by spondylolisthesis. Decompression therapy utilizes traction to take the pressure off the nerve root by gently pulling the slipped disc back into the spine. This causes relief to many individuals dealing with low back pain and other back and spinal issues that have constantly hindered them. Incorporating decompression therapy can provide the reassurance that many people need for them to get back on their wellness journey. If you want to find out more about decompression therapy, this link will explain its benefits and how it can alleviate symptoms caused by spondylolisthesis.
How Decompression Therapy Can Alleviate Spondylolisthesis
Many treatments can help alleviate low back pain like chiropractic therapy, massages, hot or cold compress, or even physical therapy. One of these treatments that can help with low back pain and spondylolisthesis is decompression therapy. Research studies have found that since spondylolisthesis causes the lower lumbar spinal disc to slip out and pinch the nerve root, decompression therapy can take it off and gently pull it back into the spine. This will cause any pain symptoms to be alleviated and reduce the instability that is causing many people pain from walking for long periods. Other research studies have shown that decompression helps restore the disc height and reduce spondylolisthesis symptoms.
Conclusion
Spondylolisthesis is one of the causes of low back pain, and it has become the most common symptom for many individuals to be suffering. Spondylolisthesis has five categories with different symptoms that can cause spinal issues to the spine. Overall, spondylolisthesis is where the lumbar spinal disc is slipped out and pinches the nerve roots spread throughout the spine. These symptoms can be alleviated through decompression therapy and cause the relief to the lower back. Decompression therapy utilizes traction to take the pressure off the nerve root and increase the disc height on the spine, allowing the discs to be gently pulled back into their original position and providing instant relief for many individuals.
References
Cheung, Jason Pui Yin, et al. “Decompression without Fusion for Low-Grade Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Feb. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4764545/.
Gagnet, Paul, et al. “Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Orthopaedics, Elsevier, 17 Mar. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5990218/.
Studnicka, Katarzyna, and George Ampat. “Lumbosacral Spondylolisthesis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 29 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560679/.
Tenny, Steven, and Christopher C Gillis. “Spondolisthesis.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430767/.
Nerve impingement, sciatica, disc herniation/degeneration, or spinal stenosis can cause sharp, debilitating nerve pain causing electric shocks, pins, needles, or burning sensations along the back or into the arms and legs. In combination with additional chiropractic treatment modalities, spinal decompression therapy effectively relieves the pain and disability resulting from disc injury and degeneration, repairs the damaged discs, and reverses nerve dystrophy. Part of the treatment involves a proper diet to deliver healing nutrients to the spine.
Healing Nutrients
The spine supports the entire body to perform motions and movements and needs the proper healing nutrients, especially after chiropractic and decompression therapy. There are vitamins and minerals that are critical for a healthy spine. These ensure that the bones, muscles, discs, and other tissues function correctly. There are nutrients that are essential to the immune system; if they are not present, the ability to heal and recover properly is reduced and takes longer. Nutrients commonly used in immunonutrition include:
Nucleotides
Antioxidants
Arginine
Glutamine
Omega-3
All are found naturally in certain foods and nutritional supplements and are essential in healing from injuries, like a herniated disc, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, and back or neck surgery.
Nucleotides
Every cell in the body contains nucleotides, which help make up and maintain DNA and RNA.
DNA and RNA production is necessary for cell repair and regrowth.
When the body is experiencing a stressful health issue like back or neck pain, it needs more nucleotides.
The body produces and recycles nucleotides and absorbs them through food.
All-natural plant- and animal-based food sources contain nucleotides.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants maintain and restore healthy tissues by reducing oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is associated with chronic inflammation.
Inflammation is necessary during healing, but chronic inflammation can be destructive.
Omega-3 supplementation can help decrease chronic inflammation.
