Allergy Sufferers!�As winter gives way to spring, seasonal allergies can really get you down. Whether you get a few sniffles and some sneezing or you are down for the count with every terrible allergy symptom known to man, it can make spring pretty unbearable.
There is no shortage of allergy medications on the market, but they come with their own issues. The majority of them cause drowsiness and other unpleasant side effects, leaving you barely able to function. Those that are made from a �non drowsy� formula sound great, but if you have certain health conditions, like high blood pressure, you are out of luck � and stuck either taking the ones that make you sleep sucking it up and dealing with your allergies sans medication.
That�s no way to live.
What Are Allergies?
When your immune produces histamines in response to an allergen that you encounter the physiological reaction that you experience is broadly referred to as allergies or hay fever. The allergens may be simple substances that normally do not affect people, but when your body is out of balance, it can cause a variety of problems.
Symptoms of allergies include:
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Headache
Sneezing
Itchy eyes
Coughing or scratchy throat
Skin Rash or Hives
Swelling
Diarrhea
Nausea
Fatigue
Anaphylaxis, severe, life threatening allergies can include swelling of the airways, tongue, and throat, inability to breathe due to blocked airway, and other dangerous symptoms.
The allergens can be something you come in contact with, like poison ivy, something you breathe in, like mold or dust, or it can be something you ingest, like strawberries or peanuts. Different people will have different allergies, but those who are allergic to the same things may not have the same reaction. Often a doctor or allergist will diagnose your allergies.
Chiropractic Care For Allergy Sufferers
Chiropractic treatments have been found to be very effective for relieving allergy symptoms and even stopping allergies at their source. It reduces the severity of allergy symptoms as well as the frequency of occurrence. It does not work like allergy medications which have an anti-histamine effect and only work as a short term fix for your allergy symptoms.
Chiropractic treatments help your body become more balanced so that it is better equipped for combating allergies at the source. When your spine is not aligned it can impact your nervous system leading to a variety of problems � including allergies. Your immune system can be affected, causing it to malfunction.
A chiropractor can help relieve the stress on your nervous system by aligning your spine. This takes the pressure off of nerves, allowing your immune system to function at a more optimal level. This makes it easier for your body to ward off infections while recognizing allergens as harmless.
When your immune system encounters allergens it doesn�t overreact to them. Instead, the reaction is much more subdued, or even nonexistent. Chiropractic has also been found to help asthma patients breathe easier. Asthma symptoms are diminished.
Chiropractic care is more than just spinal manipulation, though. It promotes whole body wellness. Patients are taught exercise, stress relief, and nutrition so that the entire system is treated. The whole body treatment plan for chiropractic patients will help you be allergy free in a short time.
It is important to follow your chiropractic plan thoroughly and consistently. Get plenty of rest and take time to destress. The more you can relax and take care of yourself, the healthier you will be overall. Chiropractic care can help so many health conditions; it can actually make you healthier. Allergy sufferers or if you are struggling with allergies for the first time, give chiropractic care a try you just might be surprised.
Back pain sometimes strikes without warning. One minute you’re bending or lifting something heavy; the next minute you’re unable to move. Sudden onset of muscle spasm from the back is common. Roughly 8 out of 10 adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Generally, the origin of back pain and muscle spasm can be credited to overuse, an accident or a sports injury. But more often than not, the origin of muscle spasm is the effect of damage to a structure within the lumbar spine.
One matter is clear: if you have had one or more episodes of muscular strain in the back, chances are it’ll happen again. The muscles in the back function together. Without all the muscles of the back working together, no lateral and extension motion of the spine would be impossible. Stability is also added by the muscles of the back in order to keep the spine erect and maintain equilibrium. When the muscles are in spasm due to a spinal health issue, that balance can be compromised.
What are Muscle Spasms?
Muscle spams are involuntary contractions of a muscle. Although “back attacks” seem to happen out of nowhere, the motion that triggers the episode is generally preceded by a collection of health issues to the structures of the spine that develops gradually, over time. Inflammation sets in once injured. This, in turn, sensitizes the nerves, causing the muscle/s to contract and spasm.
Disc Disorders and Muscle Spasms
Conditions, such as degenerative disc disease or a herniated disc, may cause an acute episode of low back pain. A disc bulge or disc herniation may also compress a spinal nerve root causing irritation and inflammation. The body tries to immobilize the affected area by tightening the musculature to stop pain and as a result, debilitating muscle spasms occur.
