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.
The musculoskeletal system allows the various muscle groups to surround the bones and joints through ligaments and muscle tissues that help with mobility and stabilizes the skeletal structure from pain. As the body ages naturally, the muscles, bones, and joints get affected as numerous factors begin to cause the body to be dysfunctional. Many of these factors could take a toll on the body and cause bone mass density loss, leading to osteoporosis. A person experiencing osteoporosis can generate overlapping risk profiles affecting the body’s muscles and joints, leading to painful symptoms. Today’s article looks at osteoporosis, how it affects the muscles and joints, and how numerous treatments can help reduce osteoporosis symptoms. We utilize information about our patients to certified medical providers using MET therapy to mitigate the effects of osteoporosis on the musculoskeletal system. We encourage patients by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis while supporting that education is a remarkable way to ask our providers the most interesting and essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Is Osteoporosis?
If you’ve been experiencing severe back or hip pain or struggling to breathe, you may be experiencing osteoporosis. This condition causes bones to become porous, making them brittle and weak, and it affects around 200 million people worldwide, with women being more commonly affected than men, as studies revealed. Many risk factors can cause bones to deteriorate quickly and become weaker, leading to an increased risk of fragility, fracture, and muscle and joint pain. Additional studies have revealed that some risk factors that can lead to osteoporosis development include:
Race
Ethnicity
Age
Sex
Metabolic syndrome
Osteoporosis can often go undetected for a long time, with individuals only noticing symptoms such as a forward-curved upper back or a broken bone.
Osteoporosis Affecting The Muscles & Joints
Osteoporosis can affect the body’s bones, muscles, and joints, especially major skeletal portions like the spine, hips, wrists, and shoulders. Studies have shown that individuals with or without trauma can experience symptoms like pain due to osteoporosis caused by hormone deficiency. “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques” by Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., explain that bone density can decrease when bone resorption happens faster than bone formation. This decrease in bone density could lead to joint fractures and cause musculoskeletal disorders that affect a person’s stability and mobility, leading to complaints in the upper and lower body extremities.
An Overview Of Osteoporosis-Video
Are you experiencing pain in your arms or legs? Do your joints ache more than usual or do you have persistent back pain? These symptoms are often associated with osteoporosis, a chronic condition where bones become weak and brittle due to fractures or trauma. Osteoporosis can go undetected for an extended time, and when it affects bone density, it can also impact surrounding muscles and joints, leading to various musculoskeletal conditions. The video above explains osteoporosis, including risk factors and treatment options such as chiropractic care to reduce its effects.
Treatments To Reduce Osteoporosis Symptoms
If you risk developing osteoporosis, it’s best to consult your primary doctor for confirmation. Once confirmed, you have several options for your next steps, such as incorporating exercises, vitamins, minerals, and supplements for bone health, lifestyle changes, and utilizing treatments like MET therapy or chiropractic treatments. MET therapy can help restore bone density and promote a mindful approach to one’s body and lifestyle when combined with proper nutrition and exercise. Studies show that individuals with osteoporosis can use MET therapy to reduce pain and improve range of motion in affected joints. Pain specialists often use MET to stretch and shorten muscles to help restore the body to normal.
Conclusion
Osteoporosis is a chronic silent disease that affects the bones silently, causing pain and correlating with numerous factors that can increase its progression. When bones become porous, weak, and brittle, it can lead to pain-like symptoms in the musculoskeletal system. This can cause chronic issues that misalign the body, leading to mobility and stability problems. Fortunately, numerous ways exist to prevent and reduce the effects of osteoporosis. Some effective measures include incorporating vitamins and supplements for bone health, exercising for 30 minutes to an hour, and getting MET therapy to restore the body’s range of motion. These small changes can greatly impact an individual’s health and wellness journey.
References
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Porter, Joann L, and Matthew Varacallo. “Osteoporosis.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), 4 Sept. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441901/.
Pouresmaeili, Farkhondeh, et al. “A Comprehensive Overview on Osteoporosis and Its Risk Factors.” Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 6 Nov. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6225907/.
