by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
�There is not a lot of science behind sleep as a major cause of back pain,� states Santhosh Thomas, DO, a spine specialist with the Cleveland Clinic and associate medical director of the Richard E. Jacobs Medical Center in Avon, Ohio. However, experts do claim that individuals with sleep problems experience more complications regarding back pain. According to the National Sleep Foundation, pain in turn can affect the quality of an individual�s sleep, leading to a lighter sleep state and more frequent waking throughout the night.
Sleeping on your stomach is one of the most common sleep position which can aggravate back pain. �Typically, sleeping on your stomach can flatten the natural curve of the spine, putting some additional strain on your back muscles,� Santhosh Thomas said. �Plus, stomach sleeping means that your neck is rotated, which can actually result in back pain between the shoulders,� added Paul Grous, MSPT, a physical therapist and spine specialist with Good Sheppard Penn Partners in greater Philadelphia.
While several sleep positions can create back complications, the source of many individuals� back pain and symptoms is frequently caused by their daily activities or a lack of it. It is believed that the biggest factor contributing to the development of back complications among the general population is the amount of time people spend sitting during their waking hours in an improper posture. Sitting for extended periods of time behind a desk in a slouched posture with a rounded back can strain as well as increase the pressure on the structures surrounding the spine. During daylight hours, its essential to stand, walk, or stretch as often as possible and practice good posture when standing and sitting to help ease back pain at night.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For individuals suffering from back pain, getting a good night�s rest can often be a challenge. However, some people report feeling relief from the strain on their aching backs after sleeping in specific positions. Often misunderstood, it�s strongly believed that certain forms of back pain can be associated with sleep complications, including an improper sleeping posture. 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
Millions of Americans are encountered with some form of pain on their back and spine. There are a wide variety of factors that could lead to these well-known symptoms of pain, however, many individuals can reduce or even eliminate their back pain through a series of simple steps.
Experts at the Interventional Pain Management Center, or IPMC, a multi-site clinical practice based in New Jersey, is currently evaluating several basic methods that may help alleviate chronic back pain among the general population. Foremost, one of the first recommendations discussed by the experts included improving posture, or the position in which an individual stands and moves around. �Proper posture contributes greatly to the relief or elimination of back pain,� quoted a spokesperson for the Interventional Pain Management Center. �The spine is stronger and more stable when one practices healthy posture.�
When an individual slouches or stoops, the improper posture can cause the muscles, ligaments and other tissues that support the complex structures of the spine to become misaligned, straining to provide balance to the body. This straining is what often leads to pain on the back, neck, and shoulders. The spine has a natural S-shaped curve which functions to absorb shock, maintain balance, and allow range of motion, and in order to maintain those natural curves, proper posture is essential.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For many individuals in the United States alone, back and spine complications are common struggles which affect people at some point in their lifetimes. There are a number of causes that can lead to back pain, but fortunately, many individuals can achieve relief of their symptoms through several well-known methods. Chiropractic care can help improve the condition of a variety of spine complications and relieve their 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
Over-exercising, lifting, bending, or twisting abruptly into awkward positions, and even driving for extended periods of time, can strain the sciatic nerve, leading to lower back pain which radiates into the back of the legs as well as other numerous symptoms, known as sciatica.
Approximately 5 to 10 percent of individuals experience some form of low back pain from sciatica. Most commonly seen in people ranging from 18 to 35 years of age, the prevalence of sciatic symptoms varies tremendously from 1.6 percent throughout the general population to 43 percent in a selected working population. Unfortunately, only 30 percent of individuals suffering from sciatica seek medical attention only after experiencing these painful symptoms for a year or more. In a majority of cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated disc involving nerve root compression.