Muscles can get too tight due to insufficient exercise, a lot of exercise, structural imbalances, dehydration and electrolyte loss, or any mix thereof. By comparison, some muscle bands are weak. When muscle imbalances become persistent, aberrant forces are transmitted into the spine. Consequently, an accident can be triggered by one movement out of the norm to a joint, ligament, or disk resulting in spasm and back pain. As these structures are already “primed,” the event that activates the spasm is nothing more than an effect of an underlying health issue. Muscle spams in the back are frequently painful. Here are several remedies which can help you get moving.
Remedies for Back Spasms
Initial 48 to 72 hours: Apply ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours while lying on your back. Constantly use an ice pack, never apply ice directly to skin.
After 72 hours: Apply moist warmth. A heating pad is ideal. You might find relief by soaking in a bathtub of warm water.
Whereas ice reduces redness, warmth relaxes muscles and increases blood flow to the area and nerves that are irritated.
By elevating your legs, pressure is taken off the spine and may help relieve pain.
Aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider regarding the dosing and drug regimen most acceptable for your problem. With reduced back muscle spasms, combination remedies (ie, remainder, ice/heat and drugs) generally yield much better outcomes than one therapy alone.
Back Spasm Prevention
When the back spasm episode has passed, and you’ve allowed enough time for the inflammation to subside, begin focusing on what you can do to keep it from happening again.
Start stretching: Incorporate stretching exercises in your daily routine. Muscle fibers gain from stretching and so will you. Consider taking yoga courses or Pilates; always stretch before exercise.
Get in shape:�Now’s the time to get started in case you do not take part in routine physical activity. Exercise confers advantages too important to ignore and too numerous to mention. Join a fitness center. Start playing a sport. The key to any exercise routine is that it be done consistently.
Strength training: A�significant part of any exercise regimen, strength training not only builds muscle, it can reduce imbalances. Remember: muscles operate with one another, so be sure to balance your strengthening regularly.
Make preventing another incident of muscular spasms your priority. It’s never too late to start increasing your strength, flexibility and mobility. Choose activities that you enjoy and commit to performing them. In addition, several healthcare professionals can help decrease muscles spasms. Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option which utilizes a variety of treatment methods to help ease muscle spasms caused by spinal health issues.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
Muscle spasms both disrupt your life and can be painful. There are several ways in which a chiropractor can help you find relief for your muscle spasms. Here’s how chiropractic care can help to decrease the severity and frequency of your muscle spasms.
Chiropractic care, can go a long way toward assisting you to avoid tightness in your muscles that result in constantly painful symptoms, when you get regular spinal adjustments and manual manipulations. Chiropractic treatment includes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations which help align your body to take pressure off of soft tissues within the body and nerves, reducing the nerve signals your brain might be receiving that cause an involuntary contraction. Manual manipulations and spinal adjustments also allows your spine and joints to restore normal motion, which in turn contributes to a decrease in muscle spasms and pain.
Your chiropractor may also utilize massage treatment to help relax the muscles in your body which are prone to spasm. These kinds of treatments help to decrease fluid, reduce scar tissue and supply relief. Massage may also help to reduce any inflammation that communicates with the cramps and spasms your own muscles. Your chiropractor can also provide nutritional advice to help put an end to chronic spasms. If you are dehydrated you could have an electrolyte imbalance which may be causing your cramping and muscle spasms. Making certain modifications to your diet and drinking more water can help restore balance and decrease the number or spasms you’re experiencing as well.
Moreover, the chiropractor may use associated therapies for the treatment of muscle spasms. This can include hot and cold treatments, ultrasound and electric stimulation of the muscle. These therapies help greatly to increase flow and also prevent swelling or scarring of the muscle. Associated treatments are a means for prevention of further damage and injury recurrences as well as to reduce pain. What’s more, a doctor of chiropractic may suggest a series of appropriate stretches and exercises to speed up the recovery process. Certainly, the ultimate objective is to alleviate the muscle spasms.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Muscle spasms are common symptoms caused by a variety of injuries and/or aggravated conditions which can result in back pain. Regardless of the cause of your back pain, muscle spasms can often become a constant and debilitating health issue that can affect your overall quality of life. Chiropractic care is a common treatment option utilized to help ease soft tissue injuries caused by accident and/or sports injuries. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor can restore the original alignment of the spine, helping to reduce stress and tension build up in the soft tissues surrounding the spine, ultimately improving muscle spams.
