by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Chronic Back Pain, Integrative Functional Wellness, Integrative Medicine, Wellness
If It Sounds Too Good to Be True�
When you�re in pain, you might try just about anything to feel better. Claims of miracle cures that instantly relieve back and neck pain are tempting, but they often fall short of their promises.
Save your money and steer clear of the products featured promising to eliminate your spine-related pain.
Copper Bracelets
Copper bracelets and wristbands have attracted a following of arthritis sufferers because of their perceived ability to reduce joint pain.
The key word here is perceived.
A 2013 study in the UK examining the effects of copper bracelets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis found no difference in pain outcomes between those wearing copper bracelets and those using a placebo.
While the bracelets won�t do you any harm, they�re more for looks than clinical benefit. There�s no solid medical evidence available proving they reduce pain or inflammation.
Magnets
From magnetic shoe inserts to bandages, magnets have been heavily marketed as a miracle cure to zap away a variety of back pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and arthritis. However, no proof exists to back up magnets� health claims.
While studies have examined magnets� impact on pain, the results are mixed�and the quality of some of the research is questionable. Additionally, magnets are not safe for some people, including those who use pacemakers or insulin pumps.
Colloidal Silver
Silver jewelry? Classic. Silver home furnishings? Sure thing. Colloidal silver for your spine pain? Never a good idea.
Colloidal silver for back pain is typically found as a topical cream containing small particles of silver. In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that people not use colloidal silver to treat any medical condition because it�s neither safe nor effective.
Even worse than the false claims of back and neck pain relief are colloidal silver�s strange and serious side effects. This product can interfere with the absorption of some prescription drugs and even permanently tint your skin a blue-gray color.
DMSO and MSM Dietary Supplements
If you have spondylosis (osteoarthritis), you may have heard of the dietary supplements dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Some believe this pair of supplements can block pain and inflammation, but no real medical evidence shows these substances actually relieve painful arthritis symptoms.
Instead of eliminating your arthritis pain, MSM and DMSO might cause some unwanted side effects. Both have been linked to causing upset stomach and skin rashes, while DMSO may also leave you with garlic breath and body odor.
A Word on Drug-Supplement Interactions
Speaking of supplements, it�s important to understand that dietary supplements may not mix with over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Some interactions result in mild side effects, but others can be much more serious�even life-threatening.
If you�re using a dietary supplement�even if it�s a seemingly benign herbal or vitamin�always let your doctor and pharmacist know before taking it with an over-the-counter or prescription medication. They will share any dangerous interactions, and ensure you�re safely addressing your back and neck pain.
The Real Deals: Alternative Treatments that Work
Many who fall prey to the products listed in this slideshow have an interest in alternative or complementary therapies for back and neck pain. While some non-traditional treatments should be avoided, many have been proven to reduce spine pain.
Scientists from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the National Institutes of Health reviewed 105 U.S.-based trials from the past 50 years that included more than 16,000 participants. They found the therapies below effective at controlling pain:
� Acupuncture � Massage � Relaxation techniques � Tai chi
If you prefer alternative methods to manage for your spinal condition, explore the therapies above. They are effective, safe, and will help you live a healthier life.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chronic Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Mobility & Flexibility
Kettlebells Strengthen the Spine
Strengthening the spinal muscles is essential for health and fitness. Functional kettlebell training is resistance training that strengthens the spine. Kettlebell training is an extremely effective type of exercise to increase functional strength, ballistic power, endurance, and flexibility in the entire body, especially the spinal and core muscles.
(Exercise shown is Anchor Squats.)
What Exactly Are Kettlebells?
Kettlebells are round cast iron weights with a single handle. Picture a cannonball with a u-shaped handle. Kettlebells are manufactured in a wide range of weights, for all strength levels.
Muscles Used in Kettlebell Training
Kettlebell training incorporates large functional movements. Multiple muscle groups work in synergy to complete the exercises. The spinal muscles function as either the primary mover or assist the primary mover in every kettlebell exercise. The spinal muscles also stabilize the body during functional kettlebell training, thus developing the smaller supporting structures.
(Exercise shown is Push Press.)
