Back Clinic Health Team. The level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans, it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical, mental, psychological, and social changes in an environment. Dr.Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T, a clinical pain doctor who uses cutting-edge therapies and rehabilitation procedures focused on total health, strength training, and complete conditioning. We take a global functional fitness treatment approach to regain complete functional health.
Dr. Jimenez presents articles both from his own experience and from a variety of sources that pertain to 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. We strive to create fitness and better the body through researched methods and total health programs.
These programs and methods are natural and use the body’s own ability to achieve improvement goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, surgery, or addictive drugs. As a result, individuals live a fulfilled life with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, less pain, proper body weight, and education on maintaining this way of life.
Every day, the body is in constant rest or active motion when needed, from working to exercising and getting adequate rest to repeat the cycle. However, as the body is in this dynamic/rest motion, unintentionally, many individuals will be hunched forward, causing their posture to be slouched for long periods. To that point, it can cause the surrounding neck, shoulder, and back muscles to be pulled and overly stretched, causing pain when the individual gets out of the reclined position. When a person is constantly being hunched over, the action alone could lead to poor posture, which can cause misalignment to the spine and be associated with many chronic conditions that affect their way of life. Fortunately, various treatments can help alleviate poor posture and its associated symptoms. Today’s article examines what defines good posture, the influences that can affect body posture, and how treatment techniques like MET (muscle energy technique) can help improve posture. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments like MET (muscle energy techniques) for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with poor posture that can correlate with overlapping risk profiles. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Defines Good Posture?
Have you been experiencing referred pain in your neck, shoulders, or lower back? Do you feel pain when stretching after being hunched over throughout the day? Or have you noticed that your neck is slanted, which causes your head to poke in front of your shoulders? Many of these issues are correlated with poor posture. Many of us have heard the saying from our parents, “Stand up straight!” And this is a reminder that having good posture correlates with good spinal health. The book, “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” written by Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O, and Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T, mentions that posture is used to describe the static state of the spine. There are two different types of posture: static and dynamic. Static posture is when the body is in motion, while dynamic posture is when the body is resting. So good posture allows the spine to naturally curve with minimal pain affecting the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions.
Influences That Affect Body Posture
As stated early, many of us unintentionally hunch our bodies over time. This is one of the issues as we constantly look down on our phones, and as we get older, it can affect our ability to balance ourselves. Research studies reveal that improper posture can affect static and dynamic balance as we age. This means that when we are constantly hunched over as older adults, we are more prone to the risk of falling and causing long-term disability to our bodies. Additional research studies also mentioned that chronic conditions like forward head posture (which correlates to constantly looking down at the phone) could cause a persistent and abnormal contraction of the neck and shoulder muscles to become dysfunctional. To that point, it can cause pressure on the muscles, fascia, and nerves in the cervical-thoracic regions of the body. When bad posture affects the body over time, it can develop into musculoskeletal disorders if not treated immediately.
5 Way To Improve Posture- Video
Have you felt muscle strain on your neck, shoulders, and back? Have you felt relief when you stretch after being hunched over? Do you feel unstable when walking? These issues could be correlated with your posture if you have been experiencing these issues. When it comes to the body, it is important to make sure that maintaining good posture is not just to please your parents but to have a healthy spine. When we are constantly hunched over, it can cause the muscles and connective tissues to have gravitational strain and shorten the length of the muscles. However, realizing that you have poor posture early on can be treated. The video above shows the five best ways to improve your posture and how to strengthen the back, neck, and shoulder muscles from developing chronic conditions. Exercise alone can not be the only solution; combining it with chiropractic therapy allows the body to be fully restored with various techniques to reduce pain-like symptoms.
How The Met Technique Helps Improve Posture
So how would chiropractic care help with improving posture? Many chiropractors use techniques like MET (muscle energy technique) and spinal manipulation to help restore the body to realignment. Studies reveal that the combinations of MET and stretching can help lengthen the short muscles and restore range of motion to the body. Chiropractors use their hands and various tools to help realign the spine from subluxation and return the body to normal while freeing the tense muscles. Chiropractic care decreases the body’s risk of back injuries while reducing wear and tear on the muscles and joints, contributing to poor posture.
Conclusion
Overall, it is important to maintain good posture to prevent unwanted chronic issues from causing pain-like symptoms to the body. Recognizing the problems contributing to poor posture, treatment, and exercise can help stretch and strengthen the back muscles from hunching over. Maintaining good posture allows the body to be pain-free and prevents many unwanted symptoms from developing.
References
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Cohen, Rajal G, et al. “Lighten up! Postural Instructions Affect Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Older Adults.” Innovation in Aging, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7092748/.
Lee, Joon-Hee. “Effects of Forward Head Posture on Static and Dynamic Balance Control.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4756019/.
Phadke, Apoorva, et al. “Effect of Muscle Energy Technique and Static Stretching on Pain and Functional Disability in Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal : Official Publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu Li Chih Liao, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6385145/.
Postural dysfunction happens when unhealthy postures are practiced and maintained for prolonged periods. This can occur in any sitting, standing, or lying down position and is a major factor in musculoskeletal injuries. Injuries related to poor posture are normally caused by overuse that builds up over time. When the body starts to go out of alignment, the muscles must work harder to compensate, which further strains the body. This stress can lead to soft tissue injury and excess joint wear and tear. These injuries start as minor aches and pains in the short term. However, if left untreated, they can lead to chronic conditions. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can rehabilitate the body to optimal function and provide postural training.