Remember, it’s not normal to experience muscle spasms. If you do, then it is likely you have an underlying problem that has to be diagnosed and treated. You don’t have to suffer from the pain and discomfort of muscle spasms, your chiropractor can be your partner.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
According to statistics, approximately 80% of people will experience symptoms of back pain at least once throughout their lifetimes. Back pain is a common complaint which can result due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions. Often times, the natural degeneration of the spine with age can cause back pain. Herniated discs occur when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in its surrounding, outer ring of cartilage, compressing and irritating the nerve roots. Disc herniations most commonly occur along the lower back, or lumbar spine, but they may also occur along the cervical spine, or neck. The impingement of the nerves found in the low back due to injury and/or an aggravated condition can lead to symptoms of sciatica.
About 50 to 80 percent of pregnant women experience some type of pain back during their pregnancy. Access to the right treatment can be challenging because the connection between pregnancy and back pain is not fully comprehended. Luckily, back pain is typically short-term where most cases will go away shortly after the birth of your baby, however, waiting for the symptoms to go away on their own isn’t much of an appealing option. Back pain associated with pregnancy is often localized to a specific region of the spine rather than widespread. Back pain tends to arise between the fifth and seventh months of pregnancy, even though it can begin sooner.
Pregnancy-Related Back Pain
Women generally experience pregnancy-related back pain in the lower back, pelvic and sacrum regions of the spine. Pain along the pelvic area, for which a straightforward diagnosis isn’t yet determined, is referred to as peripartum pelvic pain. Peripartum refers to the period of time surrounding childbirth, which is usually several weeks prior to birth and a few weeks after birth.
Back pain associated with pregnancy presents itself most commonly in the following regions:
Sacroiliac joints in the posterior superior iliac spine
The groin areas
Coccyx
Pubic symphysis anteriorly
Furthermore, other areas of the pelvis and thighs may change and cause painful symptoms, however, radiating pain rarely occurs below the knees. Back pain during pregnancy tends to be associated with posture and can by influenced by a waddling gait.
What Increases Back Pain Symptoms During Pregnancy?
While several factors, including age and smoking status, have not been necessarily demonstrated to affect symptoms of back pain, a history of pain during pregnancy and a history of back pain in general, along with increased body mass, have already been linked to an increase in peripartum pain. Additionally, younger women often have more extreme pain compared to older women. Studies have reported that approximately 10 percent of women said back pain during pregnancy prevented them from engaging in their work and more than 80 percent stated that their ability to perform daily tasks was tremendously impacted.
What Causes Back Pain During Pregnancy?
The cause of pregnancy-related back pain is likely associated with a combination of metabolic, circulatory, and psychosocial factors. However, most of the causes can be grouped into these areas:
Weight gain: Women typically gain between 20 and 40 pounds throughout pregnancy, which puts pressure on the spine. This added pressure might result in lower back pain and other painful symptoms.
Shift of gravity in center: As you gain weight along while your belly grows, your ability to keep proper posture becomes contested. Posture changes in pregnancy have been connected to spine issues such as herniated discs and lordosis, which might contribute to back pain.
Hormonal changes: Some women report back pain at the first trimester even though the majority of women begin experiencing pain back during the fifth and seventh months. Since the baby isn’t large enough to cause any stress to the spine, it may be hormonal changes causing the symptoms. Relaxin, a hormone that relaxes pelvic and spinal joints as well as the ligaments to ease childbirth is produced by pregnant women. Relaxin might cause some spinal distress and may result in lower back pain. In reality, sacroiliac dysfunction can be caused by certain hormones produced during pregnancy.
Stress: Pregnancy can be an exciting and special time for many women, but it can also be stressful. Stress can worsen back pain or even cause it. Finding ways to manage stress while pregnant may help ease your back pain.
Treatment
Treatments for pregnancy-related back pain involve lifestyle modifications, for example:
Avoiding excessive weight gain: A nutritious diet is one of the very best ways to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, and some foods have been associated with easing spinal distress (a frequent cause of low back pain). Eating 5 or more daily servings of veggies and fruits will provide nutrients. Other good options include fatty fish and nuts, such as mackerel, which pack a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation fighting agents.