Sözen, Tümay, et al. “An Overview and Management of Osteoporosis.” European Journal of Rheumatology, Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5335887/.
Thomas, Ewan, et al. “The Efficacy of Muscle Energy Techniques in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Systematic Review.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 27 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710873/.
When it comes to our bodies, many functioning systems help the body regulate its temperature, provide mobility and stability when in motion, and protect the host from pathogens that enter inside to cause havoc. One of the systems that helps the body is the endocrine system, which produces many hormones to keep the body functioning properly. The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck, produces the hormones in the body. The thyroid helps regulate hormone production; however, when pathogen factors affect the body’s hormonal production, it can lead to musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Today’s article examines how the thyroid produces hormones, how hormone imbalances are connected with musculoskeletal pain, and how MET therapy can help restore hormone imbalances from affecting the body in the future. We utilize information about our patients to certified medical providers using soft tissue therapies like MET to reduce musculoskeletal pain associated with hormonal imbalances. We encourage patients by referring them to associated medical providers based on their diagnosis while supporting the fact that education is a marvelous way to ask our providers the most interesting questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Does The Thyroid Produce Hormones?
Do you feel muscle weakness or pain in certain parts of your body? Do you feel out of breath after walking for a short distance? Or do you feel sluggish throughout the entire day? When many individuals are dealing with these numerous issues, it could be due to their hormones being imbalanced from their thyroids. When it comes to the body, the endocrine system is the mastermind of producing different hormones for the body to help regulate all the biological processes. One of the vital organs of the endocrine system is the thyroid. Studies reveal that the thyroid is an endocrine gland located in the inferior anterior neck of the body and produces T4 and T3 hormones for the body to function properly. The thyroid hormones affect many of the vital organs and body tissues as they help with the following:
Cardio output and increased resting heart rate
Increases BMR (basal metabolic rate), heat production, and oxygen consumption
Stimulates resting respiratory rate and the nervous system
Plays a role in reproductive health and other endocrine organ function
Additional studies have revealed that thyroid hormones help control the body’s metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions while having a casual relationship with the HPT (hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid) axis. What this relationship does is that it makes sure that the body is working properly in any environment. However, when unwanted pathogens start to affect thyroid hormone production, it can cause a hormone imbalance and lead to unwanted pain-like symptoms in the vital organs and musculoskeletal tissues.
Hormone Imbalances & Musculoskeletal Pain
When unwanted pathogens are associated with environmental factors affecting the body, it can lead to pain-like symptoms that can lead to musculoskeletal pain. In the book, “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” written by Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., and Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., stated that there is a connection between hormonal imbalances and musculoskeletal pain as there are many environmental factors that can influence how much or how little hormone production is being produced from the thyroid. The book also mentions that some of the clinical signs of thyroid hormone deficiency include:
Dry skin and thinning hair
Unnatural fatigue
Unexplained weight increase
Aching muscles
Mental confusion
When the body is dealing with hormone imbalances associated with musculoskeletal pain, studies reveal that symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and increased oxidative stress can cause the muscular tissues and ligaments to be weak and cause overlapping risk profiles when the body is in motion. To that point, hormone imbalances could lead to muscle and joint pain associated with myofascial trigger points and muscle shortness.
Finding Hormonal Harmony- Video
Have you been experiencing muscle or joint pain? Do you often feel anxious or irritable constantly? Or have you noticed that you are extremely sensitive to the cold? Many of these pain-like issues are signs and symptoms associated with hormone imbalances in the body and can lead to musculoskeletal pain. The body needs hormones to help regulate body temperature, control the body’s metabolism, and help stimulate the endocrine and body systems. Hormones are secreted from the thyroid and travel to the important muscles, organs, and tissues through the bloodstream to assist and help each body section function properly. When pathogens start to disrupt hormone production, the thyroid can overproduce or underproduce hormone secretion and cause many overlapping risk profiles to the body and musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, there are many ways to regulate hormones and reduce the effects of musculoskeletal pain. The video above explains that increasing certain vitamin intake, eating healthy, whole-nutritional foods, and getting adequate exercise and sleep can regulate hormone production and reduce the effects of musculoskeletal pain. These various treatments can be combined with therapy to help realign the body and restore it naturally.
