Dr. Alex Jmenez, Chiropractor Discusses: Spinal Decompression Therapies, Protocols, Rehabilitation and Advance Treatments Care Plans
At our offices, we offer conservative care for degenerative spinal conditions, including several treatment modalities. Thus, the traction distinguishes as it can elicit the body’s protective proprioceptive response to distraction, reducing intradiscal pressure and minimizing symptoms secondary to disc herniation and axial pain.
Our integrative treatments aim to determine the clinical effects of a short treatment course of motorized axial spinal decompression for patients with pain and physical impairment caused by either lumbar or cervical degenerative disc pathology with no immediate surgical indication.
Conservative care for mid to long-term degenerative spinal conditions with axial and irradiated pain generally includes pharmacological treatment, physical rehabilitation, or injections. Mechanical traction is an old treatment modality, which has been decreased in use facing other modern technologies or utilized in combination with other treatment modalities, such as manual therapy, exercises, heat, or electrotherapy. We, too, offer advanced spinal treatment workshops and boot camps to help educate patients on the dynamics of spinal hygiene.
Our patients get treated for chronic radicular axial spinal pain. This is a referred pain in the spinal axial skeleton and is considered a syndrome with both nociceptive and neuropathic pain components. Patients report improvement in symptoms with a reduction of the axial load in the spine.
Previous studies have shown a decrease of pressure in the intervertebral disc after traction, unloading of the spinal structure, and alleviating the inflammatory reaction of the nerve roots. Here, we present our patients’ literature and scientific background information to make educated decisions about the advanced spinal decompression protocols.
If you’re looking for a non-surgical solution for your persistent back or leg pain, you may want to try spinal decompression therapy. Unlike invasive or laparoscopic surgeries, spinal decompression does not require the patient to go under the knife. Instead, the patient’s spine is stretched to relieve back and leg pain. The goal of spinal decompression is to create an ideal healing environment for the affected areas.
This treatment is typically used for:
Bulging discs
Degenerating discs
Herniated discs
Call us today to schedule your first appointment! Our team in El Paso is happy to help.
Many complex spinal surgeries take place in a hospital environment. The individual spends a night or two in the hospital, so medical staff can monitor them if any complications arise. However, outpatient surgeries have increased with new developments in minimally invasive procedures, pain management, and home rehabilitation. The improvements compared to traditional spinal surgical procedures are significant. These advancements have made it possible to perform more complex surgeries outside of a hospital. Outpatient surgeries have:
Accelerated recovery times
Decreased complications
Decreased infections
Healthier overall outcomes
Outpatient Surgery Candidates
Determining if outpatient surgery can be performed effectively depends on the injury/s and/or conditions that the individual is going through. An individual who is debilitated or has underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for complications or do not have support at home to assist with recovery and rehabilitation is recommended to have the surgery done in a hospital. To be considered for outpatient spine surgery, a surgeon looks at:
Standalone ambulatory surgery centers offer same-day surgical procedures for individuals that meet specific criteria. Medical staff assess the patient’s condition and determine recovery at home. If issues arise, the individual can be transferred to a hospital. Some facilities are single-specialty facilities, focusing on one medical specialty, and others are multi-specialty, meaning they offer a range of medical services from:
Orthopedic
Podiatry
Pain management services
Procedures
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion – ACDF
ACDF is a two-part surgery. First, the surgeon removes part of an intervertebral disc with bulged and compressed nerves from the spinal cord. Because there is less cushion, the vertebrae above and below are fused to prevent and eliminate painful movement. The discectomy:
Provides more accessible access to the vertebrae
Reduces healing time
Causes less pain
ACDF outpatient procedure treats several neck conditions that include:
Cervical spinal stenosis
Cervical radiculopathy
Neck-related degenerative disc disease
Herniated disc
Cervical spinal fracture
Individuals recover in the surgical center for one to several hours following the surgery before returning home. Traditional ACDF procedure takes three weeks to three months to recover.
