Decompress Your Spine After an Injury

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Medics providing emergency medical assistance after the road accident — Medics wearing neck corset to an injured man sitting in the car after the road accident, providing emergency medical assistance

When the body goes through intense trauma like a car, truck, crash, or accident, the trauma can slip, bulge, herniate, or rupture the spinal fluid-filled discs that can extrude from the disc space, causing the nucleus pulposus to tear through the annulus fibrosus and compress the nerve roots causing pain. Depending on the severity and force of the crash or accident, a herniated disc can cause the vertebrae to push into the spinal canal, where it can compress, irritate, and/or injure the spinal cord, which can lead to other health issues. Nerve impingement from a herniated disc can also cause numbness and tingling in the hands, arms, legs, and feet. A chiropractic spine disc herniation decompression treatment plan can heal the herniation, realign the spine, stretch the muscles and joints, and rehabilitate the body back to top form.

Table of Contents

Spine Disc Herniation

Symptoms of Herniation

Signs and symptoms depend on the spinal area and whether the disc is rubbing or compressing a nerve. Pain is often described as a sharp or burning sensation. A herniated disc usually affects one side of the body.

Pain Presents When Sitting Down – sitting causes a significant strain on the lower spinal discs. When sitting, the pain experienced can worsen.

Arm or leg pain – Depending on the herniated disc, pain can spread to other surrounding areas.

For a lower herniation, this could be the buttock, thigh, calf, and foot.
For a herniated disc in the neck region, pain can be felt in the shoulder and arm.

Pain can present in the arm or leg when coughing, sneezing, or moving into certain positions.

Numbness or tingling – presents from the compressed nerves and spreads as the average blood/energy flow is disrupted.

Muscle Weakness – the affected nerves that support the spinal muscles can lose normal strength causing awkward postures and fatigue.

A herniated disc can be present without symptoms – individuals won’t know unless spinal imaging is ordered.

Sciatica Sensations – the damaged nerve roots affect the ability to function correctly and can cause burning pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling along the front and/or back of the thigh, leg, and/or foot. This can result from direct compression or chemical irritation from a leaked-out herniated disc that causes inflammation around the nerve root area.

Chiropractic Injury Care

When a disc herniates, it inhibits the body from communicating and healing itself. To activate proper communication from the brain to the rest of the body, chiropractors perform spine disc herniation decompression which clears the neural system and opens the lines of communication.

Spine Disc Herniation Decompression

Nonsurgical spinal decompression gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure and heal the herniated disc. It is a safe procedure considered a natural alternative compared to surgery or pharmaceutical approaches. Spinal decompression therapy:

It is safe for all ages
It is non-invasive
Sessions take between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the individual and the injury which could require multiple sessions.
Offers a quicker recovery time
It is performed on a computer-controlled table customized to the individual’s specific needs and injuries.

A treatment plan can expedite the recovery process, rehabilitate and strengthen the whole body, and help avoid minimally invasive spine surgery.

Neurosurgeon DRX9000

References

Atlas, Steven J et al. “The impact of disability compensation on long-term treatment outcomes of patients with sciatica due to a lumbar disc herniation.” Spine vol. 31,26 (2006): 3061-9. doi:10.1097/01.brs.0000250325.87083.8d

Dydyk AM, Ngnitewe Massa R, Mesfin FB. Disc Herniation. [Updated 2022 Jan 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/

Gane, Elise M et al. “The Impact of Musculoskeletal Injuries Sustained in Road Traffic Crashes on Work-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 18,21 11504. 1 Nov. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijerph182111504

Scuderi, Gaetano J et al. “Symptomatic cervical disc herniation following a motor vehicle collision: return to work comparative study of workers’ compensation versus personal injury insurance status.” The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 5,6 (2005): 639-44; discussion 644. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.04.007

Cervical & Lumbar Herniation Relief With Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The spine is an S-shaped curve that runs down the back from the skull down to the pelvic bone. The vertebrae that make up the spine helps keep the body standing upright and do everyday movements to function. Whether the person is doing physical activities, running errands, or even sitting down and relaxing, the body always ends up in weird positions that may look uncomfortable and cause pain without even the individual realizing it. The cervical and lumbar regions of the spine have succumbed to injuries that can develop into lower back and neck pain if it is not treated right away. Fortunately, there are available treatments that provide the necessary relief in both regions of the spine. Today’s article looks at disc herniation, how it affects the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, and how spinal decompression can help relieve disc herniation in these two regions. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Disc Herniation?

Feeling muscle tension on your neck or your lower back? Does the pain seem to be a gradual nuisance or a dull ache? Do you often find that different positions work better for pain relief? If you have experienced these symptoms, it could be due to disc herniation in your spine. The spine works because it is enveloped with musculoskeletal soft tissues, ligaments, and spinal discs that help protect the spinal cord from injuries. When the spine suffers from an injury or naturally ages, the spinal discs’ outer layers will begin to compress and start to protrude out, causing pain to the body. Research studies have defined disc herniation as a common condition that affects the spine. Disc herniation causes the outer layers of the spinal disc to bulge out of their original position and start to irritate the surrounding spinal nerves that are spread out the entire body. When a herniated disc starts to press on the spinal nerves, it causes those nerve roots to send out pain signals to the affected areas around the spine and back. These compressed nerves can also cause spinal cord dysfunction or myelopathy pain in the areas that can affect the body’s sensory and motor functions.

How Does It Affect The Cervical & Lumbar Regions?

The spine’s two regions, the cervical and the lumbar sections help the body stay functional. The cervical area of the spine incorporates the upper back, neck, head, shoulders, and arms, while the lumbar section has the lower back, hips, legs, and feet. When disc herniation starts to affect either one of these two regions, it can cause severe neck and lower back problems. Research studies have found that cervical herniated discs are one of the leading causes of many people suffering from neck pain. Many people often tell their primary physicians that they feel muscle stiffness in their necks from ordinary factors like being hunched over for an extended period or from an injury that causes them to develop whiplash. The nerves surrounding the cervical section of the spine will cause an increase in the inflammatory cytokines to cause radiating pain symptoms to affect the upper body.

Now just like the cervical area being affected by disc herniation, the lumbar region of the spine will suffer as well. Research studies have shown that when many people suffer from low back pain, the leading cause is lumbar disc herniation. When the spinal disc becomes herniated in the lumbar section of the spine, it does the same thing where it compresses the spinal root. Other forms of low back symptoms that lumbar disc herniation causes can include sciatica and leg pain. When disc herniation starts to affect the lumbar and cervical areas of the spine, it can cause a person to have motor dysfunction and make them succumb to more pain. Luckily there are treatments to help reduce the effects of disc herniation by restoring the herniated disc back to its original position.

Spinal Decompression For Herniated Discs-Video

DRX9000 Non Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy | Herniated Disc Treatment | Pro Physio

Have you been experiencing pain either in your neck or lower back? It seems that certain activities are impossible to do because you are in pain? Do you feel muscle stiffness in either the neck or lower back? If you have been experiencing these systems throughout your entire life, it could be disc herniation located in the cervical and lumbar regions of the body. The video above shows how herniated discs are alleviated through the DRX9000 decompression machine. Decompression treatments are utilized for many suffering individuals with either neck or low back pain looking for relief. What the DRX9000 does is that it gently pulls the spine to increase the disc height and reduce the pressure off of the surrounding nerve roots. Decompression/traction therapy for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explain how decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain in the affected regions.

How Spinal Decompression Help With Disc Herniation

When disc herniation starts to affect the cervical or lumbar section of the spine, many people have found ways to try and alleviate the pain so they can continue with their days. Some people will incorporate hot and cold packs to reduce the pain to a dull minor ache, while others use decompression treatments to help restore their spine back to its original function. Research studies have mentioned that non-surgical decompression has helped alleviate the pain factors that herniated discs have caused by increasing the spinal disc height and providing stability to the torso of the body. When decompression increases the spinal’s height, it allows the herniated disc to lay off on the surrounding nerves and even provide relief to the affected areas. Additional information has been provided that the negative pressure produced by decompression allows the disc to be rehydrated and pressure reduced to the affected nerves. When people incorporate decompression for cervical or lumbar disc herniation, they will begin to feel relief after a few sessions.

