Back Clinic Health News El Paso Functional Medicine Team. Chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez brings the latest articles, blog posts, technology, and advancements in health for the El Paso, TX. community. Dr. Jimenez follows health science, which is the protection and improvement of the health of families and communities through the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Combined with this comes research for disease and injury prevention and detection and control of infectious diseases. In addition, we take a global functional fitness treatment approach to regain complete functional health.
Dr. Jimenez presents health news El Paso articles from his own experience and various sources on a healthy lifestyle or general health issues. I have spent over 30+ years researching and testing methods with thousands of patients and understand what truly works. Health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, and administering services. A big part of public health involves the promotion of health care equity, quality, and accessibility.
Fitness vs. Wellness: How Exercise and Chiropractic Care Can Boost Your Overall Health
Strong woman lifts a barbell during a CrossFit workout
Many people talk about being fit or feeling well, but what do these terms really mean? Fitness is about your body’s ability to do physical tasks. It includes things like strength, endurance, and how well you can move. For example, if you can run a mile without getting too tired or lift heavy boxes, that’s fitness in action. Wellness, on the other hand, is bigger. It covers your whole health, including your body, mind, emotions, and even how you get along with others. It’s about feeling good in all parts of life, not just the physical side. Exercise is the key link between the two. When you move your body regularly, it builds strength for fitness and also helps your mind stay calm and your emotions balanced for wellness.
Think of fitness as the engine that powers your daily activities. Without it, simple things like walking up stairs or playing a game could feel difficult. Wellness is like a full car – it needs a good engine, fuel, maintenance, and a smooth ride to get you where you want to go. Exercise keeps everything running well. In this article, we’ll explore these ideas, examine how chiropractic care fits in, and see why combining them all leads to better health.
What Is Fitness?
Fitness focuses on the physical side of health. It’s your body’s capacity to handle activities without getting worn out or hurt. This includes strength, which helps you lift and carry things, and endurance, which lets you keep going for longer periods. Fitness also covers flexibility, balance, and how your heart and lungs work during movement.
Here are some key parts of fitness:
Cardio endurance: This is how well your heart and lungs supply oxygen during activities like running or biking. It helps you last longer without feeling out of breath.
Muscular strength: Built through things like weightlifting, it makes muscles stronger for tasks like pushing or pulling.
Flexibility: Stretching exercises improve the range of motion in your joints, reducing the risk of pulls or strains.
Body composition: The mix of fat and muscle in your body, which exercise can help balance for better health.
People often measure fitness by how they perform in sports or daily chores. For instance, if you can do push-ups or walk briskly for 30 minutes, you’re building fitness. Regular activities like swimming or yoga can improve these areas and lower the risk of conditions like heart disease or diabetes. But fitness alone isn’t enough for total health – that’s where wellness comes in.
What Is Wellness?
Wellness is a wider idea than fitness. It’s about achieving optimal health across all areas of life. While fitness is mostly physical, wellness includes mental, emotional, social, and even spiritual parts. It’s like a wheel with many spokes – if one is weak, the whole thing wobbles.
Key areas of wellness include:
Physical wellness: This overlaps with fitness and involves eating well, sleeping enough, and staying active to keep your body strong.
Mental wellness: Keeping your mind sharp through learning, stress management, and positive thinking.
Emotional wellness: Handling feelings like anger or sadness in healthy ways, often through speaking with friends or journaling.
Social wellness: Building positive relationships and feeling connected to others.
Other areas: like financial stability or environmental awareness, affect how you feel overall.
Wellness is a daily practice, not a one-time goal. It means making choices that help you thrive, not just survive. For example, someone might be fit from gym workouts but lack wellness if they’re stressed or lonely. True wellness balances everything for a happier life.
How Exercise Connects Fitness and Wellness
Exercise is the bridge between fitness and wellness. It’s any movement that gets your body working, like walking, dancing, or lifting weights. For fitness, exercise builds muscle, boosts heart health, and improves endurance. But it also touches wellness by reducing stress, lifting mood, and helping you sleep better.
Benefits of exercise for fitness:
Burns calories to control weight.
Strengthens bones and muscles to prevent injuries.
Improves heart function to lower disease risks.
Benefits for wellness:
Releases feel-good chemicals in the brain to fight depression and anxiety.
Boosts energy for daily tasks and social activities.
Enhances sleep, which supports mental clarity and emotional balance.
Types of exercise include aerobic (like running for heart health), strength training (like weights for muscle), and flexibility work (like yoga for movement). Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, plus strength work twice a week. Even small steps, like a daily walk, can make a big difference. Exercise doesn’t just make you stronger; it helps you feel more balanced overall.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Fitness and Wellness
Chiropractic care is a natural way to support both fitness and wellness. It focuses on aligning your spine and improving the function of your nerves. This can ease pain, boost movement, and help your body heal itself. Chiropractors use adjustments – gentle pushes on the spine – to fix misalignments that cause issues like back pain or headaches.
How chiropractic helps fitness:
Improves joint mobility for better exercise performance.
Reduces injury risk by maintaining balance.
Speeds up recovery after workouts or strains.
For wellness, it goes deeper:
Lowers stress by relaxing tight muscles.
Boosts immune function through better nerve flow.
Supports overall health by addressing root causes rather than just symptoms.