Lumbar Discectomy
A lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasiveprocedure that repairs a lower back herniated disc compressing the surrounding nerves. This procedure provides compression relief and allows the nerve to heal. A traditional lumbar discectomy takes four to six weeks to recover.
Lumbar Laminectomy
This minimally invasive procedure removes thickened ligaments and lamina from the lower back. This opens the spinal canal space, relieving pressure and bringing pain relief. The surgery commonly treats lower-back spinal stenosis. A traditional laminectomy takes four to six weeks to recover.
Lumbar Spinal Fusion
Outpatient lumbar spinal fusion permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the lower back. The surgery helps stabilize the spine from severe arthritis or herniated disc removal. Spinal fusion has been found to be effective for correcting certain spinal deformities. The surgery involves a short recovery time at the outpatient center, after which the individual can return home the same day. A traditional or open spinal fusion requires a two-to-three-day hospital stay. After four to six weeks and with a doctor’s clearance, individuals can return to light activities, with full recovery requiring six months.
Chiropractic Spinal Decompression
References
International Journal of Spine Surgery. (April 16, 2021) “The expanding frontier of outpatient spine surgery.” pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33900984/
The back and spine are bound to the musculoskeletal system, where they work together to keep the entire body moving and upright. The back muscles surround the spine along with the nerve roots, blood vessels, and tissues that help the back to be able to bend, twist, sit, and stand without any injuries or feeling pain. However, as the body ages naturally, so do the back muscles. They are strained and overused from strenuous activities that can injure the back muscles and pressure the nerve roots, causing them to be irritated. Fortunately, some treatments can help alleviate the stress of the nerve roots and relax the back muscles by loosening them up. Today’s article will focus on the lumbar pinched nerves, their symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of lumbar pinched nerves 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 Are Lumbar Pinched Nerves?
Feeling a sharp, sudden pain in your lower back? How about stiff muscles that feel overused after just picking something heavy? How about burning throbbing pain that travels down the legs? You might be suffering from lumbar pinched nerves, which can affect your quality of life. Research studies have mentioned that lumbar pinched nerves are primarily associated with low back pain and are among the most common complaints about many suffering individuals. Low back pain can cause degeneration of the vertebrae disc and constantly irritate the nerve roots spread out on the lumbar area in the spine. The lumbar spinal nerve roots will experience uncomfortable signals like pain, numbness, and tingling sensations that can cause on and off signals that irritate the nerve roots to cause radicular symptoms. Other research studies have found that radicular pain can cause irritating pain alongside the lumbar nerve root without any neurological involvement causing the sensory fibers to be numb. This will cause unwanted sensations to the lower back down the legs.
The Symptoms
Research studies have stated that since radicular pain is one of the many reasons for low back pain, it can affect the nerve roots, depending on the severity. When the nerve roots are being compressed and start by sending on again off again signals, it can range from mild numbing pain that can cause numbing sensations to burning stinging pain that can cause motor dysfunction in the lower back. Some of the other symptoms that are caused by lumbar pinched nerves can include:
Numbness around the area where the nerve is located
Feeling a sharp burning pain radiating from the lower back down to the leg? How about feeling your foot has fallen asleep, and you can’t shake it off? Or have you lost the sensation in your lower back? These are all symptoms of lumbar pinched nerves that are associated with chronic low back pain. The best way to take the pressure off these irritated nerves is spinal decompression. The video explained how there are many techniques that spinal decompression has to offer when dealing with a variety of back issues like herniated discs, sciatica, low back pain, and even pinched nerves in the lumbar area of the spine. Spinal decompression can help relieve the pressure off the nerve roots that are branched out of the spine and relieve the symptoms causing pain. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in alleviating pinched nerves on the lower back? This link will explain what it does for the lumbar area in the spine and provide relief to the back nerve roots.
