Going through traumatic accidents that result in injuries can cause injury-related stress and anxiety for individuals. It is understandable that stress and anxiety are high as individuals figure out how to navigate through the situation. Therefore, it is very important to find ways to manage stress and anxiety because if they go unchecked it could become chronic leading to poor health and quality of life.
Stress/Anxiety Affects Health
Injury related stress and anxiety can be exacerbated through different factors. These can include:
Medical bills
Employment
Relationships
Independence
The causes/reasons can vary however, the physical response the body goes through is the same. A stress-inducing situation can leave an individual feeling threatened and generate a physical stress response. The body responds to stress by releasing hormones that shift the body into survival mode. This requires a lot of energy placing massive strain on the body. This is an important mechanism for healthy living. However, if it begins to present on a regular basis it can lead to negative health issues that include:
The body needs time every day to recover and rejuvenate. This is not possible when the body is constantly entering a heightened state of stress. Traditional treatment can lead to the over-prescription of medications that come with their own side effects. Effective injury-related stress treatment addresses issues like:
Injury-related stress and anxiety affect mental health and can lead to physical symptoms and disease. These include:
Chronic pain
Sleep problems
Gastrointestinal issues
Obesity
Asthma and breathing problems
Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss
Chiropractic Treatment and Care
A healthy brain and spinal cord are vital to the body’s optimal health. When nerve energy and blood flow get blocked it can worsen injury-related stress and anxiety. Chiropractic delivers results helping to better manage mental health by addressing underlying issues with spinal misalignment. When the spine is properly aligned neural health is optimized for everyday functions. This increases vitality and an overall sense of well-being. With brain function improved adjusting to the injury and its effects no longer cause intense stress. Individuals cannot remove all the stressors and anxiety-inducing events from their lives, but proper spinal alignment can help build resilience for whatever situations life throws.
Body Composition
Recovery and Swelling
Recovery is an essential part of maintaining optimal body health. This goes for regular work, working out, athlete’s training, and just participating in physical activity. A significant sign that the body has gone through intense physical exertion and needs recovery time is swelling. Swelling presents for different reasons. It is the body’s response to tiny, microscopic tears in the muscle that happens from constant and intense use. Running or lifting heavy objects are two examples that cause swelling. Swelling can be seen in body composition analysis results. An increase in Lean Body Mass reflects an increase in water. Recovery is about giving the body a chance to:
Relax
Recuperate
Recover from the swelling with the end goal of resuming physical activities
Disclaimer
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP, CIFM, CTG* email: [email protected] phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in Texas & New Mexico
References
Pickar, Joel G. “Neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation.” The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 2,5 (2002): 357-71. doi:10.1016/s1529-9430(02)00400-x
Coleman, Brian C et al. “Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Veterans of Recent Wars Receiving Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Care.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 43,8 (2020): 753-759. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2019.10.016
Jamison, J R. “Stress management: an exploratory study of chiropractic patients.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 23,1 (2000): 32-6. doi:10.1016/s0161-4754(00)90111-8
Chiropractic recommendations to avoid holiday weight gain and back pain. All the food, gravy, pies, cookies, candy, chocolate, wine, eggnog, hot cocoa, and whipped cream are great, but moderation is key to keeping unwanted weight gain that can lead to back pain. Research has found that up to 70% of individuals typically gain weight during the holidays.
Holiday weight gain
Also known as the seasonal seven or a month-long celebration with the diet starting in the new year. Any type of extra weight can contribute to back discomfort and pain. A body that is overweight can begin to overwork the spine, as it tries to adjust to bear the extra weight. This can contribute to injury and back pain. When the body is overweight, the potential for a back injury increases and can be more difficult to recover from, which can result in chronic back pain. Too much weight can exacerbate and/or lead to symptoms of:
Degenerative disc disease
Compression fracture
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Losing the weight
However, most individuals struggle to lose the holiday weight. Research has found that around 10% of individuals are unable to lose the holiday weight until the following fall. Another 11% say that they never lose the weight gained. Year after year the holiday weight gain adds up.
To stay healthy and protect the spine, here are some recommendation to fight the holiday weight gain:
Physical Activity
Physical activity is the best way to lose or maintain a healthy weight. Walking is a quick and perfect way to get in some quick exercise. With all the shopping, wrapping, and unwrapping, it can be challenging to find time to exercise. It does not have to be a full workout. Just a quick walk around the block is a perfect option. Don’t get frustrated up over not being able to exercise regularly. A 10-20 minute walk is better than no physical activity at all.
Enjoy in moderation
Don’t try to avoid all the food during the holidays, instead develop an action plan. The objective is to eat and drink in moderation. An example could be before eating, eat a healthy snack so there is no temptation to fill up on sweets, pastries, etc. Also at the dinner, pass on the gravy and share the dessert.