High Reps Of High Importance In Kettlebell Training
Kettlebell training employs high repetitions, momentum, and centrifugal force. Momentum works the spinal muscles as the weight is raised and lowered. High repetitions combined with momentum and full body movement build strength and endurance in the entire musculoskeletal and cardio-vascular systems. Kettlebell training delivers aerobic and anaerobic benefits.
(Exercise shown is High Pulls.)
Always Learn From A Qualified Kettlebell Instructor
Perfect technique is mandatory during exercise. Correct exercise technique maximizes benefit and lowers injury risk. Poor exercise form increases the possibility of injury and diminishes results. Kettlebell exercises are learned motions, so you should learn proper training technique from a qualified kettlebell trainer. The trainer should demonstrate, instruct, and supervise your training and develop your routine.
(Exercise shown is Turkish Get-up.)
So Many Possibilities
The kettlebell�s shape allows for a wide variety of exercises. This resourceful exercise tool is used for basic exercises like squats (shown in slide 1), cleans, swings, high pulls (shown in slide 4), snatches and push presses (shown in slide 3). The versatility of the kettlebell is demonstrated with exercises such as renegade rows (a combination of push-ups and rows�shown in slide 6), suitcase swings, woodchoppers (a combination of lunges and oblique twists), windmills, and Turkish get-ups (shown in slide 5)
(Exercise shown is Renegade Rows.)
Kettlebell’s Benefits For The Spine
Functional kettlebell training is a rare type of exercises that increases aerobic and anaerobic health simultaneously. The benefits to the spine include increased strength, power, endurance, flexibility, function and mobility.
(Exercise shown is Suitcase Swings.)
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Sciatica
Several lumbar spine (lower back) disorders may cause sciatica. Sciatica is usually referred to as light to severe pain in the left or right leg. Occasionally doctors call a radiculopathy that is sciatica. Radiculopathy is a medical term used to spell out pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in legs or the arms caused by a nerve root issue. It’s known as a cervical radiculopathy, in the event the nerve difficulty is in the neck. But since sciatica influences the low back, it is called a lumbar.
Pathways To Sciatic Nerve Pain
Five sets of matched nerve roots in the lumbar spine combine to generate the sciatic nerve. Beginning at the rear of the pelvis (sacrum), the sciatic nerve runs in the trunk, under the buttock, and down through the hip region into each leg. Nerve roots aren’t “solitary” structures but are part of the entire body’s entire nervous system capable of transmitting pain and sensation to different parts of the body. Radiculopathy happens when compression of a nerve root from a disc rupture (herniated disc) or bone spur (osteophyte) happens in the lumbar spine prior to it joining the sciatic nerve.
What Causes Sciatic Nerve Compression?
Several spinal ailments can cause spinal nerve compression and sciatica or lumbar radiculopathy.
- spondylolisthesis
- Injury
- piriformis syndrome
- spinal tumors
Common Sciatica Cause #1: Lumbar Bulging Disc or Herniated Disc
A bulging disk is also called a contained disc illness. What this means is the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) remains “included” within the tire-like outer wall (annulus fibrosus) of the disk.
A herniated disc happens when the nucleus breaks through the annulus fibrosus. It is called a “non-controlled” disk disorder. Whether a disc bulges or herniates, disk stuff compress delicate nerve tissue and cause sciatica and can press against an adjacent nerve root.
The effects of a herniated disc are worse. In both instances, nerve compression and irritation cause inflammation and pain, muscle weakness, tingling, and often ultimately causing extremity numbness.
Common Sciatica Cause #2: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a nerve compression illness most frequently affecting older adults. Leg pain similar to sciatica may happen as an effect of lumbar spinal stenosis. The pain is generally positional, frequently brought on by actions like standing or walking and relieved by sitting down.
Spinal nerve roots branch outward through passageways in the spinal cord called neural foramina comprised of bone and ligaments. Between each group of vertebral bodies, located on the left and right sides, is a foramen. Nerve roots pass through these openings and extend outward to innervate other portions of the body. The term foraminal stenosis can be used when these passageways become clogged causing nerve compression or narrow.