How Decompression Therapy Can Help Lumbar Pinched Nerves
Since low back pain is associated with lumbar pinched nerves, various treatments can help take the painful symptoms away, and one of these treatments is spinal decompression. Research studies have mentioned that spinal decompression is a type of traction treatment that follows the fundamental goal and principle of relieving pain by using negative pressure. What this negative pressure does is that it causes any herniated or bulging discs to be repositioned and causes an influx of healing substances to come back to the compressed discs and take the pressure off the lumbar nerve roots that are causing the radiating pain. Other research studies have found that decompression therapy can significantly improve lumbar spinal stenosis that also causes lumbar pinched nerves to emit pain by relieving it and bringing physical function back to the legs and back. This will cause significant relief for many suffering individuals suffering from having lumbar pinched nerves.
Conclusion
Overall the lower back has nerves that are spread out and can provide a motor function for the back to move around while keeping the upper body upright. When these nerves are pinched or irritated constantly, they can cause unwanted back issues like low back pain, sciatica, or loss of all sensory and motor functions. When this happens, many individuals won’t have to worry about feeling low back pain or lumbar pinched nerves stopping them from daily activities. Spinal decompression therapy helps the individual gently take the pressure off the irritated nerve roots and causes relief to the lower back and legs. Spinal decompression therapy also allows the beneficial healing nutrients to restore the compressed spinal discs to the spine.
References
Alexander, Christopher E, and Matthew Varacallo. “Lumbosacral Radiculopathy – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/.
Allegri, Massimo, et al. “Mechanisms of Low Back Pain: A Guide for Diagnosis and Therapy.” F1000Research, F1000Research, 28 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4926733/.
Anjarwalla, N K, et al. “The Outcome of Spinal Decompression Surgery 5 Years On.” European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Springer-Verlag, Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2223332/.
Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Radicular Back Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 2 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/.
As the body’s central support structure in the musculoskeletal system, the spine ensures that the body can do everything without feeling discomfort or pain. The spine has three sections in an S-shaped curve known as the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. Each section helps keep the body upright and is composed of ligaments, soft tissue muscles, and nerve roots spread out all over the back. The spine and sections suffer the most from neck or back pain when the back becomes injured. When this happens, non-surgical treatments can help alleviate the painful symptoms and cause relief for many individuals. Today’s article gives an overview of lumbar traction therapy, how it can help with low back pain, and how it differs from decompression therapy. 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 Lumbar Traction Therapy?
Feeling your muscles become stiff on your lower back? Does your back hurt after picking up something heavy? How about a mild ache on your lower back that won’t disappear? Why not try lumbar traction therapy to alleviate these symptoms. Research studies have mentioned that lumbar traction has been used to alleviate symptoms of low back pain. What lumbar traction therapy does is that it allows the extension of soft tissue muscles that are around the facet joints while decreasing the pressure off the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine. This allows the anterior and posterior ligaments to be extended while stretching and relaxing the muscle to stop them from spasming, improving blood circulation around the spine. Other research studies have found that lumbar traction has helped reduce the pain intensity and disability for many individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Traction therapy gently relieves the pressure off the spine and helps bring the nutrients back to the spinal discs to promote relief to the individual.
How Does It Help With Low Back Pain?
Since chronic low back pain is common worldwide, many individuals try to alleviate low back pain without going to surgery. Some will try medication to reduce severe pain; others will do light physical activities like yoga or meditation to stretch out the tense muscles. Traction therapy can help alleviate low pain symptoms and prevent other chronic conditions from progressing even further. Research studies have stated that traction therapy can help increase the spinal disc height and reduce internal pressure. This allows the irritated pain-sensitive fibers around the outer layer of the spinal discs to relax and relieve the spinal joints to be put back into normal position. Fortunately, traction therapy and even decompression therapy for low back pain can work together with other non-surgical treatments to help decompress the spine and lower the effects of chronic low back pain.