Exercising to reinforce the core and back muscles: In general, pregnant women should avoid the extremes when it comes to action: little and too much action can possibly cause an increase in back pain. Walking, swimming, and yoga are great ways to condition yourself but always remember how to safely exercise while pregnant.
Reducing stress: Finding methods to manage your stress during your pregnancy has psychological in addition to physical benefits. A massage, getting lots of rest, and relaxing with a heating pad against your back are excellent ways to manage stress while helping your spine.
Posture: Talk to your doctor about ways you can keep good posture as your pregnancy progresses.
Investing in a pregnancy pillow to give support during sleep:�Pregnancy and sound sleep don’t always mix, but a supporting pillow may deliver more comfy mornings.
Wearing sensible shoes: Spine maintenance and footwear are all connected. Avoid high heels and flip flops, if your shoe size changes during pregnancy purchase new footwear.
If your back pain does not respond to these treatments, your doctor may suggest a prescription pelvic belt, medicine therapy, injection therapy, or bed rest. In addition, chiropractic care is a safe and effective alternative treatment option for back pain during pregnancy.�Fortunately, back pain may disappear within 6 months following birth, letting you focus on the addition to your own life, your baby. Speak with your doctor about which treatment will be best for you if your pain does not subside after your baby arrives.
Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy: Benefits And Safety
Chiropractic care is the health care of the spine, discs, related nerves and bone geometry without the use of surgery or drugs and medications. It involves science and the art of adjusting and manipulating the joints of the spine, which reduces spinal nerve stress and promotes health and wellness throughout the entire body.
Is Chiropractic Care During pregnancy safe?
There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to use spinal adjustment and manual manipulations on women who are pregnant. Investing in the maternity and fertility wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a top priority for chiropractors. Some chiropractors take a particular interest in prenatal and postnatal care and seek out additional training. Below represents designations of chiropractors that have taken these additional steps.
DACCP � Diplomate with ICPA reflecting highest level of advanced training
CACCP � Certified with the ICPA reflecting advanced training
Member of ICPA reflecting special interest
Webster Certified � trained to work specifically with pelvic balance in pregnancy
Chiropractors that have been trained to work with pregnant women can use tables that adjust to a pregnant female’s body, and they will use treatment methods and techniques that prevent unnecessary pressure on the abdomen. A doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, who is trained in the requirements of pregnant women may also supply you with exercises and stretches that are safe to participate in when pregnant.
Why Should I Have Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for establishing the right environment for your growing baby. However, these changes can result in a misaligned spine or joints, including:
Protruding abdomen and increased spine
Pelvic changes
Postural adaptations
Establishing pelvic balance and orientation is just another reason to consider chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned, or subluxated, it may reduce the amount of space available for the growing baby. This limitation is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it hard for the baby to get in the best possible position for delivery. This may affect the mother’s ability to have a natural, non-invasive birth. Breech and posterior positions lead to interventions such as c-sections and can interfere with the ease of labor. The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine healthy assists the whole body to function more effectively.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can offer benefits for women that are pregnant. Possible advantages of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy include:
Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
Controlling symptoms of nausea
Reducing the time of labor and delivery
Relieving back, neck or joint pain
Preventing a potential cesarean delivery
Chiropractic Care and Breech Deliveries
The late Larry Webster, D.C., Creator of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), developed a specific chiropractic evaluation and modification which empowers chiropractors to establish balance in the pregnant female’s pelvis to reduce undue stress for the uterus and supporting ligaments of pregnant women. This balanced state in the pelvis has been clinically demonstrated to allow for optimal fetal positioning. The technique is known as the Webster Technique.
It is considered ordinary by a few for a baby to present breech until the next trimester. Most birth professionals aren’t concerned with breech presentations until a patient is 37 months into their pregnancy. Roughly 4 percent of all pregnancies lead to a breech presentation. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82 percent success rate of babies turning vertex when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Furthermore, the results from the study suggest it may be beneficial to use the Webster Technique, in the 8th month of pregnancy, even when a female has a breech presentation.
