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Neck Pain Prevention Tips El Paso, Texas

Neck Pain Prevention Tips El Paso, Texas

Neck pain prevention can go a long way as long as you take proper care of your body, exercise, and practice healthy habits. Here are a few tips to help prevent neck pain before it begins. Neck mobility is a marvelous thing. The neck can move the head in various directions:

  • 90� of flexion forward motion
  • 90� of extension backward motion
  • 180� of rotation side to side
  • Almost 120� of tilt to each shoulder

 

chiropractor works on woman's neck

 

A lot of us are very familiar with a stiff neck or a crick in the neck. This stiffness prevents us from moving comfortably. A crick in the neck can cause the neck part of the spine to feel stiff, rigid and immobile. Fortunately, prevention and various treatments can help.

Prevention:

  • Standing and sitting properly maintains proper posture and keeps muscles working/healthy. If you begin to hunch over, correct it immediately as it can quickly lead to pain in the neck. Pay attention to how you stand and sit and the more you do this it will become a healthy habit.
  • Do neck and body exercises regularly and try for a 30-minute cardio workout 3-5 times week.
  • Staying within a healthy weight-range will keep your spine in top form as it carries the weight of your body, and not overstrain it, which can lead to all kinds of pain.
  • With healthy weight comes a healthy meal plan, not just for proper weight but to strengthen muscles, bones, enriching the blood and getting to optimal health.
  • Smoking can affect the bones and muscles in your cervical/neck area of the spine, as well as all the other areas of the body. Therefore it is time to quit.
  • Sleep with correct head and neck posture. Sleeping with your head in an awkward position is an easy set-up for a strain and pain.
  • Stress and tension reduction.Tense muscles in the neck and shoulder often lead to pain in the neck. A few effective ways to reduce stress can be writing, talking to friends, exercising, walking, listening/playing music, art/crafts, cooking, reading,� and turn to these when the stress begins to build.
  • Driving safely and wearing seat belts can help prevent whiplash.
  • Using the proper equipment to protect your neck while participating in sports that can lead to neck injuries like football, skateboarding, wrestling, soccer is a must.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Neck Pain Prevention Tips El Paso, Texas

 

Taking care of your body is a complex process. Lifestyle changes pave the way to wellness and making these changes will benefit more than just the neck.

Don’t worry about the list and try to check everything off. Look at the things that apply to you and try to implement a few of these tips one at a time. Keep the bigger changes like quitting smoking/losing weight in the foreseeable future. It takes time, patience and commitment. With a little hard work, it will pay off, and you should have a healthier life with less neck pain episodes and remember prevention is key.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Neck Pain Prevention Tips El Paso, Texas

Massage

This is a popular therapy that relieves:

  • Aches
  • Fluid retention
  • Inflammation
  • Muscle tension
  • Pain
  • Spasms
  • Stiffness

Other benefits include improved blood and lymph circulation, flexibility, range of motion, and increased tissue elasticity. While increasing circulation the muscles are warmed along with other soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.

 

Swedish

It is one of the most popular massage types in the US. Usually, therapeutic muscle lotion or oil is used to reduce friction and relax the area/muscles as the therapist performs light stroking in one direction with deep pressure in another to relax and loosen the muscles and surrounding ligaments/tissues.

This takes the blood flow and flushes lactic acid, uric acid, and other waste products from the muscles. The ligaments and tendons get stretched, which increases their soft but firm/strong feel. The nerves are stimulated and relaxed, with any stress in the muscles taken away. Relaxing the muscles is the overall goal.

 

Deep Tissue

This technique aims at chronic muscle tension. The strokes are slower, using more intense direct pressure to release the built-up stress, knots, and tightness. Depending on how deep the muscle and tissue stress maybe, the therapist will adjust their hand positions, strokes, and intensity periodically to work the tissues releasing tension.

 

Relaxing the Muscles

The therapist using their hands or tools to rhythmically knead, rub, and stroke muscles, circulation begins muscle stimulation. This blood flow brings needed oxygen and nutrients and helps the muscles eliminate waste products, like lactic acid, that can collect in the muscles brought on by spasms, which cause pain.