Lumbar Traction Overview-Video
Feeling mild to severe pain in your lower back? How about tenderness on certain parts of your back? Do your muscles ache and become stiff when carrying or lifting heavy items? Suffering from low back pain can hinder your daily activities and make you feel miserable. Like the video above, utilizing lumbar traction therapy can help relax the back muscles and provide relief to the compressed spinal discs that are pressing on the nerve roots. Traction therapy is a non-surgical treatment that allows individuals to lay down on a traction machine and be strapped in. The traction machine begins to slowly pull on the spine, causing the intervertebral disc to increase its height in the spine and any nerve roots that were being irritated to stop sending pain signals to and from the brain. Suppose you want to learn more about lumbar traction and how it can benefit you? In that case, this link will explain what traction does for the lumbar area in the spine and provide relief to the back.
How Is Traction Different Than Decompression?
Research studies show that lumbar traction therapy immediately improved the pain and functional status of many individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Since traction therapy help with chronic low back pain, how is it different when individuals use decompression therapy? Traction therapy is performed mechanically or manually to help widen the spaces between the spinal vertebrae. In contrast, decompression therapy helps relieve the pressure of irritated nerve roots that are causing pain along the spinal column. Research studies have found that decompression uses negative pressure to reduce spinal disc protrusion and intradiscal stress off the spinal nerve roots. Traction and decompression therapy have one thing in common: relieve pressure off the spine and alleviate low back pain. These two therapies can also be combined with physical therapy that allows the individual to reduce the stress of the nerve roots and strengthen the back muscle tissues. Incorporating traction or decompression therapy will benefit anyone on their wellness journey by providing relief to chronic low back pain.
Conclusion
Therefore, as part of the musculoskeletal system, the spine can be injured in various scenarios that cause low back pain. Incorporating lumbar traction therapy can help alleviate low back pain either manually or mechanically, stretching the spine to help widen the spaces in the spinal column to relieve compressed spinal discs and loosen up the stiff back muscle to promote blood circulation to the back. Since decompression and traction are different forms of therapy, they do have something in common when it comes to low back pain: to relieve the symptoms of the individual. Once people start incorporating traction therapy as part of their journey to a healthy lifestyle, they can feel relieved and become pain-free from chronic low back pain.
References
Borman, Pinar, et al. “The Efficacy of Lumbar Traction in the Management of Patients with Low Back Pain.” Rheumatology International, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2003, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12634941/.
Koçak, Fatmanur Aybala, et al. “Comparison of the Short-Term Effects of the Conventional Motorized Traction with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Performed with a DRX9000 Device on Pain, Functionality, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients with Low Back Pain Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Single-Blind Randomized-Controlled Trial.” Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bayçınar Medical Publishing, 16 Feb. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6709608/.
Oh, Hyunju, et al. “The Impact of Manual Spinal Traction Therapy on the Pain and Oswestry Disability Index of Patients with Chronic Back Pain.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Dec. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279706/.
Tadano, Shigeru, et al. “Lumbar Mechanical Traction: A Biomechanical Assessment of Change at the Lumbar Spine.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 9 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454715/.
Tanabe;Akai M;Doi T;Arai S;Fujino K;Hayashi K; ;, Hideki. “Immediate Effect of Mechanical Lumbar Traction in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Crossover, Repeated Measures, Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Orthopaedic Science: Official Journal of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Mar. 2021, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33785233/.
Injury Medical Chiropractic Decompression Clinic focuses on the whole body, realigns the bones and joints, and helps strengthen the muscles. This helps prevent pain and injury and maintains spinal stability. Strong back muscles can help promote correct posture and keep the spine free from restriction. A stable spine is achieved when the back muscles can support and balance the everyday forces and stress of rigorous physical activity. Strengthening the back muscles can be done through yoga, weightlifting, and other recommended chiropractic exercises.
The core is a crucial area of the body. The body utilizes the core for all movements and as a stabilization unit. Lack of strength places unwanted tension and pressure on the spine. Chiropractic ensures all the joints function correctly and enhances the core to brace more effectively and efficiently.
