Musculoskeletal health is one of the highest costs in healthcare today.
There are 1 in 2 Americans that have a musculoskeletal condition. And the need for support along with body alignment is at an all-time high.
In today’s world surveys found that Americans wear two to three pairs of shoes during the week.
However, these shoes are not made to support:
The body
Fit the feet
And can be dangerous to general musculoskeletal health
Health and freedom from pain are important factors in a healthy quality of life. But it starts with proper support for the body that begins from the ground up.
Many believe that to get proper support all you need is to buy top shoes that are optimized with athletic properties. While athletic shoes are definitely more comfortable they do not provide adequate support for the body and can affect posture and the body’s alignment.
The shoes out on the market today, whether athletic or dress are more about fashion than function. These shoes are designed based on sample sizes. Shoe companies use for men a size ten and for women a size eight for their sample. Then material is�added or subtracted to create the larger or smaller sizes.
The resultant shoes are designed to fit and provide optimum performance but are not customized to conform to each individual’s unique feet.�
Shoes are designed to protect feet from the elements and adapt to various activities.
They are not designed to handle the additional forces necessary to support the body.
Take a look at the extensive wear patterns on your shoes and see if there are imbalances in the feet. If there are areas that are really worn/flattened out then there can be severe pronation taking place. This is one serious reason to look into foot orthotics,
Not to worry, as excessive foot pronation affects everyone.
While at school, work or conducting daily chores is when individuals pronate and while wearing shoes with no arch/spine support.
Pronation in the feet combined with shoes that don’t fit with no support has a negative impact on posture and alignment.
With no sufficient support, the body reverts to the imbalanced state. With continued use and not addressed will cause pain in the:
Knees
Hips
Back
Neck
And unfortunately, most of us ignore and even power through the pain caused by the poor fit and lack of support from these shoes.
Reasons to Use Custom Orthotics
The feet make up the body�s foundation. Just like a house, problems with the foundation will create problems throughout the structure over time. Therefore if the foundation is remedied properly then the other issues remedy themselves or are easier to treat because the feet are already taken care of.
Feet problems/issues create back problems. Fixing foot problems will make a difference with the back pain treatment plan.
Individuals think their feet are just fine. However, they don’t know what problems are in the background waiting for the worst moment to present. Imbalance/dysfunction is a silent issue that can ripple into many problems along with pain in the spine.
Feet are as unique as fingerprints. Custom orthotics will make a vast difference between the right and left foot and accommodate the body to achieve its full potential.
Custom orthotics are built just for you. Based on a high-resolution 3D scan of your feet, that is sent to a Foot Levelers� team of technicians, who create your 100% unique, tailored foot orthotic/s.
Don�t be fooled by over-the-counter knock offs. These are mass-produced insoles that can worsen pain. And while most cases of back pain respond well with Chiropractic care, adding custom foot orthotics will enhance the effectiveness of the treatment with no need for surgery or side effects from medications.
Your feet and your body will thank you and will improve health by maintaining proper posture, combined with full-body support to achieve optimal quality of life.
How to eliminate Back Pain naturally | (2020) Foot Levelers |El Paso, Tx
NCBI Resources
When there are problems with the feet, it can cause problems through the legs and all the way to the spine. This can cause the ankle to pronate, meaning it rolls inward. This alters the way the�bones of the foot�line up which extends through the tibia, or shin bone.
This can cause a condition called knock knees and it can change the way the entire body is aligned. This puts the body out of balance, destabilizing the spine, and can even cause the pelvis to tilt to one side or the other. When you are walking or standing, the stress caused by the misalignment can create a domino effect, causing or contributing to low back pain.
Q: Can back pain be hereditary and run in the family? I’m 24 and have chronic low back pain. But I found out that my mother, grandmother, and brother also have back pain. None of us were diagnosed with any type of spine condition. So I’m wondering if there is a hereditary/gene link or if it’s just a coincidence? El Paso, TX.