 

El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment


 

NCBI Resources

Individuals with chronic neck pain that don�t seem to have a cause, could be trigger points. A doctor will refer you to a�physical therapist, chiropractor or another spine specialist�to conduct an examination for trigger points.

 

How Topical Medications Alleviate Back/Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

How Topical Medications Alleviate Back/Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

There are different types of topical medications, different ways of delivery and are available for patients with back and neck pain. A physician may combine one or more types of medication for maximum relief or as a way of�limiting the side effects of larger doses of only one medication. Strong dose compounds and controlled drugs are�onlyavailable with a doctor’s prescription.

Medicines that help control/reduce pain include:

  • Narcotics
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Antidepressants
  • Anti-anxiety medications
  • Topical anesthetics

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 How Topical Medications Alleviate Back/Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

 

Medicines with a low potency and low risk of side effects are available at stores and local pharmacies over-the-counter. But remember medications sold over the counter without a prescription doesn’t mean they are safe to use as much as possible. Please read the label and follow the instructions. Taking higher doses, even acetaminophen e.g. Tylenol can cause liver damage. Discussing these medications with a doctor or pharmacist before purchase would be wise. Your physician should know if you plan to continue using over-the-counter medications.

Medicines with a low potency and low risk of side effects are available at stores and local pharmacies over-the-counter. But remember medications sold over the counter without a prescription doesn’t mean they are safe to use as much as possible. Please read the label and follow the instructions. Taking higher doses, even acetaminophen e.g. Tylenol can cause liver damage. Discussing these medications with a doctor or pharmacist before purchase would be wise. Your physician should know if you plan to continue using over-the-counter medications.

Inform your physician about all the products you take including herbal remedies to decrease the risk of side effects or potential severe drug interactions. When acute pain is present, injections either intravenous or intramuscular injected into the muscles are used. For chronic pain, medications are used and are typically in pill form. Both methods have limitations and different�deliveryapproaches may be considered. This includes inhalation or topical on top of the skin applications.

Topical Pain Alleviators

These type of medications come prepared and are applied to the skin via:

Topical medications aim to reduce inflammation and soothe nerve and muscle pain. Some are available with a doctor’s prescription and others are over-the-counter. Medication administered�through the skin is becoming more popular.

Skin Cells

The skin is the largest organ of the body. It serves as�water barrier protection, it regulates body temperature, controls fluid loss, and is important to homeostasis/healthy internal balance.

It is made up of many layers and is supported by a complex blood supply. The blood vessels are in a framework of connective tissue including fat and fascia that holds the tissues together. Below that layer is the bone and muscle. There are also nerve endings that relay touch, temperature, and pain signals from the skin to the spinal cord, to the brain.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 How Topical Medications Alleviate Back/Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

 

Compoundshave been developed to safely carry the various medicines through the skin into the blood. These compound enhancers are able to penetrate the skin by opening normally closed channels for a quick time to help the skin absorb the medication/s and then close back up.

Spine Pain

Spine physicians and pain specialists often first recommend topical pain-relievers to help relieve the symptoms of back and neck pain/conditions.

Topical medicines may be used to treat the pain associated with:

  • Neck strain
  • Low back strain
  • Whiplash
  • Muscle inflammation
  • Spasms
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Certain types of nerve pain

Topical Advantages

  • Bases like creams, ointments, gels, and sprays make application easy.
  • Symptom relief is faster than oral medicines.
  • Symptoms reduce at a steady rate.
  • Relief can last longer.
  • Not as much medicine is needed when applied in topical form.

As the medication is diffused through the skin and enters the bloodstream, it bypasses the digestive system reducing any unwanted�side effects, like an irritated stomach.