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a chiropractor and nurse practitioner, has observed in his practice that combining chiropractic with lifestyle changes leads to better outcomes. He notes that patients with chronic pain often improve faster when adjustments are paired with exercise and nutrition. His work shows how this approach prevents problems and promotes long-term wellness.
Integrating Chiropractic Care with Exercise for Better Results
When you mix chiropractic care with exercise, the results are even stronger. Chiropractic provides a solid base by aligning your body, while exercise builds on that with strength and heart health. This team-up reduces injury chances, improves how you move, and supports lasting wellness.
Steps to integrate them:
Start with a chiropractic check-up to fix any alignments.
Get personalized exercise tips, like stretches for flexibility or core work for stability.
Combine with other habits, such as healthy nutrition and stress relief.
Examples of exercises chiropractors recommend:
Core strengthening, like planks, supports the spine.
Stretches for the hips and back to ease tension.
Low-impact activities like swimming for overall fitness without strain.
Dr. Jimenez’s clinical work supports this. He uses integrative methods, like spinal decompression and tailored workouts, to help patients recover from injuries and stay active. His observations show that this holistic path leads to less pain, more energy, and a better quality of life.
In sports or daily life, this combo helps you perform better and feel great. For instance, athletes use chiropractic to stay aligned during training, while everyday people use it to handle desk jobs without back issues. It’s about prevention – catching problems early so you can keep moving.
Why This Matters for Long-Term Health
Focusing on fitness and wellness through exercise and chiropractic isn’t just for now; it’s for the future. Regular movement and care can prevent chronic issues like arthritis or heart problems. It also makes life more enjoyable, with more energy for hobbies and time with loved ones.
Challenges might include starting slow if you’re new, but small changes add up. Consult pros like chiropractors for safe plans. Remember, wellness is a journey – keep balancing all parts for the best results.
In summary, fitness builds your physical power, wellness covers your whole self, and exercise ties them together. Adding chiropractic care creates a strong foundation for health. As Dr. Jimenez’s practice shows, this integrated way leads to real improvements in how people feel and function.
Maintaining Gut Health During the Holidays: Causes, Symptoms, and Integrative Solutions
A woman grates cheese for a holiday meal.
The holiday season brings joy, family time, and lots of food. But it can also lead to stomach problems. Many people face issues like bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation. These happen because of rich foods, extra drinks, stress, and changes in daily habits. All this can upset your digestive system and the good bacteria in your gut. This can cause reflux, cramps, or even make conditions like IBS worse.
During holidays, people often eat more fatty, sugary, and heavy meals. They might drink more alcohol, too. Stress from planning and less sleep add to the mix. Diets may have less fiber from fruits and veggies. These factors strain the gut and change its bacterial balance. This leads to swelling in the stomach. Integrative health experts, like chiropractors and nurse practitioners, can help. They examine the main causes and offer ways to address them. This includes managing stress with mindfulness and exercise, giving diet tips for more fiber and water, and using supplements like probiotics and Vitamin D. They might also use hands-on therapy to calm the nervous system. This helps control symptoms and boosts long-term gut health.
Common Causes of Holiday Gut Issues
Holidays change how we eat and live. Large, rich meals with lots of fat and spice can trigger acid reflux. This causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Overeating and indulgent foods add to discomfort. Foods high in fat, sugar, and alcohol can cause gas and bloating.
Stress plays a big role, too. High stress can slow or speed up digestion. It releases hormones, such as cortisol, that slow blood flow to the gut and cause swelling. Holiday stress affects the gut-brain link, making issues like IBS or GERD worse.
Alcohol and fizzy drinks are common triggers. They can lead to bloating and cramps. In winter, cold weather slows digestion and reduces blood flow to the gut. Less thirst means people drink less water, causing dehydration and constipation.
Diets shift to more sugary and processed foods. This harms the gut microbiome, the beneficial bacteria that help digest food. Low fiber from missing fruits and veggies adds to constipation.
Overindulgence in food and drink: 61% of people link issues to this.
Eating different foods: 59% say this worsens symptoms.
Stress and low moods: 50% eat more due to winter blues.
Specific items like Brussels sprouts, cream, or fizzy drinks.
These causes combine to make gut problems common. About 67% of adults face issues like reflux or indigestion during the holidays. A third say symptoms get worse at Christmas.
Symptoms to Watch For
Gut troubles show up in many ways. Bloating feels like fullness or pressure from overeating or fatty meals. Gas comes from swallowed air, carbonated drinks, or certain foods. Indigestion and heartburn happen when acid backs up.
Constipation is common due to low fiber intake and reduced activity. Diarrhea might be caused by food poisoning or by rich foods. Cramps and pain can signal IBS flare-ups.
Other signs include:
Abdominal pain or excessive gas.
Loss of appetite or overeating.
Reflux or GERD symptoms, such as chest burning.
Changes in bowel habits lasting more than a few days.
If symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or include blood, weight loss, or severe pain, see a doctor.
How Holidays Affect the Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is trillions of bacteria that help digest food and keep you healthy. Holidays can disrupt this balance. Sugary and fatty foods alter the types of bacteria, leading to inflammation.
Stress reduces the number of good bacteria and allows bad bacteria to grow. Alcohol harms the gut lining and bacteria. Low fiber starves beneficial bacteria.