Conclusion

Overall, having neck or low back pain is miserable when the pain starts to affect a person’s day. When the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine are affected by disc herniation, it can disrupt the motor and sensory to operate the neck or lower back, thus causing unwanted issues to make a person suffer in pain. Decompression therapy helps people by using negative pressure to gently stretch the spine and restore it to its original function without pain. Decompression therapy allows the herniated discs to return to the spine and lay off on the aggravating nerves around the spine. This will enable people to continue with their daily activities pain-free.

References

Al Qaraghli, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.

Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/.

Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.

Kang, Jeong-Il, et al. “Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle Activity and Disk Height in Patients with Herniated Intervertebral Disk.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5140813/.

Sharrak, Samir, and Yasir Al Khalili. “Cervical Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 20 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546618/.

Disclaimer

Decompression Surgery For Myelopathic Neck Pain

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The neck has two functions that allow the body to make sure that it holds the head up. The motor functions enable the neck to be mobile with the head as it can turn, twist and rotate without any discomfort or pain affecting it. For the sensory functions, the neck can feel when it has been stretched or adjusted or feel pain when it is injured. These two functions ensure that the neck is working correctly, but when injuries or unwanted events occur and affect the neck, it can cause unwanted problems. Neck injuries have a wide range of painful symptoms that can affect the spine’s head, neck, and cervical region. Today’s article will focus on myelopathy neck pain, its causes and symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help alleviate myelopathy neck pain for many individuals. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Myelopathy Pain?

Have you been experiencing upper back or neck pain? Do you feel a tingling sensation running from your neck down to your hands? Or have you experienced difficulty in simple tasks like writing or putting on clothes? Experiencing these symptoms might show that you are suffering from myelopathy pain in the neck and cervical area of the spine. Research studies have defined myelopathy pain as when the neck suffers from a traumatic injury that causes severe compression on the spinal cord in the cervical area. The spinal cord in the spine has nerve roots that are branched out in the cervical region and allow the signals to be transported from the brain to the rest of the body. When traumatic injuries cause an impact on the spine, the blunt force will compress the spinal cord causing unwanted symptoms that affects either the cervical or lumbar portions of the spine. When the spinal cord becomes compressed, it can cause issues to the cervical part of the spine’s sensory and motor neck functions.

The Symptoms & Causes

When a person is suffering from myelopathy pain in the cervical regions of their spine, research studies have shown that the symptoms that myelopathy pain causes are motor dysfunction, where a person is having difficulty doing ordinary activities like getting ready for the day. Other symptoms that cervical myelopathy can cause to the neck are sensory dysfunctions, where the arms and hands feel numb to the touch. This tingling sensation gives off a pins and needles feeling to the body, and it can become uncomfortable for many individuals experiencing this sensation. This could be due to the cervical nerves and the spinal cord nerves being in pain. Additional research has mentioned that cervical myelopathy is caused when osteoarthritic changes in the spinal column that causes the spinal canal to be reduced. Myelopathy cervical pain can also be caused by cervical herniation in the neck, where the spinal discs aggravate the nerve roots. Other causes for the development of myelopathy are:

Spinal stenosis
Spondylosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Herniated Discs
Spinal Injuries

Cervical Traction/Decompression Treatment-Video

Feeling a tingling sensation running down from your shoulders to your hands? How about muscle stiffness from your neck turning it side to side? Is it difficult to do simple tasks like brushing your hair or buttoning up a shirt? Perhaps you are experiencing cervical myelopathy in the neck that is causing these symptoms, and decompression/traction treatments could be the relief you need. The video above shows how to assemble the Chatanooga decompression machine for cervical decompression/traction treatments. This treatment allows the individual to lay their head on the traction table and be secured. The device enables moderate pulling to release the pinched nerves from causing more pain to the neck and upper half of the body. Cervical decompression/traction can also help with neck and spinal issues like cervical herniation, radicular pain, and muscle stiffness. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explain how cervical decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck pain and cervical myelopathy.

How Decompression Therapy Helps Alleviate Myelopathy Neck Pain

With myelopathy, neck pain causing not only neck pain but also upper body pain that hinders a person’s ability to do simple tasks. Research studies have shown that decompression surgery can help alleviate myelopathy neck pain by restoring the neurological motor function back in the spinal cord and providing relief to the cervical nerve roots. Other research studies have found that decompression treatments for myelopathy neck pain can help improve neck functionality, reduce neck disability, and even help restore a person’s quality of life by bringing back their motor function for the upper extremities that are associated with the neck.

Conclusion

Overall, having myelopathy neck pain can cause a person to lose their motor and sensory functions in their upper body. The factors like herniation, spinal spondylolysis, and spinal injuries are some of the causes of the development of myelopathy. It can make a person deal with constant neck pain without finding relief. Decompression treatments help many suffering individuals dealing with myelopathy neck pain by relieving the tension from the cervical nerve root that is causing the pain signals in the cervical area. By reducing the inflamed cervical nerve, people can feel the relief they desire when incorporating decompression treatments into their wellness journey.

References

Cheung, W Y, et al. “Neurological Recovery after Surgical Decompression in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy – a Prospective Study.” International Orthopaedics, Springer-Verlag, Apr. 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2269013/.

Donnally, Chester J, et al. “Cervical Myelopathy.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 Mar. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482312/.

Fehlings;Wilson JR;Kopjar B;Yoon ST;Arnold PM;Massicotte EM;Vaccaro AR;Brodke DS;Shaffrey CI;Smith JS;Woodard EJ;Banco RJ;Chapman JR;Janssen ME;Bono CM;Sasso RC;Dekutoski MB;Gokaslan ZL;, Michael G. “Efficacy and Safety of Surgical Decompression in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: Results of the Aospine North America Prospective Multi-Center Study.” The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Sept. 2013, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24048552/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Myelopathy: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic, 2 Oct. 2021, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21966-myelopathy.

Milligan, James, et al. “Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Diagnosis and Management in Primary Care.” Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, College of Family Physicians of Canada, Sept. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6741789/.

Disclaimer

Herniated Disc Decompression Therapy

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Senior patient telling doctor about his backache — Aged person talking to young manual therapist about pain in the back with doctor making notes about it in notebook

Older and elderly individuals have an increased risk of developing a herniated disc/s. The age of the intervertebral discs/cushions causes deflation, drying out, and shifting, making it easier for discs to herniate. Muscle mass also reduces/lessens with age; specifically, the muscles parallel to the spinal column are responsible for stability. When the spine loses strength, the risk of injuries like slips and falls can damage the spine and the rest of the body. Herniated disc decompression will keep the vertebral cushions healthy, functioning, and properly aligned.

Table of Contents

Symptoms of Disc Herniation

A herniated disc bulge or tear/s will press on the spinal nerves causing discomfort that can range from mild to severe pain and can last for weeks to months. The symptoms of disc herniation vary and depend on the injury angle, how much of the disc ruptured and if it is touching or has leaked out on the nerve roots. The most common symptoms include:

Restricted hip and waist flexion.
Continuous back pain that radiates.
Sciatica symptoms
Back muscles contract/spasm
The pain can worsen by sudden body movements caused by coughing, sneezing, or hiccups.
Numbness in the affected area
Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
Decreased knee or ankle reflexes
Weakness
Bladder or bowel function changes like difficulty moving waste through the colon or large intestine.

Herniated Disc Decompression

Nonsurgical herniated disc decompression therapy can help heal the herniation by:

Stretching the spine to the total capacity.
Removing the pressure.
Pulls the herniated disc back into its correct position.
Fills the injured/damaged areas and the rest of the spine with blood, oxygen, nutrients, and lubricating fluids.
Helping to rebuild joint and muscle strength.
Increasing flexibility in the muscles that support the affected area of the spine.

The therapy duration depends on the herniation, injury, and damage severity. The objective is to bring significant improvement that will last.

Chiropractic, Physical/Massage Therapy, and Health Coaching

A chiropractor and physical massage therapy team will develop a personalized herniated disc decompression treatment plan with specific goals. The therapy will include:

Mechanical decompression.
Manual chiropractic adjustments.
Massage sessions.
Health coaching.
Exercises and stretches will be given that will help maintain pressure relief and flexibility.
Core stabilization exercises will strengthen and stabilize the spine and muscles.
Aerobic conditioning will help increase endurance.