Postural Dysfunction
Posture is how the skeleton and muscles hold the body in a healthy position while standing or sitting, affecting breathing, muscle growth, and mobility. Practicing healthy posture means:
The bones are properly aligned.
The muscles, joints, and ligaments function correctly.
The organs, like the stomach, kidneys, and GI tract, are in the right position and can work efficiently.
The nervous system can operate at its full potential.
This allows the body to have:
More energy.
More room for the lungs to expand.
Experience less stress.
Alleviate muscle fatigue.
Achieve physical fitness.
Imbalance Causes
Unhealthy body positioning causes imbalances in muscle strength that pull the body out of alignment. This leads to muscles becoming tight/shortened and others becoming weak/lengthened, and it can also cause internal organ problems. For example, individuals that slump excessively cause the abdomen to compress, crowding the stomach and intestines, which leads to digestive issues. Postural dysfunction can be caused by the following:
Stress and strain from day-to-day activities.
Job responsibilities that involve sitting/standing for long periods and/or repetitive tasks like bending, lifting, reaching, twisting, etc.
Unhealthy driving position.
Non-supportive footwear.
Joint stiffness usually of the neck, upper and lower back, and hips.
Sedentary habits.
Lack of physical activity and exercise.
Muscle tightness.
Muscle weakness.
Weakened core stability.
Inadequate or failed post-surgical recovery.
Effects
Decreased blood circulation resulting in fatigue.
Overuse Injuries.
Breathing difficulties.
Balance issues.
Knee pain.
Joint misalignment.
Increased strain on the spine.
Compression of discs and joints.
Neck pain.
Lower back pain.
Less space for nerves to move due to compression.
Nerve problems.
Piriformis syndrome.
Shoulder impingement.
Chiropractic Rehabilitation
Chiropractic treatment for postural dysfunction provides adjustments, massage and decompression therapy, targeted stretching and exercises, retraining movement patterns, and nutritional and health coaching. Personalized treatment plans can include the following:
Targeted stretches and exercises to maintain posture correction.
Fix Posture
References
Korakakis, Vasileios, et al. “Physiotherapist perceptions of optimal sitting and standing posture.” Musculoskeletal science & practice vol. 39 (2019): 24-31. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2018.11.004
Lee, Yongwoo, and Ki Bum Jung. “Effect of Physiotherapy to Correct Rounded Shoulder Posture in 30 Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea Using a Telerehabilitation Exercise Program to Improve Posture, Physical Function, and Reduced Pain, with Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction.” Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research vol. 28 e938926. 27 Dec. 2022, doi:10.12659/MSM.938926
Shih, Hsu-Sheng, et al. “Effects of Kinesio taping and exercise on forward head posture.” Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation vol. 30,4 (2017): 725-733. doi:10.3233/BMR-150346
Snodgrass, Suzanne J et al. “Relationship between Posture and Non-Contact Lower Limb Injury in Young Male Amateur Football Players: A Prospective Cohort Study.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 18,12 6424. 14 Jun. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijerph18126424
Zhao, Mingming, et al. “Driver posture monitoring in highly automated vehicles using pressure measurement.” Traffic injury prevention vol. 22,4 (2021): 278-283. doi:10.1080/15389588.2021.1892087
Environmental factors can affect the body and lead to chronic conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. When issues like stress, physical inactivity, and traumatic events affect the muscle groups in the upper and lower extremities, it causes the various muscles to tense up and be succumbed to multiple injuries that could potentially develop trigger points. Now trigger points can cause overlapping risk profiles and pain-like issues that can affect a person’s mobility and stability. However, many ways can alleviate the pain-like symptoms associated with trigger points affecting the musculoskeletal system. Many pain specialists use techniques to stretch the tense muscle and release the trigger point nodule in the muscle fibers. Today we will look at how myofascial trigger point formation affects the body, how MET (muscle energy techniques) are used to relieve trigger point formation, and how chiropractic care uses the MET technique on trigger points. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments like MET (muscle energy techniques) for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with trigger point formation on the musculoskeletal system. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Myofascial Trigger Points Affecting The Body
Have you been dealing with pain in different locations in your body? Do you feel that your muscles feel tight or tensed constantly? Or do you feel muscle strain when lifting or carrying heavy objects? Many of these pain-like issues correlate with myofascial trigger points affecting the body. According to research studies, myofascial pain syndrome or trigger points are hard palpable nodules discrete along the taut skeletal muscle band that can be painful when active or compressed. Now trigger points can cause the affected muscles to be hypersensitive, which to that point, can spread pain when being touched, known as referred pain. A great example would be if tense shoulder muscles have a cluster of trigger points and, when touched, send pain to the neck.