This imbalance causes:
Slower digestion and bloating.
Weakened immune system.
More inflammation that lasts into the new year.
Winter adds to this with fewer diverse foods and more indoor time.
The Role of Integrative Practitioners
Integrative experts focus on whole-body health. They identify root causes such as stress or diet. Chiropractors and nurse practitioners use natural ways to help.
The brain-gut connection explains why. Stress affects the gut, and gut issues affect mood. Treatments calm the stress response and reduce swelling.
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a chiropractor and nurse practitioner, observes that gut health links to inflammation and chronic issues. He uses functional medicine to assess diet, lifestyle, and genes. In his practice, he combines adjustments with nutrition to restore balance. He notes that holiday eating causes dysbiosis, leading to fatigue and pain. His approach includes supplements and lifestyle changes for long-term health.
Stress Management Techniques
Stress worsens gut issues, so managing it helps. Try mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing or meditation. Yoga calms the nervous system.
Take walks after meals to aid digestion.
Plan ahead to avoid rushing.
Get 7–9 hours of sleep a night.
Use apps for breathing exercises.
These boost the “rest and digest” response.
Dietary Advice for Better Gut Health
Eat more fiber to keep things moving. Choose fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Stay hydrated with at least 8 cups of water daily.
Tips include:
Use smaller plates for portion control.
Eat slowly and chew well.
Add fermented foods like yogurt or kimchi for probiotics.
Limit sugar, fat, and alcohol.
Follow the 80/20 rule: be healthy 80% of the time and indulge 20%.
Supplements like probiotics help restore gut bacteria. Vitamin D supports immune and gut health, especially in winter.
Manual therapy, such as chiropractic adjustments, helps balance the nervous system. This reduces inflammation and aids digestion. Dr. Jimenez uses this in his integrative practice for post-holiday recovery.
Probiotics from food or pills.
Digestive enzymes for heavy meals.
Fiber supplements, if needed.
Preventing Issues and Long-Term Health
Prevent problems by planning meals and staying active. Avoid trigger foods like dairy or gluten if sensitive.
For the long term, keep healthy habits year-round. This reduces inflammation and boosts energy. Integrative care helps maintain balance.
Dr. Jimenez sees that addressing gut health prevents chronic diseases. His observations show nutrition and adjustments improve outcomes.
Holidays don’t have to hurt your gut. With smart choices and expert help, you can enjoy the season and feel satisfied.
Gut-Skin Axis Healing: Radiant Skin Through Wellness
Introduction
At El Paso Back Clinic®, we understand that your skin reflects your inner health, especially after injuries from car accidents, sports, or work. The gut-skin axis links gut health to skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and premature aging. When injuries disrupt your gut microbiome—causing dysbiosis—inflammation and oxidative stress can weaken your skin’s barrier. Our team, led by Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, utilizes chiropractic care, functional medicine, and nutrition to treat both injuries and skin conditions.
Research indicates that balancing your gut microbiome can help clear skin issues (Kober & Bowe, 2015). We create personalized plans to restore wellness, combining advanced therapies with holistic care. This article examines the impact of dysbiosis on skin after injury and how El Paso Back Clinic’s integrative approach promotes vibrant health and radiant skin.
The Gut-Skin Axis: A Wellness Connection
The gut-skin axis links your digestive system to your skin. A healthy gut produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that reduce inflammation and support immunity (Salem et al., 2018). Injuries, stress, or medications can cause dysbiosis, allowing harmful bacteria to leak toxins into the bloodstream, which can trigger skin issues (Bowe et al., 2014). Dysbiosis also increases oxidative stress, damaging collagen and causing wrinkles, while reducing ceramides that strengthen the skin barrier (Krutmann et al., 2019). At El Paso Back Clinic, we use chiropractic adjustments, nutrition, and therapies to restore gut balance, heal skin, and treat injuries.
How Dysbiosis Impacts Skin After Injury
Injuries stress the body, disrupting gut health and worsening skin conditions:
Acne: Dysbiosis from injury-related stress or meds boosts insulin, clogging pores. Studies link low gut diversity to acne (Lee et al., 2019, as cited in Wang et al., 2023). Our nutrition plans reduce sugar and add probiotics to calm breakouts.
Eczema: Low gut diversity lets bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus thrive, causing rashes. Probiotics reduce the risk of eczema by 30% (Szari & Quinn, as cited in Johnson et al., 2024). We use functional medicine to rebuild gut health.
Premature Aging: Dysbiosis-driven oxidative stress degrades collagen, accelerating the formation of wrinkles. Injury-related inflammation adds “inflammaging” (Fisher et al., 2002). Our antioxidant-rich diets and stress relief can help reverse this.
Our integrative care focuses on these pathways to facilitate comprehensive recovery and healing.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: The Skin’s Enemies
Injuries amplify inflammation and oxidative stress, linking dysbiosis to skin issues. Leaky gut releases toxins (LPS), triggering cytokines like IL-6, causing redness or psoriasis (Mu & Kirby, 2018). Oxidative stress damages the skin’s structure, resulting in thinning of the dermis (Kim et al., 2018, as cited in Wang et al., 2023). A weak skin barrier allows irritants to enter, worsening dryness (Simpson et al., 2014). We utilize chiropractic adjustments to alleviate nerve stress, probiotics to lower cytokines, and nutrition to enhance antioxidant levels, with trials demonstrating that Lactobacillus reduces oxidative markers by 25% in acne patients (Fabbrocini et al., 2016, as cited in Wang et al., 2023).