Chiropractic Balance
Adjustments and decompression realign the muscles into the proper position and help lubricate the muscles to help ease the stabilizer muscles that could be tight or tense. Treatments used can include:
Spinal manual and motorized decompression
Extremity adjustments
Myofascial release
Active Release Technique
Trigger point therapy
Benefits
Natural pain relief
Injury prevention
Enhanced muscle performance
Expedited recovery
Increased endurance
Mobility enhancement
Increased strength
Core strength and stability play a huge factor in everyday life and functions. Maintaining health results requires attention to detail. Injury Medical Decompression Clinic will create a personalized optimal health treatment plan that focuses on whole-body realignment, simple lifestyle adjustments, health coaching/nutrition, and strength training to improve balance, strength, and core stability.
Spinal Decompression DRX9000
References
Globe G, Morris C, Whalen W, et al., “Chiropractic Management of Low Back Disorders: Report from a Consensus Process,” Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics November/December 2008: 651-658.
Keller, MD, et al., “Trunk Muscle Strength, Cross-sectional Area, and Density in Patients With CLBP Randomized to Lumbar Fusion or Cognitive Intervention and Exercises,” Spine, 2004 29(1): 3-8 (3)
Mayer J, DC, Ph.D. Mooney V, MD, Dagenais S, DC Ph.D., “Evidence-informed management of CLBP with lumbar extensor strengthening exercises,” T Spine J, 2008;8:96-113. (3)
McKenzie, RA, “The Lumbar Spine: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy,” Spinal Publications/Printed by Wright & Carman, LTD, Upper Hutt, New Zealand, 1989 reprinted.
Sculco AD, Paup DC, Fernhall B, Sculco MJ, “Effects of aerobic exercise on low back pain patients in treatment,” Spine J, 1(2):95-101 (2001).
The body is a marvelous functional machine that requires constantly moving worldwide. The body can do everyday movements from the head to the feet and be in weird positions without feeling pain. However, ordinary factors like natural aging, wear and tear, and issues affect the body over time. When these factors start to affect the body, they can cause unwanted symptoms that can inflict pain on specific areas around the body. Some areas that suffer pain include the hips, lower back, neck, the body’s internal systems, and the spine, causing the individual to be miserable. Luckily many treatments do relieve pain in the body and help dampen the effects of the unwanted symptoms that are hindering the individual. Today’s article focuses on hip pain, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help many individuals suffering from hip 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.
What Is Hip Pain?
Are you feeling stiffness from your lower back and hips? Do your hips hurt after falling due to playing sports? How about pain from the lower back to the hips down to the feet? You might be experiencing hip pain. Research studies have stated that hip pain can be associated with many factors that can cause many individuals to be in distress, impair their daily activities, and affect their quality of life. Hip pain can be associated with simple movements that are damaged, like sitting and standing, which can be hard after a while. Other associations that hip pain can occur can be lower back pain, neuropathies, herniation, or chronic pain. According to research studies, hip pain is considered a musculoskeletal disorder. It shows that posterior hip pain in adults is caused by osteoarthritis or traumatic causes like sacral stress fractures that can affect the hips. This musculoskeletal disorder can become a problem for many older adults suffering from hip issues.
The Symptoms
Research studies have found that hip pain is a musculoskeletal complaint affecting young and old adults. Since hip pain is associated with various chronic issues, it can cause many individuals to be miserable and be in constant pain. For adults, hip pain can be one of the issues for those suffering from osteoarthritis in the anterior hip region. As research shows, in the posterior hip region, hip pain can be associated with chronic conditions like piriformis syndrome and lumbar radiculopathy that are centralized in the lower back. Other symptoms that hip pain cause on its own do associate with other chronic conditions, including:
Are you experiencing discomfort from your hips while sitting or standing? How about sharp, throbbing pain coming from your lower back and affecting your hips and legs? Do you feel tenderness and swelling on your joints? These symptoms are various forms of hip pain, and lumbar traction can help lower hip pain symptoms. The video above mentions how to prepare for lumbar traction therapy and how it can alleviate symptoms caused by hip pain. Lumbar traction helps compressed disc in the lumbar region of the spine to be restored to its original state and even takes the pressure off the sciatic nerve and other nerve roots that are causing hip pain to the body. Utilizing traction therapy increases the disc height and allows the lumbar spinal discs to be rehydrated again. Suppose you want to learn more about lumbar traction or decompression and how it can benefit you? In that case, this link will explain what decompression does for the lumbar area in the spine and provide relief from hip pain and its associates.