A: Back pain is a very common problem, and it is not uncommon that you and family members have back pain. Every year, 13 million people visit a chiropractor for chronic back pain. I can’t say without further study and research of your family whether the chronic low back pain is directly associated with your genes. But there are studies that support the connection between back pain and genetics.
Research in the past was difficult to rule out environmental factors like stress, smoking, and diet as the only cause of back pain. But today, there is evidence that shows genetics do have a role in back pain.
Doctors are finding that chronic back pain does show a significant genetic hereditary link. Specifically the development of low spine degenerative disc disease, which is a disc-related condition associated with normal wear and tear.
In fact, several twin sibling studies and genetic marker studies have researched this connection. Below are a couple of studies that stand out in the correlation between back pain and genetics.
Back Pain & Hereditary Genes Studies
A spinal study, which began in 1991, was a multidisciplinary, multinational research project on the cause of disc degeneration. The most significant findings were that there was a substantial influence of genetic/hereditary influence in lumbar disc degeneration.
It identified the specific genes that are associated with disc degeneration. However, environmental factors, work, sports, injuries, etc are also part of the condition, what the study found is that there is a connection of disc degeneration through genetic influences.
A study on genetics and lumbar disc disease found evidence that back pain could run in families. Specifically, lumbar disc disease could be inherited. The severity of the disease could not be determined or a patients’ response to various treatments. But it does suggest that genetics do play a role. Other findings include:
People that have lumbar disc disease were more likely to have family members with the disease.
The risk of inheriting the disease increased in both close and distant relatives.
Research is still ongoing to identify the exact genes that influence disc degeneration and back pain.
And as you said that you or your family have not been diagnosed with a spine condition,� this could be something to talk to your doctor or chiropractor about, along with creating a back pain treatment plan. For now, you can do physical therapy, chiropractic massage, CrossFit rehabilitation, etc to reduce and prevent back pain. Hopefully, it is a coincidence, but if it is genetics, not to worry as there is a treatment plan for that as well. But do not wait to make an appointment and let the pain get any worse.
Our team has taken great pride in bringing our families and injured patients only clinically proved treatment protocols. �By teaching complete holistic wellness as a lifestyle, we also change not only our patient�s lives but their families as well.� We do this so that we may reach as many El Pasoans who need us, no matter the affordability issues.
How to eliminate Back Pain naturally | (2020) Foot Levelers |El Paso, Tx
NCBI Resources
Lumbar spine disc herniation is a well-known type of injury that often causes impairing low back pain, however, it can also compress the nerve roots in the area and generate radicular pain and other symptoms along the lower extremities, such as altered sensations and muscle weakness.
Fact: Chiropractors are known for treating back pain. But they do so much more than that. They are licensed in all fifty states, and there are more than 60,000 practicing chiropractors in America.
Chiropractic treatment is gaining wider acceptance by the medical, legal, and patient communities because of its�beneficial record of positive results and medication-free care.
There have been several studies documenting the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment/care.
Here are some facts and stats about chiropractic medicine.
Chiropractor doing pushing motion to adjust spine of a male patient
Chiropractic Facts
Around 35-40% of chiropractic patients’ reason for treatment involves upper or low back pain.
Chiropractors perform 95.5% of adjustments in the world.
However, people also go to chiropractors for:
Neck pain
Headaches
Vehicle accident injuries
Whiplash
Repetitive motion injuries
Strains
Sports injuries
Chiropractic care helps with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or any type of arthritis.
Treatments provided by chiropractors include:
Spinal manipulation/adjustment
Physical therapy
Exercises
Stretches
Massage
Nutrition
Health Coaching
Weight loss
These chiropractic treatments are performed around 1 million times every day.
A chiropractor can be your primary health provider. As they must:
Complete 3 to 4 years of undergraduate education
A 4-year chiropractic college program
Must be licensed by the state they practice in.