Omega-3 foods include:
Salmon
Eggs
Walnuts
Flaxseed
Spinach
Spinal decompression gently stretches the spine, creating a vacuum inside the discs and joints. The negative pressure helps heal disc bulges and herniated discs. The lengthened spine allows healing nutrients and water to flow correctly, reducing swelling and inflammation and improving joint motion.
DRX9000 Explicada En Español
References
Chen, Linlin, et al. “Inflammatory responses and inflammation-associated diseases in organs.” Oncotarget vol. 9,6 7204-7218. 14 Dec. 2017, doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23208
Daniel, Dwain M. “Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media?.” Chiropractic & osteopathy vol. 15 7. 18 May. 2007, doi:10.1186/1746-1340-15-7
Dionne, Clermont E et al. “Serum vitamin C and spinal pain: a nationwide study.” Pain vol. 157,11 (2016): 2527-2535. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000671
Napier, Zachary, et al. “Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.” Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research vol. 25 9531-9537. 14 Dec. 2019, doi:10.12659/MSM.918649
Zolfaghari, Farid, et al. “A Survey of Vitamin D Status in Patients with Degenerative Diseases of the Spine.” Asian spine journal vol. 10,5 (2016): 834-842. doi:10.4184/asj.2016.10.5.834
Throughout the entire world, everyone has back pain at some point. Since back pain is common for many individuals, it is considered the most expensive condition, causing many working individuals to call off work and see their primary physicians to find some relief. When back pain is not treated right away, it can turn into chronic back pain over time and hinder a person’s quality of life. Different kinds of treatments can help manage back pain and help alleviate the symptoms. Today’s article will focus on how chiropractic and decompression therapy can work together to help alleviate back pain. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
How Chiropractic Therapy Helps With Back Pain
Since back pain is common for many individuals, the pain can range from a dull ache in the lower back to a sudden stinging pain that can radiate down to the legs causing sciatica to develop. Back pain can make many people feel miserable, and they try to find ways to alleviate the pain. Research studies have found that individuals with back pain will have lower productivity and quality of life while becoming a higher financial liability. Some people use medication to reduce the pain when this becomes an issue, while others use a hot and cold compress to lower the inflammation associated with back pain. Luckily chiropractic therapy can help alleviate back pain for many individuals.
Research studies have stated that chiropractic therapy is a non-surgical treatment that utilizes spinal manipulation for the body, causing relief for individuals with back pain. Chiropractic therapy causes the spinal joints to “pop” or release the pressure that was causing the person to be in pain. Chiropractic therapy also helps realign the spine back to its original state through manipulation while causing instant relief to the individual. Other research studies have found that when people go for a chiropractic adjustment for their low back pain, it is more effective than the other treatments for alleviating back pain symptoms.
How Decompression Therapy Helps With Back Pain
Like chiropractic therapy, decompression therapy is also a non-surgical treatment that can help individuals with back pain. Research studies have stated that decompression therapy can reduce chronic low back pain by increasing the spinal disc height. Decompression therapy can also vertically expand the intervertebral space through traction and alleviate other symptoms that are caused by back pain. Other research studies have also found that the effects of decompression therapy also help take the pressure off the nerve roots encompassing the spine by decompressing herniated disc material that causes low back pain. This will reduce the herniated discs are causing in the back and loosen up muscle tension.
Decompression Therapy & Back Pain-Video
Does your back constantly ache by doing simple things like bending, turning, and twisting? How about feeling sudden pain running down to your leg? If you have been experiencing back pain throughout your life, decompression might help you. The video above shows how decompression therapy can help individuals stretch their spine using gentle traction. This will allow the necessary nutrients to come back into the spine and take the pressure off the pinched nerve roots. When people utilize decompression therapy in their wellness journey, they can begin to feel much better without feeling any back pain that can hinder their quality of life. If you want to learn more about decompression therapy, this link will explain its benefits and how it can alleviate symptoms caused by back pain.
How Does Chiropractic & Decompression Therapy Work Together?