Dietary Changes: Nourish Gut, Enhance Skin
Nutrition is crucial to healing the gut-skin axis. We recommend:
Prebiotics, such as garlic, onions, and bananas, feed good bacteria, which in turn reduces inflammation (Slavin, 2013).
Probiotics, such as those found in yogurt and kimchi, can help restore balance, reducing acne lesions by 20-30% (Kober & Bowe, 2015).
Fiber: 35 grams daily from oats and beans boosts SCFAs (Makki et al., 2018).
We avoid sugar and dairy, which spike inflammation (Bowe et al., 2010). Our Mediterranean-style diets, tailored for injury recovery, promote clear skin and gut health (Barrea et al., 2015).
Stress Reduction: Calming Gut and Skin
Injury-related stress increases cortisol, disrupting gut bacteria and exacerbating skin issues (Konturek et al., 2011). Our clinic offers mindfulness and yoga to lower cortisol by 20% (Carlson et al., 2015). Poses like child’s pose stimulate the vagus nerve, which in turn reduces inflammation (West et al., 2004). These complement our injury rehab for clearer skin.
Targeted Supplementation: Boosting Recovery
Supplements support healing:
Vitamin D: 2,000 IU daily eases eczema (Umar et al., 2018).
Zinc: 30 mg heals acne wounds (Gupta et al., 2014).
Omega-3s: 1-2g hydrates skin (Serefko et al., 2016).
Probiotics: Multi-strain supplements balance gut (Gueniche et al., 2010, as cited in Wang et al., 2023).
Our nurse practitioners tailor these assessments based on individual needs.
Lifestyle Tweaks: Supporting Skin and Recovery
Sleep 7-9 hours to lower cortisol (Benedict et al., 2016). Walk 30 minutes daily to boost circulation. Use SPF 30 to protect skin. Our plans integrate these for optimal wellness.
El Paso Back Clinic’s Integrative Approach
At El Paso Back Clinic, Dr. Alex Jimenez and our team combine chiropractic care, functional medicine, and acupuncture to address injury-related dysbiosis. Adjustments reduce nerve stress, improving gut function (Jafarzadeh et al., 2020). Our therapies cut inflammation, enhancing skin and overall health (Horrigan, 2017).
Dr. Alex Jimenez: Leading Holistic Recovery
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, with over 30 years of experience, uses dual-scope diagnostics—chiropractic and nursing—to treat injuries from MVAs, sports, or work. Advanced imaging, such as MRI, links injuries to gut stress, which in turn impacts the skin (Jimenez, n.d.a). For a patient with whiplash and acne, Dr. Jimenez might use adjustments, acupuncture, and probiotics to heal both. Our clinic provides detailed legal documentation for injury claims, ensuring accurate reports (Jimenez, n.d.b). Exercises, massage, and nutrition can help prevent chronic issues, as shared in Dr. Jimenez’s blog, offering holistic insights.
Personalized Plans: Your Wellness Journey
We begin with gut and skin assessments, including stool tests, bloodwork, or barrier scans. Plans include diets (prebiotics for dysbiosis), supplements (zinc for acne), and therapies (massage for stress). A patient with post-injury eczema experienced a 60% improvement with the combination of probiotics and yoga, as reported by Johnson et al. (2024).
Case Studies: Real Recoveries
Maria, 40: MVA-related back pain and psoriasis. Dr. Jimenez’s plan—adjustments, omega-3s, fiber—eased pain and cleared skin in 10 weeks.
Jake, 25: Work injury and acne. Nutrition and acupuncture balance the gut, reducing breakouts (Nirvana Healthcare, n.d.).
Advanced Care: Probiotics and Imaging
Probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium breve, protect the skin from UV damage (Ishii et al., 2014, as cited in Wang et al., 2023). We pair these with neuromusculoskeletal imaging for precise recovery plans.
Preventing Long-Term Issues
Regular gut checks and stress management prevent chronic pain and skin issues. Our proactive plans ensure lasting wellness.
Myths Busted
Myth: Skin issues are only topical. Fact: Gut drives 70% of immunity (Mu & Kirby, 2018). We provide evidence-based care to debunk myths.
Nutrition Deep Dive
For acne, we suggest low-glycemic foods and zinc-rich nuts. Eczema patients get fiber-rich plans with recipes like chia pudding. Psoriasis benefits from fish and greens. Our nutritionists create tailored menus.
Gut-Friendly Movement
Pilates and walking boost gut motility. Our therapists guide 20-minute routines that complement chiropractic care.
Supplement Science
Vitamin D reduces inflammation associated with eczema (Umar et al., 2018). Zinc heals acne (Gupta et al., 2014). Omega-3s hydrate skin (Serefko et al., 2016). We test for deficiencies to ensure safe dosing.
Our Unique Protocols
Dr. Jimenez uses MRI to link injuries to dysbiosis, which can impact the skin. Adjustments restore nerve function, while acupuncture and massage boost nutrient flow. Our app tracks progress.