The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE), recognized by the United States Office of Education, is responsible for the accreditation programs and institutions that offer a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree.
Chiropractors do not prescribe medications as part of a treatment plan.
Doctors and physicians can provide referrals or co-workers, friends and family are also positive resources to find the right chiropractor.
Safe Adjustment Facts
A chiropractic adjustment is much safer than taking medications or undergoing surgery. A chiropractic adjustment involves some:
Prep Massage
Stretching
Breathing
Expert help in body realignment
Any type of complication from a chiropractic adjustment is extremely rare.
Does it hurt
Chiropractic adjustments are relatively painless, but new�patients can involuntarily stiffen or resist the adjustment and feel slight discomfort. A qualified chiropractor will know this and wait until the patient relaxes, before continuing the adjustment.
If the patient has recently been involved in some type of trauma, like whiplash from an accident, work, sports, personal injury then there will be pain from the injury. An experienced chiropractor will know how to minimize the pain, as they perform the treatment.
And once it’s over patients feel:
Relief
Improved mobility
Calmness
A sense of well being/euphoria
Can other health professionals also perform these adjustments?
Yes, some osteopaths or DO’s can perform these treatment techniques, but make sure they are state-licensed.
Our team has taken great pride in bringing our families, and injured patients only clinically proved treatment protocols. �By teaching holistic wellness as a lifestyle, we change not only our patient�s lives but their families as well.� We do this so that we may reach as many El Pasoans who need us, no matter the affordability issues.
Sciatica Treatment | El Paso, Tx.
Sciatica is a collection of symptoms characterized by pain which extends down the length of the legs from the lower back.
Approximately 90 percent of sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, develops when a spinal disc herniation compresses a spinal nerve along the lumbar spine.
Piriformis syndrome and pregnancy are other common causes of sciatica.
NCBI Resources
Fortunately, self-management and time can be the best treatment. Allowing the body to heal itself is the way to go. But if rest is not enough then chiropractic treatment may be just what is needed to kick in the body�s self-healing function. If you decide to give chiropractic treatment a try, don�t be nervous, as a�chiropractor will monitor progress throughout the treatment.
In any case,�chiropractors are qualified to discuss the benefits and risks of other treatments, depending on the condition.
Hopefully, this article has given you the basics of�chiropractic medicine and how it works so you can make the best choice.
Physical therapists or PT’s are healthcare professionals that help treat/rehabilitate patients of all ages with various types of injuries.
Personal
Work
Sports
Auto Accidents
A primary care physician, physiatrist, orthopaedist, spine surgeon, or neurosurgeon may refer an individual to a physical therapist as part of a non-surgical�treatment plan.
A physical therapy program may be an integral part of your after-care following surgery.
Some treatments are done prior to active therapeutic exercise.
Conditions therapists treat
Sciatica
Whiplash
Rheumatoid arthritis
Degenerative disc disease
Spondylosis (spinal arthritis)
Post spine surgery therapy
Therapists want to help patients rebuild strength, flexibility, and endurance after any type of intense surgery, as well as help with any specific physical necessities related to post-surgery.
Team Care
Therapists often work directly for or with a doctor/chiropractor to coordinate a treatment plan.
A doctor may send the therapist:
Diagnosis
Current medications
Imaging/scan results
During the consultation, the physical therapist talks about medical history, diagnosis, and symptoms.
This can include:
Conditions
Medications being taken
Diet
Supplements
Type of Pain like:
Acute
Chronic
Episodic
The location of the pain that will also include:
Severity
Type
Factors that decrease or increase pain
Training
Physical therapists have completed an accredited physical therapy program and passed a required state licensing examination.
Therapists graduate with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree.
The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties through a series of classes/tests therapists can become board-certified specialists in specific areas like:
Orthopedics
Pediatrics
Geriatrics
Sports
These are just a few, but there are many areas of specialization.