Common Sciatica Cause #3: Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a disorder that almost all commonly influences the lumbar spine. It’s distinguished by one vertebra slipping forwards over an adjacent vertebra. When a vertebra slips and is displaced, spinal nerve root compression happens and frequently causes sciatic leg pain. Spondylolisthesis is categorized as developmental (located at birth, grows during childhood) or got from spinal degeneration, trauma or physical stress (eg, lifting weights).
Common Sciatica Cause #4: Trauma
Examples include motor vehicle accidents, falling down, football and other sports. The impact may injure the nerves or, sometimes, the nerves may compress.
Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle and the pain caused when the sciatic nerve is irritated by the muscle. The piriformis muscle and the thighbone is found in the lower part of the spine, connect, and aids in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. Piriformis syndrome grows when muscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle thereby compressing the sciatic nerve. It may be challenging to diagnose and treat because of the shortage of x ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
Common Sciatica Cause #5: Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle when the muscle irritates the sciatic nerve and the pain caused. The piriformis muscle and the thighbone is located in the low part of the backbone, connect, and aids in hip rotation. When muscle spasms develop in the piriformis muscle thus compressing the sciatic nerve, piriformis syndrome develops. It can be hard to diagnose and treat due to the lack of x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.
Common Sciatica Cause #6: Spinal Tumours
Spinal tumors are abnormal growths which are either benign or cancerous (malignant). Fortunately, spinal tumors are uncommon. But when a spinal tumor develops in the lumbar region, there’s a risk for sciatica to grow as a result of nerve compression.
Call your doctor should you imagine you have sciatica. The very first step toward relieving pain is a proper diagnosis.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Integrative Functional Wellness, Integrative Medicine, Wellness
More Americans are looking beyond Western medicine to help relieve their back, neck, and spinal joint pain, including osteoarthritis of the backbone. In this specific article, we discuss Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), which is also called Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
Interchangeable Terms
When an option (not mainstream) practice is combined with standard (mainstream) medicine, it�s called �complemental� or �integrative� health care. It�s called �alternative.� when it�s used in place of traditional medicine Nevertheless, these terms are frequently used interchangeably.
Complementary Alternative/Integrative Treatments
Although treatments might be combined you will find five general types of CAM therapies.
1. Alternative Medical Systems
Naturopathic or naturopathy medical care may include water therapy, massage, and herbal drugs.
2. Head-Body Techniques
Head-body techniques may help a patient with back or neck pain to utilize their head to change or restrain their symptoms in a way that is positive, therefore reducing pain.
3. Biologically-Based Therapies
Biologically-based treatments feature nature-based substances such as botanicals and dietary supplements to ease pain. Natural substances contain ginseng, ginkgo, fish oil, or Echinacea and could be obtainable in different kinds, including a tea, aromatherapy oils, syrup, powder, pill, or capsule.
4. Body-Based Practices
Body-established practices include different types of massage, body alignment techniques, osteopathic manipulation and chiropractic.
5. Energy Therapies
Energy therapies unblock energy fields or may help shift. Qi gong (eg, breathing techniques), Reiki (eg, stress reduction/relaxation), and magnets are treatments based on transferring energy.
Is Alternative, Complementary Or Integrative Therapy Right For You?
To assist you decide, look at the next points.
- If insurance coverage is essential to you, be sure to consult your health insurance provider before you select a CAM treatment to make certain the professional is insured.
- Learn as much as you can about the alternate treatment you’re enthusiastic about.
- Take into account that although a complementary alternative treatment may be popular, that doesn�t make it correct for you personally.
- Unlike mainstream medical care and procedures, some (if not most) alternative therapies are not scientifically validated by clinical trials and/or research studies. The amount of human players is frequently little, while there may be studies supporting a particular practice.
- Simply because a material is natural doesn�t mean it can�t damage you, cause illness or allergic reaction, or a serious interaction with a drug. For instance, blood pressure can be raised by ginseng.
- Always tell your treating physician about all of the herbs, vitamins and nutritional supplements (in any kind) that you take, particularly if you’re scheduled to get a neck or back process (eg, spinal injection, operation).
- Select your alternative therapy professional with all precisely the same attention and concern you would for pain management specialist or a back surgery.
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Sources:
Rosenzweig S. Overview of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Merck Manual. Consumer Version.� www.merckmanuals.com/home/special-subjects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine-cam/overview-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicine.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What�s In a Name? March 2015. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/integrative-health.