 

Topical Disadvantages

  • Blood flows in different ways to different parts of the body. Education about the product is essential to know where to apply the product like the arm or abdomen and how often.
  • Blood flow to certain parts of the body can change over time. For example, when it’s cold the blood vessels in the skin contract which decreases the absorption of the medicine, while sweating can open the pores too much and allow too much medication to be absorbed too quickly or wash it away completely.
  • The skin could present a negative reaction. Therefore patients need to know what to do if an allergic or other reaction takes place.
  • The skin nerves are different from the spinal nerves, so certain types of neck/back pain may not respond well to topical treatment.
  • Spinal conditions/disorders deep in the body will not respond well to topical therapy.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Sciatica in Cold Weather Can Worsen Symptoms El Paso, TX.

Is it right

Are topical pain-alleviating medications the right for you? The best person to ask is your doctor or healthcare provider. Upon a final diagnosis and medical history, your doctor should offer various treatments/therapies for pain management.

 

Conclusion

Patches and creams can be used to deliver a wide variety of medications. These topicals are becoming popular because of their convenience and, reduction of negative side-effects.

  • For individuals with muscle or tendon inflammation, applying a topical to the affected area limits the amount of medication going to other areas of the body that do not need it.
  • For those that have stomach problems and find it difficult to digest anti-inflammatories, these topicals could be all they need to stay active.
  • Individuals with chronic neck or back pain should discuss these medications with their pain specialist, physician or chiropractor to see if one of these topicals might work for them.

 

El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment

 


 

NCBI Resources

Everyone needs to take care of their back/spine because it is what holds us up as long as we keep it straight and strong.�Strengthening the core�can help prevent�a weak and misaligned spine from getting worse�and helps to eliminate pain.

Back safety should be priority one, as it affects all aspects of your life. Not only are you protecting your back, but are preventing future injury. We all need to pay attention to proper body positioning and�body mechanics, as it will pay off in the long run.

 

Passive/Active Physical Therapy for Whiplash El Paso, TX.

Passive/Active Physical Therapy for Whiplash El Paso, TX.

Physical therapy involves both passive and active treatments and�is an effective treatment for whiplash, especially combined with other treatments, like bracing and chiropractic. Whiplash causes the soft tissues in your neck to get damaged. A physical therapist can work with you to restore proper function and movement of those tissues.

 

Diagram showing the process of whiplash resulting from an automobile accident.

Passive treatments help to relax tension in the muscle tissues brought on during the accident in the neck and body. It is considered a passive treatment because the patient does not actively participate. Fresh from the injury acute pain sets in, therefore passive treatment is usually the first type of therapy used as your body begins to heal and adjusts to the symptoms.

The primary goal of physical therapy is to get the patient actively participating in active treatment until they can do the exercises on their own. The therapeutic exercises that physical therapists teach to a patient are for strengthening your entire body to ensure that your spine is optimally supported.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Passive/Active Physical Therapy for Whiplash El Paso, TX.

 

Passive Treatment

Deep Tissue Massage

This technique focuses on tight muscle tension that develops from the injury. Direct pressure is applied and massaged to release the tension in the soft tissues like the:

  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Muscles

This will help these tissues heal quicker and keep them loose.

Hot/Cold Therapy

Heat therapy is used by physical therapists to circulate more blood to the injured area. Increased blood flow allows more oxygen, and nutrients to the area. Blood also removes the waste products created by muscle spasms.

Cold therapy slows the blood’s circulation, which helps to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Physical therapists alternate between hot and cold therapy depending on the patient’s condition.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Passive/Active Physical Therapy for Whiplash El Paso, TX.

 

Whether in a car accident or other type of trauma hot and cold therapy can be used at home. Ice should be used first to bring down the inflammation. After 24 to 48 hours, switch between ice and heat. The heat helps relax tense muscles and increases blood circulation to the injured area. Never put ice or heat directly on the skin, wrap in a towel then apply.

 

Ultrasound

Ultrasound helps reduce muscle:

  • Cramping
  • Pain
  • Spasms
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling

Sound waves are sent deep into the muscle tissues and create a gentle heat that circulates the blood that optimizes the healing process.

Active Treatment

When the active part of the therapy begins, the therapist will teach/train you a variety of exercises to work on strength and range of motion or how the joints move with ease or not. Each physical therapy program is customized to each patient’s condition, health, and medical history.

