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.
Your health is easily one of the most important things in your life. When your health is good, you feel better, are more productive and generally happier. When your health is not good, it becomes difficult to accomplish even the smallest tasks�and your mood and ability to enjoy life suffer. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to lead a healthier life. Read on to learn some of the most important tips for healthy living!
3 Tips for Healthy Living
Magnified Healthy Living word illustration on white background.
1. Keep the body’s alignment with regular chiropractic.
Many times people are unaware of how to move in the best way for their bodies. Poor movement patterns can lead to injuries, which make it impossible to stay as active as you like. If you start to notice any pain caused when you move�like when adopting a new exercise routine�stop doing what you are doing and consult with your chiropractor. Chiropractors are trained to identify movement problems and help correct them. Your chiropractor should be able to help you find a way to exercise that does not cause pain or lead to injury.
2. Keep track of your health.
It is important to get an accurate assessment of your current health on a regular basis. The goals you set for the future will be much more easily achieved if you know where you are starting from. Some of the ways you can keep track of your health include:
Maintain a relationship with your doctor, dentist, and chiropractor. Preventative healthcare is more effective and less expensive than waiting for something to go wrong. By keeping regular appointments with your doctor, dentist, and chiropractor, you can get valuable feedback on your current state of health. They can also help you catch potential problems early on.
Keep a diary of your exercise, diet, and mood. The diary does not have to be complicated or overly detailed. You just need a clear picture of how much you are exercising, what kinds of exercises you are doing, what food you are eating and how you are feeling.
3. Basics�a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Good health is built on a foundation of diet and exercise. The goal is to improve and maintain a regimen where you eat healthily and exercise regularly over the long-term. You do not have to do anything drastic, either. You will have an easier time making changes if you start small and gradually shift towards a lifestyle that you think is best for you.
Some points to remember:
The perfect diet for one person may not be perfect for another, but there are some basics that work well for the vast majority of people. A diet focused on whole foods, including plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, is ideal. Repeated studies have shown that a Mediterranean style diet is healthy and easy to maintain, making it a good place to start if you are new to healthy eating.
Take baby steps. Extreme shifts in diet can be mentally exhausting and difficult to maintain. Drastic changes in exercise habits risk injury and are also hard to maintain. Focus on taking small, incremental steps to reach your goals.
Contact Us Today to Set up an Appointment
If you would like a personalized plan for improving your health, please contact us. One of our chiropractic team members is ready to assist you!
Reduce *PLANTAR FASCIITIS PAIN* with Custom Foot Orthotics | El Paso, TX (2019)
Foot pronation is the natural movement which occurs during foot landing while walking or running. Foot pronation also occurs while standing, and in this instance, it is the amount in which the foot rolls inward toward the arch. Foot pronation is normal, however, excessive foot pronation can cause a variety of health issues, including bad posture.
Plantar fasciitis: A Perspective In Functionality
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the plantar fascia or aponeurosis. Which can be caused by trauma, e.g. jumping/running activity, or more from longstanding stretching of pronated feet.
The pain of plantar fasciitis is commonly at its worst when getting out of bed in the morning.
The initial steps cause a painful stretching of the tissue after hours of being in a shortened position.
As a person sleeps, the feet naturally go into a position of plantarflexion and shorten down in a relaxed.
Mild relief is common after moving about for a while.
Treatment options
Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include:
Reduced activity
Cryotherapy
Ultrasound
Taping
Massage
Chiropractic
Orthotics
If the patient is capable of walking without an antalgic gait, look to see how much foot flare occurs during the gait cycle.
Rule of thumb for foot flare:
Both feet should be pointing in the general direction you are walking toward.
Any deviation from a line directly in front involving one foot more than the other is a red flag for dysfunction in the kinetic (moving) chain and may be a contributing factor in the syndrome.
Foot flare is a compensation mechanism to help balance a wobbly pelvis.
If this is detected, remove shoes and socks and look at the medial arch.
