by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Whiplash and other type of neck injuries can occur from any type of auto accident, especially a rear-end collision. During the abrupt and forceful movement from a car crash, the body goes through an extremely rapid and intense acceleration and deceleration where the individual�s head can move back-and-forth very suddenly and with great force in any direction. As a result, the soft tissues of the neck extend beyond their normal range of motion, damaging and injuring the various structures surrounding the cervical spine.
Symptoms of whiplash generally appear within 24 hours following the incident, however, sometimes the symptoms may develop after a few days, weeks, or even months after the automobile accident. Many individuals believe they are not as injured as they really are, that�s why it�s always essential to seek immediate medical attention after being involved in an auto accident in order to determine the presence of an injury or detect the early development of a much serious medical condition.
The most commonly reported symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and discomfort, accompanied by stiffness, headaches, especially at the base of the skull, dizziness, blurred vision and constant fatigue. Other, less common symptoms associated with chronic whiplash include, chronic pain on the neck, shoulder or head, difficulty concentrating or retaining memory, irritability, ringing in the ears and/or inability to get a good night�s rest.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
During an automobile accident, neck complications can occur more frequently than any other type of injury, regardless of the collision�s level of severity. Whiplash, also referred to as neck sprain or neck strain, is one of the most common injuries resulting from a car crash. The sudden force of the impact can stretch and occasionally even tear the muscles and tendons in the neck, leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The shoulder has a wider range of motion than any other joint in the body. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons which merge together to surround and protect the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade, mainly functioning to provide motion to the arm, allowing it to lift and rotate in a broad extent of motions.
A tear is characterized when one of the four muscles and/or tendons around the shoulder joint become damaged or injured, usually from repetitive overuse of the shoulder, or in other cases, as a result of direct trauma from being involved in a forceful automobile accident. When a single or multiple of the rotator cuff tendons is torn, the tendon no longer fully attaches to the head of the humerus. Different types of tears may occur. A partial tear is identified as damage to the soft tissue where it hasn�t been completely severed. A full-thickness tear, also referred to as a complete tear, is identified when the soft tissue splits into two pieces. In a majority of cases, tendons may tear where they attach to the shoulder joint. With a full-thickness tear, there is essentially, a gap in the tendon.
Rotator cuff tears are most often associated with rear-end collisions, however, any type of car accident can lead to shoulder injury. During an auto accident, many individuals tend to tense up and brace their hands against the steering wheel which causes the shoulders to absorb a large amount of the force from the impact. Rotator cuff tears are very likely to occur in this instance.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Rotator cuff tears are a common cause for debilitating symptoms among adults. A torn rotator cuff often leads to shoulder weakness, greatly restricting a person�s normal range of motion and making everyday activities difficult. There are many causes behind this type of shoulder injury, but rotator cuff tears resulting after an automobile accident, although often misconceived, are more frequent than people foresee. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequently diagnosed medical condition, characterized by pain, numbness and tingling sensations in the hand and arm. The well-known condition develops when one of the major nerves which runs through the hand, medically referred to as the median nerve, is compressed or impinged as it travels through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway within the wrist that is surrounded by rigid tissues, making it minimally capable of stretching or increasing in size. �
The median nerve originates from a bundle of nerve roots found in the neck. These roots merge into a single nerve in the arm, where it then travels down the arm and forearm, passing through the carpal tunnel at the wrist and into the hand. This main nerve functions to provide feeling in the thumb and index, middle and ring fingers. The median nerve is also in charge of controlling the muscles around the base of the thumb.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition which may occur due to a variety of factors. Research shows that women and older individuals have a higher chance of developing this uncomfortable condition.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
In today�s world, however, everyday activities, such as typing and texting, can often cause more than temporary soreness on the extremities. The repetitive movements of the wrist over time may irritate the surrounding tissues, leading to damage, injury, and even the development of uncomfortable conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Usain Bolt has been declared the �fastest man in the world.� While this hasn�t always been technically true, he has won so consistently at the 100 meter distance throughout his career that the nickname �lightning bolt� seems like a pretty good fit. He has won 6 Olympic gold medals, never placing for silver or bronze. In other world championships, he has collected 8 first place wins and 2 second place finishes. During his time competing In youth championships, he regularly took first place, rarely second, and never third.
For the tiny island nation of Jamaica, Usain Bolt is a hero. He�s confident. �I told you all I was going to be No. 1, and I did just that.� While he�s a supremely confident competitor, he�s also humble and cordial.