Since chiropractic and decompression therapy are non-surgical treatments for individuals suffering from back pain, they can work hand in hand to reduce the symptoms caused by back pain. Research studies have mentioned that chiropractic therapy can help reduce the stress and pressure on the posterior spinal discs by increasing the movements of the metabolites. In contrast, decompression therapy can create negative pressure in the spinal canal, allowing the spinal disc to supply nutritional substances and oxygen. The main goal for both of these treatments is to alleviate the back pain that the individual is suffering from. Other research studies have found that chiropractic and decompression therapy allows a flexion-distraction technique for individuals that helps broaden the distance of the spinal disc space and helps pull the bulging disc back to the spine. This allows the spine to realign itself and reduce back pain symptoms.
Conclusion
Overall, utilizing chiropractic and decompression therapy as part of a person’s wellness journey can help alleviate back pain and the symptoms that are causing pain to the back and the body. Chiropractic therapy can help realign the spine and release the trapped gases on the spinal joints. In contrast, decompression therapy utilizes traction to gently stretch the spine and provide nutritional supplements back to the spine. Incorporating these two types of treatments can cause many individuals to have instant relief from their back and any other symptoms that were the source of their pain. When they begin to feel their life coming back together, they can continue on their health journey being pain-free.
References
Apfel, Christian C, et al. “Restoration of Disk Height through Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Is Associated with Decreased Discogenic Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 8 July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912793/.
Choi, Jioun, et al. “The Effects of Manual Therapy Using Joint Mobilization and Flexion-Distraction Techniques on Chronic Low Back Pain and Disc Heights.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Aug. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4155230/.
Kang, Jeong-Il, et al. “Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle Activity and Disk Height in Patients with Herniated Intervertebral Disk.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5140813/.
Khodakarami, Nima. “Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Comparison of Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Manipulation.” Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 24 Feb. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151187/.
Manga, Pran, et al. “Effective Management of Low Back Pain: It’s Time to Accept the Evidence.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 1993, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2485083/.
Oh, Hyunju, et al. “Effects of the Flexion-Distraction Technique and Drop Technique on Straight Leg Raising Angle and Intervertebral Disc Height of Patients with an Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6698474/.
The body goes through many different scenarios when it can twist, turn, bend, and move without any pain that can affect it, while the spine ensures that the body stays upright. When a person has a pulled muscle or suffers from an injury, their back will suffer the most as back pain is considered standard for many individuals and the most expensive. Many individuals who suffer from back pain will go to their primary physicians to alleviate their back pain symptoms and get out of work to recover from their back injury. When the back gets injured from an accident or a pulled muscle, the spine also gets affected as it can lead to spinal inflammation. Luckily, some treatments can help alleviate back pain and spinal inflammation, and decompression therapy can be the answer. Today’s article will take a look at spinal inflammation, how it can affect the back, and how decompression therapy can help with spinal inflammation. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Spinal Inflammation?
Have you ever felt your lower back become hot and tender to the touch in certain areas? How about the excruciating pain that feels better after switching positions to alleviate the pain? Or how about your spinal disc is compressed, and it causes you to be in constant pain? This is due to spinal inflammation, and it can cause a variety of back and spinal issues in the individual, causing them a type of pain. Inflammation in the body can be both beneficial and a significant problem for the body as it can come in two forms: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation can help heal the affected area, lasting a few minutes to a few hours. Chronic inflammation can cause various issues that can cause a person to be in constant pain. For the spine, inflammation is caused by back pain and can make a person’s life miserable. When degenerative and inflammatory diseases affect the spine, research studies have stated that chronic inflammation can contribute to intervertebral degeneration and cause the production of inflammatory mediators in the spine.
When the spinal cord gets injured, it can cause significant complications for the individual and affect their mobility. Research studies have found that the inflammatory process from a spinal cord injury can destroy neuronal and glial cells on the spine, cause damage to expand in the spine, and cause paralysis of the spine. The inflammatory cytokines from the immune system will cause toxic metabolites to cause further tissue damage to the spinal cord. Other research studies have also found that when the spinal cord has suffered from an injury, inflammation can cause the spinal cord to be provoked and changes within the spine.