How Decompression Therapy Helps With Hip Pain
Since hip pain is associated with various other conditions that can affect the body, the most common condition that the body has suffered from is low back pain. There are ways to treat hip and low back pain; some individuals utilize heat and ice to neutralize the pain to go away, and others use chiropractic therapy to get the joints to realign themselves. One of the treatments used to relieve hip and low back pain is decompression therapy. Research studies have found that decompression therapy is safe and effective in helping to improve the blood circulation to the hips to provide relief to the hips. Since hip pain is associated with low back pain, decompression allows the herniated discs to be taken off the nerves surrounding the hips and provide pain relief. Other research studies show that traction is used to create negative gravity pressure to help reduce the pressure that is causing pain to the soft tissues and the nerve roots. This negative gravity allows the spine to separate and create more height for the disc to rehydrate while relieving the individual.
Conclusion
Overall the body is a marvelous machine that has the ability to move without pain. When issues start to affect the body, like the hips and lower back, it can cause the individual to suffer from various forms of pain. Since hip pain is associated with low back pain, it can lead to other chronic issues like sciatica or osteoarthritis, affecting the joints and causing them to swell. Treatments like decompression or traction therapy are used to alleviate the pain caused by the hips or lower back. When people incorporate decompression or traction into their wellness journey, they relax a bit as they are laid down and have their spine stretched slowly. This will cause them relief and take the pressure off the nerve roots that are sending pain signals to the brain. This ensures them that they can take back their lives pain-free.
References
Ahuja, Vanita, et al. “Chronic Hip Pain in Adults: Current Knowledge and Future Prospective.” Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical Pharmacology, Wolters Kluwer – Medknow, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8022067/.
Battaglia, Patrick J, et al. “Posterior, Lateral, and Anterior Hip Pain Due to Musculoskeletal Origin: A Narrative Literature Review of History, Physical Examination, and Diagnostic Imaging.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Elsevier, Dec. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5106442/.
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/.
Lee, Yun Jong, et al. “Causes of Chronic Hip Pain Undiagnosed or Misdiagnosed by Primary Physicians in Young Adult Patients: A Retrospective Descriptive Study.” Journal of Korean Medical Science, The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, 11 Dec. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6300658/.
Wilson, John J, and Masaru Furukawa. “Evaluation of the Patient with Hip Pain.” American Family Physician, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24444505/.
As part of the musculoskeletal system, the neck makes sure that the head stays upright and can move around. The neck is just like the lower back of the body as it is made up of ligaments and soft muscle tissues that can succumb to injuries and muscle strain. When this happens to the neck, the cervical area of the spine also gets affected, and it can cause pressure on the cervical nerve roots from herniation. This will cause the individual to suffer neck pain and muscle stiffness while also trying to find some relief. Thankfully, treatments that help alleviate neck pain have been effective by relaxing the tense muscles and taking the pressure off the cervical nerve roots. Today’s article will look at the neck’s function in the body, how neck pain affects the body, and how cervical traction can relieve many individuals suffering from neck 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 915-850-09
The Neck’s Function To The Body
Since the neck is part of the musculoskeletal system, it is essential to know that the ligaments, soft tissue muscles, joints, nerve roots, and discs are located in the cervical area of the body. The neck can keep the head upright while also making it move around, turn, and rotate without feeling any pain. Sometimes the neck joints make a “popping sound” when the head is tilted on either side, causing a sense of relief. The neck structure has two primary regions that make up the neck: the anterior and posterior cervical regions. Research studies have shown that the posterior cervical region is located at the front and sides of the neck that encompasses the lymph nodes and blood vessels that provide motor functions for the jaw to move.