�Manners is the key thing,� said Bolt. �Say, for instance, when you�re growing up, you�re walking down the street, you�ve got to tell everybody good morning. Everybody. You can�t pass one person.�
But his success on the track and his international stardom has not come without challenges. As a young man, Bolt suffered from scoliosis.
�When I was younger, the scoliosis wasn�t really a problem. But you grow and it gets worse. My spine was really curved bad. The early part of my career, when we didn�t really know much about it, it really hampered me because I got injured every year.�
Instead of using a brace or enduring dangerous surgery to correct the abnormal curvature of his spine, Usain Bolt used chiropractic treatments. �I�ve worked hard over the years. I�ve been injured and I�ve worked hard through it, and I�ve made it.� Bolt uses chiropractic not only to bounce back more quickly from injuries, but also to enhance his performance while healthy. �As long as I�m in great shape, nobody beats me, for sure.�
Dr. Michael Douglas has worked with Bolt for many years. As founder of three South Florida Douglas Rapid Rehab Centers, he is also the Jamaican Olympic Team�s official chiropractor. He has held that position since 1996 and retains a certificate in Chiropractic Neurology. He combines traditional chiropractic techniques with sports injury rehabilitation to keep the Jamaican team in top condition.
Like all world champions, Usain Bolt realizes that his work is never done. �For me, I�m focused on what I want to do. I know what I need to do to be a champion, so I�m working on it.� For Usain Bolt, chiropractic care has been�and continues to be�an essential part of his overall strategy for remaining healthy and competing successfully.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Story Told.� Athletes at the highest levels have understood for centuries how unencumbered motion is a paramount secret to their success.� Today, the highest performing athletes are seeking out experts in bio-mechanical sciences to help keep their bodies performing at high levels thought the on and off season. Usain Bolt is another example of the type of athlete willing to seek out the best quality care in joint health.� To reach the highest competitive levels it takes the teamwork of multiple sciences working in tandem to assist in these dreams. Orthopedist, Chiropractor, Physical Therapist and other related bio-mechanical sciences are collaborating for the betterment of �simple dreams all the way to Olympic Dreams.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Sitting for extended periods of time while hunching over a desk can cause discomfort, numbness and spine misalignment over time if the improper posture is not corrected. Holding the body upright can also further increase pressure and tension in muscles, ligaments, joints, and other tissues surrounding the spine. A sedentary lifestyle where the individual doesn�t take frequent breaks throughout their workday to stand and stretch can gradually lead to cardiovascular disease due to the decreased blood flow, tightened hip flexors, shortened hamstrings, pinched nerves and many other physical injuries and/or conditions in the long run.
Aches and pains on the body, particularly around the spine, herniated discs, nerve complications and painful joints are direct results of working while sitting in an improper posture for prolonged hours of the day. When you’re in a seated position, a lot of pressure is being placed directly on the spine and its surrounding structures. Our bodies were designed to stand upright and maintaining a seated position can be physically stressful.
“The weight is distributed while in a standing position,” explained Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., a health psychologist at Stanford University and a leading expert in neck and back pain, �That’s not the case with sitting. McGonigal added, “When you sit, you distort the natural curve of the spine, which means your back muscles have to do something to hold your back in shape because you’re no longer using the natural curves of the spine to lift yourself up against gravity.”
Approximately 80 percent of individuals in the United States alone may experience some form of chronic pain in their lifetime. Ultimately, working on a sitting position for extended periods of time per day is putting a tremendous mental and physical stress on our bodies.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Sitting is one of the most difficult positions for the body to maintain. Sitting for prolonged periods of time while hunched over in a chair can build excessive pressure on the spine and affect the blood circulation in the legs. For an individual that spends their workdays sitting down, the long term result of an improper posture can greatly alter the individual�s overall health. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Head Pain and Trauma, Headaches & Treatments
There are a wide variety of factors which can cause headaches. The most common reason for headaches, especially tension headaches, is muscle tension and tightness. The frequent tightness which occurs during a headache can be experienced all over the head and neck, feeling almost as though there is a rubber band around the head, according to reports of many individuals. The tension and tightening of the muscles is largely due to poor posture where the muscles are trying to adapt to the constraints which are being placed on them. Poor posture over time leads to shortening of the muscles and irritation of the structures surrounding the spine, particularly the spinal discs. It�s this specific shortening of the tissues that causes the rubber band feeling on the head, or tension headaches. Most often, this form of pain and discomfort is felt at the base of the skull. The longer the individual sits in an improper position, the longer the tension and tightness of the muscles will last and worsen, causing longer lasting and worse headaches.