Back Surgery Warning

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Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression El Paso, Texas

References

Carla Vanti, PT, MSc, OMPT, Alice Panizzolo, PT, OMPT, Luca Turone, PT, OMPT, Andrew A Guccione, PT, Ph.D., DPT, FAPTA, Francesco Saverio Violante, MD, Paolo Pillastrini, PT, MSc, Lucia Bertozzi, PT, MSc, Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Physical Therapy, Volume 101, Issue 3, March 2021, pzaa231, https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzaa231

Dydyk AM, Ngnitewe Massa R, Mesfin FB. Disc Herniation. [Updated 2022 Jan 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/

Maistrelli, G L et al. “Lumbar disc herniation in the elderly.” Spine vol. 12,1 (1987): 63-6. doi:10.1097/00007632-198701000-00012

Suri, Pradeep, et al. “Nonsurgical treatment of lumbar disk herniation: are outcomes different in older adults?.” Journal of the American Geriatrics Society vol. 59,3 (2011): 423-9. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03316.x

Decompression Treatments For Cervical Herniation

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

-

Table of Contents

Introduction

As part of the upper body, the neck’s job is to keep the head upright while providing motor functions to turn up, down, left, and right while rotating it counter and clock-wise without any issues or pain. Like the lower back, the neck is enveloped by the spinal cord, ligaments, and soft muscle tissues that protect the cervical area of the spinal column from unwanted factors and injuries. When undesirable factors or injuries cause neck issues, it can affect a person’s ability to keep their head upright. Many injuries or natural factors cause a person to look down constantly and cause tension in the neck and shoulder muscle areas that makes them hunched over. Luckily, treatments are available to help restore neck function back to the individual. Today’s article discusses cervical herniation, how it affects the neck, and how decompression treatments can help relieve the cervical area on the spine. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Cervical Herniation?

Have you been feeling stiffness around your neck and shoulder areas? Does your neck ache after hunching over the computer after work? How about the crick in your neck that seems to be irritating? All of these symptoms are due to herniation in the cervical area of the spine. Research studies have defined cervical disc herniation as one of the most common causes of neck pain in individuals. When the body starts to naturally age, the spine does as well. The cervical area of the spine protects the spinal cord through ligaments, soft tissues, nerves, and spinal discs, just like the lower back in the lumbar regions. When there are issues that cause pain in the cervical area, additional research shows that nerve root irritation can cause a wide range of pain in the neck. The pain can be mild to severe depending on the herniated disc’s impact and the severity of the neck’s injury.

How Does It Affect The Neck?

Research studies have found that cervical herniation can affect the neck due to the variety of symptoms that it causes. In the upper and lower segments of the spine, disc herniation symptoms are mainly caused due to compression along the spinal nerves, causing them to become aggravated in these two regions. Some of the progressing pain that the neck suffers from cervical herniation can affect one area of the neck, which is axial pain, or it can affect the cervical nerve root that travels down from the shoulders to the hands, which is known as radicular pain. These types of neck pain can be due to cervical herniation and cause a person to be miserable. Additional research studies have shown that when cervical disc herniation starts to progress further, individuals with a sedentary lifestyle haven’t found ways to alleviate the progressing pain that the neck is suffering from. Fortunately, there are treatments for relieving not only neck pain but can restore the cervical spinal discs back in the spine.

Cervical Traction For Neck Herniation-Video

Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness in the cervical portion of your neck? How about traveling pain from your shoulders to your hands? Do you feel any pain from stretching your neck from side to side to try and relieve it? Experiencing cervical herniation is no joke regarding your neck and spinal health. Why not give cervical decompression or traction a try? The video above shows what cervical traction does for individuals suffering from neck herniation. Cervical traction can provide beneficial results for people who need relief from neck pain, tension headaches, and migraines impacting their lives. Cervical traction allows the cervical herniated discs to lay off on the irritated cervical nerve and relieve the neck through gentle pulling. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has many beneficial factors in a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explain how cervical decompression offers impressive comfort for many people who suffer from neck pain and cervical herniation.

How Does Decompression Therapy Help With Cervical Herniation

Since the neck helps make sure that the head is kept upright and unwanted circumstances and injuries occur on the neck, many treatments are there to help many individuals who suffer from cervical herniation or neck pain. Research studies have found that spinal decompression treatments for the cervical spine can help improve cervical disc herniation symptoms in the neck. What cervical decompression does to the neck is that it helps promote inflammatory absorption in the neuromuscular tissues while also enhancing and restoring the natural curvature of the cervical spine. When individuals utilize cervical decompression therapy for their neck pain, it helps them rebuild the lost biomechanical balance in the cervical vertebrae and promotes healing of the neck.

Conclusion

The neck’s primary function in the body is to make sure that the head is upright and can move around without feeling any pain or issues. However, just like the lower back, the neck can suffer from injuries like disc herniation, neck pain, and neck-related problems that can cause a person to be miserable. Cervical decompression/traction therapy has been a promising non-surgical treatment for neck pain by gently pulling on the cervical area, allowing the cervical disc herniation to be back in the spine and cause relief to the person. This treatment can be a part of a person’s wellness journey in finding ways to relieve pain one section at a time.

References

Curtis, Scott. “All about Neck Pain.” Spine, Spine-Health, 9 Dec. 2019, https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/all-about-neck-pain.

Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.

Sharrak, Samir, and Yasir Al Khalili. “Cervical Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 20 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546618/.

Turk, Okan, and Can Yaldiz. “Spontaneous Regression of Cervical Discs: Retrospective Analysis of 14 Cases.” Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, Feb. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407963/.

Xu, Qing, et al. “Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression System Traction Combined with Electroacupuncture in the Treatment of Multi-Segmental Cervical Disc Herniation: A Case Report.” Medicine, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 21 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8772752/.

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Herniated Wear & Tear Relieved Through Spinal Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

-

Table of Contents

Introduction

For keeping the body upright and on the move, the spine plays an essential role in allowing the body to do these ordinary functions. The S-shaped curve enables the body to rotate from side to side, bend back and forth, and twist without feeling discomfort. The spine is enveloped with ligaments, nerve roots, spinal discs, and soft muscle tissues originating from the spinal column; these components protect the spinal cord from being injured. When the back suffers from unforeseen circumstances or starts to naturally age, the spinal discs in the spine will lose their structure, causing them to shrink and become herniated, depending on how severe the pain is. Fortunately, there are treatments available for herniated discs. Today’s article will focus on wear and tear herniation on the spine, how it affects the back, and how decompression therapy can help herniation. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Wear & Tear Herniation?

Have you been experiencing pain shooting from your lower back to your feet? Does it hurt when you are doing daily activities like walking or running? Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness in your lower back or your neck? You might be suffering from a disc herniation from wear and tear from your spine. Research studies have defined that herniation on the spine happens when the spinal discs between the spinal joint columns are damaged. Natural wear and tear on the spine when the muscles have been overworked due to heavy lifting or when the outer layer of the spinal discs starts to crack under pressure, letting the inner layers protrude out of alignment of the spine and press on the nerve roots that are connected to the spine.

Additional information has provided that disc herniation is usually associated with DDD or disc degeneration disease and contributes to low back pain. When a herniated disc starts to affect the spinal column and press on the spinal nerve roots extending all over to work with the back muscles providing motor and sensory function for the body to move, it increases the inflammatory pathways to cause radiating pain to the body. Wear and tear herniation also causes the inner walls of the spinal disc to become weak due to dehydration when the outer layer is cracked. Research studies have also mentioned that the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine are susceptible to disc herniation due to spinal pathologies that affect the spine itself. Spinal pathologies can include RA (rheumatoid arthritis), fractures, osteoporosis, and infections associated with herniated discs that can cause significant issues on the back and make a person in more pain than they already are.

How Does It Affect The Back?