Gentle care
Direct palpation of the plantar fascia may reveal painful thickened muscle, especially along the medial longitudinal arch.
This thickened muscle is the result of repetitive tear and repair process.
With the foot relaxed, grasp the toes and gently pull them up into passive dorsiflexion.
Gentleness is essential; as this motion stretches the irritated plantar area.
It often presents with fixations or subluxations of the bones of the feet.
The collapse of any of the three arches of the foot sets the stage for joint fixation.
Mobility & function
Mobility is life to a joint, so don�t overlook the benefit of adjusting the subluxations or fixations of the lower extremity.
Once the acute phase of plantar fasciitis is under control, you can address the factors that contributed to the condition.
Most of the time patients need arch structure to be supported in an optimal functioning position.
Custom-made orthotics support all three arches of the foot provide the necessary support to reduce the tension on the plantar fascia by blocking the excessive pronation stretches.
Improvement through non-invasive treatment
Improvement of muscle function of the kinetic chain through massage or other forms of muscle management can improve muscle compliance, or the ability of the muscle to contract and relax.
Chronic muscle tension creates joint dysfunction and can lead to inflammation in the plantar fascia.
A massaging or mechanical chiropractic compression down the length of the plantar fascia can restore flexibility to that tissue.
Roll the foot over a golf ball or similar device for the purpose of restoring fascia flexibility can have profound effects on foot pain and function.
Patient tolerance is the key to any technique used, so try to understand that the chiropractor/physical/massage therapists are trying their best to bring relief, increasing the pressure and the length of any intervention.
Plantar or Neural
Feet are important. When you consider what your feet go through, taking 8,000 steps over the course of a day, according to the�Illinois Podiatric Medical Association�(IPMA), it�s easy to see how 75 percent of all Americans will have some type of�foot pain�at some point in their lives.�Plantar fasciitis is a common and very painful foot condition that can become chronic if not treated. It is also a condition that responds very well to chiropractic care. As it Reduces Stress in the Plantar Fascia�� When a ligament is inflamed or stressed the tissue can develop very small tears that cause the pain of plantar fasciitis. Chiropractic adjustments made to the heel and foot take the pressure off of the plantar fascia, allowing it to relax.
NCBI Resources
The SMART approach is a guide for setting realistic goals and attaining them. It is an acronym that outlines a success-focused�strategy for goal setting:
Specific
Measurable
Accountable
Realistic
Timeframe
Each step will bring you closer to achieving your goals and improve your health.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there concerning hydration.
How much do you need to drink?
What should you drink?
When should you drink?
It can be a bit much.
But staying hydrated is not that hard to do. A little knowledge and some helpful tips are all you need to ensure that your body always has the fluids it needs to stay healthy and fully functional.
What to Know About Hydration
The Importance
Your body is composed of around 60% water. Adequate hydration is necessary for your body to function properly. Water makes it possible for your body to maintain its temperature, to process waste products and for your joints to remain lubricated. When you do not consume enough water, your body becomes dehydrated, which can cause a host of different health problems if left unaddressed.
How much water do we need?
When asked how much water a person should drink, most people instinctively respond, �Eight glasses a day.� But the truth is that each person is different, and how much water you need may vary from how much someone else needs. You also re-hydrate from drinking other fluids besides water, something that you can take into account when calculating your fluid intake.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the average man needs 15.5 cups of fluid per day, while the average woman needs 11.5 cups of fluid a day. Note the term �fluid�. Water is ideal for hydration, but other fluids also contribute to your overall level of hydration. Of course, those other fluids may also contain sugars, sweeteners, caffeine and other extras that you should limit for better overall health. Limiting your fluid intake to mostly pure water is the best way to avoid potentially harmful extras.
Symptoms of dehydration
Dehydration can be dangerous, especially if left unaddressed. Mild dehydration can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and a lessening of sweat and urine output. As dehydration gets worse, so do the symptoms. It can cause kidney failure, brain swelling, and seizures.