How Does It Affect The Back?
Since spinal cord injuries cause spinal inflammation, they can affect the back. The spine’s main job is to make sure that the back can function when it is in motion with any injuries. When the spinal cord gets injured, it does affect the back causing chronic issues. Research studies have shown that pain usually occurs in the lumbar spine when a person suffers from back pain, and inflammation can be associated with ankylosing spondylitis. Inflammatory back pain is defined as inflammatory pain found on the axial spine and the sacroiliac joints, causing radiating pain from the lower back to the buttocks and causing muscle stiffness.
Low Back Decompression Therapy-Video
Are you feeling any muscle tenderness in your lower back? How about radiating pain from the lower back to the buttocks? Or is chronic inflammation affecting your back? If you are experiencing any of these, why not try decompression therapy? Decompression therapy allows many individuals suffering from low back pain to feel instant relief. Decompression utilizes traction on the spine through gentle stretching and allows the beneficial nutrients to come and repair the compressed discs. This will allow the spine to relax and take the pressure off the nerve roots and increase the disc height. Decompression therapy can help alleviate back pain symptoms and reduce inflammation in the body. If you want to learn more about decompression therapy, this link will explain its benefits and how it can alleviate symptoms caused by spinal inflammation.
How Does Decompression Help With Spinal Inflammation?
Many non-surgical treatments help many individuals suffering from low back pain and joint inflammation. Some of these treatments include chiropractic adjustments, massages, and physical therapy. However, spinal decompression therapy is one non-surgical treatment that helps alleviate low back pain. Spinal decompression therapy is defined as a gentle stretching of the spine. Research studies have stated that adjusting the direction angle of the traction can provide negative pressure on the intervertebral discs, causing relief to the spine and lowering the inflammatory markers that are causing pain. Spinal decompression therapy allows the compressed spinal discs to decompress and increase their height in the spinal column. Other research studies have found that when herniated discs start to cause inflammatory responses to the low back, decompression therapy can stretch the herniated disc, causing them to release the pressure off the nerve root and reduce the inflammatory responses.
Conclusion
Overall, inflammation can affect the back in two ways. It can be beneficial in its acute form or harmful in its chronic condition. When inflammation is established, it can cause low back pain and spinal issues that hinder a person’s quality of life. Many individuals who suffer from inflammation become miserable and try to find ways to alleviate the pain. Luckily decompression therapy allows many suffering individuals to feel instant relief from inflammatory low back pain. Decompression therapy uses negative pressure on the spine, allowing it to be decompressed and taking the pressure off the nerve root that’s causing the person to be in pain. Incorporating decompression therapy as part of a person’s wellness journey can bring their sense of belonging back to their lives.
References
Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/.
Fleming, Jennifer C, et al. “The Cellular Inflammatory Response in Human Spinal Cords after Injury.” Brain : a Journal of Neurology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2006, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17071951/.
Kang, Jeong-Il, et al. “Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle Activity and Disk Height in Patients with Herniated Intervertebral Disk.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5140813/.
Lassiter, William, and Abdallah E Allam. “Inflammatory Back Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 21 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539753/.
Molinos, Maria, et al. “Inflammation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and Regeneration.” Journal of the Royal Society, Interface, The Royal Society, 6 Mar. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345483/.
Zhang, Ning, et al. “Inflammation & Apoptosis in Spinal Cord Injury.” The Indian Journal of Medical Research, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Mar. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3361863/.