Disc herniation is associated with low back pain, but other spinal issues that cause disc herniation will affect the back even more, when it is not treated. When disc herniation starts to affect the spine, it affects the back, especially the lower back. Research studies have shown the spinal disc in the spine begins to protrude out, inflammation and nerve compression begin to affect the lower back, causing lumbar radicular pain. Other research studies have shown that lumbar disc herniation causes changes in disc height in the spine while shrinking the dural sac. This causes the spinal joints to rub against each other. At the same time, the herniated disc protrudes to compress the spinal nerve roots, thus sending sudden, throbbing pain all over the back, making the individual miserable.

Spinal Decompression Therapy For Herniated Disc-Video

Disc Spinal Decompression Therapy Newport Beach, Orange County

Have you been experiencing aches and pains along your lower back? How about throbbing pain along your sciatic nerve? Does your neck or back feel stiff after suffering from an injury? These are all signs of low back pain associated with disc herniation, and spinal decompression can help alleviate these symptoms. Spinal decompression, as shown in the video above, helps many individuals suffering from low back herniation associated with low back pain. Many decompression machines help suffering individuals with a lumbar disc herniation through gentle pulling on the spine to restore the disc space and take pressure off the surrounding nerves. Decompression helps rehydrate the spinal disc’s outer layer and allows the substances to repair the outer layers. Spinal decompression therapy has many beneficial factors as part of a person’s wellness treatment. This link will explain how spinal decompression offers impressive comfort for many people who suffer from wear and tear herniation.

How Decompression Therapy Can Help Wear & Tear Herniation

With lumbar disc herniation affecting the lower back, many treatments are available for restoring the spine from herniated discs. Research studies have provided that non-invasive spinal decompression is very effective for many miserable individuals from herniation on their spine. Spinal decompression allows the affected herniated discs to be reabsorbed back into the spine, allowing the spinal disc height to increase. This type of therapy allows the herniated disc to be taken off the compressed roots and reduces pain signals from affecting the lower half of the body. Additional research studies have found that decompression allows the negative pressure to pull the herniated discs back to the spine and is safe for individuals suffering from lumbar pain. The main goal of decompression therapy is to provide relief to suffering individuals by alleviating spinal and low back issues from their backs.

Conclusion

Overall, disc herniation is caused by natural wear and tear of the spine due to overusing the back muscles in the body. When this happens, the herniated discs are compressing the nerves causing low back pain and spinal issues, causing radiating pain to travel all over the body. Treatments like spinal decompression allow the herniated discs to be pulled back into the spine gently and take the irritating pressure off the nerve roots. When people start to take care of their spine’s health through decompression, they will feel so much better in the long run.

References

Al Qaraghli, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.

Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Disc Herniation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 Jan. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441822/.

Kjaer, Per, et al. “Progression of Lumbar Disc Herniations over an Eight-Year Period in a Group of Adult Danes from the General Population–a Longitudinal MRI Study Using Quantitative Measures.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 15 Jan. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714478/.

N;, Demirel A;Yorubulut M;Ergun. “Regression of Lumbar Disc Herniation by Physiotherapy. Does Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Make a Difference? Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 22 Sept. 2017, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28505956/.

Oh, Hyunju, et al. “Effects of the Flexion-Distraction Technique and Drop Technique on Straight Leg Raising Angle and Intervertebral Disc Height of Patients with an Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Aug. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6698474/.

Yang, Hao, et al. “Low Back Pain Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation: Role of Moderately Degenerative Disc and Annulus Fibrous Tears.” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, e-Century Publishing Corporation, 15 Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4402739/.

Zielinska, Nicol, et al. “Risk Factors of Intervertebral Disc Pathology-a Point of View Formerly and Today-A Review.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 21 Jan. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7865549/.

Disclaimer

Sleep Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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frowned girl touching loin while sitting in bed and suffering from pain

Sciatica Sleep: Poor sleep can leave the body feeling off and unable to function. Not getting the proper amount of sleep can decrease health, decrease work or school productivity, and cause burnout. If it becomes chronic, it can have serious side effects on the brain and body that include:

Chronic Fatigue
Memory problems
Body discomfort, pain
Exacerbation or trigger disease

Table of Contents

Sciatica Sleep

When sleeping, certain positions/postures can place added pressure on the spine, irritating the nerve. The best sleeping positions maintain the spine’s natural curve and are different for everybody. For example, many individuals sleep on their side. They do not start sleeping this way, but they end up on their side and wake up in pain to find their sciatica flaring up. Other individuals can turn on a specific side, and the symptoms fade or go away.

Positions

The best sleeping position for one individual may not be the best for another. A lot of this depends on the placement of the injury/pinching that can affect how certain sleep positions work, causing no symptoms, while other sleep postures generate all kinds of symptoms, especially pain. Individuals are recommended to sleep in the position that works for them, provided with the correct posture.

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers are recommended to place a pillow between their knees for healthy sleep and pain avoidance results.
A pillow between the legs helps to prevent twisting.
A firm pillow will work or a soft pillow folded in half.
It is also recommended to consider a small pillow under the waist to maintain the alignment between the ribs, hips, and the spine.

Back Sleepers

Back sleepers can benefit from a pillow under the knees to maintain a neutral curve of the spine.
This keeps the legs slightly elevated helping prevent the legs from tilting the pelvis and pulling the spine out of a neutral position.
Individuals that sleep on their back but end up on their side, are recommended to use a large pillow or body pillow placed on the side they turn on to prevent this.

Stomach Sleeping Not Recommended

Sciatic pain can become worse with sleeping on the stomach.
Sleeping on the stomach can collapse the spine and the pelvis as there is no support underneath. This causes damage to the nerves, increasing symptoms and pain levels.
Try to avoid sleeping on the stomach until the sciatic nerve has healed or try to train the body to sleep on the side or back.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Can Help Sciatica Sleep Symptoms

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve, spine, and surrounding muscles by pulling/stretching them in small increments. The decompression creates negative pressure within the discs that floods the area with an abundance of nutrients to activate and expedite the healing response.

The chiropractic physical therapy team uses motorized medical equipment with sensors linked to a computer-aided system to perform the procedure.
The equipment is designed to adjust the pull force accordingly to prevent muscle resistance.
The adjustable table also allows the spine to be stretched at different angles to target all areas of the back.

Relieves Pressure On The Sciatic Nerve

Decompression stretches the nerve out and increases the space around the impinged and inflamed nerve.

Pain Relief

Decompression relieves tension in tight, spasming, or injured muscles.
Stimulates the nervous system to release the body’s natural pain killers.
Spinal tissue healing from fluids, cells, and other substances that enter the damaged tissue.

Restores Disc and Joint Alignment

Decompression realigns the joints and discs, preventing pain, inflammation, mobility/flexibility problems, and dysfunction.

Encourages Sleep

There are toxins in the body, decompression causes these toxins to be expelled.
This causes exhaustion because the body needs time to adjust after expelling the negative energy.
After a short time, energy levels will return.
The decompression relaxes the entire body which allows for more restful sleep.

DRX9000

References

Kim, Shin Hyung et al. “Risk factors associated with clinical insomnia in chronic low back pain: a retrospective analysis in a university hospital in Korea.” The Korean journal of pain vol. 28,2 (2015): 137-43. doi:10.3344/kjp.2015.28.2.137

Radwan, Ahmed, et al. “Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; a systematic review of controlled trials.” Sleep health vol. 1,4 (2015): 257-267. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001

Santilli, Valter, et al. “Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations.” The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 6,2 (2006): 131-7. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.08.001

Sciatica Factors Affecting You? Try Decompression Therapy

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

In the lower half region of the body, a large nerve connects to the lumbar region of the spine that travels down to the legs. This is the sciatic nerve, and its primary function is to provide mobility to the legs. The legs use the sciatic nerve to move, feel, and stabilize the body as it is in motion. When the lumbar region of the spine begins to natural wear and tear from injuries or ordinary factors like lifting heavy objects can cause the spinal discs in the spine to herniate and press on the sciatic nerve. When this happens, the sciatic nerve sends out pain signals that travel down the legs and back to the brain, causing symptoms like sciatica to develop. Luckily some therapies can help prevent sciatica from developing further and provide relief to many suffering individuals. Today’s article focuses on the factors that cause sciatica and how treatments like decompression therapy can help prevent sciatica-like factors from progressing further for many individuals. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Sciatica?