When you notice early signs of dehydration, there is a simple solution � drink some water or other fluids. As long as you are not too dehydrated, fluid intake should be enough to reverse your symptoms.
If you’re thirsty drink water
Feeling thirsty is a sign your body gives you to consume more fluids, and you should listen to your body. You can avoid any risk of dehydration by regularly sipping water. But if you aren�t sipping water and you do get thirsty, don�t worry too much. An initial feeling of thirst does not mean you are seriously dehydrated. It just means your body is ready for more fluids and is a natural indicator telling you to consume more water.
Tips to Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is not difficult if you adopt a few healthy habits, including:
Use a reusable water bottle
A stainless steel or glass water bottle is perfect for carrying your own fresh water supply around with you. Plastic is also an option, but stainless steel and glass tend to impart less flavor to your water and will not leach any unwanted chemicals into it.
With your own water source, you can drink whenever you feel even a little thirsty � guaranteeing that you will never become dehydrated.
Go with healthier fluids
Purified water is your best hydration source. Although you can drink other fluids, your body will thank you if most of its hydration needs are met through consuming water. Remember staying hydrated and stay healthy!
Health Support
As your chiropractic team, we are committed to keeping you healthy. Please contact us to schedule an appointment to meet with a qualified chiropractor for a comprehensive health evaluation.
El Paso Back Clinic Playlist
We Welcome You ??. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive, cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, practical strength training, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries.
We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Rehabilitation Systems for all ages.
As an extension to effective rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapist and trainers to provide high-level competitive athletes the possibilities to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities.
We’ve been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last three decades allowing us to restore our patients’ health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs.
Our programs are natural and use the body’s ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living.
With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age or disability.
Join us in improving your health for you and your family.
It’s all about: LIVING, LOVING & MATTERING! ?
Welcome & God Bless
EL PASO LOCATIONS
Central: 6440 Gateway East, Ste B Phone: 915-850-0900
East Side: 11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste 128 Phone: 915-412-6677
Water is good for you. This is the message that we hear over and over, as we pursue optimal health, strive to lose weight, or overcome chronic conditions. Water is a vital part of life.
The problem is, every �expert� has an opinion of what is the best way to get this life substance. There are different messages about what is the best water source � what�s healthy, what isn�t. To cut through all the hype and get to the truth the answer isn�t as cut and dry as you might think.
Hydration Importance
Water is essential for our very survival. It keeps the functions of our organs properly, is a vital component of digestion, and it even helps us have a healthy spine. It helps to regulate body temperature and lubricates the joints. You may not realize it, but�most of your body is composed of water:
Lungs � 83%
Kidneys and muscles � 79%
Heart and brain � 73%
Skin � 64%
Bones � 31%
The average adult female requires around 2.2 liters of water per day, while the average adult male requires around 3 liters. Most of this comes from drinking fluids, but some come from food that is consumed. Dehydration is a serious condition and can cause serious damage to the body. Severe and prolonged (about 3 days) dehydration can be deadly.
Bottled Water Facts
There has been a lot of debate about bottled water in the past few years. At the center of the controversy are two main issues: much of the bottled water is said to be nothing more than tap water, and in the US alone, more than 60 million water bottles find their way to landfills every single day. Those are some pretty serious issues.
The truth is, studies show that almost half (around 40%) of bottled water is just tap water. So, what�s the big deal about tap water? It is largely known to contain chemicals that are not only toxic to humans, but many are also linked to certain cancers. Chlorine, arsenic, and fluoride are some of the more common chemicals found in tap water. Things aren�t looking good for tap water, but if so much bottled water is tap, then what can you do?
The Bottles
Before we explore the safer water options, it is worth taking a look at the plastic bottles that are used. The materials used to make water bottles are widely known to contain deadly, cancer-causing carcinogens like Bisphenol A (BPA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and phthalates. Each of these poses significant risks to your health.
