Injury prevention should be on everyone’s mind. All jobs, sports, and activities have the potential to cause some form of injury/s. Sustaining an injury, no matter how big or small can take a toll on the body. It can force an individual to take a lengthy break from work, school, sports, etc, or stop completely.
Some form of rest is usually necessary to expedite the healing process but there are other ways to help with injury prevention. The most common type of injury that can be prevented is overuse/repetitive motion/s injuries. Many individuals realize that an underlying issue for injuries is spinal/body misalignment.
Injury prevention
A few ways that injury prevention can be optimized for various activities:
Full body stretching regularly will keep the body flexible
Developing the body’s ability to learn healthy movement/s
Regular chiropractic, physical therapy
Health coaching
Misalignment and injury
When the spine is out of alignment the entire body goes out of balance and begins to function improperly and eventually breaks down. The nerve, blood circulation energy is affected. This compromises:
Tissue health
The body�s natural healing abilities
Normal body coordination and movement
This increases the risk of injury/s. Proper posture and body mechanics have a primary role in injury prevention. Proper spinal alignment allows the body�s ability to coordinate effective, pain/injury-free movement. Better coordination promotes optimal performance with less effort and corrects/improves muscle strain, tissue damage, and enhances bone health.
Proper spinal alignment
Chiropractic is a specialized expert approach that focuses on addressing core issues related to spinal alignment. Chiropractic treatment will locate and address spinal misalignments that individuals did not even know were there. The chiropractic approach will help establish a solid foundation for regular daily activities without injury. When the spine/body is properly-aligned nerve flow is restored and the body can move with reduced risk of injury or complication/s. Contact a chiropractic specialist and see what they can offer.
Body Composition Clinic
Too Much Sitting Health Consequences
When the body is in a seated position, the gluteal muscles, abdominal muscles, and legs remain static. When sitting for a long time day after day with no exercise/movement the muscles begin to degenerate/weaken and go into a pseudo form of atrophy from the lack of engaged movement/exercise.
Metabolism is linked with body composition meaning that more muscle increases metabolism and helps burn more calories. Muscle loss, especially from the lower body which is the largest muscle group, can lead to continued fat gain if exercise is not implemented and an unhealthy diet is not changed. Gradual muscle loss from the lower body can hurt functional strength and with age increases the risk of falls.
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
McClure, Roderick J. �What is this thing called injury prevention?.��Injury prevention: journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention vol. 24,3 (2018): 177. doi:10.1136/injury prev-2018-042838
Spinal traction, both mechanical and manual are treatment options that are based on the application of force to the axis of the spinal column. A region of the spinal column is pulled in opposite directions to stabilize or change the position of herniated, slipped, bulging, discs, and/or nerve injury/damage to the spine. Traction treatment is crucial to spinal adjustments, especially with disc or nerve compression.
It allows the chiropractor to alleviate any stress that could lead to disc problems like herniation, rupture, or displacement. However, traction is a general term. The concepts can apply to all forms of traction, but the application itself can be drastically different in terms of static positioning and inverse force.
Mechanical vs. Manual Cervical Traction
Mechanical force is typically applied through a series of weights or a fixation device and requires the patient to stay in bed or is placed in a halo vest. The techniques and methodologies can vary, but the objectives/results are the same.
The utilization is developed on a case-by-case basis and the chiropractor’s diagnosis/recommendations. Many chiropractors implement both mechanical and manual traction approaches. Choosing the right traction plan comes from a thorough examination, medical history, and understanding of each method’s strengths.
Traction approach
The difference between mechanical and manual traction is simple. Mechanical traction is directed by the use of machines, weights, and pulleys, while manual traction is performed by a professional chiropractor. With mechanical traction, an individual’s head is cradled into a sling, then positioned at the optimal position for the adjustment. The sling is counterweighted to hold the head/neck in that position, leveraging mechanical pressure and affecting change.
Manual traction has the individual lie down on a table, with the chiropractor pulling the head away from the neck to decompress the cervical spine. The adjustment/s can be a continuous pull, or a series of low-force pulls in different directions. Again these depend on the individual’s condition and nature of the adjustment.
Techniques and methodologies
Mechanical and manual traction can have similar results, but both offer different benefits based on the individual. Mechanical traction is a hands-free technique for decompression that allows chiropractors to focus on the patient’s needs when working on complex cases. This method is more applicable for severe cases, where the traction could last for 20-30 minutes.
Mechanical traction is helpful when teaching healthy posturing. Manual traction benefits come from the control that a chiropractor has over the technique. With the manual pulling, the chiropractor can increase or decrease the countering force. A hands-on approach enables chiropractors to feel the spinal adjustments, and understand the effects of the traction.