Trigger points in the musculoskeletal system can be present in soft tissues that can cause dysfunction and promote pain in the affected muscle area. Trigger points are developed in any scenario, from trauma like an auto accident to repetitive motions for extended periods. Two features can cause trigger point formation that can create these nodules: active and latent trigger points. Active trigger points, according to “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” written by Leon Chaitow, N.D, D.O, and Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T, mentioned that when pressure is applied to active trigger points it can cause referred pain associated with symptoms of painful sensations to the affected muscle. While latent trigger points, when pressure is applied to them, can cause referred pain that a person experienced in the past and occurs recently. Latent trigger points can also develop into active trigger points correlating to overlapping risk profiles. The book also stated that when the fascia and connective muscle tissues have been overused or strained, it can lead to trigger point formation development.
MET Trigger Point Therapy-Video
Have you been dealing with referred pain in different areas of your body? Do you feel that your muscles are tense and aching? Or do you feel muscle strain when lifting or carrying heavy objects? If you have been dealing with these issues, they are correlated to trigger point formation in your musculoskeletal system. Why not try MET or muscle energy technique therapy? Studies reveal that muscle energy techniques were developed originally to treat soft tissue, stretch tight muscles and fascia, and mobilize joints while improving blood circulation and draining the lymphatic system. So how do trigger point formation can be treated with MET techniques? Well, since trigger points can cause tight, hypersensitive spots that can be located in various taut muscle bands, MET techniques from pain specialists can help stretch and break up the tight nodules in the muscles to achieve muscle restoration at full resting length. The video above demonstrates how MET is used as trigger point therapy.
MET Techniques On Trigger Point Formation
So how do MET techniques work on trigger point formation in the musculoskeletal system? According to research studies, MET techniques utilize soft tissue manipulation to improve the myofascial system’s and joints’ functional parameters. Many pain specialists, like chiropractors, use this technique and other tools to help restore the body’s natural range of motion in the joints while providing a pain-reducing effect to the numerous musculoskeletal disorders. Additional research studies also mentioned that MET/NET (neuro-emotional) techniques could help relieve pain sensitivity from the affected muscle area.
How Chiropractic Care Uses MET Techniques On Trigger Points
So how would chiropractic care utilize MET techniques on an individual with trigger points? Due to its effectiveness and drug-free approach, chiropractic care can help smooth out the muscle and fascia by applying pressure with their hands or special tools to relieve trigger point pain. With MET techniques, chiropractors can help release muscle stiffness, tightness, and shortness to restore the body and re-align the spine. With continued chiropractic treatment, the body can reduce the future formation of trigger points in the muscle fibers while preventing further issues from developing.
Conclusion
Trigger point formation can occur in different muscle areas in the body, leading to overlapping risk profiles associated with pain. When the body is dealing with referred pain caused by trigger points, it can cause numerous issues affecting a person’s daily activity. Luckily, pain specialists like chiropractic care can incorporate techniques like MET and spinal manipulation to re-align the body, stretch out the stiff muscles, and promote a restored range of motion back to the musculoskeletal system. By going through daily treatments, the body can begin to heal naturally and prevent future injuries.
References
Bablis, Peter, et al. “Neuro Emotional Technique for the Treatment of Trigger Point Sensitivity in Chronic Neck Pain Sufferers: A Controlled Clinical Trial.” Chiropractic & Osteopathy, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 21 May 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2427032/.
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Shah, Jay P, et al. “Myofascial Trigger Points Then and Now: A Historical and Scientific Perspective.” PM & R : the Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4508225/.
Thomas, Ewan, et al. “The Efficacy of Muscle Energy Techniques in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Systematic Review.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710873/.
Wendt, Michał, and Małgorzata Waszak. “Evaluation of the Combination of Muscle Energy Technique and Trigger Point Therapy in Asymptomatic Individuals with a Latent Trigger Point.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Nov. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7696776/.
The various muscles, tendons, and ligaments inside the body surround the skeletal joint to provide movement and multiple actions to allow the host to be mobile. The body also has various muscle groups, with soft tissues surrounding the vital organs to help support the body. Since the human body is mobile, many factors can cause issues to the body’s host and lead to chronic overlapping risk profiles that can correlate with pain in the joints and muscle tissues. When these factors are causing pain in the musculoskeletal system, various treatment techniques can help reduce the pain-like symptoms and help restore the body. MET, or muscle energy technique, is one of the different treatment techniques used by pain specialists like chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists on many individuals with musculoskeletal pain. Today’s article looks at the musculoskeletal system, how the issues affect the muscles, and how muscle energy technique is utilized to reduce muscle pain associated with the musculoskeletal system. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments like MET (muscle energy techniques) for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with the musculoskeletal system. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
An Overview Of The Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system plays a huge role in the body, consisting of numerous muscle groups, tissues, ligaments, joints, and organs controlled by the central nervous system. The central nervous system provides the motor-sensory function to the musculoskeletal system, allowing the body to rest and move around. What the central nervous system does to the musculoskeletal system, according to research studies, it is revealed that these two systems have a relationship with each other as they are interconnected. Besides the various muscle groups that help surround the skeletal joints and provide mobility to the body, we will look at the connective tissue associated with the facial system and how muscle activity is affected by chronic issues.
Connective Tissue & The Fascial System
Regarding the musculoskeletal system, the connective tissue is one of the single abundant materials that allow each muscle group to be connected to its specific body region. The connective tissue comprises the body’s bones, muscles, blood vessels, and lymph nodes while embracing all the soft tissues and organs. The body’s connective tissue also works with the fascial system, giving the body the fundamental requirements. The fascial system is the structural form of the body since the fascial system is composed of connective tissues. With these two systems connecting and working together, it allows the muscles in the body to respond to various actions thrown at in different environments. The fascia web allows all muscle tissues to exist in isolation and interwoven with other structures to provide mobility.