Even if you choose a bottle that is BPA free (like PET bottles) you could be exposing yourself to other hazardous substances. For instance, PET bottles are made of a soft plastic that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to clean. This can leave some unsavory residue like food, saliva, and even fecal matter to contaminate your water. The more the bottles are reused, the greater the risk of these and other contaminants making their way into your water.
Healthier Alternative To Bottled Water
Actually, tap water is the safer, healthier alternative to bottled water � but not straight out of the tap. All tap water should be run through a high-quality water filtration system before you use it. Without filtration, you run the risk of consuming contaminants like harmful chemicals, bacteria, and even heavy metals. So, what should you do?
Ditch the plastic bottles and choose glass or stainless steel instead. Next, filter your tap water using a high-quality carbon filter. Store your water in a ceramic or glass container. Do not heat or cook food or water in anything made of plastic or Styrofoam. In fact, avoid drinking or eating from plastic altogether. If you must though, do not cut into the plastic while you are eating or drinking and do not expose the food or water to a microwave, high heat, or the sun.
Drink your water, but make sure you are doing it in the healthiest way possible � on tap and filtered!
Can methylation donors help promote a balanced methylation support?
Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners generally recommend higher doses of methyl donors, such as 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF, and methylcobalamin, in several patients. By way of instance, people with genetic polymorphisms and people with out-of-range methylation-related biomarkers, such as in hyperhomocysteinemia, may often develop health issues which may affect the function of specific enzymes, such as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR, among others.
Nutrient deficiencies associated with methyl donors are a prevalent finding in laboratory evaluations, and depending on your population, these may be closely associated with vitamin B12 deficiency-related neuropathy, which is relatively common. Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners also understand the importance of methylation support to help improve hereditary or environmental epigenetic health issues. Improving methylation status and avoiding the pathways of disease and dysfunction associated with potential nutritional deficits in methylation activity is the goal of many healthcare professionals.
However, as with any other biochemical process, methylation activity occurs through the balance of homeodynamics, or the dynamic form of homeostasis. An imbalance in these biochemical processes can ultimately lead to dysfunction and disease. Therefore, although we can be confident that making sure we have enough methyl donors available for use in the human body is essential, we have to question whether �pushing� reaction rates utilizing supraphysiological doses are safe and effective. Instead of forcing reaction rates, perhaps the goal of healthcare professionals should ultimately be to allow the human body to function correctly.
Methylation Supplementation
Numerous health issues associated with long-term, high-dose supplementation for methylation donors include:
According to research studies, the effects of these genetic alterations remains unclear. In comparison to the altered function of MTHFR C677T and A1298C single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, which have been moderately evaluated, the diagnosis of other SNPs can demonstrate the overall function of these specific enzymes. The effect of these SNPs on methylation activity depends on enzymes working together in the circumstance of a person’s internal and external environment. These outcome measures have been demonstrated in a variety of genome research studies. As a result, researchers are unable to determine the effects which these alterations, including that of MTHFR C677T, can develop on a patient’s overall methylation status.
The correct supplementation dose for methylation donors remains mostly unknown, as it may vary tremendously between patients. No research studies have currently demonstrated what the correct dosage or duration of methyl-donor supplementation is required to balance biochemical and epigenetic methylation status. Various side effects of high-dose 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-MTHF, supplementation have been demonstrated in clinical practice, including anxiety and worsening of symptoms.
Hypermethylation may be detrimental to an individual’s overall health and wellness. The following series of articles contain many examples of region-specific DNA hypermethylation health issues, including immune dysfunction, Downs Syndrome, and cancer. Both DNA hyper- and hypomethylation can develop due to deficiencies in methylation donors. Folic acid has been associated with increased immune hypersensitivity and cancer. The bottom line is that we don�t understand what effect long-term, high-dose methylation donors and supplementation can have on DNA methylation support. Further research studies are still required to show this effect.