MET Therapy Restoring Hormone Imbalances
Many available therapies can reduce the effects of hormonal imbalances associated with musculoskeletal pain. Treatments like MET (muscle energy techniques) allow many pain specialists to use soft tissue techniques to reduce pain-like symptoms and will enable the body to restore itself naturally. Research studies have revealed that soft tissue therapies like MET can reduce pain, improve body function, and reduce disability. MET therapy can be combined with nutritional foods, hormone therapies, and bodywork strategies that can help regulate hormone production in the thyroid. When a person starts to go to treatment for any ailments affecting their body, it allows these individuals to be more mindful of what is happening to their bodies and make small meaningful changes to their health and wellness.
Conclusion
When it comes to maintaining the body’s health and wellness, it’s important to ensure that unwanted pathogens don’t start affecting thyroid hormone production. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the neck that secretes out hormones to the rest of the body. When the thyroid over or under-produces hormones in the organs, muscles, and tissues, it can lead to pain-like symptoms that affect the body’s system and potentially lead to musculoskeletal disorders. Treatments like MET therapy combined with nutritional whole foods and exercises can reduce the effects of hormone imbalances associated with musculoskeletal disorders. This amazing combination allows the body to heal naturally and allows the individual to be pain-free.
References
Armstrong, Maggie, et al. “Physiology, Thyroid Function – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), 13 Mar. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537039/.
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Day, Joseph M, and Arthur J Nitz. “The Effect of Muscle Energy Techniques on Disability and Pain Scores in Individuals with Low Back Pain.” Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, May 2012, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22622384/.
Shahid, Muhammad A, et al. “Physiology, Thyroid Hormone – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), 8 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500006/.
VandeVord, Pamela J, et al. “Chronic Hormonal Imbalance and Adipose Redistribution Is Associated with Hypothalamic Neuropathology Following Blast Exposure.” Journal of Neurotrauma, 1 Jan. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700394/.
When the body shifts out of homeostasis or when something in the body is out of balance, the body sweats. Sweating is a process known as perspiration that releases salt-based fluids from the body’s sweat glands to help the body stay cool and regulate body temperature. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the feet, and on the palms of the hands. Body temperature, outdoor temperature, or emotional state changes can cause sweating.
Sweating
An individual has around 2-4 million sweat glands, which begin to become fully active during puberty. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. The most common areas of sweating include:
Face.
Armpits.
Palms of the hands.
Soles of the feet.
Sweating in normal amounts is an essential bodily process.
Not sweating enough or sweating too much can cause problems.
Sweat is mostly water but contains small amounts of salt.
Sweat also contains electrolytes and minerals – including potassium, chloride, magnesium, zinc, copper, proteins, urea, and ammonia.
Electrolyte levels need to be replenished after heavy sweating.
Causes
Sweating is normal. However, a variety of causes can stimulate increased sweating.
High Temperature
Elevated body temperature.
Elevated outdoor temperature.
Are the primary cause of increased sweating.
Emotions and stress
Emotions and conditions can also make the body break out in a heavy sweat.
Emotional stress
Anxiety
Anger
Fear
Embarrassment
Foods
Sweating may be a response to certain foods. This type of sweat is known as gustatory sweating, which can be caused by:
Spicy foods
Caffeinated drinks – like soda, coffee, and tea.
Alcoholic beverages.
Medications
Illness and Medications
Sweating may be caused by medication use and certain illnesses:
Individuals can become dehydrated and have an increased risk of heatstroke.
Chiropractic Adjustments
The nervous system coordinates and oversees all functions of the body. Some can be consciously controlled, and others are automatic. The autonomic nervous system– ANS regulates involuntary processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, respiration, gland function, sweating, etc. The ANS is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
The sympathetic nervous system – when activated, creates a state of elevated activity and attention or the fight or flight response.
This process increases blood pressure and heart rate, preparing the body to respond to various stressors.
The parasympathetic nervous system promotes resting and digesting processes that lower heart rate and blood pressure.
The parasympathetic calms the body.