Muscle Activity
Everything from the connective tissues to the fascia is involved in muscle activity in the musculoskeletal system. When the various muscles start to work with the body’s most movement, it is combined with one or more muscles acting as the prime mover or antagonist, allowing synergistic muscles to assist and contract simultaneously. The various muscle groups in the musculoskeletal system allow different actions, often repeated, to become stabilizing or antagonizing muscles. A great example is looking at the upper and lower extremities of the body. The upper extremities allow the arms, neck, head, and shoulders to have mobility when it comes to bending, twisting, and turning. While the lower extremities allow the hips, low back, legs, and feet to allow, stability and flexion to make the body move. However, these muscle groups can be affected by multiple factors that can affect muscle activity and lead to overlapping soft tissue pain profiles.
Issues Affect Muscle Activity
Since the body is a complex machine, different environmental factors can affect muscle groups in various ways and cause numerous pain issues. Now when it comes to environmental factors, many negative influences do play a role in affecting the musculoskeletal system in three categories:
Biomechanical: trauma, overusing the muscles, congenital, etc.
Biochemical: endocrine imbalances, inflammation, ischemia, nutritional deficiency, etc.
Psychosocial: anxiety, depression, chronic stress, etc.
These influences can cause the muscles to tense up and restrict blood flow, causing pain and trigger points to form in the muscle fibers and making a person feel miserable. Fortunately, therapeutic techniques allow the muscles to relax and release the tension that the person is feeling.
MET(Muscle Energy Technique)-Video
What Is Muscle Energy Technique?
When people feel stressed, and their muscles become tight, they can develop pain-like symptoms that correlate with chronic issues. Fortunately, a revolution has taken place that many pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists take place when it comes to manipulative therapy through a technique known as MET or muscle energy technique. According to research studies, MET is an osteopathic manipulative medicine designed to improve the body’s musculoskeletal function. This technique helps target soft tissues and contributes to joint mobilization. The muscle energy technique allows the tight muscles and fascia to be stretched, improving circulation and lymphatic flow since chiropractors or doctors of chiropractic care utilize spinal manipulation to realign the body and restore joint function.
Additional studies also reveal that MET combined with chiropractic care allows pain reduction in the muscles and can increase the body’s range of motion. This technique is essential for chronic and acute low back pain, trigger point pain, and other musculoskeletal dysfunctions associated with environmental factors.
The Various Stretching Techniques Of MET
The main objective of MET is to induce relaxation of hypertonic musculature, which also stretches the muscles to reduce pain-like symptoms. Now many treatments like chiropractic care can combine different techniques to reduce pain and restore mobility to the individual. With MET, various stretching techniques can allow chiropractors to stretch the tense muscles while restoring the range of motion. Some of the stretching techniques that pain specialists use include:
Facilitated stretching: Allows chiropractors and massage therapists to use strong/light isometric contractions to treat the muscles and be actively stretched. Reduces muscle cramps, tissue damage, or pain to the affected muscle group while utilizing breathing techniques and producing sufficient post-isometric relaxation.
Active-isolated stretching: Allows chiropractors and massage therapists to stretch the affected muscle actively while using precise localization to allow the affected muscle to receive a specific extension. This allows the muscles to relax through a short repetitive contraction and retraction to increase oxygenated blood flow. This stretching technique prevents the activation of the myotatic stretch reflex on the affected muscle.
Static stretching: In yoga, the individual can maintain a position for a few minutes to allow deep breathing and slowly release contracted and tensed muscle tissues to relax. This stretch also releases myofascial trigger points from the affected muscle groups.
Ballistic stretching: This stretch provides a series of rapid, bouncing movements that allow the short muscles in the body to be lengthened rapidly.
Conclusion
When the body encounters environmental factors that can cause pain-like symptoms to the host, it can develop into pain and other chronic conditions affecting a person’s life. Many techniques like MET (muscle energy technique) allow the musculoskeletal system to stretch out tense muscles and help restore mobility to the body. Pain specialists like chiropractors can incorporate various MET stretching techniques combined with spinal manipulation to restore the body to its original state.
References
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Murphy, Andrew C, et al. “Structure, Function, and Control of the Human Musculoskeletal Network.” PLoS Biology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Jan. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5773011/.
Thomas, Ewan, et al. “The Efficacy of Muscle Energy Techniques in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Systematic Review.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 27 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710873/.
Waxenbaum, Joshua A, and Myro Lu. “Physiology, Muscle Energy – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 July 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559029/.
Dr. Jimenez, D.C., presents what you need to know about venous insufficiency. Many factors and lifestyle habits cause an effect on our bodies, which can lead to chronic disorders that can impact our musculoskeletal system and potentially lead to pain-like symptoms associated with chronic conditions. In this presentation, we will look at what venous insufficiency is, the symptoms, and how to prevent venous insufficiency from affecting the lower extremities. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with Lyme disease. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is The Venous System?