Methylation is a biochemical process which involves the conversion of methylation activity for the function of a variety of processes in the human body. Methylation imbalances, however, can cause a variety of health issues. Methylation donors are a form of supplementation for methylation support. But, research studies have demonstrated that supplementation for methylation support may not be right for everyone. The best way to improve methylation is through proper nutrition, physical activity, and exercise, among other dietary and lifestyle modifications. The nutritional guidelines below can help safely and effectively improve methylation support, promoting overall health and wellness.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
Nutrition for Methylation Support
Methylation status can often depend on a patient’s dietary and lifestyle factors. Dietary and lifestyle factors, including physical activity and exercise, stress, sleep, medicines, and toxin exposure, plays a role in methylation. Single interventions with high-dose nutrient supplementation may lack long-term effectiveness or these may not achieve the desired methylation support.
Dietary and lifestyle modifications are safe and effective, alternative treatment options for most individuals with methylation imbalances. This may be fundamental for certain vulnerable individuals, such as patients with active cancers. Aging is also known to be associated with decreased methylation activity, therefore, the Methylation Diet and Lifestyle, or MDL, program can be utilized as an anti-aging tool. Methylation status diagnosis and treatment is essential during preconception, pregnancy and the postnatal period.
The MDL program and supplementation can help promote overall health and wellness. A dietary and lifestyle treatment approach can also be utilized as a follow-up plan for people who need high-dose nutraceutical support. A variety of foods can promote methylation support. Dietary and lifestyle modifications have also been demonstrated to considerably improve methylation activity.
In the following articles, we will discuss dietary and lifestyle factors which can help support methylation. We will also discuss the basic biochemistry of methylation, the roles of methylation in the human body, how to evaluate methylation status, and the risks and benefits of methyl donor supplementation as well as the health issues associated with too little or too much methylation activity.
Smoothies and Juices for Methylation Support
While many healthcare professionals can recommend nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications, there are several alternative treatment options you can try for yourself at home. As described above, however, supplementation for methylation support should be correctly determined by a healthcare professional. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support in a single serving. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.
Sea Green Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed � 1/2 banana � 1 handful of kale or spinach � 1 handful of Swiss chard � 1/4 avocado � 2 teaspoons spirulina powder � 1 cup water � 3 or more ice cubes Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!
Berry Bliss Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild) � 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed � 1 tablespoons almonds � Water (to desired consistency) � Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries) Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!
Sweet and Spicy Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup honeydew melons � 3 cups spinach, rinsed � 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed � 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Ginger Greens Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup pineapple cubes � 1 apple, sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped � 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Zesty Beet Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced � 1 apple, washed and sliced � 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Protein Power Smoothie Serving: 1 Cook time: 5 minutes � 1 scoop protein powder � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed � 1/2 banana � 1 kiwi, peeled � 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon � Pinch of cardamom � Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!
ProLon� Fasting Mimicking Diet
alanced methylation support can be achieved through proper nutrition. The ProLon� fasting mimicking diet offers a 5-day meal program which has been individually packed and labeled to serve the foods you need for the FMD in precise quantities and combinations. The meal program is made up of ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare, plant-based foods, including bars, soups, snacks, supplements, a drink concentrate, and teas. The products are scientifically formulated and great tasting. Before starting the ProLon� fasting mimicking diet, 5-day meal program, please make sure to talk to a healthcare professional to find out if the FMD is right for you. The ProLon� fasting mimicking diet can help promote methylation support, among a variety of other healthy benefits.
Many doctors and functional medicine practitioners may recommend higher doses of methyl donors in several patients, however, further research studies are needed to determine the proper amount of methylation supplementation. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
Formulas for Methylation Support
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly, Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download
* All the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
What is systems medicine and how is it integrated into our overall health and wellness?
Systems medicine is an interdisciplinary field of study which evaluates the systems of the human body as part of a whole, including biochemical, physiological, and environmental interactions. And, with the outlining of the human genome back in 2001, Systems Medicine became widely recognized.