Chiropractic adjustments have been known to affect the autonomic nervous system. This is achieved by increasing parasympathetic activity/relaxation and down-shifting the sympathetic/fight or flight response and inflammation. A chiropractic adjustment can remove subluxations, which cause interferences in the nervous system. Chiropractic restores and improves the brain and body system communication.
Thoracic Spine Pain
References
Baker, Lindsay B. “Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health.” Temperature (Austin, Tex.) vol. 6,3 211-259. 17 Jul. 2019, doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145
Cabanac, M. “Temperature regulation.” Annual Review of Physiology vol. 37 (1975): 415-39. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.37.030175.002215
Cui, Chang-Yi, and David Schlessinger. “Eccrine sweat gland development and sweat secretion.” Experimental dermatology vol. 24,9 (2015): 644-50. doi:10.1111/exd.12773
Kiani, Aysha Karim, et al. “Neurobiological basis of chiropractic manipulative treatment of the spine in the care of major depression.” Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis vol. 91,13-S e2020006. 9 Nov. 2020, doi:10.23750/abm.v91i13-S.10536
McCutcheon, L J, and R J Geor. “Sweating. Fluid and ion losses and replacement.” The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice vol. 14,1 (1998): 75-95. doi:10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30213-4
Throughout the world, pain and stress are related to musculoskeletal disorders affecting joints and muscles. Many musculoskeletal disorders will have correlating symptoms with overlapping risk profiles that can make a person’s life difficult. Pain and stress have two forms: acute and chronic, which are associated with numerous everyday factors that a person goes through. Even though pain and stress can impact a person’s life, there are multiple ways to reduce these two by calming the mind and doing meditative breathing techniques to relax the body and clear the mind. What is truly amazing is that meditative breathing techniques can be combined with stretching techniques like MET (muscle energy techniques. Today’s article looks at how stress and pain affect the musculoskeletal system, the breathing connection for musculoskeletal pain, and how MET therapy is combined with breathing exercises. We utilize and provide valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers who use soft tissue stretching methods like MET to reduce musculoskeletal stress on the body. We encourage patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their findings. We support that education is a marvelous way to ask our providers the most interesting questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
Stress & Pain Affect The Musculoskeletal System
Have you been dealing with shoulder, neck, or back pain? What about feeling an overwhelming pressure that is causing you to stress out? Or do you feel muscle pain and joint stiffness affecting your daily routine? Many of these issues correspond with stress and pain from numerous factors associated with the musculoskeletal system. Research studies revealed that pain and stress are considered two sides of the same coin regarding the musculoskeletal system. Pain and stress are two distinguished symptoms that overlap each other when musculoskeletal disorders affect the body. Pain is a collection of emotional and sensory perceptions that work with musculoskeletal motor behavior. At the same time, stress is characterized by challenging emotional or physiological events that cause adaptive or maladaptive changes to regain homeostasis. With these two factors working together to affect the musculoskeletal system, the body may develop symptoms and cause the individual to be miserable.
The Breathing Connection For Musculoskeletal Pain & Stress
One of the major correspondents that work with pain and stress is anxiety. In “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” authors Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., mentioned that anxiety aggravates all chronic pain and stress. However, there is a solution to reduce pain and stress in the musculoskeletal system. When pain and stress are combined with anxiety, it can cause breathing disorders and produce inflammatory cytokines and elevated cortisol levels to contribute. But incorporating some deep breathing techniques can help reduce stress and pain affecting the body. Research studies have revealed that slow deep breathing has been known to reduce the effects of musculoskeletal pain and help lower cortisol levels. Breathing techniques are popular in meditation and yoga practices. Deep breathing and mindfulness can help the body relax from everyday factors and calm the individual. Additional studies have mentioned that breathing exercise programs effectively improve lung function, reduce musculoskeletal pain associated with the back, and help improve a person’s quality of life.