Some exercises might not be appropriate for someone else with a whiplash injury as they could worsen their symptoms and exacerbate the injury. Learning how to correct your posture and utilizing ergonomics into your regular daily activities is part of the therapy program. Once recovered this posture work will continue to help because of the training/exercising you can prevent other forms of neck pain that develop from regular life.

Physical therapy for whiplash patients helps reduce muscle spasms, increase blood circulation, and promote healing of the neck tissues.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Passive/Active Physical Therapy for Whiplash El Paso, TX.

Spinal Bracing Another Treatment Option

Whiplash is very treatable, another option is using a cervical brace or cervical collar. The brace provides support to the neck while the soft tissues heal. The soft tissue’s job is to support your neck, but when they’re injured, they can’t do their job. That’s where the brace comes in.

Cervical devices limit the neck’s movement and support your head, which takes the weight off the neck.

This allows the muscles to rest while they heal. Your doctor will inform you of how long you need to wear the brace. Generally, it is worn for two to three weeks. The doctor will explain how to wear the collar, which means how long to weary it each day, caring for the collar, handling daily activities like showering, sitting, sleeping, etc. Symptoms usually subside in two to three weeks. However, if there is still pain, soreness, or other symptoms, you may have to try other treatments.


 

Whiplash Massage Therapy El Paso, TX Chiropractor

 


 

�NCBI Resources

After a car accident, you may notice neck pain.�It could be a�slight soreness that you think is nothing but take care more than likely you have whiplash.�And that�little soreness can turn into a lifetime of chronic neck pain�if only treated with pain meds and not�treated at the source.

 

Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine for Back/Neck Pain

Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine for Back/Neck Pain

More and more individuals are looking to add or try out complementary, alternative or integrative treatments for their back and neck pain. To help understand the differences as well as the similarities between the terms, try to remember:

  1. If an alternative clinic which means not mainstream is combined with a conventional clinic this is mainstream medicine, then it is known as complementary or integrative health care.
  2. If it is used instead of or replaces conventional medical care, it is known as alternative health care.
  3. These terms complementary, alternative and integrative tend to get used interchangeably.
  4. The acronym C.A.M is sometimes used, which means Complementary Alternative Medicine.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine for Back/Neck Pain

 

Choosing the right practitioner for your spine problem whether osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, or whiplash is just as important as choosing a medical physician or chiropractor.

You want to find an alternative or complementary/ integrative professional who is

  • Highly trained
  • Licensed
  • Experienced in treating your particular condition
  • Makes you feel comfortable
  • Takes time to answer all your questions

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 First Time Patients Want to Know About Chiropractic Benefits

Finding a Complementary Alternative Specialist

A good place to start is to ask your primary care physician, chiropractor for a referral. Others include:

Credentialing, licensing and certifying are terms you will find when learning about a particular complementary alternative medicine clinic or practitioner. Credentials can include the practitioner�s education, where and what they are allowed to practice. Certification in a particular field of practice like acupuncture, for example, is typically needed before the state issues a license and allows the professional to begin treating patients.

You can check your state�s mandatory licensure process for the type of complementary, alternative or integrative practitioner or clinic you are looking into. Most states require the practitioner to register their education, graduation, training, and continuing education credits. Your state agency can provide this information explaining what services the practitioner is allowed to provide such as the ability to provide dietary supplements.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Complementary/Alternative/Integrative Medicine for Back/Neck Pain

Review the education and qualifications of all potential practitioners

Questions to think about when doing your research.

  • Practitioner’s education?
  • Did they graduate from a certified program/school?
  • Did they complete advanced training?
  • Are they a member of professional societies or organizations?
  • Do they regularly continue their training with up to date and advanced education?
  • How long have they been practicing?
  • Are the treatments covered by insurance?
  • Are they ready to work with your insurance provider?
  • What’s the cost of treatment if not covered by insurance?

Your Appointment Plan

Treatment or therapy that the complementary, alternative or integrative practitioner/clinic provides is considered non-medical.