Why Choose El Paso Back Clinic
Located at 11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste 128, El Paso, TX, we offer specialized injury care that combines chiropractic, nutrition, and rehabilitation services. We accept most insurance plans and work closely with your providers. Call 915-850-0900 or email [email protected].
Conclusion: Heal and Glow with Us
At El Paso Back Clinic, we harness the gut-skin axis to heal injuries and improve skin health. Dr. Jimenez’s integrative approach ensures vibrant wellness. Visit us or call 915-850-0900 to start your journey.
References
Bowe, W. P., Joshi, S. S., & Shalita, A. R. (2010). Diet and acne. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 63(1), 117–122.
Gupta, M., Mahajan, V. K., Mehta, K. S., & Chauhan, P. S. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice, 2014, 709152.
Serefko, A., Szopa, A., Wlaź, P., Nowak, G., Radziwoń-Zaleska, M., Skalski, M., & Poleszak, E. (2016). Magnesium in depression. Pharmacological Reports, 68(2), 306–313.
Why El Paso Back Clinic Cares About Your Fast Food and Packaged-Food Intake
At El Paso Back Clinic, your health is approached in a whole-person way. That means when you come in with back pain, sports injuries, auto accident trauma, or chronic conditions, the team led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez doesn’t just look at the injury. They also ask questions about your diet—especially about fast food, convenience meals, and packaged foods. Those questions help Dr. Jimenez and his staff understand not only what is hurting, but why your body isn’t healing as fast as it could.
Here’s what you should know:
How El Paso Back Clinic Works
Dr. Jimenez holds dual credentials: Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) and Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), plus Functional Medicine training (CFMP, IFMCP). (A4M)
The clinic treats injuries from car accidents, work strains, sports, whiplash, and chronic spinal problems. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
They use advanced diagnostics: imaging (X-ray, MRI), functional medicine intake, blood/lab assessments, and motion evaluations. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Treatment is integrative, incorporating chiropractic adjustments, targeted exercise, massage/acupuncture, as well as nutrition counseling and legal & medical documentation when needed (for personal injury or auto accidents), to provide patients with comprehensive support. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Why Diet Matters in Injury Recovery & Chronic Pain
1. Inflammation
Foods high in processed sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives—common in fast food and many packaged items—can lead to chronic inflammation. Inflammation slows healing of soft tissue (muscles, tendons), nerves, and joints. At El Paso Back Clinic, reducing inflammation is a key part of helping patients recover faster. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
2. Nutrient Deficiencies & Poor Absorption
Your body needs certain nutrients (protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants) to repair damage. Packaged/fast foods often lack those key nutrients. If your diet doesn’t supply enough, or your body can’t absorb them well due to inflammation or gut issues, healing stalls. Dr. Jimenez’s functional medicine components aim to assess and correct such deficiencies. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
3. Weight & Mechanical Stress
Extra body weight from high-calorie but low-nutrient diets increases stress on the spine, joints, and discs. When you’re recovering from an injury, the added mechanical load makes adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and mobility work harder. The clinic works to factor those stressors into treatment plans. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
4. Diet Interacting with Treatments and Medical Issues
Since Dr. Jimenez also provides medical/nurse practitioner scope, many patients may have comorbid conditions (e.g., metabolic issues, inflammatory diseases, compromised immune function). Poor diet can interfere with medications, exacerbate diseases (like diabetes), affect healing rates, or even affect legal documentation for injury claims. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
How El Paso Back Clinic Uses Diet Information in Your Care
Here’s how and when the clinic will ask about your diet and how they will use that info:
Intake & Diagnostics: When you first come in, there are functional medicine questionnaires, blood/lab testing, imaging, your past medical history, and lifestyle habits. Diet is part of that. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Treatment Planning: Your plan may include chiropractic adjustments, as well as nutritional counseling (e.g., an anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding certain processed foods), supplements or dietary changes, and physical therapies. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Monitoring Progress: Over time, the clinic tracks improvements in pain, mobility, lab markers, and also how you feel overall (energy, inflammation). They adjust diet guidance if needed. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Legal / Injury Documentation: For auto accidents or work-related injuries, careful medical records are needed. Demonstrating how non-dietary and dietary factors, when combined, add credibility to recovery timelines. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Practical Tips Based on What the Clinic Recommends
Here are actionable changes El Paso Back Clinic might suggest to sync with their holistic, diet-aware care:
Replace at least one fast-food meal per week with freshly prepared whole foods (vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats).
Include anti-inflammatory foods: leafy greens, berries, fatty fish (like salmon), nuts/seeds.
Choose complex carbs over refined sugars; avoid sodas and sugary beverages.
Prioritize protein intake to support soft-tissue repair after injury.
Stay hydrated; good hydration supports nutrient delivery and spinal disc health.
Reduce processed foods high in preservatives or trans fats.
Why Honesty About Your Diet Matters
If you underreport or downplay your use of fast food or convenience foods, the treatment plan might fail to hit an important cause of pain or slow recovery. Dr. Jimenez’s clinic needs accurate info to:
Set realistic recovery expectations
Tailor nutrition and functional medicine interventions properly
Document recovery in injury/legal cases
Prevent recurring injuries
Conclusion
El Paso Back Clinic cares about your fast-food, packaged-food, and convenience-food habits because food deeply influences inflammation, nutrient supply, weight stress, and your ability to heal. With Dr. Alex Jimenez’s dual roles (chiropractic, nurse practitioner, and functional medicine) and the clinic’s integrative model, your diet becomes an integral part of the treatment, not an afterthought.