Research studies have stated that the anterior cervical region of the neck is located on the side and back of the neck where the cervical area of the spine is located. The anterior cervical region provides lymphatic drainage and various roles for the cranial nerves and protects them from injuries. These two regions help the structure and functionality of the neck and head as they’re responsible for providing a supportive connection to the brain and cervical spine, regulating metabolism, and amongst other necessary functions for the body; as other research studies explained, the neck’s purpose to the body.
Neck Pain Affecting The Body
While the neck’s purpose in the body is to keep the head upright and keep a supportive connection to the brain and the spine, it can succumb to injuries like the lower back. Research studies have found that neck pain is considered a multifactorial disease that affects many individuals with numerous risk factors that contribute to its development. Some risk factors can be ordinary, like poor posture due to reading a book, looking at the phone, or being hunched over on the computer during working hours. In comparison, other risk factors are psychological, like stress and anxiety, where a person’s shoulders and neck muscles are tense, causing pain and disability to the body. Other research studies have stated that other factors for neck pain can be non-specific and usually on a postural or mechanical basis like cervical spondylosis or traumatic like whiplash. When these risk factors cause problems to the neck and shoulders, they can turn chronic over time unless it gets treated right away. Fortunately, some treatments can alleviate acute neck pain and relieve tense neck muscles.
An Overview Of Cervical Traction-Video
Are you feeling muscle stiffness around your neck and shoulders? How about waking up with a crick in your neck? Have your shoulders and neck strain while being hunched over while working at a desk? If you’ve been with any of these symptoms of neck pain, then cervical traction therapy could be the answer. The video explains how cervical traction can help restore the compressed spinal disc in the cervical area of the spine. What traction does is that it stretches the cervical spine and helps take the pressure off the cervical nerve root. The other beneficial factor is that cervical traction allows the tense neck muscles to loosen up while increasing the disc height of the neck. Many individuals suffering from neck pain will find relief after several cervical traction therapy treatments. Suppose you want to learn more about cervical traction or decompression and how it can benefit you? In that case, this link will explain what decompression does for the cervical area in the spine and provide neck pain relief.
What Is Cervical Traction Therapy?
The neck is part of the musculoskeletal system and can succumb to injuries like the lower back with tense muscles and herniated discs that press on the nerve roots. Many treatments can help alleviate neck pain: cervical traction therapy when this happens. Cervical traction can help improve the spinal curvature and relieve tense neck and shoulder muscles causing neck pain. Research studies have mentioned that cervical traction therapy has allowed the cervical vertebra to be separated from the facet joints while decreasing the pressure on the discs or the nerves, causing neck pain. Other research studies have found cervical traction therapy is a non-invasive procedure that provides instant relief for various cervical pathologies associated with neck pain. Cervical traction therapy can help alleviate neck pain and offer many individuals to get back to their daily activities without worrying about being in pain again.
Conclusion
The neck is part of the musculoskeletal system where its primary job is to keep the head upright while also providing it movement. Like the lower back, the neck can get injured through many risk factors that can turn into chronic neck pain over time. Sometimes, the risk factors could be ordinary, like poor posture or a simple muscle strain that affects the neck, while psychological factors like stress or anxiety could cause the neck muscles to tense. Treatments like cervical traction therapy allow the neck muscles and cervical spinal disc to decompress and provide relief to the symptoms caused by neck pain. When people utilize cervical traction therapy on top of other treatments provided in their wellness journey, they can feel no pain in their neck and continue doing their daily activities.
References
Abi-Aad, Karl R, and Armen Derian. “Cervical Traction – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 13 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/.
Kazeminasab, Somaye, et al. “Neck Pain: Global Epidemiology, Trends and Risk Factors.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 3 Jan. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8725362/.