Currently the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) recommends women receive chiropractic care during pregnancy to set up pelvic balance and optimize the area in which a baby needs for growth during pregnancy. With a balanced pelvis, babies have a greater prospect of moving to the correct place for arrival, and the crisis and worry related to breech and posterior presentations may be avoided altogether. Optimal infant positioning in the right time of birth also removes the potential for dystocia (hard labou) and, therefore, results in simpler and safer deliveries for both the mother and baby.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
During pregnancy, the overall health and wellness of the mother is essential towards the proper development of the baby. Because the body of a woman goes through many changes throughout their pregnancy, however, some changes to the human body may cause health issues if not properly checked by a healthcare professional. Back pain is a common health issue reported by many pregnant women. Fortunately, safe and effective alternative treatment options for both mothers and their babies are available to help ease their painful symptoms. Chiropractic care is a well-known treatment which can be used efficiently to help ease back pain in pregnant women.
Talk to a Healthcare Professional
As more women are seeking the benefits of chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, more health care providers are seeking trained doctors of chiropractic in their own communities to refer their pregnant patients to. Discuss these options with your healthcare provider. Ask them to find out more about its benefits, if they are not yet knowledgeable about chiropractic care in pregnancy. Above all, seek options that support your body’s natural abilities to function and find a team of healthcare professionals that are respectful of your options. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
According to statistics, approximately 80% of people will experience symptoms of back pain at least once throughout their lifetimes. Back pain is a common complaint which can result due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions. Often times, the natural degeneration of the spine with age can cause back pain. Herniated discs occur when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in its surrounding, outer ring of cartilage, compressing and irritating the nerve roots. Disc herniations most commonly occur along the lower back, or lumbar spine, but they may also occur along the cervical spine, or neck. The impingement of the nerves found in the low back due to injury and/or an aggravated condition can lead to symptoms of sciatica.
Experiencing foot pain, there’s no doubt you checked out your foot to make sure it’s not injured or hurting from�improper fitting shoes, corns, plantar fasciitis, etc. This may seem counterintuitive, but you may want to check the condition of the�lumbar spine (lower back)?� Most foot problems are caused from issues with the foot itself, but you might be surprised to find that pressure on the sciatic nerve can cause intense foot pain.
Sciatic Nerve Pain
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and consists of five nerves that come together at the lower spine and then extend all the way down the back of the legs into the toes. If the lumbar spine is compressed, it presses on the sciatic nerve, thus causing radiating pain down the leg and sometimes all the way into the big toe. Foot pain without leg pain is often due to an issue located within the foot. However, it is possible that the foot pain could be the only symptom of sciatica.
Sciatica can be caused by lumbar spine disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. There are various types of sciatica, which present differently according to which spinal disc is affected. If the L5 disc is compressed, Foot Drop can occur. This refers to the heavy, weak feeling that makes flexing the foot almost impossible. Foot Drop usually results in pain radiating down along the outside of the leg, crossing over the foot and into the big toe. If the S1 nerve root is affected, the pain is likely on the sole of the foot. An accurate diagnosis is first priority in order to address the pain correctly and properly.
What To Do About The Foot Pain
Addressing the root of the problem is most important. Nearly three million people a year suffer from sciatic pain along with other dysfunctions. An experienced chiropractor or physician will demonstrate exercises to help lengthen and stretch the spine. This along with massage, acupuncture, and medication are all helpful in the management of sciatic pain. The foot pain will be addressed by a doctor or chiropractor who will to tell which treatment is most effective for the situation.
Treatment for foot pain varies depending on the condition/injury. Treatment can go from rest and ice to physical therapy, chiropractic and in severe cases surgery. Reflexology can provide relief, as well as, stretching exercises. Over the counter pain medication is often used. If the pain is too intense that it prevents sleep, a physician may prescribe non-addictive pain medication. Wear shoes with good arch supports, and if pain persists, see a podiatrist for special orthotic shoe inserts. Insurance often covers orthotics.
Further Considerations
Don�t forget that most pain in the body is caused from inflammation and can be helped with anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle stressors. Concentrate on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Stay away from sugar, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and white flour. Make sure to drink enough water every day, and get eight hours of sleep. This is one of the most effective ways to address inflammation. Bring the body back into balance.
Sandra Rubio discusses the symptoms, causes and treatments of neck pain. Headaches, migraines, dizziness, confusion and weakness in the upper extremities are some of the most common symptoms associated with neck pain. Trauma from an injury, such as that from an automobile accident or a sports injury, or an aggravated condition due to improper posture can commonly cause neck pain and other symptoms. Dr. Alex Jimenez utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other chiropractic treatment methods like deep-tissue massage, to restore the alignment of the cervical spine and improve neck pain. Chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez is the non surgical choice for improving overall health and wellness.