Being honest and detailed with your diet history helps the clinic design a care plan that doesn’t just reduce symptoms but addresses root causes—so you can heal stronger, recover faster, and reduce the chance of long-term problems.
Yogurt Probiotics and Holistic Recovery at El Paso Back Clinic
Introduction
Not all yogurts are the same. While true yogurt always begins with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, many brands add extra probiotic strains—like Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium lactis—which may boost digestion, immunity, or reduce inflammation (Healthline, n.d.; Medical News Today, 2019). But beware: some yogurts are heat-treated after culturing, which kills the live bacteria and removes any probiotic benefit (Everyday Health, n.d.). To get the benefits, look for the “Live and Active Cultures” seal or find specific strain names like LA-5 and BB-12 on the ingredient list (Walgreens, 2023).
At El Paso Back Clinic, led by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, patients receive a truly integrative healing experience. The clinic weaves chiropractic care, functional nutrition, advanced diagnostics, and rehab strategies into a whole-body recovery model (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025) (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900).
Why Probiotic Strains Matter
Each probiotic strain does something a little different:
Lactobacillus acidophilus supports immune and gut health.
Bifidobacterium lactis aids in digestion and promotes bowel regularity.
And research shows benefits are strain-specific: for example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may prevent diarrhea, while Bifidobacterium infantis might soothe IBS symptoms (NIH-PMC, 2023) (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900).
At El Paso Back Clinic, they value this specificity—just like they customize adjustments, nutrition, and rehab plans to each patient.
Choosing Effective Probiotic Yogurt
Here’s how to pick yogurt that actually delivers health benefits:
Look for the “Live and Active Cultures” seal.
Check ingredients for specific strains like LA-5 or BB-12.
Avoid shelf-stable or heat-treated yogurts.
Choose plain and low-sugar options.
Select strains proven to support your health goals, such as those that reduce inflammation or aid digestion.
These principles align with the clinic’s functional nutrition philosophy—targeted, evidence-based, and personalized. (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900)
Linking Gut Health to Recovery and Pain Relief
El Paso Back Clinic recognizes that healing isn’t just about realigning the spine—it’s about supporting the whole-body system.
Nutrition for mobility: Adjustments improve circulation and nerve function, while nutrients and probiotics support tissue repair (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025) (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900).
Digestive support: A healthy gut helps reduce inflammation, improve energy, and enhance nutrient absorption—boosting recovery whether from sports injuries or auto accidents (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025) (El Paso Back Clinic® • 915-850-0900).
Probiotic-rich yogurt can play a key role—especially when it’s part of a chiropractic-driven plan.
Dr. Jimenez’s Dual-Scope, Evidence-Based Approach
Dr. Alexander Jimenez brings a distinct set of skills:
Chiropractic therapy: spinal adjustments, decompression, and rehab to restore function.
Functional nutrition and medicine: personalized diet plans, targeted supplements, and laboratory assessments to combat inflammation and promote tissue healing.
Advanced diagnostics, including imaging and laboratory work, are used to identify root causes and document progress (El Paso Back Clinic, 2025) (El Paso Back Clinic • 915-850-0900).
This integration enables comprehensive injury care—whether resulting from sports, work, or vehicle accidents. Patients benefit from reduced pain, faster healing, and stronger long-term outcomes.
Probiotic Yogurt: One Piece of a Complete System
Probiotics aren’t magic—but they are a powerful ally when combined with chiropractic care and functional nutrition:
They support digestion and reduce inflammation, improving the body’s ability to heal.
They enhance nutrient absorption, which is essential for rebuilding muscle and connective tissue.
When used alongside adjustments, rehab, and supplements, probiotics help create a supportive healing environment.
This holistic model reflects El Paso Back Clinic’s philosophy: address internal health while restoring physical structure.
Conclusion
Not all yogurts are created equal. To gain real probiotic benefits, look for yogurts with live cultures and clearly listed strain names. At El Paso Back Clinic, Dr. Jimenez blends this nutritional insight with chiropractic care, functional medicine, and rehab therapies to support healing from the inside out. Together, nutrients and structure form a complete recovery plan—and probiotics can play a meaningful role in that journey.