Roesch, Zachary K, and Prasanna Tadi. “Anatomy, Head and Neck, Neck.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 26 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542313/.
Shah, Aaisha, and Bruno Cunha. “Anatomy, Head and Neck, Anterior Cervical Region.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 31 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557475/.
Stathakios, James, and Michael A Carron. “Anatomy, Head and Neck, Posterior Cervical Region.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 27 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551521/.
Xiao, Liang-Xing, et al. “Effect of a Traction Exercise Neck Brace on Cervical Spondylopathy Radiculopathy: A Clinical Study and Finite Element Analysis.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, Hindawi, 13 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060117/.
Healthy hips are necessary for standing, sitting, walking, running, bending, twisting, lifting, etc. Hip problems can seriously interfere with everyday activities. Out of alignment hips don’t just cause pain and soreness in the hip area but can radiate to other body areas. When the hip joint is out of alignment, the rest of the body has to start compensating for the misalignment, which can cause chronic pain in the back and/or legs.
Out of Alignment Hips
Discomfort and soreness begin as occasional but can quickly become regular. Individuals may also begin to limp when they walk, have a reduced range of motion in the hips, and pain that escalates with physical activity and improves with immobility/rest. Out of alignment hips can be caused by:
Lifting incorrectly
Repetitively carrying heavy loads on one side of the body places uneven pressure on the pelvis, causing an imbalance.
Performing repetitive motions that begin to stress the joint
If the legs are different lengths, this can cause the hips to go out of alignment. Using a foot wedge/foot orthotic in the shoe can remedy the situation.
Functional Leg Length Discrepancy
Functional leg length discrepancy is a common cause of hip misalignment, meaning that leg length is equal, but the individual is doing something to cause the hips to go out of alignment. It usually involves posture, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, and carrying improperly or awkwardly and repetitively could create functional leg length discrepancy.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is only one cause of hip misalignment. It is not likely that an individual has scoliosis if they are an adult and have not previously been diagnosed with the condition. If a child has what looks like a misaligned hip, it is recommended to take them to get tested for scoliosis. Most children with the disorder will outgrow it, but they need to be monitored by a medical professional.
One of the most prominent signs that it is a hip problem is the presence of groin pain. Groin pain can radiate downward toward the buttocks, front of the thighs, and knees. The hip joint is located behind the groin; pain usually means the hip is the root cause.
Chiropractic Decompression
A chiropractic examination can identify uneven hips. Chiropractic and motorized spinal decompression can reset the hips to their proper position. A chiropractor will be able to rebalance the hips and help avoid invasive surgical treatments and long-term rehabilitation.
DRX9000 90 Seconds Spinal Decompression
References
Battaglia, Patrick J et al. “Posterior, Lateral, and Anterior Hip Pain Due to Musculoskeletal Origin: A Narrative Literature Review of History, Physical Examination, and Diagnostic Imaging.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 15,4 (2016): 281-293. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2016.08.004
Jones HR, Burns TM, Aminoff MJ, Pomeroy SL. Pain. Chapter: Diagnosis of Low Back, Buttock, and Hip Pain. Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations: Spinal Cord and Peripheral Motor and Sensory Systems, Section 8, 201-224.
Khamis, Sam, and Eli Carmeli. “A new concept for measuring leg length discrepancy.” Journal of orthopedics vol. 14,2 276-280. 27 Mar. 2017, doi:10.1016/j.jor.2017.03.008
Miyagi, Masayuki, et al. “Hip-spine syndrome: cross-sectional-study of spinal alignment in patients with coxalgia.” Hip international: the journal of clinical and experimental research on hip pathology and therapy vol. 29,1 (2019): 21-25. doi:10.1177/1120700018803236
Nunes, Guilherme S et al. “Acute Effects of Hip Mobilization With Movement Technique on Pain and Biomechanics in Females With Patellofemoral Pain: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Journal of sport rehabilitation vol. 29,6 707-715. 18 Oct. 2019, doi:10.1123/jsr.2018-0497
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