Humans are estimated to have between 20,000 and 25,000 genes although this number could drop further as genome sequence quality and gene finding methods improve over time. While the code for our lives seems smaller than what we expected, tremendous consideration is now being paid to the regulatory aspects of the genome and research studies on the heritable epigenome are gaining momentum. Methylation, a cornerstone epigenetic and metabolic process, now yields more than 85,000 hits on a PubMed search.
With the readily available access to genetic testing, many patients now have a greater understanding of their genes, most often concerning their single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, associated with methylation. It truly is a wildly exciting time to be practicing Functional Medicine, the clinical application of systems medicine. Several hypotheses have been developed on the phenotypic expression of single nucleotide variations. A heterozygous mutation in MTHFR A1298C SNP, by way of instance, can make it difficult for people to detoxify efficiently. Genetic testing and metabolic biomarkers can help demonstrate “lesions” in methylation.
What is Methylation Support?
Methylation is fundamental towards a variety of bodily functions, including detoxification, neurotransmitter production, and epigenetic regulation. Researchers have seen the impact that improving methylation can have on fortifying folic acid and reducing neural tube defects. The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle, or MDL, program was created with the purpose of embracing both the importance of healthy methylation balance as well as recognizing the limitations in our current understanding of methylation.
Methylation imbalances, such as hypermethylation and hypomethylation, in the gene promoter regions are associated with many health issues, from allergies and aging to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The regulation of the epigenome is a highly complex process. And, further research studies are still required to determine the effect of high-dose, long-term methylation interventions.
Furthermore, healthcare professionals need to consider whether high-dose, long-term methylation interventions are the right treatment approach for patients with these health issues. Numerous research studies have demonstrated reasonable concerns about supplementation. There are also patients who are unable to take methyl donor supplementation due to poor epinephrine clearance and other biogenic amines or detoxification activity. Understanding whether this treatment approach may be an appropriate methylation intervention, however, suggests that other, alternative treatment options may be required for overall health and wellness.
Food-based folates, by way of instance, have only been demonstrated to have protective effects on methylation. A variety of phytochemicals, not closely associated with methylation, seem to effectively modulate global epigenetic and biochemical methylation activity. And, decreasing methyl donor depletion by reducing toxic exposures, nourishing the microbiome, and increasing the stress response is safe and efficient. Nutrition can ultimately help eliminate the “lesions” in methylation for balanced bodily functions.
Methylation is a simple biochemical process which affects a variety of bodily functions, including DNA production, detoxification, and cellular energy, among many other fundamental processes. However, approximately 60 percent of people in the United States have a genetic mutation which tremendously affects methylation. When methylation isn’t working efficiently, it can affect the production of a variety of important molecules, including glutathione, coenzyme Q10, and melatonin, among many other fundamental substances. Understanding the importance of methylation support is important towards our overall health and wellness, and there are several ways you and your doctor can promote better methylation support.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle Program
The Methylation Diet and Lifestyle program wouldn’t have been created if it wasn’t for the years of discussions on current research studies and patient treatment approaches. The following article serves as a guide to help people how to evaluate their methylation status and understand the current methylation health issues, and how to incorporate an MDL program into your protocols as well as the potential concerns from supplementation. Nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications can help improve methylation.
However, how can we determine when we should utilize the MDL? This treatment approach ultimately offers the methylation support patients might need, especially for those who cannot tolerate supplementation. It is also a safe and effective long-term strategy for a majority of patients who have utilized a short-term course of higher-dose methyl donors. The full MDL program also supports detoxification, microbiome and hormone balance, stress reduction, and it can be modified to incorporate other programs which are also generally recommended, such as elimination diets, grain and lectin-free plans, low FODMAP diets and traditional gut restoration programs. Highly restricted plans, such as the ketogenic diet used for epilepsy, can incorporate aspects of the MDL with additional nutraceutical support. Any dietary program can work with the Methylation Diet and lifestyle program for overall health and wellness.