The Natural Way To Heal- Video
Have you been dealing with musculoskeletal pain throughout your entire body? Do you feel constantly stressed throughout your whole life? Or have you felt anxious that it is making your muscles tense constantly? When many people feel constant stress and are in pain, it can lead to musculoskeletal disorders that can cause many individuals to be miserable. When this happens, overlapping risk profiles affect the musculoskeletal, organs, and nervous systems. At the same time, fortunately, numerous treatments can help reduce pain and stress that is affecting the body. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and can help many individuals be mindful of their bodies. The video above explains how chiropractic care can help realign the body from spinal subluxation and mitigate the effects of muscle pain and stress in the muscle fibers.
MET Therapy Combined With Breathing Exercises
When the body has been dealing with musculoskeletal pain on top of stress, it can cause the individual to be miserable and try to find some relief. Luckily there are available treatments that can help restore the body naturally and reduce the effects of stress and pain. Treatment like MET (muscle energy technique) and breathing exercises allow the muscles to relax and properly stretch to relieve muscle pain. Research studies have revealed that breathing exercises and MET therapy can reduce a person’s symptoms and help regain the muscle and joint range of motion. These two combined treatments can help many individuals dealing with musculoskeletal pain associated with stress to be more aware of what is affecting their bodies. They can help them along their health and wellness journey without medicine.
Conclusion
Overall, pain and stress are part of numerous conditions and disorders that can affect the musculoskeletal system and cause overlapping risk profiles that can cause the individual to be miserable. When pain and stress affect the body, it can cause the muscles, tissues, ligaments, joints, and organs to work harder than before and develop chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Fortunately, treatments like MET (muscle energy technique) and breathing exercises allow the body to relax and help reduce muscle pain symptoms affecting the body. When a person incorporates these treatments as part of their daily routine, they can become more aware of what is affecting their bodies and improve what is going on in their daily lives. This allows them to continue their health and wellness journey pain-free.
References
Abdallah, Chadi G, and Paul Geha. “Chronic Pain and Chronic Stress: Two Sides of the Same Coin?” Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546756/.
Anderson, Barton E, and Kellie C Huxel Bliven. “The Use of Breathing Exercises in the Treatment of Chronic, Nonspecific Low Back Pain.” Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 24 Aug. 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27632818/.
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Joseph, Amira E, et al. “Effects of Slow Deep Breathing on Acute Clinical Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8891889/.
Zaccaro, Andrea, et al. “How Breath-Control Can Change Your Life: A Systematic Review on Psycho-Physiological Correlates of Slow Breathing.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 7 Sept. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6137615/.
Around the world, many individuals will have some reaction to the foods they consume. This type of reaction can lead to a series of unwanted symptoms that affect not only the vital organs of the body but also the musculoskeletal system. This allergic reaction can cause inflammatory effects that lead to joint pain and swelling while affecting a person’s quality of life. Inflammation is the body’s natural defense response from the immune system to repair the body inside and out. When food allergies start to affect the entire body, it can cause the individual to be in constant pain, and many individuals will go to treatments to reduce the symptoms caused by food allergic reactions; however, the residual effects of the allergic reaction can still interfere with the body and affect the musculoskeletal system. Today’s article focuses on food allergies, how they are associated with inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, and how MET therapy can help relieve inflammation associated with food allergies. We utilize and provide valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers who use soft tissue stretching methods like MET to reduce inflammation associated with food allergies affecting the musculoskeletal system. We encourage patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their findings. We support that education is a marvelous way to ask our providers the most interesting questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
What Are Food Allergies?
Have you been dealing with muscle swelling in different locations of your body? Do you see redness or feel a burning sensation in your muscles? Or do your muscles and joints feel achy throughout the day? Many of these pain-like symptoms are associated with inflammatory effects caused by food allergies. Research studies have revealed that food allergies are often defined as an immune reaction to food proteins that many individuals worldwide and, when indigested, are responsible for various symptoms that involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory tract. Many individuals would often confuse a food allergy with food intolerance since the musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal systems are caused by inflammation. Research studies have found that food intolerances are non-immunological responses that cause numerous symptoms and hypersensitivity to the body. Many factors correlate to food intolerances, and food allergies can affect the musculoskeletal system with pain-like symptoms like inflammation.