Cervical Pain Treatment
Neck pain is a common health issue, with approximately two-thirds of the population being affected by neck pain at any time throughout their lives. Neck pain originating in the cervical spine, or upper spine, can be caused by numerous other spinal health issues. Neck pain can result due to the pinching of the nerves emanating from the vertebrae, or because of muscular tightness in both the upper spine and the neck. Joint disruption in the neck can generate a variety of other common symptoms, including headache, or head pain, and migraines, as does joint disturbance in the back. Neck pain affects about 5 percent of the global population as of 2010, according to statistics.
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Are you experiencing back pain right now? The impact may seem identical, although it can be characterized as a dull throb or a sharp pain. Your life may have already been negatively affected as a result of your back pain. Some estimates show that 80 percent of people may experience the distress of back pain at any point in their life. And from an employer’s perspective, more than 25 percent of those working adults missed a period at work in the previous few months following back pain. Back pain can be aggravating. The pain and discomfort might only last a few days or a couple weeks, however, it may often become a chronic health issue if left untreated for an extended period of time, impacting the lives of the average person as well as that of athletes alike.
Typically, back pain originates from a mechanical problem caused by the regular wear-and-tear of the spine and associated to the aging process of the human body. Daily usage, or the average movement during the course of the day, can take a toll on the structure and function of the spine, discs, and the joints. Sprains and strains, skeletal irregularities, or being involved in an auto accident can also cause the degeneration of the spine but the end results are exactly the same. While anyone can experience back pain, there are some factors that can raise the risk, including age, fitness level, pregnancy and weight gain, occupational risk factors with physically demanding tasks, preexisting mental health difficulties and even overloaded backpacks carried by school children.
Fortunately, relief can be achieved by chiropractic care. Experts estimate it that roughly 22 million Americans visit their chiropractor each year and 35 percent of these patients are seeing their chiropractor to get a remedy for their back pain, recurring neck pain, headaches and numbness or tingling in their arms and legs.
Chiropractic Care Helps Back Pain
Chiropractic care involves the manipulation of the spine with varying levels of pressure exerted through a treatment method intended to restore the health of the human body. The hope is the proper alignment of the spine, adjusted during a process known as a spinal adjustment, to allow the body to heal itself, without forcing the individual to switch to surgical interventions or the use of drugs and/or medication. Patients can expect a thorough evaluation with a comprehensive questionnaire, followed by a physical examination. Lab tests and diagnostic instruments might be used to diagnose the source of back pain.
Spinal manipulation or adjustments take place on densely padded treatment tables which places the patients lying down, which allow the chiropractor to apply the necessary pressure. It is during these spinal adjustments that patients can experience the benign “popping” or “crackling” sound often associated with chiropractic care. A chiropractor might also utilize ultrasound therapy electrical stimulation and massage therapy to treat patients. Chiropractors might additionally suggest nutritional advice, such as the usage of vitamins, as well as recommend a few exercises to enhance the patient’s strength, flexibility and movement in order to help speed up the recovery process.
Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option for pain back. Some patients feel immediate relief following treatment, although a couple of people may experience mild aching or soreness. Before seeking a diagnosis for your back pain pain, however, it may be important for you to first understand several of the common causes of back pain. Having an understanding of the types of injuries and/or conditions which could be the source of your symptoms could help you and the chiropractor arrange the best type of treatment for your specific cause of back pain. Below are six of the most common causes of mechanical back pain.
Causes of Mechanical Back Pain
The most common causes of back and neck pain are mechanical, meaning they may manifest due to the movements of the spine. The mechanical parts of the spine include the tendons, ligaments, muscles, intervertebral discs and the facet joints. The most frequent region for mechanical back pain is the lumbar spine, or the lower back. This area of the spine�disperse and absorb the majority of the human body’s weight during active and static movement. Static means the body is stationary (eg, standing) although not actively moving (eg, walking). Meanwhile, the neck, or the cervical spine, is the most mobile region of the spinal column. Here, the spine supports the weight of the head. The diversity of motion includes nodding, bending forward, backward, and side to side movements.