These practitioners need your medical history, that includes over-the-counter and prescription medications, allergies, prior treatment like surgery/spinal injections along with vitamins/supplements you take. Additional information that could be needed is the contact information of your primary care physician or the doctor who referred you. Keep your primary physician/chiropractor informed about all treatments or therapies you will be receiving.


 

El Paso, TX Neck Pain Chiropractic Treatment


NCBI Resources

The spine is the primary support for the body. When it breaks down, the body suffers.�Regular chiropractic treatment ensures that the spinal column remains in proper alignment which, in turn, keeps the body in proper alignment. It helps with joint health as well as the health of the related muscles and ligaments.

 

Phone Related Neck and Head Injuries El Paso, Texas

Phone Related Neck and Head Injuries El Paso, Texas

Head and neck injuries related to phone use are on the rise. Since the first iPhone was released, according to a study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Doctors are warning cell phone users to be especially careful when:

  • Walking around and texting

It is a distraction and one of the leading causes of head and neck injuries.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Phone-Related Neck and Head Injuries El Paso, TX.

 

2,501 reported cases of phone-related head and neck injuries that lead to emergency room visits between January 1998 and December 2017 found in a nationwide database. Injuries in teens and young adults aged 13 to 29 years old were about 40%, in women (55%) and men (45%).

 

Common Phone Injuries

Common injuries include:

  • Cuts
  • Bruises
  • Abrasions
  • Internal injuries usually happen around the eyes and nose
  • Possible trauma to the brain

Over 41% of these injuries happened at home and were minor with little or no treatment needed. Around 50% of injuries were a result of distracted driving and 30% from distracted walking.

 

 

Any type of phone distraction in and out of the home puts you and others at risk for:

  • Falls
  • Slips
  • Trips

All of which can lead to injuries and other possible consequences (e.g. a busted phone).

More individuals are getting injured because of phone use while moving around and not paying attention to what’s around them.

Children

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Phone-Related Neck and Head Injuries El Paso, TX.

 

Children under the age of 13 were at higher risk to suffer a mechanical injury like parents accidentally dropping the phone on their child or children hitting themselves in the face. For example, ninety cases of injuries occurred while playing Pokemon Go.

Spending as little as two to four hours a day hunched over a smartphone is enough to make a serious impact on the body over time. And though two to four hours may not seem like a long time, it isn�t hard to arrive at two hours by adding several 15-minute or half-hour segments together.

For teenagers, specifically, two to four hours on a smartphone has changed as of now teenagers spend around seven to eight hours on their phones. Spending twice as much time on afternoons or the space between classes or lunch. Think about the impact of 1500 plus hours of bad posture throughout the year. There is no surprise that teenagers are at risk.

The lasting impact of text neck and distracted phone use on today�s young people will be costly. Therefore, the public needs to be educated about the risks of distracted phone use and reducing this distracted behavior.


 

*Neck* Pain Chiropractic Care El Paso, Texas

 


 

NCBI Resources

If you begin noticing pain, spasms, or irritation around the neck, shoulders, or back make an appointment with a professional chiropractor. Explain when the pain occurred, the severity, and the activity that started it. A simple adjustment may be all that is needed to get re-aligned and gain relief from pain caused by overuse. A chiropractor can also help decrease the chances of the injury worsening over time.

 

Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Back pain during the holidays takes the joy out of everything.�All the�activities, events, and shopping can worsen spinal injuries or cause new ones.And trying to power through the pain makes family traditions like tree-trimming, cooking, baking into a very cautionary experience.�When selecting a gift for friends or loved ones with back or neck pain they would appreciate something designed to help them feel better.

Although the massage devices and foam roller sets don�t work miracles they can ease the stress and discomfort that comes with living with pain.

There is a wealth of products that:

  • Support the back
  • Relieve muscle tension
  • Improve sleep quality

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

 

Affordable Back/Neck Gifts

  • Epsom salts –�A warm Epsom bath reduces muscle soreness, eases stress and soothes the skin. The salts’ magnesium helps the body reduce inflammation along with improving muscle and nerve function. The sulfates help the body absorb nutrients and flush body toxins.