Food Allergies Associated With Inflammation In The Musculoskeletal System
When food allergies or food intolerances occur in the body, it can cause the individuals to have unwanted pain-like symptoms to cause inflammation to appear in the body. When it comes to inflammation in the body, it is produced by the immune system. It helps repair old cells and attack foreign invaders affecting the musculoskeletal system. In “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T. stated that specific individualized pathophysiological responses exist to many foods and liquids that are being taken accounted for a significant amount of overlapping symptoms being produce. The book also states that it includes pain and discomfort to the musculoskeletal system. To that point, to figure out these presenting symptoms, whatever allergic pathogen is being derived from the food itself could be the result. Additional studies mentioned that food allergies and tolerances are sometimes not established when inflammation from the GI tract and causing pain-like symptoms associated with the musculoskeletal system. Fortunately, there are various treatments to reduce the effects of food allergies and intolerances while restoring the musculoskeletal system.
The Benefits Of A Healthy Diet & Chiropractic Care-Video
Have you been dealing with gut inflammation that is affecting your musculoskeletal system? Are you experiencing aches and pains throughout your entire body? Or do you have joint issues that are causing you limited mobility? Many of these issues are associated with food intolerances and allergies that can cause inflammation of the musculoskeletal system leaving the individual in pain. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the effects of inflammation associated with food allergies. The video above explains how eating the right foods while being considerate of food allergies can be combined with treatment like chiropractic care, which can help reduce inflammation while realigning the body through manual manipulation. Chiropractors also use soft tissue techniques like MET to help regain joint mobility and reduce the effects of inflammation-causing muscle and joint stiffness.
MET Therapy Relieving Inflammation Associated With Food Allergies
Therapies like soft tissue massages, massage therapy, physical therapy, or chiropractic care all work together with having a nutritional diet plan to prevent flare-ups from food allergies and intolerances. Research studies have found that MET helps stretch the affected muscles induced by inflammation associated with food allergies. This technique allows the body to naturally heal itself and prevent inflammation from exceeding more into the body. Combined with anti-inflammatory foods, many individuals know what food they can and can not consume. Additionally, it allows them to be more mindful of their bodies and sends them on the right track of their health and wellness journey.
Conclusion
Overall, many individuals often confuse food allergies and food intolerances, which can cause the musculoskeletal system to be dealing with symptoms of inflammation and pain. Since inflammation is the body’s natural defense system, it is important to be mindful of what is consumed to prevent overlapping risk profiles from causing muscle and joint pain. Luckily, numerous treatments are available to reduce the effects of chronic inflammation associated with food allergies and help the body naturally heal itself. Combining treatments like MET and a healthy nutritional diet can help the body reduce the effects of inflammation from affecting the musculoskeletal system while also allowing the individual to make smart choices in their health and wellness journey.
References
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Lopez, Claudia M, et al. “Food Allergies – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482187/.
Ohtsuka, Yoshikazu. “Food Intolerance and Mucosal Inflammation.” Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25442377/.
Sbardella, Silvia, et al. “Muscle Energy Technique in the Rehabilitative Treatment for Acute and Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.” Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 June 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8234422/.
Tuck, Caroline J, et al. “Food Intolerances.” Nutrients, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 July 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682924/.
Breathing nourishes the whole body and regulates important functions like heart rate and blood pressure. It also reinforces proper body mechanics to lessen the stress on the body when moving. Busy lives combined with sedentary work and lifestyle can condition the body to take only quick, shallow breaths, which can weaken lung muscles and cause tension to build, worsening posture and leading to other adverse symptoms and conditions. Learning deep breathing can positively affect heart rate, mental alertness, and blood pressure and improve posture. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can create personalized postural treatment and training plans.
Breathing and Posture
Inhalation causes the lungs to get filled with air, and exhalation releases and empties the lungs. For the lungs to work optimally, the rib cage needs to expand constantly in a gentle, rhythmic way. The respiratory muscle/diaphragm muscle needs to go up and down with each breath cycle. This can only happen when the muscle is not contracted or tense. Tension in the upper body can increase unhealthy postures and undermine health. Continued unhealthy postures at school, work, and home will compress the ribs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, and base of the neck. This prevents the ribcage from expanding fully, which impairs optimal breathing. Over time, the strength of the respiratory muscles weakens.