Do you feel pain running down your legs? Does it hurt when you are walking, even for a short distance? How about muscle stiffness that is occurring in your lower back and legs? All these symptoms are signs that you are experiencing sciatica. Research studies have defined sciatica as a throbbing, sharp pain that affects one side of the body and travels down each leg. Whenever a person is suffering from sciatica, the pain symptoms usually vary, depending on how severe it affects the legs. Sciatica usually forms when the spine suffers from a herniated disc, or the piriformis muscle starts to compress on the sciatic nerve, causing it to become irritated. Additional information shows that various conditions that can structurally impact or even compress the sciatic nerve can result in sciatica symptoms that can hinder a person’s ability to walk. Injuries to the spine are not the only factors that can cause sciatica to occur, as ordinary factors can also be an issue.

Factors That Cause Sciatica

Now many factors can cause sciatica to develop. Some of these factors can be ordinary everyday habits that many have adopted that don’t realize are causing sciatica pain. Research studies have shown that many individuals that are suffering from low back pain from strenuous working conditions like sitting down in a desk job for long periods can cause an increased risk of developing sciatica. Sitting for an extended period can cause a person to create poor posture, which leads to low back pain and thus developing sciatica. Another factor that can lead to sciatica is lifting heavy objects. Additional research studies have shown that when workers handle carrying or lifting heavy objects can affect their lower back. The heavyweight of the object causes stress and tension on the lower muscles causing the individual to ache in pain. These painful symptoms can cause the lower muscles to compress and aggravate the sciatic nerve. Luckily some treatments can help prevent these factors from irritating the sciatic nerve and prevent sciatica from progressing.

Things To Avoid With Sciatica-Video

10 Surprising Things To Avoid With Herniated Disc & Sciatica

Are you feeling muscle strain from lifting or carrying heavy objects? Does your lower back ache after an extended period of sitting down? Do you feel aggravating pain in the back of your legs? You could be suffering from sciatica, and decompression therapy might be able to help. The video above explains the ten things to avoid when dealing with sciatica. Decompression therapy allows the individual experiencing sciatica to feel relief in their lower back. It uses gentle traction on the spine to enable the aggravated sciatic nerve to relax while also loosening up the stiff muscles that are causing immobility to the lower back. Incorporating decompression therapy as a wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from sciatica while also returning them to their health and wellness journey.

How Decompression Can Alleviate Sciatica Factors

Many treatments are available to help with sciatica symptoms and low back pain symptoms that can relieve the suffering individual. Research studies have shown that decompression treatments for sciatica can be delivered to many individuals by reducing the pain that the piriformis muscle has trapped. When the piriformis muscle is gently moved away from the sciatic nerve, the pain signals will lessen from sending information to the brain. Other research studies have shown that decompression treatments for trapped sciatic nerves will provide pain reduction to the leg muscles and relieve the buttock muscles from suffering from muscle spasms. Many individuals that suffer from sciatica will also feel relief from the negative pressure that decompression treatment has provided.

Conclusion

Overall, sciatica can be caused by factors that can be ordinary, like sitting for an extended period, lifting, or carrying heavy objects. Other factors can be simple as a herniated disc or piriformis syndrome. Decompression treatments allow the individual to feel instant relief from sciatica by gently stretching the spine to alleviate the pressure off of the sciatic nerve. Once the sciatic nerve starts to feel better after being aggravated, the lower half of the body will begin to relax, and the individual will become pain-free.

References

Davis, David, et al. “Sciatica – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/.

Euro, Ulla, et al. “Work-Related Risk Factors for Sciatica Leading to Hospitalization.” Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group UK, 25 Apr. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6484005/.

Hogan, Elizabeth, et al. “A Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach for the Treatment of Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Series.” Chinese Neurosurgical Journal, BioMed Central, 30 Mar. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7398220/.

Lis, Angela Maria, et al. “Association between Sitting and Occupational LBP.” European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Springer-Verlag, Feb. 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2200681/.

Park, Myung-Sik, et al. “Clinical Results of Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression for Deep Gluteal Syndrome: Mean 2-Year Follow-Up.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 20 May 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4875686/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Sciatica.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 Aug. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435.

Disclaimer

Decompression Treatments For Relieving Trapped Sciatic Nerves

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The lower half of the body helps provide stability to the upper half of the body. The hips, legs, and feet have sensory and motor functions from the nerves part of the peripheral nervous system. These nerves are connected to the lumbar region of the spine that makes the hips rotate, the feet sense where it is going, and the legs move around freely. One of the nerves connected to the lumbar regions of the spine is the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve extends from the spinal cord’s lower lumbar region through the buttock muscle region and travels down to the legs. When unwanted symptoms start to affect the lower half of the body, it can cause the sciatic nerves to become trapped in the buttock muscle region and irritated, causing sciatica to develop. Today’s article will focus on the deep gluteal syndrome, how it affects the sciatic nerve, and how decompression treatments can help relieve trapped sciatic nerves. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Deep Gluteal Syndrome?

Do you feel pain in your hips and buttock regions? How about stinging, burning pain that is causing leg pain? Do your buttock muscles gradually begin to feel numbness or spasms throughout the day? If you have been dealing with these symptoms, it could be deep gluteal syndrome. Research studies have defined deep gluteal syndrome as a presence of pain located in the buttock region that causes the surrounding muscles to press on the nerve roots and cause unwanted pain. When a person suffers from an accident like falling and landing on their butt, the muscles feel the effects of that fall and start to compress the sciatic nerve that is traveling down the leg and causes pain to the body’s lower extremities. Other studies have shown that deep gluteal syndrome factors can cause this condition to develop over time due to increased muscle tension that aggravates the sciatic nerve. Other causes of the deep gluteal syndrome can include prolonged sitting. The butt muscles start to pinch the sciatic nerves constantly, the muscles from the buttock start to feel tender to the touch, and abnormalities in the piriformis muscles can lead to the development of sciatica.

How Does It Affect The Sciatic Nerve & Symptoms?

Since deep gluteal syndrome causes muscle tension in the buttock region, it can aggravate the sciatic nerve and causes sciatica-like symptoms in the legs. Research studies have mentioned that deep gluteal syndrome can cause a painful presence in the buttock muscles while trapping the sciatic nerve within the gluteal space, causing the sciatic nerve to become irritated. Since the sciatic nerve is located in the spinal cord and goes all the way to the legs, sciatica is presented whenever the lower half of the body is suffering from factors like herniated discs, piriformis syndrome, and even deep gluteal syndrome.

Some of the symptoms that deep gluteal syndrome causes to the lower regions of the body are sciatica. Since the sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs across the butt and down to the legs, it can cause leg pain since the nerves are either trapped by the buttock muscles or irritated due to a compressed disc in the spine. Other symptoms that are caused by deep gluteal syndrome involve:

Muscle tenderness
Tingling sensations traveling down the legs
Pain becomes worse during light to moderate exercises
Muscle aches on the hips, lower back, and buttock

Spinal Decompression With The DRX9000- Video

Spinal decompression on L5 disc herniation with the DRX 9000

Do you feel less mobility in your hips? How about the excruciating pain that travels down to your legs? Does it hurt when you walk or sit down for long periods? This could result from deep gluteal syndrome associated with sciatica, and decompression therapy might be the relief you are looking for. The video above explains how the DRX9000 helps relieve herniated discs from aggravating the sciatic nerve. The DRX9000 is part of a wellness treatment known as decompression therapy that incorporates gentle traction on the spinal discs by increasing their height between the spinal joints and promoting a healing factor for those suffering from low back pain issues. Decompression therapy can be in surgical and non-surgical treatments depending on the severity of pain that the spine is in. Incorporating spinal decompression as part of your wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from sciatica and deep gluteal syndrome while also getting them back to their health and wellness journey.

How Decompression Can Help Relieve Deep Gluteal Syndrome

With sciatica-like symptoms associated with deep gluteal syndrome affecting the buttock and the legs, many people have turned to find some relief to ease the tense muscles that aggravate the sciatic nerve. Research studies have shown that endoscopic decompression surgery allows the individual to be supine while physicians gently move the piriformis muscle away from the sciatic nerve and relieve the pain. Other decompression treatments can also help lower the sciatic nerve’s inflammation, causing the legs to be under and reducing muscle spasms occurring, as research has found.