The proper form of traction
The overall ability of traction to decompress the spine makes it a valuable approach to treat various conditions. The exact nature of the condition determines whether mechanical or manual traction will be used along with the recommendation/treatment plan of the chiropractor. Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic is committed to implementing the best approach for spinal correction for every patient. Mechanical and manual traction are just two adjustment modalities.
Body Composition Health
Resistance Training For Everyone
Even if not an athlete resistance training is important for functional fitness. Functional strength training attempts to emulate the physiological demands of real day-to-day activities. Traditional strength training focuses on specific muscle groups during the exercise, while functional training focuses on whole muscle groups to train the body for daily responsibilities.
Individuals might believe they are too old for resistance training. But research shows the benefits of improving an individual’s functional fitness level, specifically for older adults. Functional training resistance exercises and bodyweight movements can help the body become stronger, more flexible, more agile, and better equipped to handle day-to-day responsibilities. Plus, it can help with injury prevention.
Reference
Afzal, Rabia et al. �Comparison between Manual Traction, Manual Opening technique, and Combination in Patients with cervical radiculopathy: Randomized Control Trial.� JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association�vol. 69,9 (2019): 1237-1241.
Individuals are tired of feeling sick. Many doctors prescribe medications to just control the symptoms of the various ailments.
Headaches
Migraines
Nausea
Fatigue
Acid reflux
Asthma
Allergies
Chiropractic care combined with Health coaching will:
Bring the body back into balance
Restore optimal circulation
Detox the body
Increase immune system response
Tired Nervous System
Many of these problems are rooted deep within the nervous system. This system controls pain, movement, organ function, and action/reaction in the body and needs consistent maintenance to continue to operate at an optimal level. Chiropractors are trained to detect nerve interference brought on from spinal misalignment. Chiropractic along with body scanning/imaging can detect nerve interference, and help identify any issues.
Nerve Interference
Nerve interference along the spine can lead to being tired, weakness, pain, discomfort, organ dysfunction, and disease if it is not addressed by a professional chiropractor. The interference can be a result of poor postural habits that have caused the spine to misalign. This places added and dangerous pressure on the delicate nerves flowing throughout the spine.
Chiropractors can determine the root cause back to the region of the spine that is causing any type of impediments. Spinal rehabilitation and realignment will restore the spine back to health eliminating nerve interference. As the body is realigned health coaching recommendations that include diet, supplements, and learning healthy habits will enhance chiropractic maintenance. The end result is a healthy energetic body free of disease, dysfunction, and pain.
Body Composition
Body composition is a way of breaking down the body into components, which are: fat, protein, minerals, and body water. It describes an individual’s accurate weight and provides a new perspective on overall health than traditional methods. Proper body composition analysis will show changes in fat mass, muscle mass, and body fat percentage.
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
Stochkendahl, Mette Jensen, et al. �Can chiropractors contribute to work disability prevention through sickness absence management for musculoskeletal disorders? – a comparative qualitative case study in the Scandinavian context.� Chiropractic & manual therapies�vol. 26 15. 26 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12998-018-0184-0
Westerterp, Klaas R. �Exercise, energy balance, and body composition.��European journal of clinical nutrition�vol. 72,9 (2018): 1246-1250. doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0180-4
Bulging discs usually present in the lower back. Chiropractic studies have shown that the L4 and L5 segments are more susceptible to stressors that enable and cause the discs to bulge.
These vertebrae shift and become compressed with stress and time. The bulge eventually reaches a point that causes symptoms that include:
Pain
Limited range of motion
Mobility issues
Bulging discs are a common ailment that chiropractors specialize in treating and is one of the most common reasons individuals seek treatment. There is a surprise when individuals learn that spinal adjustments are only part of the solution for relief from bulging discs. Once a chiropractor realigns the vertebrae back into place, the individual must put in the work of preventing any re-bulging.
Once relief has been attained individuals can become hesitant when a chiropractor informs them of the need for posterior chain strengthening. Posterior chain adjustments along with strength exercises are very important for the prevention of further bulging discs and overall optimal spine health. Restoring the lower back’s curvature and maintaining alignment requires strengthening the support system. Part of the chiropractic experience is educating patients on how to best maintain their spines.
Posterior chain Identification
A bulging low back disc is more than low back pain. A chiropractor will help an individual identify the posterior chain stimulus that is causing their bulging discs. An example to identify the posterior chain root that is causing the pain, a chiropractor will have an individual perform certain movements to figure out where along the chain the problems are occurring. It could be a weakness in the gluteal muscles or if the chiropractor asks the individual to touch their toes from a standing position and they are unable could show inflexibility.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Bulging discs begin with proper chiropractic adjusting and re-alignment. Palpitation along with radiological imaging will allow a chiropractor to determine which lumbar disc/s is bulging and to what extent. This will determine the treatment protocol that the chiropractor will take.