Not all individuals with lower back pain have sciatica. Lower back pain could result from a variety of factors, most frequently seen in sedentary workers who sit behind a desk for an extended period of time with improper posture while not following ergonomics.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Back pain is a common symptom affecting a wide range of individuals. Various factors can cause back complications but when a person’s lower back pain begins to radiate down into the back of the legs, it could be another issue. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of individuals experience low back pain due to sciatica. Characterized as a group of symptoms rather than a single condition, sciatica can often make an individual’s lifestyle more difficult than a simple low back problem. 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
In today�s society, its easy to identify a strong, confident individual by the way they carry themselves. From strong leaders to popular group members, we can look at many of these people and see their confidence. Aside from personality, there�s one main factor that commonly defines these individuals; posture. The body language we display to others is a powerful source of communication. Posture can say more about an individual than words. An upright posture can be a subtle signal of self-assurance to everyone around you, but more importantly, a proper posture reveals health from within.
Good posture is an essential component of your health. The spine is the key to a strong and healthy posture. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine quoted, �Look first to the spine for the cause of all disease.��For many years now, it�s been acknowledged that spinal health can therefore influence your overall health.�The spine, also referred to as the vertebral column or spinal column, is composed of a series of bones called vertebrae which are stacked one upon another. The spine functions to protect the spinal cord as well as to provide overall support to the structures of the body, allowing you to stand upright, bend, and twist.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
The body language we display to others is a powerful source of communication. Posture can say more about an individual than words. An upright posture can be a subtle signal of self-assurance to everyone around you, but more importantly, a proper posture reveals health from within. The spine is essential towards the function of many systems in the body and an improper posture may lead to complications. 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
Many individuals participate in some form of physical activity or sport to achieve their own personal fitness goals. Actively engaging in exercise offers many benefits, from strengthening the bones and muscles and controlling weight to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease but, unfortunately for many individuals, injuries can frequently occur. The truth is, exercising with an improper posture can cause a wide variety of complications on the spine, knees, hips and shoulders, including numerous structural issues such as muscle tightness, joint pain and the potential increase of injuries. Many individuals struggle to correct and maintain a proper posture, as a matter of fact, most adults tend to walk with their shoulders slumped while staring at the ground.
Improper posture can result in a range of health complications, most commonly causing an increase in low back pain, neck pain, headaches and restricted mobility for many individuals due to the excess curvature of the spine.�As a result, body mechanics may also be affected, leading to potential gait and walking complications. Furthermore, in more advanced cases, poor posture can also result in decreased lung capacity and digestion issues.�
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For many individuals, maintaining a proper posture needs to be a constant reminder throughout their everyday lives. While this is essentially important towards avoiding postural complications and the development of spinal issues, avoiding an improper posture during exercise routines is just as important in order to avoid injury and experience the full benefits of each workout. 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
During a nurse�s routine rounds, it only takes one incorrect move, one improper lift, one sudden twist to unexpectedly suffer a back injury. Back pain is one of the most frequent causes of pain among the general population, where approximately 80 percent of individuals are likely to experience at least one case of acute back pain in their lifetime. In the United States alone, about 25% of the population account to having had a minimum of one day of lower back pain within the past three months. Additionally, lower back pain is the fifth leading cause for individuals to seek medical attention.
However, the prevalence of back complications among nurses or other healthcare workers is even greater. Registered nurses and nursing assistants are among the top six occupations at greater risk for musculoskeletal injury. According to data collected by the American Nurses Association, more than half of nurses report experiencing symptoms of chronic back pain. Furthermore, approximately 12 percent of the nursing workforce reported leaving the profession due to chronic back pain.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For many nurses and other healthcare workers, the high demands of the job are often factors that lead to the development of back complications and symptoms that can make their line of work difficult. While nurses are in charge of caring for other individuals with injuries or conditions, those who’ve been injured themselves also need proper care in order to find relief for their conditions. 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
Automobile accidents are often unpredictable circumstances which can involve many complications. Whether it�s a minor or severe collision, many individuals are forced to deal with all the implications that come after being involved in an auto accident on their own, a frustrating process that frequently ends with victims being on the losing end of their benefits. Injured and without a car, approaching the best course of action following an auto accident doesn�t need to be a difficult circumstance and we know the best procedures to help you recover from your situation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 2.6 million individuals are injured each year in automobile accidents, accounting for 95 percent of all injury causing accidents on the roads. During a car crash, the sudden force of the impact can commonly cause subluxations or spinal misalignments in the body, a condition where the complex structures surrounding the spine are affected, distorting the normal alignment of the vertebra, irritating nerves, ligaments, and discs, overall affecting their natural function and your health.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Throughout the years I�ve treated many individuals, it�s always been a priority for me to accommodate to each person�s best interests and help them understand the best choice of options for their entitled benefits following an auto collision. With my experience, I can offer guidance and recommendations on the leading specialists that can support you with your individual automobile accident case as well as help you recover from any possible injuries or conditions resulting after the auto collision. 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
Nurses nowadays encounter the common question on how they can prevent or even manage lower back pain. In fact, back complications are one of the most reported occupational health complications for nurses, especially through their retirement years. Many healthcare workers resort to self-medicating with over-the-counter pain relievers but, while these may offer relief from their symptoms, the effects are only temporary. Through several lifestyle changes, many nurses could achieve long-term relief from their lower back pain by managing their symptoms and prevent further low back complications.