Conclusion

Overall, having pain in the lower half of the body is never a good thing. The lower half of the body allows stability for the upper half as the motor functions provide the legs to move around. When an injury starts to affect the lower half, it can cause sciatica-like symptoms associated with the deep gluteal syndrome. These conditions can cause motor dysfunction in the legs and cause a person to become unstable. Treatments like decompression therapy allow the buttock muscles to ease off the sciatic nerve and provide relief to the legs. As part of a person’s wellness journey, decompression treatments will enable the return of leg mobility to the individual without feeling pain around the lower regions of the body.

References

Ham, Dong Hun, et al. “Effectiveness of Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression for the Treatment of Deep Gluteal Syndrome.” Hip & Pelvis, Korean Hip Society, Mar. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5861023/.

Hopayian, Kevork, and James Heathcote. “Deep Gluteal Syndrome: An Overlooked Cause of Sciatica.” The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of General Practitioners, 26 Sept. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6774708/.

Martin, Hal David, et al. “Deep Gluteal Syndrome.” Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery, Oxford University Press, July 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4718497.

Professionals, Intermountain Healthcare. “Deep Gluteal Syndrome: Intermountain Home.” Intermountain Healthcare, 2022, https://intermountainhealthcare.org/medical-specialties/orthopedics-sports-medicine/conditions/deep-gluteal-syndrome/.

Son, Byung-Chul, et al. “Decompression of the Sciatic Nerve Entrapment Caused by Post-Inflammatory Scarring.” Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, The Korean Neurosurgical Society, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345190/.

Disclaimer

Prescription Medications

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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A female physiotherapist giving diathermy treatment on the patient's back.

Prescription Medications: Sciatica is a term used to describe neuropathic/nerve pain. It is a prevalent condition known as a lumbosacral radicular syndrome. It’s discomforting, numbness, and tingling, combined with sharp shooting pain that can present anywhere from the low back where the nerve begins and down the leg into the foot. The most common cause is a bulging or herniated disc. The first medical recommendations are:

Ice and Heat packs
Physical therapy
Chiropractic
Over-the-counter pain relievers:
Acetaminophen – Tylenol
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – NSAIDs:
Naproxen – Aleve
Ibuprofen – Advil, Motrin

However, when that is not enough, the next step usually involves prescription medications to treat the nerve pain.

Table of Contents

Prescription Medications

The following are a few prescription medications for sciatica:

When it comes to prescription medications for non-specific lower back pain, medical guidelines are in agreement. Here’s a look at what the research shows about their effectiveness.

Diclofenac

Inflammation is a normal response of the immune system. However, the inflammation can irritate the nerves of the spinal column to the rest of the body, causing swelling and sciatica symptoms. NSAIDs are available as over-the-counter and prescription meds and can reduce inflammation, bringing relief from nerve pain, including sciatica.

Dosage

Diclofenac is taken by mouth with its total daily dose or TDD and can range from 75 to 200 mg.

Side Effects

Possible short-term side effects of NSAIDs can include:

Upset stomach
Heartburn
Nausea
Headache
Dizziness

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is commonly used to treat diabetic neuropathy and chronic sciatica nerve pain. However, it can take some time, possibly more than two weeks, to activate, and its effectiveness relieves sciatic nerve pain for up to 3 months. It works by calming down nerve cells to relieve neuropathic/nerve pain. It calms down the nerves by lowering the amounts of chemicals in the nervous system. An overabundance of chemicals can excite the nerve cells to the point of inflammation. Substance P is a neurotransmitter and a neuromodulator that plays a role in how the body perceives pain. Gabapentin helps to lower substance P levels.

Dosage

It is taken by mouth with its TDD typically between 900 to 3,600 mg, divided into multiple daily doses.

Side Effects

Common side effects include:

Drowsiness/sleepiness
Dizziness
Arms and/or Leg swelling
Diarrhea
Weakness

Topiramate

Like the other anti-seizure medications, topiramate is thought to relieve nerve pain by calming down the nerve cells by attaching to the glutamate receptor and preventing it from activating pain signals. Topiramate is commonly used to alleviate sciatica symptoms but may not be as effective after three months and does not lower disability from the low back and sciatic pain.

Dosage

The TDD for topiramate ranges between 50 to 400 mg.

Side Effects

Side effects can include:

Drowsiness/sleepiness
Sleep problems
Mood/behavioral changes
Trouble with memory
Nervousness
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling sensations

Non-Pharmacological Sciatic Decompression

Download

Decompression Diagnostics Specialists

References

Baron, R., et al. (2010). The efficacy and safety of pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain associated with chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy. Pain.

Dydyk AM, Conermann T. Chronic Pain. [Updated 2021 Nov 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553030/

Oliver Enke, Heather A. New, Charles H. New, Stephanie Mathieson, Andrew J. McLachlan, Jane Latimer, Christopher G. Maher, C.-W. Christine Lin. Anticonvulsants in the treatment of low back pain and lumbar radicular pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. CMAJ Jul 2018, 190 (26) E786-E793; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.171333

Rasmussen-Barr, Eva, et al. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for sciatica.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 10,10 CD012382. 15 Oct. 2016, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012382

Nonsurgical Decompression Therapy For Piriformis Syndrome

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The sciatic nerve is considered the largest in the lower half of the body that helps control sensory and motor functions of the legs. As part of the nervous system, the sciatic nerve resides in the lumbar region of the spine, traveling down to the legs and feet while succumbing to injuries and unwanted factors. When there are injuries or unwanted symptoms that start to affect the lumbar regions of the spine like herniation or a slipped disc, it can press on the sciatic nerve causing sharp, searing pain that can radiate down to the legs and feet. This type of pain can lead to sciatica and dampen a person’s mood if not treated right away. Luckily, there are treatments available for reducing sciatic nerve pain and other issues that affect the body’s lower extremities. Today’s article focuses on a condition that can cause sciatica known as piriformis syndrome, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help many people alleviate the sciatic nerve from piriformis syndrome. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Piriformis Syndrome?

Do you feel muscle spasms occur in your lower back or buttock? How about radiating pain that is traveling down the legs? Do the muscles in the lower body regions feel tender and weak to the touch? Experiencing these symptoms mean that you are suffering from piriformis syndrome. Research studies have defined piriformis syndrome as a condition in which the piriformis muscles in the buttocks region irritate the nearby sciatic nerve, causing it to be trapped. As the sciatic nerve becomes trapped in the piriformis muscle, it can cause sciatica pain-like symptoms that run down the leg. Additional research studies mentioned that since sciatica is a musculoskeletal pain disorder associated with piriformis syndrome, the compressed, irritated sciatic nerve root causes the individual to suffer from painful symptoms that are causing the piriformis muscle to tense up. Piriformis syndrome can affect the sciatic nerve root with or without spinal disorders like herniation, stenosis, or slipped discs.

The Symptoms

When the piriformis muscle aggravates the sciatic nerve, many symptoms can pop up over time, causing painful issues that collide with sciatica and piriformis syndrome. Research studies have shown that piriformis syndrome is a deliberate condition caused by traumatic events, inflammation in the lower back, and spinal degeneration. Most of the causes do hinder a person’s quality of life. Since the sciatic nerve is trapped in the piriformis muscle, it can cause excruciating, burning pain that affects the lower back down to the leg muscles. Other studies have found that other symptoms that are caused by piriformis syndrome are:

Dull aches
Sciatica
Experiencing pain from incline walking
Pain from prolonged sitting
Reduced range on the hip joints

The DOC Decompression Table-Video

Feeling a limited range of motion on your hips? How about radiating, burning pain that travels down to your feet? Does it hurt to walk up the stairs? Piriformis syndrome can cause sciatica pain-like symptoms that can hinder your ability to walk and function. Decompression therapy can be the solution you are looking for. The video above explains and introduces the DOC decompression table and how it is used to alleviate sciatica pain-like symptoms that are causing pain to the individual. Decompression therapy can help with low back and leg pain by gently pulling the spine to allow the necessary supplements for the spine and to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve roots. Decompression therapy can benefit many individuals suffering from leg pain and who want to get back on their wellness journey. Incorporating spinal decompression as part of your wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from piriformis syndrome and get them back to their health and wellness journey.