Smoothies and Juices for Life
While many healthcare professionals can recommend the nutritional guidelines and lifestyle modifications described above, there are several remedies you can try for yourself at home. Smoothies and juices are a fast and easy way to include all the necessary nutrients you need for methylation support in a single serving. The smoothies and juices below are part of the Methylation Diet Food Plan.
Sea Green Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup cantaloupe, cubed � 1/2 banana � 1 handful of kale or spinach � 1 handful of Swiss chard � 1/4 avocado � 2 teaspoons spirulina powder � 1 cup water � 3 or more ice cubes Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth and enjoy!
Berry Bliss Smoothie Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, preferably wild) � 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seed � 1 tablespoons almonds � Water (to desired consistency) � Ice cubes (optional, may omit if using frozen blueberries) Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy. Best served immediately!
Sweet and Spicy Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup honeydew melons � 3 cups spinach, rinsed � 3 cups Swiss chard, rinsed � 1 bunch cilantro (leaves and stems), rinsed � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 2-3 knobs whole turmeric root (optional), rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Ginger Greens Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 cup pineapple cubes � 1 apple, sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped � 3 cups kale, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped � 5 cups Swiss chard, rinsed and roughly chopped or ripped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Zesty Beet Juice Servings: 1 Cook time: 5-10 minutes � 1 grapefruit, peeled and sliced � 1 apple, washed and sliced � 1 whole beet, and leaves if you have them, washed and sliced � 1-inch knob of ginger, rinsed, peeled and chopped Juice all ingredients in a high-quality juicer. Best served immediately!
Protein Power Smoothie Serving: 1 Cook time: 5 minutes � 1 scoop protein powder � 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed � 1/2 banana � 1 kiwi, peeled � 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon � Pinch of cardamom � Non-dairy milk or water, enough to achieve desired consistency Blend all ingredients in a high-powered blender until completely smooth. Best served immediately!
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly, Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download
* All the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Individuals with diabetes have a 35 percent risk of developing neck pain and back pain, according to a recent research study. The researchers conducted eight research studies on separate occasions which revealed that individuals with diabetes have a higher chance of developing neck pain and back pain. According to the researchers, chronic pain is common in people with diabetes.
Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain throughout their lifetime and nearly half of that number will also suffer from neck pain, according to researchers. Meanwhile, diabetes has become an increasingly common health issue. About 382 million individuals have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to the World Health Organization.
Despite the outcome measures, it seems there’s still inadequate evidence in the research study to establish a causal connection between diabetes and chronic pain,” stated Manuela Ferreira, Ph.D., the research study’s senior author and associate professor in the university’s Institute of Bone and Joint Research. “The evidence requires further evaluation of this institution,” he explained.
“Type 2 diabetes and chronic back pain both have a strong connection with lack of physical activity or exercise and obesity. Thus, a logical development of the research study may be required to evaluate these outcome measures in further detail,” he explained. “Our evaluation adds to the proof that weight management and physical activity or exercise play essential roles in health and wellness.”
The research study also demonstrated that diabetes drugs and/or medications might also influence chronic pain, possibly via its effect on blood sugar levels. However, this connection also requires further research studies. Additionally, the research study advocated that health professionals should consider screening for diabetes in patients looking for chronic pain relief, such as back pain or neck pain.
Chronic pain affects many individuals with diabetes. The most common type of chronic pain frequently reported by patients with diabetes include neck pain, back pain, and neuropathic pain in the hands and feet. Chronic pain can affect an individual’s daily physical activities. According to researchers, individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing chronic pain, or painful symptoms which persist for more than six months.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly, Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download
* All the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
Although oral devices, such as splints and bite guards, are the most prevalent treatments for facial pain associated with temporomandibular disorders, or TMD, patients have found that these remedies are frequently less effective than self-care techniques, such as jaw exercises or warm compresses, according to a new research study published by researchers at the New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry in New York City.