Physical Therapist
Many states allow individuals to go to a physical therapist without a referral from a doctor.
Definitely ask your doctor for a recommendation, but also think about what you want in a therapist.
Male or female physical therapist, which is right for you
Take Charge
Physical therapists are valuable healthcare professionals and members of the medical community.
Physical therapy can be challenging but don’t let that get you down, because they will help get you back to optimal health, along with building a stronger, healthier body.
Whiplash Massage Therapy El Paso, TX Chiropractor
Physical therapist Sandra Rubio describes how whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident can cause symptoms of neck pain.
An injury to the cervical spine can damage the complex structures of the neck, including:
Vertebrae
Intervertebral discs
Soft tissues
Tendons
Ligaments
Muscles
Neck pain can come from various structures in the neck including vascular, nerve, airway, digestive, and musculature or it can originate from other areas of the human body.
Most cases can be treated with assistance or using self-help suggestions and techniques.
NCBI Resources
Physical therapy includes both active and passive treatments. Passive treatments help to unwind the body and the physique. As an individual does not need to actively participate, they�re known as passive. A physical treatment program may begin with treatments that are passive, but the goal is to get into treatments that are more active.
A doctor will rule out these causes to make a proper diagnosis.
Diagnosing
A doctor utilizes medical history and physical exam to diagnose coccydynia.
Imaging scans are usually not necessary, but a doctor may order:
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
If they believe a separate:
Bone
Nerve
Tissue
Problem to be the cause of tailbone pain.
Medical history is important, a doctor wants to know if a
Fall
Accident
Recent trauma
Might have caused the pain.
A physical exam is next in line along with symptoms.
The pain is usually localized in the tailbone, making it straightforward to diagnose.
A doctor will want to know if the pain strikes when sitting or leaning back and which is worse.
A doctor might ask the patient to point to where they’re feeling the pain.
Pointing could be enough for the doctor to tell if the pain is coccydynia when compared to other low back pain conditions.
The doctor will want to palpate the tailbone area for signs of inflammation.
Non-surgical Treatment
Conservative treatment is extremely effective for coccydynia.
Ninety percent of people experience pain reduction using non-surgical means or any medical intervention.
It is first treated with noninvasive methods:
Ice or heating pad can help provide immediate, short-term relief.
Donut/Wedge cushion provides extra padding taking the pressure off the coccyx when sitting. These cushions are available at pharmacies.
Avoid sitting for long times, like a long flight will help prevent additional pain and injury.
Rest is very important to help avoid further injury during recovery.
If there is still pain after these therapies, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other pain medications.
If the medication doesn’t work then a doctor may try cortisone injection or local spine blocker to send strong medicine directly to the tailbone area.
Surgical Procedure
If none of the conservative treatments work then surgery could be the next step.
The procedure is called a coccygectomy, which means the removal of the tailbone.
A surgeon will discuss the procedure in great detail before it is performed.
These risks include:
Infection
Hematoma (abnormal collection of blood outside an artery or vein)
Perineal hernia (weakened pelvic muscles)
Chronic Coccydynia
A small portion of people can develop chronic coccydynia, which means the pain lasts for more than 2 months.
Chronic coccydynia can take a major toll on the quality of life. Talk to a doctor if symptoms are not resolving.
They may refer you to a doctor that specializes in coccydynia management.
Protecting the Tailbone
There is no exact way or method to prevent coccydynia,
However, reducing the risk of tailbone pain can be achieved by using caution when participating in sports like:
Skating – Ice, Inline, and Roller
Biking
Horseback riding
And take extra care when walking on icy/slippery/hazardous conditions so nobody falls.
El Paso, TX Severe Back Pain Chiropractic Treatment
Gale Grijalva suffered from acute back pain because of an automobile incident injury. Where it was once very tough to do her routine daily tasks, Gale Grijalva is now able to take part in physical activities she was not able to engage in earlier thanks to Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX. Gale Grijalva clarifies how patient Dr. Jimenez is and she discusses how completely he’s been able to help her, such as answering any concerns she might have.