The spine has the primary function where it makes sure that the entire body structure can stay upright, move around, bend and twist without feeling any sort of pain from these activities. The ligaments, soft tissues from the musculoskeletal system, the spinal cord, the nerve roots, and the spinal disc help protect the spine from an injury that a person has been into. When the body suffers from a back injury or a pulled muscle, it can cause stress on the spinal disc and nerve roots, causing a wide variety of symptoms that can aggravate the spine and cause the individual to be suffering in pain. Luckily many treatments can help alleviate painful symptoms from spinal and back injuries and even help reduce the symptoms from other chronic issues that the body is suffering. Today’s article will focus on chronic spinal stenosis and its symptoms and how decompression therapy can help alleviate chronic spinal stenosis for many individuals. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Chronic Spinal Stenosis?
Have you ever felt any neck or back pain that seems to come and go throughout the entire day? Does your back or neck start to feel weird sensations that cause your arms and legs to feel numb? How about a radiating dull ache that feels better by leaning forward? If you are experiencing this, then it might be spinal stenosis. Research studies have stated that spinal stenosis is a condition that compresses the surrounding nerve roots from the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine. Spinal stenosis is a gradual condition that narrows the spinal canal causing painful symptoms. If left untreated, it can become chronic spinal stenosis and cause severe and permanent damage to the spine in both the cervical and lumbar areas.
Research studies have found that since spinal stenosis is a gradual condition on the spine, wear and tear from conditions like disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, or even herniated discs can narrow the spinal canals and compress the nerve roots. When the nerve roots are squeezed and irritated, it can radiate pain from the neck or the lower back. For the cervical spinal canal, research shows that chronic spinal stenosis can progress disc degeneration further with disc protrusion and cause the ligaments to be thick, thus resulting in chronic neck pain. Now for the lumbar spinal canal, other research studies have found that chronic lumbar spinal stenosis is responsible for being the source of leg and back pain. When lumbar spinal stenosis becomes severe when it starts to compress on the nerve roots, especially the sciatic nerve, it can cause individuals to develop sciatica.
The Symptoms
Now, since the spine has three parts: the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar, when spinal stenosis starts to narrow the spinal canal and cause issues to the spine over time, some of the symptoms will pop up. Research studies have found that when a person has spinal stenosis, they feel pain when walking for long distances causing them to lean forward to relieve the pain or even have numbness on their legs and arms. Spinal stenosis can cause one problem in one area of the spine but can cause other issues in the rest of the body. Other symptoms that spinal stenosis causes to the spine include:
Feeling random pains pop up on your back or neck? How about a dull ache that causes a numbness or tingling sensation that affects your arms or legs? Or how about sharp radiating pain on your sciatic nerve? You might be suffering from chronic spinal stenosis, and non-surgical decompression therapy might be the answer that you seek. The video above explains how decompression therapy can help alleviate pain in the neck, back, and spine through gently stretching using a traction machine. This allows herniated spinal discs to be taking their pressure off the compressed nerve root and alleviate the pain that the person is in. Decompression therapy allows the individual to get back their quality of life pain-free. If you want to learn more about decompression therapy, this link will explain its benefits and how it can alleviate symptoms caused by chronic spinal stenosis.
With many treatments beneficial to low back and neck pain, people can use a wide variety to lower the symptoms. Some people use medicine to reduce the inflammation of the injured area, others use ice and heat compresses to bring down the swelling, and some use non-surgical treatments like chiropractic and physical therapy to alleviate the tension. One of the non-surgical treatments that can help with chronic spinal stenosis is decompression therapy. Research studies have found that when individuals suffer from spinal stenosis and have herniated discs pressing the compressed nerve roots, decompression therapy can help reduce the pressure. Decompression therapy uses negative pressure on the spine, causing it to be gently stretched and relieving the nerve root. The intervertebral herniated disc is supplied with nutrients and increases its hydration through traction. Not only that, but the soft tissues, muscles, and ligaments are relaxed on both the lower back and the neck.