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Chronic Back Pain, Migraines, Neck Pain
You get up with it. You go to sleep with it. An incredible number of men and women live with chronic back or neck pain every day. What’s chronic pain? It is technically defined as pain that lasts for 12 weeks or more�even after pain isn’t any longer acute (short-term, serious pain) or the injury has healed.
Accurate Analysis
Getting an exact identification of the reason for neck pain or your back is vital to the outcome of your treatment plan. Depending on the severity and cause of your pain that is chronic, you might need to find out different specialists in addition to your own primary care physician�pain medicine specialist, orthopaedic spine surgeon, neurosurgeon, physiatrist, rheumatologist, physical therapist among others. Over time your chronic pain need to be reevaluated, and may transform, which might affect the way it is handled.
Your chronic back or neck pain treatment generally features a variety of treatments to maximize results that are great. A number of the treatments your doctor prescribes and recommends may include:
Physical Therapy:
Extending and strengthening muscles is vital in the treatment of neck pain or chronic back.
Chiropractic Care:
Depending on your own diagnosis, chiropractic care may be recommended by your doctor. Studies have demonstrated that two weeks of day-to-day exploitation by a chiropractor can result in considerable progress in a few patients with persistent low back pain and referred leg pain.
Medicines:
There are lots of different prescription medications to take care of neuropathic pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Additionally, you will find drugs to treat conditions that often accompany chronic pain, including drugs that will help you sleep, alleviate depression, and reduce nervousness.
Processes:
Your doctor may recommend a spinal cord stimulator, spinal injections, drug heart, or spine surgery. You can get a second opinion, in the event you might be uncertain about the treatment plan recommended.
Coping skills:
Never underestimate the power of your head. Your mood and mental perspective can greatly make an impact on your level of pain. Talk with a trained specialist to understand relaxation and coping skills.
Complementary Treatments:
Many physicians recommend acupuncture and other types of traditional Chinese medicine. Speak to your doctor about these choices.
A couple of words about …. age, fitness, body weight
You probably involve some control over body weight and your level of fitness, although you can�t stop aging or its effects. While you can�t stop the clock on the cellular changes that are recognized to accompany aging�such as loss of muscle mass and bone density �you can take little steps today to build a more stronger�you tomorrow.
It�s understood that patients with chronic back or neck pain may not feel like being active, going to the gym and even adhering to a home exercise program. Yet, being active can help chronic pain because during exercise your body releases endorphins�your body�s natural painkiller.
Moreover, by teaming up together with and/or your physician physical therapist you can start to build abdominal muscles that are strong �essential to your own body�s center strength which helps support your back.
Did you know that by simply losing even 5 to 10 pounds you can reduce back pain? It�s true. Carrying around extra weight translates to added stress to the low back that may exacerbate pain.
Conclusion
In many instances, aggressive and early treatment of chronic back or neck pain can make a life-changing difference. But remember that knowledge is power: Be certain you comprehend your alternatives before deciding which route to take.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Health, Wellness
Chiropractic care may be able to bring about relief for allergy sufferers. Allergy symptoms may be triggered by misalignments in the neck and upper back, which contain nerves important for the body’s respiratory and immune systems. These misalignments are believed to interfere with the communication between these systems and the brain and cause or worsen allergy symptoms. Advanced Chiropractic Wellness offers adjustments which are targeted to reduce the effects of allergies on the body.
Allergies Result When The Body’s Immune System Is Triggered To Action By Substances That Should Be Considered Innocuous
Typically, this results in the release of excess histamine, which causes the characteristic watery and itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and increased sinus pressure. The sinus pressure may cause extremely painful headaches on top of the general discomfort of the other two. In some cases, body parts may also swell. The eye area is most commonly affected by such puffiness.When all of these symptoms are put together, it can cause serious suffering. Many people find that they can’t go outdoors during the height of the seasons in which their allergy triggers are released. Such triggers include the pollen from juniper and elm trees. This pollen is among the first of the allergens to hit in the spring, so Illinois residents will be encountering it soon if they aren’t already.