Severe chronic back pain is a serious, recurring condition that affects an individual’s everyday life. Back pain lasting over three weeks is deemed chronic. The backbone is an essential component of the body. Severe chronic back pain might be the backbone’s way of telling the body that there’s a problem. The spine consists of bony vertebrae, soft spinal discs, facet joints, tendons, ligaments, and tendons. Within the bony vertebral artery lies that the spinal cord, the delicate but effective nerve pathway of the central nervous system.
NCBI Resources
Before you run screaming in horror to the medicine cabinet, one of the best reasons to participate in chiropractic treatment is that it helps reduce the chance of a recurrence. By working on the total body and getting it in the best shape possible, the patient is stronger and more balanced to handle their workload and other strenuous activities. Chiropractors also impart advice on how to minimize the chances of re-aggravating the lower back.
Millions of people suffer from back pain each year, and some never visit a chiropractor. Those who do choose�chiropractic treatment�are privy to treatment that reduces their pain, increases healing, shortens their downtime and lessens their chances of a recurrence. If over the counter medication and ice packs haven�t worked within a few days, it�s time to make an appointment for a consultation with a licensed chiropractor. You will be happy you did.
A look at what a stinger or burner injury is and what they can do to the neck and shoulders. We will look at:
Symptoms
Treatment
Prevention
Contact sports, like:
Football
Hockey
Soccer
Basketball
This is a very common cervical injury that affects the neck and upper body. This is known as a stinger.
A stinger can also be called a burner and is an injury that happens when the head or neck gets hit to one side, which causes the shoulder to be pulled in the opposite direction.
Stingers/burners often happen at the high school level but can occur at all levels of play.
Stinger/Burner neck injury cause
A stinger is caused by stretching the brachial plexus nerves.
These peripheral nerves that come out of:
Spinal cord
Run across the shoulders
Under the collarbone
Into the arms
The brachial plexus nerves give the arms their strength and sensation.
When a sideways hit to the head or hit to the shoulder occurs, the nerves can become:
Compressed
Stretched
Irritated
Symptoms of a cervical stinger
This type of sideways collision causes immediate and intense pain, tingling or burning sensations that can run down the arm into the fingers.
Weakness in the affected arm or hand is common.
The weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations can last a few minutes or for a few weeks.
Stinger/burner injury treatment
Fortunately, most stinger injuries heal on their own with rest and relaxation of the neck muscles.
Athletes are placed on the disabled list until symptoms are gone and a doctor has cleared the athlete.
Players can return to sport once the pain is gone and they’ve regained:
Full range of motion
Strength
Normal sensation in neck and arms
Constant or recurring symptoms could indicate a more serious injury.
Cervical x-rays, a CT scan, or MRI could be used to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Can stinger/burner injuries be prevented?
Strengthening exercises for the neck muscles are an important way for athletes and beginners to help prevent these injuries.
Using the proper and correct technique in contact sports to avoid spearing/spear tackles and head down tackling.
Safety equipment, like neck rolls, can help limit the backward movement of the neck.
Players who experience stinger symptoms should immediately report it to their coaches or team/personal physician.
Ignoring or playing through a stinger injury can lead to more severe injuries.
*Neck* Pain Chiropractic Care | El Paso, Tx
Following a balanced diet along with healthy lifestyle habits can help promote optimal health and wellness.
People with neck pain realize how much their symptoms affect their ability to engage in everyday activities.
Dr. Alex Jimenez helps patients achieve neck pain relief through chiropractic care, an alternative treatment option that carefully corrects any spinal misalignments or subluxations.�
NCBI Resources
Stretching is an outstanding complement to chiropractic care.
Blood flow to the muscles is increased, helps lower the risk of injury and improves performance.
Stretching is good for the joints, it helps them function through their full range of motion.