Conclusion
Overall, spinal stenosis is a gradually progressive condition that causes herniated discs to irritate and compress the spinal nerve roots on the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine. When spinal stenosis starts to become chronic over time, it can cause permanent severe damage and cause radiating pain to both the legs and arms of the body. Luckily, treatments like decompression therapy can help alleviate the painful symptoms caused by spinal stenosis and restore spinal discs’ health by increasing their disc height. Utilizing decompression therapy and physical therapy is beneficial for spinal health. Both can dampen the effects of many painful symptoms caused by spinal stenosis, and many individuals can continue on their wellness journey.
References
Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Feb. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/.
Meyer, Frerk, et al. “Degenerative Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Current Strategies in Diagnosis and Treatment.” Deutsches Arzteblatt International, Deutscher Arzte Verlag, May 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696878/.
Body Flexibleness: The body loses a small amount of flexibility during normal aging. Decreased body flexibility can negatively impact everyday life by preventing normal function. If the muscles are not taken through their full range of motion to maintain length, strength is lost, and decreased flexibility increases. This can happen from:
Water loss in the tissues and spine.
Increased stiffness in the joints.
Loss of elasticity throughout the muscle tendons and surrounding tissues.
Body Flexibleness
Individuals of all ages struggle with flexibility, but there is a difference in age stiffness. However, a sedentary lifestyle can make everyday activities feel more strenuous than before. Less flexibleness can also cause pain. For example, if the muscles in the front of the legs become tight, it can limit movement in the pelvis and hips, leading to low back pain.
Several problems can result from decreased flexibility, including:
Shorter steps while walking.
Slower walking speed.
Back pain.
Increased risk of falls.
Flexibleness improves overall movement and helps prevent simple strains and injuries, including:
Back injury.
Muscle strains.
Shoulder injury.
Hip injury.
Leg injury.
A stretching program for the hip muscles can improve walking speed and step length. This will result in improved walking function with improved and increased control, decreasing the risk of injury. Step length is also critical in preventing injuries. More distance while walking and longer steps mean better balance, making it essential to maintain flexibility in the leg muscles.
Chiropractic Decompression
Routine chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression can slow the progression of joint degeneration, improve movement, and decrease the risk of injury. When the vertebrae are properly aligned, the entire body operates at its optimal level. There is proper lubrication of joints and muscles, improving mobility and function and removing stress on the nerves, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Chiropractic treats the joints, bones, and muscles to improve body flexibleness through manual and motorized decompression, adjustments, and massage, combined with health coaching, nutrition, stretching, and exercises to do at home.
DRX Spinal Decompression
References
“American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. The recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and flexibility in healthy adults.” Medicine and science in sports and exercise vol. 30,6 (1998): 975-91. doi:10.1097/00005768-199806000-00032
Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation.” Journal of physical therapy science vol. 27,2 (2015): 481-3. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.481
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All around the world, everybody suffers from low back pain at some point in their lives. Due to strenuous activities, injuries, or accidents that cause strain on the back, many individuals will feel a wide range of symptoms that are caused by low back pain. From a dull, mild ache to a sudden, sharp, throbbing pain can hinder a person’s quality of life. This is due to disc herniation on the spine and can cause painful symptoms to pop up over time if it is not treated. Luckily there are treatments for spinal disc herniation that can improve the quality of life for a person. In, today’s article, we will be taking a look at posterolateral herniation, its symptoms, and how prone decompression therapy can help alleviate posterolateral herniation for many suffering individuals. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
What Is Posterolateral Herniation?
Do you ever feel discomfort in your back from staying in a position for too long? How about your lower back feeling tender to the touch when you are getting examined by your primary physician? Or how about feeling a wide variety of painful symptoms that can cause you to constantly lay down all day to get rid of the pain? You could be suffering from posterolateral herniation. Research studies have stated that when the inside of the spinal disc known as the nucleus pulposus is injured, it can protrude out to where the spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord are and compress them to cause the individual to be in pain. This will cause the spinal disc to be herniated, which usually happens during a spinal injury. It compresses the lowest spinal nerve root for posterolateral herniation to occur.