Along with the health benefits, a bath is a nice way to relax after a long day. Gift sets contain a bag of salts, bath bombs, bubble bath, and other goodies.

  • Back massage pads – A good massage can relieve aches and pains. Massage pads knead the muscles while you�re watching TV, riding in a car, or resting.

Massagers have various settings that focus on various areas of the back and thighs with vibration and heat. Each massager is different and they have all kinds of modes. You might have to do a little research but the great thing is that they fit in a car/truck seat, office chair, or reclining chair.

  • Lumbar (Low Back) cushions – These pillows make sitting in a car,� truck or office chair, a whole lot more comfortable with low back support.

Travel cushions are made to take with you on road trips, work commutes, and are heavy-duty to help prevent slouching and ease low back pain caused by long sitting times.

  • Foam Rollers – Rollers are great for working out muscle soreness and stiffness. There are a variety of styles that combine foam roller benefits with massage ball portability, as well as, kits that have specialized rollers in different sizes, and shapes for different parts of the body.

Roll out the hips, upper back, calves, feet, and other parts at the house or on the road.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Gifts For Back and Neck Pain El Paso, Texas

Indulgent Gifts

  • Massage as a gift – Massages help ease muscle tension, relieve aches and pains, and promote relaxation.

Gift a massage from a local chiropractor or physical therapist.

Look for licensed therapists that are specially trained in treating people with spine or neck pain.

  • Ergonomic chair – These chairs are made to support proper posture and reduce stress from long periods of sitting.

Consider a quality office chair. A good chair will have multiple adjustments so you can adjust the armrests, headrest, seat height, and depth. Ergonomic chairs provide more support than a standard office chair.

  • An infrared heat lamp – Heat is a solution that increases blood circulation and reduces muscle stiffness.

Heat lamps offer deep penetration that can be used at home for the larger areas of the body like the chest and back. A study found a group of patients that reported their pain levels decreased after six weeks of use.

  • Yoga classes – for the fitness people in your life gift a yoga class package.

The American College of Physicians Clinical guidelines recommends yoga as a first step in treating low back pain. As with any exercise program, they need to talk to their doctor before beginning yoga. Yoga Alliance and The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) are good places to find top qualified instructors.

The gift of relaxation, back support, and especially stress relief of family and friends will give you that fuzzy feeling all over, knowing that you’re helping someone out in a very real way!

We personally welcome all present and future patients to�Functional Medicine�and its modern�Functional Medicine Living Matrix�treatment approaches.


 

Chiropractic Care Massage Therapy El Paso, TX

 


 

NCBI Resources

Individuals who sit most of the day, like those working in a computer while sitting in an office chair, are also at high risk for non-accidental spine injury. Office ergonomics, or computer ergonomics, can help minimize the risk such as the dangers associated with prolonged sitting in an office chair, and carpal tunnel syndromes, such as lower back pain, neck strain, and leg pain.

 

Myofascial Trigger Points and Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

Myofascial Trigger Points and Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

A trigger point is a knot or bundle of stiff spine muscle tissue that you can’t move or relax, and when touched pain spreads to the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

Pretty much everyone can relate to this type of pain in the neck or what is known as myofascial pain syndrome when several of these trigger points are grouped.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Myofascial Trigger Points and Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

How to ease the pain and prevent it

Trigger points can form in muscles all over the body. Myofascial pain syndrome in the neck happens when trigger points develop in the muscles of the shoulders, upper back, and neck.

 

A Trigger Point

Trigger points have a unique connection to America. They were first identified in the 1940s by Janet Travell, MD, who was John F. Kennedy’s doctor. JFK had severe chronic back pain and had trigger point injections to ease the pain.

A trigger point is a sensitive area within the muscles. They are typically described as knots and feel like a bundle of tense, contracted muscles that twitch and spread pain when touched. The spreading pain is known as referred pain. Example: Trigger points in the shoulder send pain into the neck.