woman-headache-office-el-paso-tx
The difficulty with improper postures is that they are mostly involuntary in their movements. If you are an individual who stresses frequently, it�s not uncommon for the shoulders to rise up to their ears. The person may not even realize they�re practicing this posture until they take a deep breath and relax, an action many take longer to realize. The shoulders may have been up for a majority of the day, meaning the muscles were being overworked in an inappropriate position, and chances are the individual won�t correct their posture until the headache has started.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T�s insight:
After a long day of work, returning home with head pain�is an undesirable situation for many. People believe�that the reason behind their headaches at the end of the day is due to circumstances which are out of their control; work, bills, etc. But, as a matter of fact, from the way people sit at work and the way they hold their phone to the way people type on their computer, improper posture can greatly contributes to headaches. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
From childhood to adulthood, people are taught about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and fitness methods. An individual�s overall wellness depends on how well they choose to listen to their bodies and follow the healthiest techniques they�ve learned throughout their days. But, what happens when after a long night of rest, you wake of feeling pain, despite maintaining a balanced nutrition and achieving your fitness goals?
Foremost, a proper posture is characterized by the natural alignment of the head and neck with the rest of the spine, even during sleep. If an individual is using multiple pillows to rest their head on at night, this can be fairly difficult to accomplish. The neck may be tilted or twisted this way for prolonged periods of time throughout the night, causing the muscles, ligaments, and other tissues surrounding the neck to painfully stretch and strain. Instead, the individual should use a single pillow beneath the head to maintain correct spinal alignment.
Ultimately, the best overall sleep posture is one that promotes a balanced spine and proper alignment. There are three common sleeping positions; side, back and stomach sleeping. Back and side sleeping can achieve the required spinal alignment to avoid injury, the development of conditions and other complications by adjusting pillow posture.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
When it comes to reaching optimal health, sleep is also an important element for overall wellness and people are rarely taught which are the most appropriate sleep positions. Since childhood, many individuals develop their own sleeping postures, however, the position that may be most comfortable and natural for some people might create health complications in the future.�Pillow posture or the way your head is positioned while sleeping, is a top priority for those individuals facing neck pain and discomfort. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The irritating neck pain or back pain symptoms present when waking up in the morning can be a troublesome situation for many. Not to mention how debilitating and impairing the pain and discomfort can be for the individual when the symptoms last throughout the remainder of the day, affecting their work and emotions. Subsequently, if what these individuals have already been through is not enough, imagine what it�s like to return home after a long tiring day, only to realize that the pain is causing the individual to not get a proper night of rest.
To first recognize which are the bad sleeping postures and what causes stiffness and pain in the neck and back, you first have to understand the function of the spine.
The spine, also known as the backbone or vertebral column, consists of 24 articulating vertebrae. Each vertebra is stacked on top of each other and is connected by muscles and ligaments which help maintain the natural alignment of the spine. The spine is referred to as the most important part of the body because it functions to protect the spinal cord and nerves from shock as well as support the weight of the body to provide an upright posture. In between each vertebra, the spinal discs can be found which primarily function as shock absorbers to protect each bone from rubbing against each other. Also, these act as ligaments to hold together the shape of the spine.
A healthy spine extends from the skull to the pelvis in alignment with the head, neck and back when viewed from the front or back. When the spine is viewed from the side, there should be 3 naturally slight curves; the cervical curve (neck area), the thoracic curve (upper back area) and the lumbar curve (lower back area) that form into a natural �S� shape. These curves maintain their normal structure by two groups of muscles; the flexors (front and abdominal muscles) and the extensors (back muscles) which gently hold and pull on the spine, allowing it to have proper mobility.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For many people, waking up with uncomfortable symptoms is an irritating�situation they experience throughout their lifetime. In fact, many individuals are unaware�that improper sleeping postures can lead to spinal misalignments which may eventually develop into neck and back pain. Sleeping positions are unconsciously established since childhood but these can be adjusted in adulthood to prevent neck and back pain as well as achieve proper sleep quality. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
As an individual experiencing�arthritis and its symptoms, it may be common knowledge�how sleeping in certain positions can aggravate the pain and discomfort, preventing many individuals from getting a good night of rest. While proper sleeping postures are essential for everyone, for people who’ve�been previously diagnosed with arthritis, sleeping in the right position may be even more crucial for relief. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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