Over-the-counter or OTC remedies don’t do anything but give some temporary relief, if any at all, but the thing to take away here is that this kind of treatment can exacerbate the issue.
An example of this remedy solution is using store-bought shoe inserts that don’t provide support for the feet and can worsen the condition.
Over the counter, treatment can cost more money in the end, and all this without relief.
These types of insoles are not designed for long-term, daily use. This means they have to be replaced sooner.
Options like wraps and tape also give short-term relief but are not designed to treat the root cause to get rid of it.
Work with a professional to help you get a customized plant like an orthotic insole that will effectively treat the plantar fasciitis and bring long-lasting relief.
Self-Diagnosing & Treatment
This condition can be difficult to identify because of the varying symptoms. Patients could have all or only a few of them.
Symptoms include:
Sharp pain when waking up
Heel spurs
Painful arches
The causes can also vary and include:
Lifestyle
Weight
Age
Gender
Unique composition, shape, and size of the foot
Since it is different for everyone, many try to self-diagnose and do it incorrectly.
Then they try to create their own treatment plans which can be ineffective and dangerous.
Proper treatment requires professional medical attention and not just looking up symptoms online. Treatment is also more than just changing shoes or buying an insole at the local drug or shoe store.
Looking up symptoms and self-diagnosing is not a bad thing, but get a second opinion from a health professional like a chiropractor to make sure that you’re correct and to guide you in obtaining the proper treatment.
Pain Reliever Overuse
Pain relievers are not for treating pain caused by plantar fasciitis.
The convenience of pain relievers like Tylenol and acetaminophen makes it easy to take as soon as the pain kicks in.
The problem is that overuse can be dangerous to the body and can cause:
Kidney problems
Mask symptoms
Disguise other serious issues
Addiction potential�
The best treatment does not require pain relievers.
A professional can help you find relief without pills.
Not Listening to Professional Advice
Trying to schedule a doctor�s appointment can be overwhelming.
Trying to figure out what your insurance covers
Trying to find the time to see a doctor
Finding the right one
Many avoid it altogether and hope the pain goes away.
Many make assumptions about treatment that makes them avoid the doctor,
People have anxiety and are scared of the doctor or what the doctor will find.
There are plenty of excuses for not seeing a qualified professional that specializes in whatever condition you may have.
This is not the case here, the physical therapy or chiropractic care doesn’t go on for weeks or a bunch of follow up appointments.
Relief can be as simple as a customized orthotic insole and an adjustment to the lower back.
Reach out to a chiropractor that can identify, treat and get you moving and pain-free.
Pain and discomfort do not have to be part of normal life.
Saying age or lifestyle is the cause and there’s nothing you can do about it is ridiculous. Remember there are solutions to help prevent and maintain comfort within your body. Give us a call and let us help you live your life pain-free.
Plantar Fasciitis, Reduce *FOOT PAIN* with Custom Orthotics | El Paso, TX (2019)
Gloria Casillas experienced painful symptoms before visiting Dr. Alex Jimenez, a chiropractor in El Paso, TX. Gloria describes how her foot pain gradually developed into plantar fasciitis and how it tremendously affected her quality of life. Gloria Casillas discusses how custom foot orthotics helped her achieve foot pain relief from her plantar fasciitis. Gloria highly recommends Dr. Jimenez as the non-surgical choice for foot pain and plantar fasciitis. Gloria Casillas is grateful for the use of custom foot orthotics.
NCBI Resources
Feet are important. When you consider what your feet go through, taking 8,000 steps over the course of a day, according to the�Illinois Podiatric Medical Association�(IPMA), it�s easy to see how 75 percent of all Americans will have some type of�foot pain�at some point in their lives.�Plantar fasciitis is a common and very painful foot condition that can become chronic if not treated. It is also a condition that responds very well to chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments made to the heel and foot take the pressure off of the plantar fascia, allowing it to relax.
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