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So we will go over tackling common cardiovascular problems and venous insufficiency. So let’s discuss this common complication in our practices: venous insufficiency and the functional medicine approach. So if you look at venous or blood flow, you look at the heart. The heart will pump blood to the arteries and the arterials, the arteries and arterials will pump to capillary beds, and venules will go to veins. Veins will then move the blood to the subclavian vein, and the lymph ducts will also drain in the subclavian vein.
The subclavian vein will then go into the heart, and in the process, it continues and circulates. The big difference between veins and arteries is that arteries have muscles within them, and the muscles will contract, regulate blood pressure, and help keep the blood flowing. But veins do not have that luxury. Veins will depend on our skeletal muscles around them; if we contract them a lot, we’re helping with circulation. So, being active, moving around, and flexing our muscles will keep the pressure in the superficial system to about 20 to 30. And then, when it starts going to the deeper system with the valves, what happens is that the valves will stop blood from flowing back. So the blood can only go in one direction.
And that is basically to have a healthy venous system. You want to be often exercising, and you want to have that higher venous pressure and flow. So what is the pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency? You have incompetent valves, or you can have incompetent valves, you can have thrombosis, and you can have obstruction. And that can lead to elevated venous pressure. High venous pressure can lead to vein dilation, skin changes, and ulceration, but also elevated venous pressure can worsen incompetent valves, thrombosis, and obstruction. And then you get this vicious cycle, and usually, it’s the lower extremities; they get worse and worse. So if you want to look at the contributing factors, look at the functional medicine matrix. Venous insufficiency pathogenesis hits many places on the functional medicine matrix, multiple places we can look at in the lower body extremities.
Venous Insufficiency & Its Signs
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So what are the clinical manifestations of venous insufficiency? The symptoms are limb itching, heaviness, fatigue, particularly in the legs, pain in the legs, swelling, and tightness. The skin can get dry and become irritated. You might not be dealing with autoimmunity if you have this dry, irritated skin. You might be dealing with venous insufficiency. They can get muscle cramps. So your muscle cramps might not be a magnesium deficiency. Your muscle cramps might be venous insufficiency pain worse when standing or seated with their legs dangling. So when you’re sitting, the legs are dangling, and the pain improves when you elevate your legs and walk. And that actually can differentiate from arterial insufficiency. Remember, you get claudication in peripheral artery disease and arterial insufficiency. That’s when you walk and exert yourself. And because the blood vessels going to the muscles and the legs are tighter because of atherosclerosis, you get pain from walking.
Whereas venous insufficiency is the other side of the system, you walk and start feeling better. Why? Because those muscles are pumping the veins and moving blood through instead of the blood just being stagnant and sitting there. So edema you can get, which is swelling. Stasis dermatitis, which is dermatitis, red and swelling, and inflamed varicose veins, can be seen in this picture. Now the diagnosis is usually made by clinical signs and symptoms. So the clinical signs, what are the signs to look out for? For this part, go to your favorite search engine and look up every one of these symptoms that we mentioned so you know what it looks like. We are sure you’ve seen it before, but remind yourself what these things look like so that it can help you; it can help you when you’re diagnosing and looking at your patients.
Lymphodematosclerosis
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: Suppose a person has varicose veins. You can have lymphodematosclerosis, which is the champagne bottle sign. When you search that, look at that and see how the leg will look like an upside-down champagne bottle. Why? Because there’s a lot of fibrosis and hard tissue, and that tissue is holding that blood. You can’t get much edema, and you can’t get much swelling because it’s so tight, the blood can’t move in there. So look up the champagne bottle, not just the regular one, but look up a champagne bottle or lymphodematosclerosis, and you will remember that image when you see it. Then you will remember that image. You can get ulcerations because there’s decreased blood movement. So you get ulcers, and you can get hyperpigmentation. We see this often when you have a darkened skin color in the lower extremities from the constant fluid or blood leaking.
That’s hemosiderin deposits or iron deposits from popping blood cells. And you can get skin atrophy. So by typing these clinical signs on the internet that correlate with venous insufficiency, you have a good visual of what these things look like. So what is the functional medicine treatment plan? We’re going to look at the risk factors of chronic venous insufficiency, and we’re going to look at the adaptable ones, and based on that, we can give patients recommendations and plans. So obesity works on decreasing fat, sedentary life, being active, checking estrogen and hormone levels, and reducing estrogen and increasing progesterone. If you have to get out of that estrogen dominance, we want to look at those risk factors, see which ones are adjustable, and start working with them.
Ways To Reduce Venous Insufficiency
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So you have this person with venous insufficiency. Check on their obesity levels, so you work on lowering their body fat and see if they have a sedentary lifestyle and getting them moving high. Check their hormone levels and see where their estrogen levels are regulated. If you check the IFM hormone module, check it out because it has some really good information on how to balance hormones in a functional medicine way. Make sure that they’re standing for a short period. At least occasionally, have them walk around, and you can have them set a timer. So every so often, every 20, 30 minutes, they walk around to keep their legs and blood flow moving. Work on decreasing smoking. And mentioning these risk factors to the patient can make them aware that this can worsen their venous insufficiency. Other conservative therapies include leg elevation. So have them lay down by putting their legs up to allow gravity to help push the blood down. Compression therapy. So have them wear compression stockings and stasis dermatitis; sometimes, you must use topical dermatologic steroids and some of those agents, which can be helpful there.