It can include drop table adjustments that will help shift any misaligned vertebrae, and traction to alleviate compression and inflammation. Depending on age, the severity of the bulge, and the cause of the condition, a combination of adjustment techniques could be utilized.
Strengthening
Once the pain has been addressed, a chiropractor will recommend exercises and stretches to strengthen the posterior chain and its support system. The disc/s that are bulging will be able to realign properly while any further bulges can be avoided. Strengthening is focused on the:
Gluteal muscles
Hamstrings
Quadriceps
Hip flexors
Low back
Core strengthening will increase the strength of these muscle groups. This means enhanced support for the entire spine promoting the spine’s ability to handle stressors and avoid bulging. Individuals have found benefits from yoga or a specific stretching regimen of the posterior chain. This helps reduce stress in overused/worked muscles that improve flexibility and mobility support systems.
Bulging disc relief
Bulging discs should not be ignored. If left untreated it could lead to more severe complications. To prevent recurring bulges along with low back pain, an individual needs to strengthen the posterior chain. Strengthening, and stretching are all crucial to the chiropractic adjustment process. A customized chiropractic treatment plan will ensure every individual gets the proper support their body needs.
Herniated Disc 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
Djuric, N et al. �Lumbar disc extrusions reduce faster than bulging discs due to an active role of macrophages in sciatica.��Acta neurochirurgica�vol. 162,1 (2020): 79-85. doi:10.1007/s00701-019-04117-7
The immune system is made up of a network of cells and proteins that defend the body against infection/s. It is made up of specialized organs, and chemicals that fight microorganisms, specifically that are bacterial and can cause infection/disease. The system keeps a record of every germ so it can recognize and destroy any microbes if they enter the body again.
Immune system abnormalities can lead to:
Protection from viruses and bacterias requires a long term solution/s for building and strengthening immunity. Chiropractic adjustments along with health coaching can help. The main organs of the immune system are:
The health and variety of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract have been shown to have significant effects on overall health, including immunity. When gut health is optimized, it helps thebody�s natural processes for detecting and fighting microorganisms. Simple ways to strengthen gut health include:
Diet
A healthy diet rich in a variety of whole foods and vegetables will promote diversity in the gut.
Supplements
Probiotics can significantly help strengthen gastrointestinal health.
Get Out In the Sun
Being outside provides the microbiome vitamin D which helps fight inflammation and strengthens the sense of well-being.
Nerve Signal Optimization
The central nervous system has a primary role in gastrointestinal motility and overall balance. Proper spinal alignment will help blood and nerve synapse circulation.
Maintaining Body Balance
A strengthened immune system is about maintaining whole-body balance. The body is a complicated system that operates/functions in top form when tuned up and in proper alignment.
Spinal Alignment
Chiropractic can provide expert treatment to restore spinal misalignment/s. This keeps the body functioning at an optimal level.
Exercise
A moving body is a healthy body. Regular exercise will benefit the immune system and keep it strong.
Stress Management
A high level of stress can compromise the immune system’s health. Regular physical activity/exercise, chiropractic, being aware of any health issues can help manage stress. Chiropractic immune system management will help promote a healthy gastrointestinal tract, help manage stress, get in more physical activity, and stay pain-free. Chiropractic can help kick in the body’s natural immune response and keep the flow going. Call today to see how we can help build a healthy immune system.
Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Treatment
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*
Reference
Colombi, Andrea, and Marco Testa. �The Effects Induced by Spinal Manipulative Therapy on the Immune and Endocrine Systems.��Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)�vol. 55,8 448. 7 Aug. 2019, doi:10.3390/medicina55080448
The heart never stops working. The efficiency of the heart and how it operates depends on various factors related to individual health. High blood pressure management can include chiropractic treatment for proper spinal alignment. This promotes improved nervous system function, regulation, and optimal blood flow throughout the body.
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension, often it has no symptoms, and if left untreated, it could lead to heart conditions like heart disease and stroke. Blood pressure is the force the heart exerts on the arteries each time it contracts and relaxes. It is measured with a blood pressure cuff or monitor.