Healthy Posture
Proper body alignment reduces strain on supportive structures like ligaments, muscles, joints, and discs. A healthy posture allows individuals to breathe more easily, move more efficiently, relax, and sleep better.
Symptoms Of Unhealthy Posture
Research shows that prolonged practice of unhealthy posture can lead to health problems, including:
Aching and chronic pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Tight, sore muscle knots/trigger points.
Tension headaches, limited sleep, and digestive problems.
Brain fog.
Shifting moods.
Digestive problems.
Breathing from the chest relies on secondary muscles around the neck and collarbone instead of the diaphragm. Shallow breathing patterns accompanied by unhealthy postures cause muscles in the upper body to function improperly. The longer the body sits, the less the body can resist the force of gravity and maintain a stable core. Tight muscles around the chest cause rounded shoulders and forward head posture, further weakening the muscles that help maintain an upright posture. Chest and rib discomfort symptoms can result from the tight intercostal muscles and inadequate expansion of the ribs.
Chiropractic Treatment
Shallow breathing can be reversed by regular physical activity, and sessions of respiratory muscle training will help to improve posture and quality of life. Deep or belly breathing involves learning to use the abdominal muscles. Inhaling slowly and deeply through the nose fills the lungs with air and expands the stomach. Learning to breathe deep regularly provides benefits like stress reduction, improved cardiovascular health, stronger lungs, and improved cognitive performance.
Posture correction techniques relieve back and neck pain, improve muscle and joint function, maintain brain health, increase mood stability, and improve spinal health.
Learning how to breathe deeply takes practice.
One beginning technique is to breathe deeply and count to 4 before slowly releasing the breath with another count to 4.
Individuals will notice their abdomen, ribs, and chest push forward as they breathe.
The shoulders, neck, and spine properly align during this action.
Place a hand on the abdomen to check for correct breathing.
It should move outwards slightly as air fills the lungs.
Real Patients, Real Results
References
Albarrati, Ali, et al. “Effect of Upright and Slouched Sitting Postures on the Respiratory Muscle Strength in Healthy Young Males.” BioMed research international vol. 2018 3058970. 25 Feb. 2018, doi:10.1155/2018/3058970
Aliverti, Andrea. “The respiratory muscles during exercise.” Breathe (Sheffield, England) vol. 12,2 (2016): 165-8. doi:10.1183/20734735.008116
Pickering, Mark, and James F X Jones. “The diaphragm: two physiological muscles in one.” Journal of Anatomy vol. 201,4 (2002): 305-12. doi:10.1046/j.1469-7580.2002.00095.x
Sheel, A William. “Respiratory muscle training in healthy individuals: physiological rationale and implications for exercise performance.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 32,9 (2002): 567-81. doi:10.2165/00007256-200232090-00003
When the body sustains an injury or a virus, the immune system springs into action by sending out cytokines to the affected area and causes a process known as inflammation. Inflammation in the body is good for eliminating numerous pathogens, damaged cellular structures, viruses, or infections. Inflammation causes the affected area to be warm to the touch and causes swelling that will decrease in the recovery state. However, inflammation in the body can be positive and negative depending on the severity of the injury. When inflammation is in its chronic form, it can cause muscle and tissue damage to the musculoskeletal system while being associated with other conditions in the body’s system, like the gastrointestinal, nervous, and reproductive systems. In today’s article, we will focus on how chronic inflammation affects the body’s muscles and how the MET technique can help relieve muscle inflammation in soft tissues. We utilize valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers who use methods like MET combined with manual stretching therapy to reduce inflammation associated with musculoskeletal conditions. We encourage patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their findings. We support that education is a marvelous way to ask our providers the most interesting questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer
How Inflammation Works In The Body
Have you been experiencing pain in different muscle areas in your body? What about dealing with aches and pains in the morning? Or do your muscles feel tight and hurt more when you bend to pick up an object? Many of these issues affecting the musculoskeletal system are associated with inflammation. As stated earlier, inflammation can positively and negatively impact the body depending on the severity of the injury. Inflammation is a natural healing process for the body that is characterized by redness, swelling, and heat to the soft tissues so that they can be repaired within a few days to weeks. Studies reveal that when the body deals with various pathogenic factors, the immune system releases inflammatory cytokines to the pathogenic factor and starts to heal the affected area.