Trigger points cause muscles to stress and to contract. This results in:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Numbness
  • Limited muscle movement

Formation of Points in The Neck

They are usually caused by mechanical factors (factors that strain or stress the muscles).� Spinal trauma, like whiplash from an automobile accident or sports-related injury, can create trigger points.

They also develop through repetitive actions and routine everyday chores that can hurt the spine over time.

Straining the neck muscles from poor posture for extended times like craning the neck while working on a computer, carrying a heavy bag that stresses the muscles of the neck, upper back, and shoulders.

 

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 126 Myofascial Trigger Points and Neck Pain El Paso, TX.

Trigger Points vs Fibromyalgia Tender Points

Trigger points do get confused with tender points of fibromyalgia. Trigger points and tender points are both defined as local areas of pain but are not the same.

  • Tender points do not cause referred pain the way trigger points do.
  • Tender points are symmetrical meaning that they are on both sides of the body. Whereas trigger points do not follow a symmetrical pattern.

But it can become complicated because individuals with fibromyalgia can have both tender points and trigger points. People with fibromyalgia can also have myofascial pain syndrome.

Trigger Point Diagnosis

Trigger points are a regular cause of different types of spine pain, that can range from neck pain to low back pain. However, doctors are still trying to understand how trigger points produce referred pain. This is why diagnosing trigger points can be difficult for doctors.

They are complex because they are easy to pinpoint but difficult to diagnose. As they can directly cause muscle pain but they can mimic other pain making conditions exactly the way Myofascial pain and fibromyalgia get confused.

  • Jaw pain
  • Earaches
  • Toothaches

These types of pain that do not go away could be caused by trigger point/s in the neck.

Individuals with chronic neck pain that don’t seem to have a cause, could be trigger points. A doctor will refer you to a physical therapist, chiropractor or another spine specialist to conduct an examination for trigger points.

 

Treatment

Treatment can range from home remedies, chiropractic care, physical therapy and if severe muscle injections. There is no one treatment that works, as everyone and their injuries are different, meaning that various treatment options need to be looked into.

 

Home

Before starting any home therapy, discuss it with a trained professional like a doctor, chiropractor, massage therapist, or physical therapist to identify the location of the trigger point to effectively treat it.

Treated with massaging the area but can be tough with hard-to-reach places in the upper back. If unable to reach the point slowly and gently roll over a foam roller, golf or tennis ball for quick relief.

Massage

Massage therapists are trained in relieving muscle pain. Deep tissue massage can relieve an irritated area. Regular massage sessions can reduce pain and prevent the points from reemerging.

 

Physical therapy

Physical therapy treats trigger points in different ways, this includes:

  • Massage
  • Heat
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • A cooling spray is applied followed with stretches to relax and relieve the contracted muscle/s 

Medications

Muscle relaxants can be used to reduce the symptoms and relieve pain. However, these meds can have all kinds of side effects, and become habit-forming, so use should be limited and in conjunction with a proper chiropractic/physical therapy treatment plan.

 

Injections

If the pain continues despite the non-surgical treatments or worsens, then your doctor could recommend trigger point injections. Injections are late-stage therapy. Doctors want to avoid patients becoming dependant on injections and will prescribe injections with an exercise, chiropractic/physical therapy program for maximum relief and effectiveness.

 

Overall Health

The majority of people have felt tight muscles around the neck. Utilizing proper posture and healthy spinal mechanics can prevent trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome.

Our services are specialized and focused on injuries and the complete recovery process.�Our areas of practice includeWellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain,�Personal Injury,�Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low�Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries,�Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs,�Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, and Functional Medicine Treatments.


 

�Neck Pain and Chiropractic Treatment El Paso, Texas

 


 

NCIB Resources

Many people who have trigger points or myofascial pain syndrome in their spine have knots and tightness throughout their back and neck. To prevent myofascial pain syndrome one needs to practice a healthy lifestyle that promotes good spine health. Stretching and exercising regularly can help keep stress under control and prevent tension from building up, which makes it harder for trigger points to activate and cause pain.

 

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