How Decompression Therapy Can Alleviate Piriformis Syndrome

Since the sciatic nerve is trapped in the piriformis muscle and causes leg pain, some treatments handle piriformis syndrome by decompressing the sciatic nerve. Research studies have found that endoscope decompression surgery can help alleviate piriformis syndrome by relaxing the sciatic nerve to ease the pain from affecting the buttock and leg muscles. For non-surgical decompression therapy, additional research has found that decompression therapy helps widen the spinal disc space in the spine while creating negative pressure in the affected areas. This negative pressure allows the sciatic nerve to relax and reposition the intervertebral disc back in the spine. Decompression treatments combined with physical therapy can even reduce the chances of piriformis syndrome coming back and affecting the sciatic nerve again.

Conclusion

Overall, muscle spasms around the lower body regions can cause piriformis syndrome to develop and cause havoc on the sciatic nerve. Since the piriformis muscle is close to the sciatic nerve, it can trap and aggravate it constantly by sending sciatica pain-like symptoms to the legs. This condition causes muscle weakness and mobility dysfunction in the legs, making a simple walk on the stairs complicated. Treatments like decompression therapy provided in surgical and non-surgical forms can be beneficial for those suffering from piriformis syndrome and sciatica. Decompression therapy allows the negative pressure to release the trapped, irritated sciatic nerve from causing more pain to the legs and helps loosen up the tight muscles in the lower regions of the body. Utilizing decompression as part of your treatment will allow you to continue pain-free your wellness journey.

References

Amjad, Fareeha, et al. “Effects of Non-Surgical Decompression Therapy in Addition to Routine Physical Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion, Endurance, Functional Disability and Quality of Life versus Routine Physical Therapy Alone in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy; a Randomized Controlled Trial.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 16 Mar. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8924735/.

Hicks, Brandon L, et al. “Piriformis Syndrome.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448172/.

Hopayian, Kevork, et al. “The Clinical Features of the Piriformis Syndrome: A Systematic Review.” European Spine Journal: Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, Springer-Verlag, Dec. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2997212/.

Revord, John. “Symptoms and Diagnosis of Piriformis Syndrome.” Spine, Spine-Health, 14 Sept. 2012, https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/symptoms-and-diagnosis-piriformis-syndrome.

Ro, Tae Hoon, and Lance Edmonds. “Diagnosis and Management of Piriformis Syndrome: A Rare Anatomic Variant Analyzed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” Journal of Clinical Imaging Science, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 21 Feb. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5843966/.

Vij, Neeraj, et al. “Surgical and Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Piriformis Syndrome: A Literature Review.” Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Kowsar, 2 Feb. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8241586/.

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Sciatic Radiculopathy Relief Through Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Inside the body are countless nerves that intertwine with each other and are all spread out. These nerves are functioned to give motor and sensory function to the body that allows a person to feel, sense, touch, and move. As part of the peripheral system in the body, these nerves are connected to the spinal cord and spine as they branch out in the spinal columns and send signals to and forth to the brain. When the body suffers from an accident or an injury, the nerves send the pain signals to the brain allowing the immune system to go to the affected area and start healing the injury. Sometimes the body suffers from natural wear and tear and that causes pain to the nerves, making the body lose the sensory and motor functions that the nerves provide. This causes radiculopathy in the body and there are treatments that allow relief to reduce the effects of radiculopathy. Today’s article post will discuss the sciatic nerve and radiculopathy, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help individuals that are suffering from sciatic radiculopathy. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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The Sciatic Nerve & Radiculopathy

Have you been experiencing pain traveling down to the lower extremities of your body? Does the pain feel hot to the touch? Is the pain a sharp, stabbing pain or a burning, searing pain in the sciatic nerve? If you have encountered these symptoms, these symptoms might be due to radiculopathy along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is part of the peripheral nervous system; its primary sensory and motor functions ensure that the legs move and stand in the body. When the body goes through natural aging, wear and tear, accidents and injuries, it can cause radicular pain along the spine while compressing the nerve roots, including the sciatic nerve. Research studies have shown that radicular pain along the sciatic nerve root can cause deficits in the lower extremities’ motor and sensory function. This radicular pain can cause many problems and conditions when not treated right away.

Research studies have defined radiculopathy as one of the reasons that many people have been suffering from low back pain. Radicular pain is located along the spine in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar areas. When these areas are affected, it can severely damage the underlying nerve roots, thus causing the lower extremities to lose all sensory and motor functions. Additional information has found that sciatica is a type of radiculopathy that pinch the sciatic nerve causing sharp, radiating pain that travels from the lower back down to the legs. Depending on how severe the radicular pain is, it can affect the sciatic nerve over time and develop into sciatica.

The Symptoms

When the sciatic nerve is pinched and irritated, it can send radiating pain down the legs and transmit signals to the brain. These pain signals can disrupt the brain signals and cause the immune system to constantly send inflammatory cytokines to the affected areas along the legs, lower back, and buttocks regions. Some of the common symptoms that occur when a person is dealing with sciatic radicular pain or sciatica will experience:

Numbness alongside the legs and feet
Wide range of pain from mild to burning sensation
Muscle weakness in the lower back, buttock, and legs

The Chatanooga Decompression Table-Video

LUMBAR TRACTION TABLE - with Ivan Prothoy

Feeling muscle weakness alongside the lower back, legs, and feet? Does the pain range from mild to a burning sensation after physical activity? How about feeling discomfort or relief after shifting positions while relaxing? If you have experienced these symptoms, you might be experiencing sciatic radiculopathy, and non-surgical decompression treatment is the answer you are seeking. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression treatments and how they can benefit you in providing relief from sciatic radiculopathy? The video above introduces the Chatanooga traction machine that allows the person suffering from sciatic radiculopathy to feel relief. This traction machine is part of non-surgical decompression therapy. It enables the spine to be gently pulled slowly to allow the compressed spinal discs to release their hold on the irritated sciatic nerve. After the pressure has been removed from the pinched sciatic nerve, the affected leg, low back, and buttock muscles will begin to relax, and the pain signals to the brain will start to diminish. Incorporating spinal decompression as part of your wellness treatment is beneficial. This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people who suffer from sciatica or other sciatic radicular pain.

How Decompression Therapy Can Help With Sciatic Radiculopathy

When radiating pain is shooting down to the leg and feet, many individuals try to find relief for sciatic radiculopathy. Some people will incorporate heat and ice compressed pads to be placed in the affected areas. At the same time, others use electromagnetic pulses along their legs to relax the muscles trapping the sciatic nerve roots. One of the treatments that many people have incorporated into their wellness treatments is decompression therapy. Research studies have learned that when the gluteal muscles entrap the sciatic nerve, it can become irritated or pinched, causing radiating pain down the legs. Decompression can help release the trapped sciatic nerve from the gluteal muscles and reduce the pain. Another reason that decompression therapy can help with sciatic radiculopathy is because it can help dampen the effects that the inflammatory cytokines have caused along the lower region of the body. Additional research studies have found that decompression surgery has provided less soft tissue and muscle damage, reduced pain symptoms along the legs, decreased the risk of re-herniation occurring, and faster recovery. Many individuals will experience less leg pain and low back pain from occurring when they add decompression into their wellness treatment.

Conclusion

The sciatic nerve can succumb to radicular pain like herniated discs or gluteal muscles trap the sciatic nerve making it irritated or aggravated. When this happens, the sciatic nerve causes motor and sensory dysfunction in the legs and radiating, throbbing pain to the side. Treatments like decompression therapy can help alleviate sciatic radiculopathy by releasing the compressed disc or muscle off the sciatic nerve and dampening the painful effects it causes. Decompression therapy is a beautiful addition to any wellness treatment for individuals trying to regain their health and wellness.

References

Aljawadi, Ahmed, et al. “Sciatica Presentations and Predictors of Poor Outcomes Following Surgical Decompression of Herniated Lumbar Discs: A Review Article.” Cureus, Cureus, 21 Nov. 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7681772/.

Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Radicular Back Pain.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 2 Nov. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/.