Inflammation helps the sprained muscle tissues heal naturally and can be healed within 2-3 days to a few weeks in its acute stage. However, when inflammation is in a chronic state of the body, it causes damage to not only the affected muscle and tissue areas but can even affect the surrounding ligaments, joints, and vital organs. A great example is when a person has a sprained ankle, the affected area swells up, becomes red, and is tender to the touch when its acute inflammation. For chronic inflammation, the body is in constant pain that can be slow and long, and it takes several months to years to heal. Another great example would be gut disorders associated with chronic muscle inflammation.
What Does Chronic Inflammation Do To The Body’s Muscles?
So what does chronic inflammation do to the body’s muscles, and how does it affect the surrounding structures? According to research studies, chronic inflammation has been associated with musculoskeletal disorders that can cause an impact in reducing muscle strength and muscle mass. When this happens, it can cause the muscles to weaken and generate the surrounding muscle groups to compensate by working harder. This leads to misalignment in the body and causes overlapping risk profiles in the various muscle groups. In “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques,” Dr. Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., and Dr. Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T., stated that numerous factors associated with inflammation could impact how a person sleeps, eat, and function throughout the day. The book also noted that when pathogens can disrupt the natural cycling between the defensive and repair modes of inflammation correlating with the immune system can be disrupted in ill health. A chronic inflammatory cytokine shift could lock the body into a pro-inflammatory state.
Reducing Inflammation In The Body- Video
Have you been dealing with constant inflammation in your muscles? Do you feel muscle weakness or strain when you are in motion? Or do other portions of your body starts to feel aches or pains? Many of these issues are associated with chronic inflammation affecting the musculoskeletal system. Inflammation is part of the immune system’s natural defense that sends cytokines to the affected area and starts the healing process. Inflammation has two patterns: acute and chronic. Acute inflammation is associated with sprains from a twisted ankle or wrist, a sore throat, or an infection. While at the same time, chronic inflammation is associated with muscle pain, sleep disorders, or rashes that affect the skin. When the body is suffering from chronic inflammation, it can be due to many overlapping factors that can cause the body to be in pain. Luckily numerous treatments can help the body and reduce the effects of inflammation. The video above explains how incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet and chiropractic care can help reduce chronic inflammation effects in the body.
The MET Technique & Muscle Inflammation
Regarding chronic muscle inflammation, the musculoskeletal system deals with numerous symptoms like pain, stiffness, and weakness associated with various pathological factors. Chronic inflammation can develop from insufficient sleep, eating high-cholesterol foods, not getting enough exercise, and being stressed, which can affect the body and its systems. Fortunately, numerous available treatments can reduce inflammation. Studies reveal that treatments like MET therapy can help reduce pain correlated with muscle inflammation and increase the range of motion to the joints. The body can reduce the effects of chronic inflammation and keep it under control when MET therapy is combined with an anti-inflammatory diet. Also, practicing mindfulness can help reduce the stress contributing to chronic inflammation, which can help relax the body and naturally heal itself. Making these small changes can benefit many individuals trying to be healthier.
Conclusion
When it comes to inflammation in the musculoskeletal system, it can lead to overlapping risk profiles that can cause the body to be misaligned and have many pain-like symptoms that can make a person’s life miserable. Since inflammation is part of the immune system’s natural response to fight off infections, incorporating anti-inflammatory diets and MET stretching can help reduce the effects of inflammation and help the body heal itself from the inside out.
References
Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.
Chen, Linlin, et al. “Inflammatory Responses and Inflammation-Associated Diseases in Organs.” Oncotarget, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Dec. 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5805548/.
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, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710873/.
Tuttle, Camilla S L, et al. “Markers of Inflammation and Their Association with Muscle Strength and Mass: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Ageing Research Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Sept. 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32992047/.
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