You may consider earthing. There was a research study that showed that if you put your feet on the ground outside barefoot, not in the insulated houses, then what can happen is, is the viscosity of your red blood cells will decrease. So the red blood cells will clump less, and you can have better movement and circulation. Pharmacological therapies and supplementations to target venous insufficiency. So what can we do while we’re looking at doing two things? We want the venous tone to be improved. So you want to tighten those veins up. On the arteries, you want to loosen them up. Usually, when an individual has hypertension, we want the veins to tighten those bad boys up so that circulation can happen. And then you want to improve the flow. You want the blood to be able to flow through the veins better.
Supplements For Venous Tone
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: So let’s take a look at the venous tone. This is one of the places where we’re ahead of the game in functional and integrative medicine because if you look at the conventional literature, even up-to-date research, many people are using up-to-date now to see how often they diagnose weak venous tone. So we can take a look at that. But if you look at what you can do for venous tone? It has two supplements. Regarding venous tone and increasing venous tone, two supplements can support the venous system: horse-chestnut seed extract (Escin) and diosmin.
So those are the two things that are mentioned. And we, in functional and integrative medicine, are more prepared to deal with this because we know about pharmacy grade; we learn about giving them a good product that is third-party tested and doesn’t have those toxic fillers and whatnot. The second way of treating venous insufficiency from a medical point of view is by improving venous flow. You want blood viscosity to be thinner. You don’t want the blood not to be as prone to clotting so the blood can flow easier. So here are some agents you can use. You can use aspirin; you can use pentoxifying; you can use nattokinase, which can help lower fibrinogen. Regarding venous insufficiency, it can cause the body to have high fibrinogen. So nattokinase can help lower elevated fibrinogen.
Conclusion
Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., presents: If they’re not on aspirin or any blood thinners and have high fibrinogen and venous insufficiency, it might also be a good one to put somebody on omega-3s. We are trying to get their omega-3 levels up, and they are useful when optimizing help with venous flow. You’re going to have people to come and see you, and you’re going to be treating them for other things. And because you’re functional medicine, you’re part of the cool club; what’s going to happen is they’re not even going to tell you about their venous insufficiency, and it’s going to get better just because of the treatments that you’re doing. And it will be epic. And if all else fails, you refer to associated medical specialists to help your patient. So, in conclusion, take care of your veins and look for the signs to prevent venous insufficiency from causing more issues in the lower extremities, and utilize vitamins and supplements to reduce the pain and inflammation in the muscles and joints.
Mindfulness is a valuable tool for reflection and centering/balancing mind and body. Applying mindfulness to fitness can impact the body’s physical well-being and can be incorporated into an existing routine to get the most out of every workout. Applying mindfulness to a fitness routine includes increased satisfaction after a workout and a strengthened commitment to engaging in healthy activity.
Applying Mindfulness
The benefits of applying mindfulness to workouts include the following:
Increased emotional control.
Improved overall wellness.
Increased coping skills to lower blood pressure and reduce stress.
Stay more consistent with a fitness routine.
Workout time builds a stronger relationship between the mind and body.
Mental State
Mindfulness is a mental state that enables individuals to experience their current surroundings uninterrupted by thoughts, worries, or distractions. The objective is to maintain awareness during an activity, such as exercising, and not focusing on judging oneself or the surroundings. It is a form of getting oneself in the zone during their fitness routine that brings an enhanced awareness of the senses like:
Sight
Hearing
Smell
Touch
Taste
Awareness of the location and movement of the body in space.
Meditation
Meditation is a mindfulness exercise that can enhance relaxation, increase the ability to focus, and reduce stress. Different types of meditation range from:
Mantra-based meditation – where a word or phrase is repeated to act as an anchor during an activity.
Movement meditation involves using light exercises like yoga, tai chi, or walking to build a stronger connection with the body.
Benefits
Mental Health
Research has shown that mindfulness is linked to improved overall mental health. One study found that completing a mindfulness-based stress reduction program or MBSR helped increase mental wellness. The analysis discovered that participants who practiced regularly through the program noticed improvements in their quality of life and coping skills during moments of stress. Other mental health benefits include:
One study of individuals with chronic hypertension found that engaging in mindfulness training two hours per week for eight weeks resulted in a clinically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. Other physical health benefits include:
Positive physical responses in the body.
Chronic pain alleviation.
Higher sleep quality.
Successful long-term weight loss.
Improved and increased healthy habit-building.
Increased motivation
Feeling more connected to your body
Staying on track with fitness goals.
Workout Implementation
How to apply mindfulness to get the most out of a workout. Exercises like walking, lifting weights, or participating in a fitness class are great ways to practice mindfulness. A few tips for creating a more enjoyable, effective, and mindful workout session includes:
Set A Workout Goal
Before starting a workout, it’s recommended to set an intention (things an individual aims for, strives to achieve, and is related to the mental and physical state. This could be something along the lines of:
Believe in me.
Keep an open mind.
Try my best.
Remember to enjoy the workout.
A simple and short intention can ground the workout process.
It has been proven to enhance commitment and completion of regular physical exercise.