Lose weight effectively
Keeping the holiday weight off can be done with a few adjustments keeping the spine and whole-body healthy.One way is to think about keeping the spine healthy as a gift to yourself. Contact our chiropractic and health coaching team for spinal adjustments, exercises, stretches, and diet.
Weight Loss Chiropractic Treatment
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Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Diaz-Zavala RG, Castro-Cantu MF, Valencia ME, et al. Effect of the holiday season on weight gain: A narrative review.�Obesity. 2017; article ID 2085136. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobe/2017/2085136/ Accessed November 28, 2017.
Sciatica or Aneurysm? Knowing how a missed diagnosis could be potentially fatal if not diagnosed accurately could be a deadly mistake! Doctors must not fall for a sciatica diagnosis when a possibly fatal iliac artery aneurysm lies looming and progressing.
Sciatica or Aneurysm
An example is a patient who visited an emergency clinic after a few weeks for a non-painful pulsing mass on the buttock. There was no:
Trauma
Injury
Back pain
Leg pain
Prior presentations of pain or sciatica issues
A physical examination found a small pulsing mass on the right buttock. Palpation around the site found no issues with the sensory and motor nerves.
An ultrasound scan of the affected area revealed a developing aneurysm. This was followed by a CT scan of the abdomen along with the pelvis using a contrast dye found the aneurysm developing from the left internal iliac artery. If the mass was not present a doctor could easily diagnose sciatica or persistent sciatic artery. If the iliac artery presents with pulsating lesions is a tip-off that a vascular issue could be impinging on the sciatic nerve. Vascular surgery was discussed with the patient. Surgery was necessary, and the patient underwent sciatic aneurysm repair. The patient was discharged without any complications.
Persistent Sciatic Artery
This is a very rare congenital vascular condition. The sciatic artery runs along the sciatic nerve and functions as the major blood supply to the lower extremities. During human embryo development, the femoral artery begins to form while the sciatic arteries start to return to a less developed state. The process continues until the femoral artery takes over as the major blood supply, with only bits of the sciatic artery left.
Persistent sciatic artery can happen either from the sciatic artery not returning to its original size or during normal development the femoral artery developing properly. Most cases of persistent sciatic artery go unknown and are usually detected from another examination for another ailment. Aneurysms often develop based on the arteries/vessel’s tendency for minor trauma/injury when sitting or some form of pressure is applied on the site. Complications include:
Vascular Conditions In The Leg/s That Can Present As Sciatica
The legs’ blood vessels can get infected, bulged, ruptured, or blocked. This can cause sciatica symptoms, like leg pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness. Severe cases could require medical emergency surgery to save the affected limb.
Acute Limb Ischemia
This condition occurs from a decrease or loss of blood supply to the legs. If there is leg pain, it could feel similar to sciatica pain. However, symptoms can progress rapidly and become severe. That’s when it is not sciatica. Acute limb ischemia present one or more of the following symptoms:
Pain and/or numbness in the leg while walking and when resting
Severe pain at night
Sleep problems
Pain relief when sitting on a chair with the feet hanging down
Feet and ankles become swollen
A pale color and lowered skin temperature over the toes and feet when compared to the legs
Acute limb ischemia can develop from an aneurysm, blood clot, or from the thickening of the vessel walls. Treatment should be prompt in order to preserve leg function. Differentiation diagnosis between vascular and other causes like spinal problems that can cause leg pain. A doctor may perform an Ankle/Brachial Index which is a comparison of blood flow in the arms versus the legs. This can be critical in determining if there is vascular insufficiency.
Acute Compartment Syndrome
This places increased pressure in the muscle tissues of the leg. It can lead to loss of blood supply in and around the affected area. The sciatic nerve can also get compressed from the increased pressure in the buttock, thigh, or leg. The condition can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the buttock, thigh, and leg. Individuals have also reported an unusual/altered sensation in the web of the great toe. This is similar to sciatica, as well as one or both legs can be affected. Differentiating symptoms include:
Leg becomes swollen
Pain and tenderness present when touching the leg
A pale color and lowered skin temperature over the leg
Acute compartment syndrome is a serious condition that is considered a medical emergency. It is possible for the condition to cause complete dysfunction of the limb if not addressed in time. There are risk factors that increase the chances of developing limb ischemia or compartment syndrome. These are:
Diabetes
Heart conditions
High cholesterol
Smoking
History of having the condition can also cause a recurrence. This can be from an injury or poor health.
Kidney stones, renal failure, or cysts in the kidney can also cause back and leg pain. Other symptoms can include blood in the urine or difficulty urinating. Any sign of distressing symptoms that present with sciatica can indicate the need for medical attention. This is to check for the possibility of a serious underlying condition or medical emergency. Medical emergencies that are treated in time can help preserve the tissue/s, restore function, and save an individual�s life.
It is essential for a chiropractor or physical therapist to be familiar with diagnosing in a way that will help identify sciatica or aneurysm in individuals presenting with musculoskeletal issues/problems. Knowledge of these risk factors, understanding how to screen for non-musculoskeletal symptoms, basic competence in palpation, and how to interpret findings will help discover sciatica or aneurysm if it is there and begin timely treatment. And if it is not there then a sciatica treatment plan can be developed before it worsens.