First, stretching and exercising regularly should be fundamental for a nurse. Staying in a single position for long periods of time, as it�s usual in the healthcare workplace, can place an unequal amount of pressure on the muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and uneven distribution of weight. Stretching frequently on the job can help loosen up tight muscles and temporarily relieve back pain. Then, following a series of stretches with exercise can help regulate and further reduce back pain because it strengthens the structures supporting the back muscles. Engaging in strength training exercises can help keep low back pain away longer. Additionally, stretching and exercising the body enough before symptoms of back pain appear in the fist place can also help prevent back complications from developing.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Nurses nowadays encounter the common question on how they can prevent or even manage lower back pain. In fact, back complications are one of the most reported occupational health complications for nurses, especially through their retirement years.�Through several lifestyle changes, many nurses could achieve long-term relief from their lower back pain by managing their symptoms and prevent further low back complications. 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
A study conducted in an acute care facility in Hong Kong to determine the occurrence of back pain in nurses reported that 80.9% of the participating individuals suffered from some form of back pain throughout their careers with one third of them experiencing back pain at least once a month. The study also concluded that the contributing factors for back injuries among those nurses were caused from lifting and transferring patients, where stooping was recognized at the most common factor contributing to back complications. Most diagnosed cases of back pain were reported on orthopedic wards, closely followed by elderly or geriatric nursing. According to the study, back pain as a result of standing for extended periods of time was not considered significant.
Another study conducted to determine the impact of back pain in nurses concluded that depression is associated with chronic low back pain and other symptoms which could exhibit as low morale and lower job performance among nurses. Additionally, the study also showed that two thirds of the nurse sample population suffered from back pain more than twice a year.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Nurses are considered to be the most crucial component in the delivery of primary care within any public or private healthcare setting. Throughout this environment, regardless of the availability of several types of lifting equipment, the nurse�s role will generally include manually lifting or assisting in movement of patients as a major portion of regular healthcare activities. As a result of the demanding tasks of the job, many nurses often experience low back pain and other 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
Many nurses believe that utilizing proper body mechanics while lifting and moving a patient can help prevent injuries from occurring. The truth is that there�s not an exact safe manual for lifting plus, during the rush of a busy day for nurses or other healthcare workers, even if the most suitable body mechanics are used on a specific situation, manually lifting, turning, or transferring patients can often result with injuries to the spine. The effects of an injury might not occur immediately, but the constant overexertion on the structures of the spine can eventually aggravate an injury further and lead to a debilitating condition.
Musculoskeletal injuries, also referred to as ergonomic or overexertion injuries, are common among workers in all healthcare settings, from acute care hospitals to long-term care and ambulatory facilities. Nurses, nurses� aides, orderlies, and attendants frequently experience these type of injuries at a much higher rate than the general population of workers, even more than those who work in construction, mining, and manufacturing settings.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Nurses are a valuable element in healthcare work settings and just as important as their jobs are towards providing the best care for patients, providing the best resources and equipment to prevent musculoskeletal injuries on healthcare workers is also equally as important. With less nurses experiencing these type of injuries, better and more efficient medical care can be offered for individuals in need. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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