Feeling drained? Relying on caffeine or sugar-packed energy drinks may give you a quick lift—but they don’t fix the real problem. These quick fixes can raise blood pressure, worsen sleep, and even contribute to more serious long-term health issues. El Paso Back Clinic takes a different approach: one that uncovers root causes and restores vitality naturally. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Your Nervous System = Your Power Source
The nervous system controls every important bodily function, from heartbeat to digestion. Spinal misalignment—due to poor posture, injuries, or birth trauma—can block nerve signals, leading to fatigue, pain, and even organ dysfunction. Chiropractic care realigns the spine and restores this vital communication. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Fatigue Fix: Circulation, Alignment, and Sleep
Chronic stress and misalignment often lead to poor sleep, brain fog, weakness, and digestive complaints. At El Paso Back Clinic, chiropractic + functional medicine work together to:
Align the spine for better nerve function
Improve circulation and oxygen delivery
Support restful sleep and reduce stress-related fatigue
Your body is like a car—it runs poorly on bad fuel. Proper nutrition makes a huge difference. El Paso Back Clinic emphasizes the importance of macronutrients and micronutrients that support recovery and energy. A poor diet can hinder healing and prolong fatigue. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Acupuncture: Energy Boost from Ancient Wisdom
Tired and worn out? Acupuncture may help. Studies show that it can improve both physical and mental fatigue, resulting in a better overall quality of life, reduced pain, improved sleep, and even enhanced gut health. For athletes, acupuncture aided faster metabolic recovery than rest alone. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Supplements That Help You Recover Smarter
Certain supplements speed recovery:
Protein & BCAAs rebuild muscle and reduce soreness
Fatty acids (MCTs, Omega-3s) deliver energy and reduce inflammation
Creatine, Citrulline Malate, and Magnesium support energy, muscle recovery, and blood flow
These can significantly shorten recovery and reduce fatigue. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Move Right: Exercise with Purpose
Routine activities like walking, stretching, and posture-aware movement strengthen the body and increase stamina. These simple practices improve endurance and productivity—especially when paired with chiropractic adjustments. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Dr. Jimenez’s Dual-Licensed Advantage
At El Paso Back Clinic, Dr. Alex Jimenez blends chiropractic precision with the diagnostic power of a board-certified nurse practitioner. This means:
Expert spinal alignment and pain relief
Comprehensive health diagnostics
Personalized treatment plans that address symptoms and root causes
Functional Medicine + Chiropractic = Full Recovery
Your pain relief plan includes more than adjustments. At El Paso Back Clinic, a functional medicine lens helps identify imbalances—such as inflammation or nutrient deficiencies—that interfere with recovery. Chiropractic adjustments, supplements, and targeted therapies then help the body heal and stay energized. (elpasobackclinic.com)
Beating Fatigue at El Paso Back Clinic
Here’s how the clinic restores vitality through an integrative approach:
Nervous system blockages → Bio-Chiropractic alignment → Improved nerve signaling
Poor circulation and sleep issues → Spinal realignment + functional support → Enhanced energy and mood
Stress and poor posture → Chiropractic adjustments + lifestyle coaching → Better rest and mental clarity
Inflammation → Nutrition plans, supplements, and acupuncture → Reduced fatigue and pain
Weak muscles → Movement therapy + targeted nutrients → Greater strength and endurance
Complex health problems → Functional medicine testing + chiropractic → Root-cause healing
Closing Thoughts
El Paso Back Clinic offers more than just a quick fix for fatigue. By combining nervous system alignment, functional nutrition, therapeutic movement, and Dr. Jimenez’s dual-licensed expertise, the clinic helps patients reclaim energy, vitality, and better health for the long haul.
Can healthcare professionals implement H.E.A.R.T. protocols for trafficked individuals while providing a safe space?
Introduction
Across the world, many local media and organizations are paying close attention to a phenomenon that many people should be aware of. This phenomenon is known as trafficking, and it can be associated with numerous activities, from forced labor to sex labor, and can affect a person’s sense of self-worth. While many people will correlate that trafficking affects many women and children, it can affect many individuals regardless of age, gender, and background. While many survivors of trafficking are dealing with the psychological and physical injuries that they obtain from their traffickers, many medical professionals can implement protocols and roles through the implementation of H.E.A.R.T. to provide a safe space for individuals suffering from trafficking. Today’s article focuses on the definition of trafficking, what H.E.A.R.T. is, and how it is used in a clinical setting. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess and identify trafficking in a clinical approach while providing a safe space. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to formulate customized treatment plans for their pain and provide them with a safe space and positive experience. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Definition Of Trafficking
When it comes to defining trafficking, it can be challenging as it is frequently associated with other issues. However, the main definition for trafficking is “recruiting, transporting, transferring, or harboring many individuals or a person that are threatened or forced to achieve the consent of a person having control of the individuals for exploitation.” With human trafficking being a pressing public concern that affects all races, social classes, demographics, and genders, it can impact society and the individual who is being trafficked. (Toney-Butler et al., 2024) Additionally, many people often mistake trafficking and smuggling as they are completely different. Smuggling requires a person to be transported into a nation through voluntary illicit means. While trafficking can come in two forms, which are labor and commercial sex, it can happen within the person’s own home. (Rambhatla et al., 2021) This is because many survivors who are going to get healthcare services will feel various emotions of fear or shame that can prevent them from asking for help due to what they have been through with their trafficker. However, when many individuals who are trafficking survivors are suffering from significant physical, mental, and social health problems and are seeking healthcare services, many healthcare professionals play an important role by creating a safe and responsive space for them. (The Lancet Regional Health-Western, 2022)
Beyond the Surface: Understanding the Effects of Personal Injury- Video
What is H.E.A.R.T In A Clinical Setting
When it comes to creating a safe and positive space in a clinical setting, many healthcare professionals often miss the signs of trafficking due to a lack of training or confidence to identify and treat patients who are trafficking victims. (Lee et al., 2021) However, healthcare protocols should be implemented, and H.E.A.R.T. should be incorporated into a clinical approach to assess and develop a customized treatment plan for the patient. Healthcare professionals can engage with the patient in a one-on-one discussion away from their trafficker and can offer important medical and psychological care resources. (Exeni McAmis et al., 2022) By incorporating H.E.A.R.T. protocols in a healthcare clinic, many doctors and medical professionals can help many patients be in a safe environment. Below is what H.E.A.R.T. stands for.