Posterolateral herniation usually occurs around the lumbar and cervical spine more than the thoracic spine. Other research studies have found that when posterolateral herniation occurs, it is due to the annulus fibrosis, which is the outer layer of the spinal disc, losing its integrity, causing the nucleus pulposus to protrude out compress the spinal nerve. Since the pressure is on the lumbar spinal nerve, research studies have also found that when the annulus fibrosis becomes thin on the posterolateral, it causes the nucleus pulposus to compress the nearest nerve root and causes the lack of support to the posterior ligaments on the spine.
The Symptoms Of Posterolateral Herniation
The symptoms of posterolateral herniation usually vary on how severe the pain is on the person, and where it is located plays a factor. For the lumbar spine, research studies have stated that the signs and symptoms of posterolateral herniation on the lumbar spine can cause sensory abnormalities, weakness in the lumbosacral nerve roots, and restricted flexion. When this happens, the person suffers from lower levels of disability, leg pain, and pain in the posterior knee. For the cervical spine, more research studies have stated that posterolateral cervical herniation on the cervical spine can cause ipsilateral pain to the neck, which can be dull or sharp. While also causes direct compression of the spinal cord and causes inflammation of the cervical nerve root creating numbness or tingling sensation down the arms and fingers.
Prone Decompression Therapy-Video
Feeling discomfort in your back after staying in a position for too long? How about feeling pain in your lower back, legs, and neck? Is the pain a dull, mild ache or a sudden, sharp nuisance? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then decompression therapy might be the answer you are looking for. The video above explains how decompression therapy can help alleviate the symptoms caused by posterolateral herniation on the spine. Decompression therapy utilizes traction to gently stretch the spine to take the pressure off the nerve root and decompress the herniated discs. This will allow the spinal disc to increase its height on the spine and allow the inner walls of the discs that are herniated to return to their original form. If you want to learn more about decompression therapy, this link will explain its benefits and how it can alleviate posterolateral herniation symptoms.
How Prone Decompression Therapy Alleviates Posterolateral Herniation
Since posterolateral herniation is primarily located in the lumbar spine, studies have stated that the loss of hydration and collapse of discs causes a strain on the fibers of the annulus fibrosis, making them become herniated and causing tears and fissures. When there are protrusions and herniations on the spine, prone decompression therapy can help alleviate those symptoms and help restore the spine. Research studies have found that prone decompression therapy allows more of a noticeable separation on the intervertebral discs and causes a decrease in muscle tension as well. With prone decompression, the posterolateral herniation will decrease since it takes the pressure off the nerve roots, causing the person to be in pain.
Conclusion
Overall, everybody has dealt with low back pain at some point. With a wide range of symptoms associated with low back pain, posterolateral herniation on the spine can cause many problems like pain, numbness, and tension on the nerve roots, ligaments, and muscles encompassing the spine. With prone decompression therapy, it can help relieve the herniated disc by taking it off the nerve root and alleviating the painful symptoms. Prone decompression therapy gently stretches the spine to return nutrients and oxygen to the compressed herniated discs. This allows many individuals suffering from herniated discs to feel instant relief and get back their quality of life.
References
De Cicco, Franco L, and Gaston O Camino Willhuber. “Nucleus Pulposus Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 11 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542307/.
Al Qaraghi, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation- StatPearls- NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.
Khan, Rehan Ramzan, et al. “Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction in Supine versus Prone Lying Position for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy.” Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, Professional Medical Publications, 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8377889/.
Schoenfeld, Andrew J, and Bradley K Weiner. “Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: Evidence-Based Practice.” International Journal of General Medicine, Dove Medical Press, 21 July 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2915533/.
Yeung, Jacky T, et al. “Cervical Disc Herniation Presenting with Neck Pain and Contralateral Symptoms: A Case Report.” Journal of Medical Case Reports, BioMed Central, 28 June 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411405/.
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