Normal is around 120/80 mmHg
A blood pressure reading of 130/90 mmHg or more, is categorized as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
Any type of heart condition can place added strain on the body and can lead to poor quality of life, disease, and be fatal. When the body’s ability to pump the proper amount of blood gets compromised the body suffers from a lack of oxygenated blood. These issues can go undiagnosed for years. Often high blood pressure does not get associated with any specific symptoms other than general poor health. When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to issues like:
Heart attack
Stroke
Kidney disease
Dementia
Prevention and regular monitoring are crucial for staying on top of any potential heart issues.
Heart conditions
Different heart conditions can cause pain in the chest, upper back, and shoulder(s):
Angina is when the heart muscle does not get enough blood causing chest pain.
A heart attack occurs when there is reduced or complete loss of blood supply from the blockage of an artery.
Pericarditisis the inflammation of the thin layers that surround the heart.
Heart conditions are commonly associated with chest pain but remember that chest pain is not always present or severe. Pain-related to the heart can also be felt in other areas, like the shoulder or upper back.
Risk factors
Risk factors associated with high blood pressure include:
An unhealthy diet high full of processed foods, sugar, and salt
The most common treatment for high blood pressure is medication. However, this does not address the root cause of the issue in relation to individual lifestyle and underlying imbalances of the body that include the spine.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle adjustments should be the first line of defense for managing, and reversing heart health issues. High blood pressure management includes:
Focus on nutrition
Exercise
Stress management
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a specialized approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of musculoskeletal health issues and optimized organ function through restored impaired nerve function. Spinal misalignment can cause nerve signals to be impaired/damaged which can affect the heart and overall health.
A chiropractic physician can help reduce the strain on the body�s functions by restoring nerve function/energy/blood flow with spinal adjustments that bring the body back into proper alignment. One primary cause of high blood pressure is over-activation of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the stress response.
When spinal alignment is achieved, there is improved regulation to prevent unnecessary spikes in stress affecting body homeostasis and organ function. Chiropractic can help an individual achieve the best possible heart health. Once the diagnosis is found, an effective customized treatment plan will be developed.
Chiropractor Near Me
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
Win, Ni Ni et al. �Effects of Upper and Lower Cervical Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Volunteers and Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled, Cross-Over, Preliminary Study.��Journal of chiropractic medicine�vol. 14,1 (2015): 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.12.005
Chronic pain and a healthy spine can require activity modification. This is so an individual can participate in activities in a way to help prevent pain from presenting. This could include:
Avoiding staying in static positions for too long
Continuous stretches throughout the day
Planning ahead when participating in physical activities that cause pain
Dietary adjustments to reduce inflammation and gain strength/flexibility
Customized exercise program
Health coaching guide
Activity Modification
Chiropractic treatment not only involves correcting spinal alignment but also continuing an individual’s health education. The objective is to treat the source, not the symptoms. The goal with activity modification is to change the habit into a positive technique. Rigorous spinal adjustments will only help to a point if the habit continues. Whether there are any underlying conditions or it is an individual’s lifestyle, variables like:
These are the primary factors when it comes to spinal health. With recurring spinal problem/s, a chiropractor needs to trace back any kinetic behavior that could have contributed to inflammation causing pain symptoms. Recognizing poor kinetic habits and teaching activity modification are core objectives of chiropractic medicine.
Identification
Poor habits need to be identified. Two common are forward head posture and anterior pelvic tilt. These are signs of bad habits that affect spine health. Misaligned biomechanics can be a first clue in understanding why the individual continues to experience pain.
Consistent shifting of the body to not stay in one position for too long is recommended, but when there is recurring pain this is where a chiropractor can show an individual better methods and techniques of shifting to avoid the pain. Poor posture could be traced to sitting at a disproportionate desk with no ergonomic support. And a constant forward head position on the cervical spine, nerves, shoulders, can generate enormous strain.
Modification
Precision adjustments will alleviate the effects of spinal misalignment. But modifications need to become second nature. Chiropractic modification approaches will correct poor posture and body mechanics. A chiropractor will educate an individual to be mindful of certain movements and reinforce proper positioning.
Once an individual is familiar with a healthy way of moving/shifting to restore optimal mechanics, then the individual can learn to engage in other activities with the newfound activity modification tools. This will help break the cycle of chronic spinal misalignments.
Positive Change
Corrective relief and teaching proactive wellness is the primary role of chiropractic medicine. Activity modification can be an individual’s first line of defense for changing poor habits responsible for chronic pain and recurring musculoskeletal problems. Educating individuals on how to preserve spinal adjustments and adopting long-term, healthy habits will promote overall wellness.
Chiropractic Care Crossfit Rehabilitation
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
Geneen, Louise J et al. �Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews.��The Cochrane database of systematic reviews�vol. 4,4 CD011279. 24 Apr. 2017, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011279.pub3
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