If you begin to struggle or experience a wandering mind during an activity, remind yourself of the intention to focus on the current moment and get back in the groove.
Practice Visualization During the Workout
Visualization is effective for enhancing mindfulness during physical activity, as it allows the brain to create impulses that help complete the task. It is defined as focusing on movement and visualizing performing the physical routine to the best of your ability.
Mix Up the Workout Environment
The workout space plays a significant role in overall exercise efficacy, especially when working out outdoors. Exercising outdoors, like an outdoor class, hiking, or weight-lifting in the backyard, allows the body to attune to nature and the surroundings. This is an effective and simple way to reduce mental fatigue, improve mood, and decrease the perception of the overall effort to maintain motivation to exercise for longer and with more intensity.
Breathe From the Diaphragm
The importance of timing movements with breathing and breathing from the diaphragm can positively impact the autonomic nervous system to promote increased emotional and psychological control. Breathing from the diaphragm while exercising can intensify relaxation and increase the enjoyment of physical activity. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Team can educate individuals on applying mindfulness and develop a personalized treatment and fitness program for restoring, improving, and maintaining overall health.
Mindfulness Workout
References
Demarzo, Marcelo M P, et al. “Mindfulness may both moderate and mediate the effect of physical fitness on cardiovascular responses to stress: a speculative hypothesis.” Frontiers in physiology vol. 5 105. 25 Mar. 2014, doi:10.3389/fphys.2014.00105
Mantzios, Michail, and Kyriaki Giannou. “A Real-World Application of Short Mindfulness-Based Practices: A Review and Reflection of the Literature and a Practical Proposition for an Effortless Mindful Lifestyle.” American journal of lifestyle medicine vol. 13,6 520-525. 27 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1177/1559827618772036
Ponte Márquez, Paola Helena, et al. “Benefits of mindfulness meditation in reducing blood pressure and stress in patients with arterial hypertension.” Journal of human hypertension vol. 33,3 (2019): 237-247. doi:10.1038/s41371-018-0130-6
Wieber, Frank, et al. “Promoting the translation of intentions into action by implementation intentions: behavioral effects and physiological correlates.” Frontiers in human neuroscience vol. 9 395. 14 Jul. 2015, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00395
Dr. Jimenez, D.C., presents how implementing different strategies for patients to incorporate exercise in their health and wellness journey in this 2-part series. Many factors and lifestyle habits tend to take over our daily lives, leading to chronic disorders that can impact our bodies and cause many unwanted symptoms. In this presentation, we will look at different strategies and options to incorporate into our patients regarding health and wellness. Part 1 looks at how to implement exercise in a clinical setting. We mention our patients to certified medical providers that provide available therapy treatments for individuals suffering from chronic conditions associated with Lyme disease. We encourage each patient when it is appropriate by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis or needs. We understand and accept that education is a marvelous way when asking our providers’ crucial questions at the patient’s request and acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., uses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Different Strategies For Patients
Part 1 in the last presentation mentioned what to do when examining patients. We said how to implement different strategies to incorporate exercise into a daily routine for many individuals who want to kickstart their health and wellness journey. By coming up with a plan, many doctors can help their patients develop a personalized plan to cater to the individual; it can allow both the patient and doctor to see what works and what doesn’t. Part 1 also explains how to delegate with the patients to help ease them into implementing exercise as part of their daily routine. Delegation is described as a transfer of responsibility for the performance of the patient’s care while retaining accountability for the outcomes. The main point here is you are delegating the educational process related to the exercise prescription. You can use it for the diet prescription, or you can use it for anything that tends to be educational and formatted for your patients.
Based on the documentation complexity, we would ensure a face-to-face encounter with the patient to meet the legal requirement for insurance to bill it as a 99-213 or a 99-214. So what we do with our health coaches is we also want to have them do other cross-trained roles in our office because we’re a small little practice. So, our health coaches are involved with our patients and know how to assess if an interested new patient would be a good candidate for our services. They are great at using the technology we do with some of our new patients, whether it’s a BIA or if we prescribe heart math. So they are great with technology and with education around nutrition, exercise, whatever you can train your health coach to do, then you can create a way to delegate for her to do it, whether it’s through insurance or cash.
Okay, now last but certainly not least, it is so important to know, and you know this if you have children or you know if you have a family member, which we know you do that what you say and what you do are two different things. So there are studies that show an association that if a provider is exercising or implementing a journey of improving their exercise and diet, it shows up more in their recommendations. And when a provider talks about it authentically during a motivational interviewing process with a patient, it’s obvious to the patient that it’s important to the provider because they’re not just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk, which is important for all of us. We are patients as well. To consider that one of the best ways to start an exercise prescription program and your office is to do one for yourself.
Creating a Workout Environement
Walk yourself through it and see the little bumps and aspects of the journey so you can speak authentically and start that office workout challenge in your own office. And we did that in our office, and we noticed that people would be coming in, and some people would be doing desk pushups, and they were like, “What are you doing?” and we would respond, “We’re just getting our desk pushups in. Hold on for a second; I’ll be right with you.” Or somebody comes in, and we’re doing squats and conversing about a patient. It sounds humorous, but they know that we mean business when we say let’s do an exercise prescription. So remember that for patients learning things is lovely, but it doesn’t change outcomes; doing things changes results and your behavior matters.