The research study, published in the journal Clinical Oral Investigations, demonstrates that self-care techniques should primarily be utilized to help treat muscle-related temporomandibular disorders or TMD.
TMD, occasionally known as TMJ after the temporomandibular joint, is a collection of prevalent painful conditions which develop in the jaw joint and its surrounding muscles. Myofascial temporomandibular disorder, or mTMD, is a muscular condition which affects over 10 percent of women. Individuals with TMD often suffer from other chronic pain conditions. Research studies found that 7 to 18 percent of people with TMD also experience fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain.
Treatments for TMD and Fibromyalgia
Dentists and patients utilize an assortment of treatments to help manage facial pain, such as oral devices like splints and bite guards, pain medicines, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and self-care methods like jaw exercises and hot compresses.
Oral devices are a prevalent first-line treatment for TMD, regardless of research study outcome measures regarding their advantages, stated Vivian Santiago, Ph.D., MPH, research study scientist at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at NYU College of Dentistry, and the research study’s leading author.
“While oral splints have been discovered to have some benefits, they have yet to be found to be as successful for patients who have widespread pain when treating mTMD,” she explained.
In this research study, the researchers evaluated what non-medication remedies women with mTMD utilized to handle their pain as well as how successful patients perceived these remedies. The researchers interviewed a total of 125 women including 26 women who had fibromyalgia and mTMD, so as to find out whether treatment differed for patients.
The most frequent treatments reported were oral devices (utilized by 59 percent of participants), physical therapy (utilized by 54 percent of participants), and at-home jaw exercises (utilized by 34 percent of participants). The least frequent treatments reported were acupuncture (utilized by 20 percent), chiropractic care (utilized by 18 percent), trigger point injections (utilized by 14 percent), yoga (utilized by 7 percent), and meditation (utilized by 6 percent). Participants frequently used more than one treatment.
Participants reported the most improvement in their pain from well-known self-care techniques, such as jaw exercises, yoga, meditation, massage, and warm compresses, with over 84 percent reporting that these techniques helped reduce painful symptoms. Only 64 percent of participants who used the oral devices reported that they helped improve their pain. About 11 percent of women who used oral devices stated that these made their pain worse, an area which warrants further research studies.
Oral devices failed to outperform self-care techniques in improving facial pain, according to Karen Raphael, Ph.D., professor at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at NYU College of Dentistry, and the research study’s co-author.
“Our outcome measures encourage utilizing self-care techniques as the first line of treatment for mTMD before contemplating more costly interventions,” stated Raphael.
The researchers didn’t find substantial differences between the amount of remedies reported by women with and without fibromyalgia. While the use of alternative treatment options for mTMD was reported among women with fibromyalgia, further research studies are still required. Pain relief tended to be greater through the use of self-care techniques in women with and without fibromyalgia.
“While fibromyalgia is diagnosed by a healthcare professional, such as a rheumatologist, TMD is typically diagnosed and treated by a dentist,” said Santiago. “Our research study demonstrates that dentists must ask patients with facial pain if they also have widespread chronic pain because this might provide more information to help plan their treatment.”
Fibromyalgia is a health issue characterized by widespread chronic pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood problems. Fibromyalgia has been associated with a variety of other health issues, such as TMD and/or TMJ. Individuals with this painful disorder may often struggle to engage in their everyday physical activities. As a qualified and experienced chiropractor, I’ve helped treat numerous patients with fibromyalgia. It’s important for patients to know that they are not alone when it comes to treating their painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is an alternative treatment option which can help treat a variety of health issues, including fibromyalgia.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, spinal health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topic Discussion: Acute Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes of disability and missed days at work worldwide. Back pain attributes to the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience back pain at least once throughout their life. Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, among other soft tissues. Injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.
XYMOGEN�s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.
Proudly, Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.
Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.
If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.
For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download
* All the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
We Welcome You ??. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive, cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, practical strength training, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries.