However, even if the body isn’t moving, parts of the body continue to support the spine. There are also mechanical forces, such as gravity, pressure, compression and stress, which can still affect the spine. Below are six of the most common causes of mechanical back pain.
Back or Neck Sprain and Strain
A back or neck sprain occurs when a ligament of the spine, or a complex group of strong tissues that hold the bones of the spine together, is overstretched or torn as a result of trauma from an injury. In contrast, neck or back strain involves the over-stretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon attachment due to an injury. Because a sprain or strain can affect any of the complex structures in the spine, finding the exact source of the patient’s symptoms may be challenging without the proper equipment. If you sprain or strain your back (or neck), the delicate tissues are hurt and respond by swelling, thus causing pain and discomfort. Muscles that are affected may go into spasm which can also be painful. Stiffness is another symptom that may make movement difficult.
Disc Herniation
Intervertebral discs divide the drum-shaped vertebral bodies of the spine. Each disc is carefully anchored into place by endplates; a fibrous connective tissue that makes up each intervertebral disc. Intervertebral discs are made of fibrocartilage and allow a small amount of movement at each vertebral segment (2 vertebrae and one disk). The disc’s outer ring, known as the annulus fibrosis, protects the internal workings centre of the disc, known as the nucleus pulposus. Disc herniation occurs when the gel-like substance breaks through the outer ring, often causing nerve compression, inflammation, irritation, and pain. Pain may radiate or travel down to an arm or leg, depending on the region of the spine where the herniation occurred. Weakness, numbness, and tingling sensations can accompany pain and discomfort associated with the herniation of the discs. In addition, an intervertebral disc may rupture in various directions: front (anterior), back (posterior), and/or side (lateral), causing stress against the complex structures of the spine.
Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF)
A vertebral compression fracture occurs when force from an impact causes the vertebrae of the spine to collapse. Trauma (eg, fall) is a common cause of vertebral compression fracture, though VCF is often related to osteoporosis, a weight loss reduction of bone mineral density and strength. A VCF can also occur during bending forwards or lifting. These fractures usually result in sudden and severe back pain.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS)
Spinal stenosis in the lower back, or lumbar spine, develops when the nerve root passageways and/or the spinal canal become narrow. As a matter of fact, the term stenosis means “narrow”. When complex structures of the spine, such as the nerve roots, are compressed as a result of the narrowing of the spinal canal, the dominating symptoms includes pain and discomfort which radiates into one or both legs, a commonly known collection of symptoms referred to as sciatica. Lumbar spinal stenosis, or LSS, prevalently affects adults and may be related to hormonal changes which cause tissue or bone to develop into neural pathways, compressing the spinal cord canal.
Spinal Osteoarthritis (Spondylosis)
Spondylosis is a medical term used to define degenerative spinal osteoarthritis; frequent in older adults. Similar to other kinds of arthritis, spondylosis can affect the facet joints, causing symptoms of swelling, stiffness, pain in the back. It might develop in the neck, known as cervical spondylosis, mid back, known as thoracic spondylosis, and in the lower back, known as lumbar spondylosis. Spondylosis can consist of other degenerative changes that can often lead to disc herniation and spinal stenosis.
Spondylolisthesis
If one vertebral body slips forward over the vertebra underneath, it is characterized as spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis may occur in the neck, however, the lower back or lumbar spine is most commonly affected by this type of condition. The diagnosis and identification of the severity of a patient’s spondylolisthesis includes determining the degree of the vertebrae’s movement. Grade 1 means the vertebra has shifted forward by about 25 percent where Grade 5 refers to a complete slip of the vertebra, known as spondyloptosis. Grade 5 might be caused by a fracture of the bone that helps stabilize the placement of the vertebrae. Aside from pain and discomfort, severe muscle spasms and sciatic-type symptoms may develop.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Although back pain is one of the most common complaints frequently treated in the medical field today, properly treating it may often be difficult because the source of the symptoms may be due to a variety of spinal health issues, including sprains and strains as well as spinal disc herniation and spinal stenosis. Chiropractic care is a popular, alternative treatment option commonly utilized to diagnose, treat and prevent a variety of injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. After a thorough medical evaluation is performed by a chiropractor, the back pain specialist may use spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully restore the original alignment of the spine. By correcting spinal misalignments, or subluxations, a chiropractor can release the tension and pressure being placed agains the spine, allowing the human body to naturally heal itself without the need for surgical interventions and drugs and/or medications. Visit a chiropractic care office to discuss the treatment options for your specific type of back pain.