H-Hearing
The “H” in H.E.A.R.T. is for hearing as many medical professionals not only to hear but to see what is going on in the clinic and to establish environmental awareness. This is due to looking at the patient and who is accompanied by them. With healthcare providers being at the front, they interact with patients and may not know what health concerns are affecting them. This could be due to the following:
By incorporating the hearing aspect in H.E.A.R.T., many healthcare professionals can provide a safe, thoughtful, and engaging approach to the patient and know what to look for when a patient is coming in for treatment.
E-Evaluating
The “E“ in H.E.A.R.T. is used to evaluate its importance in enhancing patient interactions in a trauma-informed care facility. This is highly important because the individual is seeking health care. For the patients being trafficked, it is important to notice the red flags the individual is experiencing. Some of the red flags that many healthcare providers should look for are:
Physical health
Behavioral Health
The patient is with a controlling person
The patient does not have possession of their I.D.
Additionally, it is always important to show compassion, be sensitive to the individual while addressing their needs and concerns, and use a non-judgmental approach during the interview process. This helps the individual ensure they are in a safe environment when discussing sensitive topics. At the same time, it is important not to let the patient be re-traumatized while avoiding the impulse to rescue and overpromise the patient to mental health as we want them to have their self-worth. At the same time, it is best to remember the four “Rs“ when doing a trauma-informed approach; they are:
Realize: Understanding how trauma can affect people.
Recognize: Recognizing the signs of trauma.
Respond: Have all staff trained, use evidence-based practices, and provide a safe environment.
Resist Re-trauma: Recognizing how some practices may trigger painful memories while avoiding re-traumatizing the patient.
By implementing the four “Rs“ and the “E“ in H.E.A.R.T., many healthcare professionals can provide valuable resources to trafficking survivors with a strong support system.
A-Activating
The “A“ in H.E.A.R.T. stands for activating, where healthcare professionals must have proper protocols to engage all employees. This allows the healthcare providers to understand how beneficial it is to develop a protocol for a person who is being trafficked, understand their state and federal reporting laws, and list key elements of effective trauma-informed screening procedures when assessing the patient. This allows a foundational structure to support a response for suspected patients who are being trafficked. At the same time, by following HIPAA laws and organization policies, many healthcare providers must explain the reporting process to the right officials. Additionally, the benefits of developing a protocol for trafficking are by:
Clarifying procedures
Enhance staff training
Optimize the interactions with the trafficking patients
Improve staff confidence
Prepare for any threatening situations
Maximizing preparedness to aid trafficking patients
Optimize support for patients
Develop collaborative outside resources
R-Resourcing
The “R“ in H.E.A.R.T. stands for resourcing, as many healthcare providers must identify the referral systems. This allows healthcare professionals to understand the important message to convey when assessing trafficking victims and the importance of responding to safety, emergency, and reporting requirements. When assessing and interviewing the patient, many will have to recognize that their patient may be a possible victim of trafficking, what their immediate needs are, and what long-term resources can help.
T-Training
The “T” in H.E.A.R.T. stands for training, as it is important that many healthcare providers continuously train to spot trafficking; this provides confidence to many healthcare workers and can help save a person’s life. By implementing H.E.A.R.T. protocols, the “T” allows the doctor to respect the individual’s decision to want help, providing a positive support system while encouraging them to come back, offering to help with a safety plan, and building a resource network. This is because if the patient is accompanied by someone who is controlling and answering for the patient, handing out information discreetly can provide a bit of hope to the individual to make the move. At the same time, providing local and immediate assistance resources can help the individual in the long run. This allows healthcare providers to build a trusting relationship and even help individuals to have a safe and positive experience on their health and wellness journey.
References
Exeni McAmis, N. E., Mirabella, A. C., McCarthy, E. M., Cama, C. A., Fogarasi, M. C., Thomas, L. A., Feinn, R. S., & Rivera-Godreau, I. (2022). Assessing healthcare provider knowledge of human trafficking. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0264338. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264338
Gutfraind, A., Yagci Sokat, K., Muscioni, G., Alahmadi, S., Hudlow, J., Hershow, R., & Norgeot, B. (2023). Victims of human trafficking and exploitation in the healthcare system: a retrospective study using a large multi-state dataset and ICD-10 codes. Front Public Health, 11, 1243413. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1243413
Lee, H., Geynisman-Tan, J., Hofer, S., Anderson, E., Caravan, S., & Titchen, K. (2021). The Impact of Human Trafficking Training on Healthcare Professionals’ Knowledge and Attitudes. J Med Educ Curric Dev, 8, 23821205211016523. https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205211016523
Rambhatla, R., Jamgochian, M., Ricco, C., Shah, R., Ghani, H., Silence, C., Rao, B., & Kourosh, A. S. (2021). Identification of skin signs in human-trafficking survivors. Int J Womens Dermatol, 7(5Part B), 677-682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.09.011
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