We hope you have found this portion of our day-to-day useful. We are excited to see that knowing that exercise is an underutilized tool in our armamentarium for optimizing our patients’ lives. So we will continue discussing our strategies for implementing activity in our practices. How do we incorporate exercise into our patients?
It can start as simple as asking them about their movement, seeing what they enjoy doing when it comes to exercise, and creating something slow. Just five to 10 minutes commit, saying, “Okay, well, if you like walking, could you walk for 10 minutes daily? Please ensure you track and return in two to three weeks, and we’ll review that?” And then, from there, sometimes, the providers will give them a cardiovascular prescription. We’ll provide them with resistance training and a stretch prescription. But the cool thing is that we can reiterate it by saying. “You should see one of our health coaches and one of our educators in two to three weeks so they can go over a stretch program, a resistance program, or figure out what exercise would be best for you.” We’ll use some of our tools and do the bioimpedance test to check the percent fat, percent water, and connective muscle tissue that looks at the phase angle. The phase angle is how strong the cell’s repellent electricity and the higher their phase angle, the better they would do with chronic diseases and cancer. We encourage improving this phase angle, improving hydration, and showing them the difference between weight and fat. There’s a big difference between the two.
Delegating & Functional Medicine
We also delegate with the health coaches as we develop a personalized treatment plan for the patients, and we can do it in two different ways. So one option is to bill for chronic care management. What this means is that, say, if the patient has a chronic disorder affecting their daily activities? Our health coaches can call them on their phones and discuss their plans. The second option is an office visit, allowing the patient to converse with the health coach and review their personalized program.
So incorporating these two options into your patients allows many doctors to gather all the information, assess the situation, and discuss the plan with the patients to improve or kickstart their health and wellness journey. When it comes to implementing exercise as part of the health and wellness journey for the patients, we are the leverage group to incorporate exercise as part of the treatment. Working with health coaches, nutritionists, personal trainers, and physical therapists who deliver different exercise routines to the patient’s needs is part of the journey. How does this apply to individuals with joint and mobility issues associated with autoimmune disorders like arthritic diseases?
So anybody with arthritic diseases or a chronic illness, we prefer them very actively a physical therapist who has a whole program for people with autoimmune disease and its correlating symptoms that have overlapping risk profiles. We also have a referral program for water aerobics and low-impact programs to reduce pain-like symptoms. So getting people up and moving is key. Movement is key.
Another strategy is implementing functional medicine combined with exercise. Functional medicine allows doctors and patients to determine where the problem is in the body. Functional medicine also works with associated referred medical providers to develop a treatment plan for the patient and help create a relationship between both the doctor and the patient. So making these nice little allies on the outside for the things you don’t want to or can’t do is an amazing tool with exercise. Or it could be with nutrition, or it could be with stress management. It’s the same thing with lifestyle. Do either do it in-house or out? The choice is up to you.
And so, what are these static things that we often think are static that we do every day that we can begin to incorporate stretching to activate our parasympathetic nervous system? Incorporating non-exercise activity thermogenesis into your life. And that’s something all of us in a stressful life could use a little more. And when you integrate it into your life, it’s top of mind so that you’re sitting there with your patient and thinking, “How can I encourage them?” By relating to the patient, you can show them tips or tricks to incorporate into their personalized treatment plan.
Motivational Interviewing
The goal is to use motivational interviewing and the aspects of motivational interviewing not to convince them to exercise but to understand their resistance to roll with it. Many individuals work two jobs, so telling them to exercise will not make them stop everything and start working out by relating and asking for the right questions like, “So you’re trying to get off of this blood pressure medication, and I love that you’re committed to that. So what other things can you see, or is there any part of the exercise or physical activity that you could consider that could keep you moving towards your goal of getting off this medicine?”
Helping people see that they have this time limitation. We acknowledge and roll with their resistance but then give them the discrimination to say, “Yeah, and you’re here because you want to get healthy. And I must tell you, exercise is one of the big levers. So if you do nothing, you will keep getting what you’re getting. So what can we do? Does anything else come to your mind as a solution?” We can’t tell you how much it improves things when you have the patient be the person who comes up with the idea of what to do next versus feeling the burden of having to be the one who psychically knows what this patient’s going to do. Plus, it gets exhausting trying to anticipate the right answer for the patient.
By letting the patients be accountable for their actions and their treatment, it is important to have that communication with them and see how they keep themselves motivated through their exercise regime, whether they are eating the right amount of healthy foods, going to therapy treatments, and are they taking their supplements? You will go back and forth with their choices and offer suggestions because it doesn’t apply to exercise, but exercise is the one that people will sometimes completely believe in but will resist. They’re more likely to take on a diet sometimes than they are to take on exercise. So you can apply these principles to anything like taking supplements, taking a shake, taking the diet, whatever happens, to be their resistance point in a functional medicine treatment plan. You can use these things. Sometimes, we have to consider that that might help a patient.
Conclusion
These are your go-to suggestions, but the patients get to pick a time and are in the control seat instead of you telling them because this will provide resistance to their treatment plans and cause them to not commit to their health and wellness journey. But relating to them, offering suggestions, and constantly communicating with them allows the individual to try different things that will work with them and can show massive positive results in their health and wellness journey.
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