In conclusion,�back pain can occur as a result of a variety of injuries and/or conditions. However, mechanical back pain, caused by the movement of the spine, has been referred to as the most common cause of back pain and spine health issues. Understanding the type of injuries and/or conditions discussed above can help you and the healthcare professional determine the best type of treatment for your specific health problems. Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option commonly utilized to help treat back pain symptoms, among other types of health issues.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Back Pain
According to statistics, approximately 80% of people will experience symptoms of back pain at least once throughout their lifetimes. Back pain is a common complaint which can result due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions. Often times, the natural degeneration of the spine with age can cause back pain. Herniated discs occur when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in its surrounding, outer ring of cartilage, compressing and irritating the nerve roots. Disc herniations most commonly occur along the lower back, or lumbar spine, but they may also occur along the cervical spine, or neck. The impingement of the nerves found in the low back due to injury and/or an aggravated condition can lead to symptoms of sciatica.
Chiropractic treatment is a nonsurgical option that can help reduce neck pain and related symptoms. Below are some of the different types of neck (cervical) conditions that Doctors of Chiropractic (DC’s) treat:
Chiropractors also use manual therapies to treat neck pain:
Cervical intervertebral disc injuries that don�t require surgery
Cervical sprain injuries
Degenerative joint syndrome of the neck (eg, facet joints)
A chiropractor evaluates the spine as a whole because other regions of the neck (cervical), mid back (thoracic) and low back (lumbar) can be affected as well. Along with treating the spine as a whole, chiropractic medicine treats the entire person and not just a specific symptom/s. Chiropractors may educate on nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle goals in addition to treating neck pain.
A chiropractor will do a thorough examination to diagnose the specific cause of the neck pain before deciding on which approach/technique to use.
They will determine any areas of restricted movement and will look at a walking cycle along with posture and spinal alignment. Doing these things can help the chiropractor understand the body’s mechanics.
In addition to the physical exam, a chiropractor will want to go over past medical history, and they may order imaging tests (eg, an x-ray or MRI) to help them diagnose the exact cause of the neck pain.
All these steps in the diagnostic process will give a chiropractor more information about the neck pain, which will help the� chiropractor create a customized treatment plan for the individual patient.
A chiropractor will rule out neck pain conditions that require surgery. If they believe surgery is the best treatment for the neck pain, then the patient will be referred to a spine surgeon.
Chiropractic Treatment: Neck Pain
A chiropractor may use a combination of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other techniques as part of the treatment plan.
Spinal Manipulation Techniques Used:
Flexion-Distraction Technique:�Gentle hands-on spinal manipulation that involves a pumping action on the intervertebral disc rather than direct force.
Instrument Assisted Manipulation:�Uses hand-held instruments, which allow the chiropractor to apply force without thrusting into the spine.
Specific Spinal Manipulation:�Restores joint movement with a gentle thrusting technique.
Chiropractors also use manual therapies to treat neck pain.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy: uses special instruments to diagnose and treat muscle tension.
Trigger Point Therapy is used to relieve tight, painful points on a muscle.
Other therapies used to ease neck pain symptoms.
Inferential Electrical Stimulation:�Is a low frequency electrical current used to stimulate neck muscles.
Ultrasound:�Sound waves travel into the muscle tissues to help stiffness and pain in the neck.
Therapeutic Exercises:�Helps improve overall range of motion in the neck and prevent neck pain from progressing.
The treatments listed are examples of possible chiropractic treatment for neck pain; The actual treatment plan will depend on the diagnosis. A chiropractor will thoroughly explain the treatment options available along with the actual customized treatment for the individual patient.
Chiropractic Clinic Extra: Neck Pain Care & Treatments
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Chiropractic Care For Allergy Sufferers
Sciatic Nerve Pain
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and consists of five nerves that come together at the lower spine and then extend all the way down the back of the legs into the toes. If the lumbar spine is compressed, it presses on the sciatic nerve, thus causing radiating pain down the leg and sometimes all the way into the big toe. Foot pain without leg pain is often due to an issue located within the foot. However, it is possible that the foot pain could be the only symptom of sciatica.
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A chiropractor may use a combination of spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and other techniques as part of the treatment plan.