Sciatic Nerve Pain
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Javdanfar A, Celentano C. Sciatic artery aneurysm. West J Emerg Med. 2010;11(5):516-517.
A doctor could recommend alternative treatments, as part of aplan for neck pain like acupuncture, herbal compounds, and yoga. You may want to try them out yourself. Many have reported that these have really helped. Please consult a doctor before trying any alternative therapies. These are safe but should be set-up by a professional to make sure they are done safely. For example, there could be negative interactions between herbs, supplements, and other medications being used.
Acupuncture
This is an eastern approach to healing. Acupuncture focuses on the body’s energy force known as Qi or Chi. When the energy is blocked from flowing this is when physical illnesses develop. Acupuncture restores the healthy energy flow. It isn’t better or worse it is just different.
Herbal Medicine
There are herbal compounds that have proven to be useful for neck pain.
Capsaicin Cream
Capsaicin is a chili pepper extract and can help relieve neck pain. It temporarily reduces pain. Capsaicin cream can help with osteoarthritis and muscle pain, which both cause neck pain.
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claw comes from southern Africa, where it has been used for centuries to treat fever, arthritis, and gastrointestinal problems. It is used for conditions that cause inflammation and pain, like cervical osteoarthritis.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark is how aspirin in Europe was developed. Synthetic versions like aspirin can irritate the stomach, which is why the natural white willow bark is used instead. It helps with conditions that cause pain and inflammation like osteoarthritis.
Massage
Neck pain can be caused by stress, overuse, and misuse. Misuse means like sitting hunched over a computer for too long every day will take its toll. Massage helps to release tension, relieve muscle inflammation, and pain. Regular massages could help as a preventative measure.
Yoga/Pilates
Yoga and Pilates can increase core strength, improve balance, posture, and reduce stress. These can all help deal with neck pain/ prevent neck pain when done correctly and safely. Neck pain relief can be found with these treatments. Treatments that focus on relieving tension or stress can prove especially helpful if the pain is related to tight muscles and the physical effects of stress.
These alternative treatments could work at their optimal in combination with other therapies. This is to fully address the underlying spinal condition/root cause, along with any other neck-related symptoms.
In the United States, ankle�injury/s like�ankle sprains and strains�happen to�people every day.�Around 50 percent of ankle injuries are�misdiagnosed, and not treated correctly, which can lead to disability or chronic ankle pain. An ankle that is not functioning properly affects the whole body. The muscles on either side of the leg and underneath the foot can present with soreness and pain.
This can lead to:
Loss of mobility
Uneven walking gait
Hip pain
Back pain
Ankle Anatomy
Three bones are connected to the ankle joint. The lower ends of the shinbone and the lower leg small bone meet to form a socket that the ankle bone sits in. The bottom of the talus rests on the heel bone.
There is around an inch-thick lining of soft cartilage inside the joint. This provides shock absorption for the body’s weight. It is so tough and durable provided there is no injury, it lasts for life. The bones are held together with ligaments and the muscles are attached to the bones by the tendons.
The standard treatment for ankle pain is R.I.C.E., which means rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Depending on the injury type there is an updated treatment approach that replaces the R with an M, where instead of resting, movement is the more beneficial treatment. This is done to keep the muscles, tendons, and ligaments from swelling, whereas resting would have allowed swelling to set in, thus extending recovery time.
There are certain types of ankle injuries that can be exacerbated by movement so only when it is deemed appropriate, otherwise stick with the rest. Other types of treatment include different techniques of pain control from ibuprofen to prescription meds.
When it comes to severe injuries, like a torn ligament, these could require surgical treatment. X-rays and MRIs are utilized to see if there is an injury and to determine the extent of the injury.
Physical Therapy/Chiropractic
A chiropractor will assess the individual’s source of pain and determine the cause. They will use all the tools available. This includes x-rays, MRI, CT scans, and other diagnostic tools to help them determine the best treatment protocol.
When an ankle injury is new and inflammation has set in along with tenderness, treatment can include:
This is in addition to rest, ice, compression and elevation. As the ankle heals, the inflammation reduces and becomes more stable, ankle adjustments and foot adjustments could be introduced.
Chiropractic can reduce pain without prescription medication and any associated side effects. This is one of the reasons individuals gravitate towards chiropractic. Regular chiropractic can strengthen the ankle, increase its stability and increase mobility and flexibility.
Nerves and soft tissues can also become damaged. Chiropractic therapy promotes blood flow. This speeds the healing process and reduces the chance of further injury. The whole-body approach that chiropractic embraces also deals with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle like losing weight and exercise. Chiropractic is a very effective therapy for treating ankle pain and injury/s. It is a non-invasive, natural approach to healing that allows and trains the body to heal itself.
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