Later, Flower Pollen, Molds & Dust Take The Place Of The Tree Pollen
“After a full winter, nobody wants to have to stay indoors breathing filtered air. It’s time to go out and have fun! Yet for many, allergy medication isn’t a good solution. Drowsiness is a common side-effect, and even the non-drowsy types have side-effects of their own. What people need is a solution that addresses the problem at its roots,” said Dr. Scott Stratton, a chiropractor at Advanced Chiropractic Wellness.This solution, according to Dr. Stratton, is chiropractic realignment of the vertebrae that contain the nerves that communicate between the brain and the body’s respiratory and immune systems. The theory is that misalignment here causes miscommunication between these systems, resulting in exaggerated bodily responses to allergens.”When the brain and body can’t get a clear signal pathway between each other, only some of the needed information makes it through. Then, both sides have to try to fill in missing information, and this results in bad guesses. Chiropractic realignment clears up the signal and allows the brain and body to make appropriate responses to its environment,” Dr. Stratton explained.About Advanced Chiropractic WellnessThe Advanced Chiropractic Wellness clinic offers chiropractic care, lifestyle counseling, laser treatments, and more. They take a holistic approach that aims to improve a patient’s overall health instead of simply treating specific symptoms.
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Visit their website at http://www.drscottstratton.com/ for more information.Advanced Chiropractic Wellness
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Massage, Spine Care, Wellness
Massage is a popular therapy used to relieve fluid retention, spasms, inflammation, muscle tension, pains and stiffness. Other benefits include improved circulation (blood and lymph), general flexibility, range of movement, and increased tissue elasticity (eg, scar tissue).
Another kind of massage contains full-body massage, which often leaves the patient feeling relaxed and free of anxiety.
How Can Massage Function to Relax Muscles?
As the therapist uses their hands or specialized tools to rhythmically knead, wipe, and stroke (effluerage) muscles, circulation is stimulated. Blood flow is essential to helping muscles eliminate waste products, such as lactic acid, that may accumulate in muscles from spasms and delivers oxygen and nutrients.
Following trauma, muscles may act as mini-splints like a cast on a broken arm to safeguard and limit motion. An average example is somebody who uses a computer for a prolonged time period without taking a break to stretch the neck. The result: a stiff, aching neck and occasionally pain. Taking regular breaks to rub (mini-massage) and stretch the neck will boost circulation to the muscles.
What’s Swedish Massage?
This really is one of the most famous types of massage in America. Often, a lotion or oil is used to lessen skin friction. The therapist combines light stroking in one way with deep pressure in another to loosen muscles. The treatment expedites blood flow to flush uric acid, lactic acid, and other waste products from the muscles. Ligaments and tendons are stretched, increasing their suppleness. Nerves are excited and relaxed, and anxiety is relieved. The general goal is to loosen muscles.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
Long-term muscle tension is targeted by this technique. The therapist’s strokes are slower, using more direct pressure and friction. Determined by the texture of the deeper layers of tissue and muscle felt, the therapist occasionally adjusts intensity, strokes, and their hand positions to work the tissues to release tension.
What Is Myofascial Release?
Myofascial release, or soft tissue mobilization, is a therapy used to release tension in the fascia. Fascia are sheets of fibrous tissue that encase and support muscles. Following injury, the fascia and muscles may shorten limiting the flow of blood. The techniques used in myofascial release loosen muscle tension and break up fascial adhesions.
What’s Trigger Point and Myotherapy?
The treatment goals include alleviating muscle spasms, enhancing circulation, and releasing trigger points.
The therapist extends the muscle using a technique called Stretch and Spray as trigger points are released. This technique incorporates a superficial cooling agent such as Fluori-Methane, a local anesthetic that depresses nerve reaction. The anesthetic is sprayed over muscles as they may be softly stretched, soothing tight muscles.
Are There Other Kinds of Massage?
There are many kinds of massage; only a few are mentioned here. Shiatsu is an old oriental treatment predicated on acupressure, as is Jin Shin Jyutsu. Reiki is a Japanese type of massage that attempts to correct the entire body’s energy.�Rolfing can be uncomfortable; the goal is to adjust the muscle fascia to its fullest extension.
A Word of Caution
Speak to your doctor, before getting a massage for back pain or neck pain. She or he may have the ability to refer you to a licensed or certified massage therapist.
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