Feinberg, Joseph, and Shikha Sethi. “Sciatic Neuropathy: Case Report and Discussion of the Literature on Postoperative Sciatic Neuropathy and Sciatic Nerve Tumors.” HSS Journal : the Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery, Springer-Verlag, Sept. 2006, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2488172/.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Radiculopathy: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic, 16 Mar. 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22564-radiculopathy.

Park, Myung-Sik, et al. “Clinical Results of Endoscopic Sciatic Nerve Decompression for Deep Gluteal Syndrome: Mean 2-Year Follow-Up.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 20 May 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4875686/.

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Repercussions

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

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physiotherapist-doing-treatment-low-back-lumbar-pa-2022-02-10-02-13-52-utc_02 — Physiotherapist doing treatment to senior woman patient in clinic ,Elderly women suffering from low-back lumbar pain,Physical therapy concept

Sciatica is a radiculopathy, which is irritation of the nerve as it exits the spine and is typically caused by compression/pinching along the nerve’s path. Most sciatica cases improve within a few weeks of the injury incident. Left untreated, it can become chronic sciatica and can have long-term repercussions and effects. A herniated disc is the most common cause if it bulges next to the nerve; it can pinch off the nerve or leak fluid onto the nerve, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, numbness, and weakness. Another common cause is spinal stenosis. As the body ages, the canal through which the nerve and spinal cord run can begin to narrow, placing pressure on the nerves. Then there are muscle spasms, spinal fractures, and spinal cancer. Anything that changes the curvature of the spine, including pregnancy, can cause sciatica.

Table of Contents

Repercussions From Sciatica

The repercussions can vary or be a combination that includes:

Chronic Pain

The pain can be anywhere along the nerve; typically, it travels from the lower spine through the buttocks, down the back of the leg, and into the foot.

The condition can cause various types of pain: Burning, electrical, or shooting pain in the low back.
Symptoms can come and go and may present only when sitting, standing, lying, or engaged in a particular activity.
The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe, mildly uncomfortable, to limiting function.

Posture Problems

When the body experiences chronic pain in a localized area, the body’s natural reaction is to avoid placing pressure, twisting or bending, or using a specific body part, manipulating healthy posture or walking gait to protect the low back or legs from pain.
This is referred to as muscle/posture guarding, which removes pressure from the site but alters the body’s natural alignment, affecting the spine’s characteristics and causing adverse side effects, like upper back and neck pain, headaches, and fatigue.
Unhealthy and awkward postures can negatively affect digestion, organ function, and breathing.

Loss of Balance

Sciatica commonly causes numbness and tingling in the leg, calf, foot, and toes.
The hidden danger behind numbness; it alters the body’s proprioception or awareness of its position.
When proprioception becomes inhibited or altered, communication signals from the body to the brain/vice versa get jumbled/interrupted, confusing the brain, throwing the body off balance.
This can result in falling injuries.

Numbness or Weakness

Sciatica is more problematic if the pain comes with neurological symptoms like numbness, muscle, or leg weakness.
This means there is an increased level of possible nerve damage if muscular weakness, which requires aggressive treatment.

Declining Reflexes

Depending on where the nerve is compressed, pain and numbness can affect the lower leg area and feet.
Damage to the nerve can cause the inability to flex the foot up.
The knee-jerk reflex, known as the patellar reflex, is the kicking motion of the lower leg when tapped on the patellar tendon.
Sciatica can numb the area, causing a delayed reaction or severe unresponsiveness to stimulation.

Permanent Nerve Damage

If left untreated, neurological symptoms like numbness and leg weakness can progress to permanent nerve damage.
However, this happens rarely but explains the importance of taking the injury seriously so full recovery is achievable.

Non-Surgical Sciatica Relief

Spinal Decompression Effective Long-Term Solution

Download

References

Berry, James A et al. “A Review of Lumbar Radiculopathy, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Cureus vol. 11,10 e5934. Oct 17 2019, doi:10.7759/cureus.5934

Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2022 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/

Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2021 Jul 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/

Nori, Subhadra L. and Michael F. Stretanski. “Foot Drop.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, Dec 15, 2021.

Sciatica Being Treated Through Spinal Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

-

Table of Contents

Introduction

As part of the peripheral nervous system, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve providing sensory and motor functions to the legs. The sciatic nerve is located in the lumbar regions of the spine that travels down to the leg. When the spine becomes injured or herniated, it can press on the sciatic nerve causing it to be irritated and cause throbbing, radiating pain that can cause symptoms like sciatica to invoke muscle weakness in the legs. Luckily, it’s rare for sciatica to affect both legs since it usually affects one leg at a time. However, various treatments provide relief for many people dealing with sciatica pain in their legs. Today’s article will focus on sciatica and how different treatments can help many individuals alleviate sciatica pain and reclaim their health and wellness. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Sciatica?

Feeling radiating, throbbing pain that runs down to your legs? How about muscle weakness in your thighs, legs, and feet? Does it hurt when moving around or shifting to relieve the pain? You could be suffering from sciatica, and research studies have mentioned that sciatica affects everyone, women, especially during their pregnancy, as it causes radiating leg pain and muscle disabilities in the lower regions of the body. Sciatica has a wide range of pain scales from short, sharp, shooting pain irritating to a burning, searing, throbbing pain that causes numbness and muscle weakness in the legs. Sciatica is usually caused by strenuous activities that require frequent lifting of heavy objects, which can cause the spine to over-twist and bend constantly. Additional information also mentioned that sciatica could be associated with other spinal disorders like spondylolisthesis, herniated discs, or muscle spasms that impact the spinal nerve and pressure it. This pressure causes the sciatic nerve to send pain signals to the brain and allows the inflammatory cytokines to irritate the sciatic nerve. Fortunately, various treatments help alleviate sciatica from causing more harm to the body and alleviate lower back pain and other chronic symptoms that affect the spine.

Non-Surgical Decompression Ft. DRX9000-Video

Sunny Kim, MD, a Johns Hopkins Alumni Features the DRX9000 Non-Surgical True Spinal Decompression

Feeling numbness and muscle weakness occurring in the back of your legs? How about a wide range of pain that hinders your ability to walk? Do you feel relief after shifting your position so you won’t feel any pain? You may be suffering from sciatica, and treatments like non-surgical decompression therapy can be the answer to alleviating sciatica pain. The video above introduces the DRX9000, a non-surgical decompression machine that utilizes many individuals through gentle traction and helps take the pressure off the sciatic nerve root that is causing sciatica. Decompression therapy allows the beneficial nutrients in the body to help repair the compressed spinal discs that aggravate the nerve roots in the lumbar region of the spine. When people use decompression therapy are part of their wellness treatment, they will feel a difference in their lower back and spine as decompression increases intervertebral disc height and relieve aggravating nerve roots from causing more pain to the body. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in providing relief from sciatica and other spinal issues? This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for many people that suffer from sciatica.

The Various Treatments For Sciatica: Decompression

When sciatica starts to affect the lower half of the body, it can hinder a person’s quality of life. Many people have tried to alleviate the pain by shifting their weight to a more comfortable position, while others go to various treatments that specialize in treating sciatica. One of the multiple treatments is decompression therapy. Research studies have proven that decompression therapy has provided many individuals relief from sciatica by increasing spinal height so the compressed discs that aggravate the sciatic nerve can return to their original form. Decompression therapy can reduce the pain that has been afflicted in the lumbar region and provide disc restoration to the spine. Additional research studies have also mentioned that decompression therapy has even helped reduce pain, disability, and straight leg individuals suffering from sciatica. Decompression uses negative pressure on the lumbar spine. It helps supply the necessary substances like nutrients and oxygen back into the compressed disc and relieves the sciatic nerve’s pain.

Physical Activities

Another form of treatment for sciatica that many individuals can utilize is physical activities. Incorporating light to moderate physical activities that can benefit those with sciatica can provide the relief they are searching for. Research studies have shown that individuals exercising for a while can help reduce the effects of sciatica or even lumbar radicular pain from developing. Exercises like yoga, jogging, and workout plans that focus on the legs and back help strengthen the muscles and spine from developing sciatica. Other research studies have shown that therapeutic exercises have helped support the core while stretching tight muscles like the hamstrings and even transporting beneficial fluids throughout the entire body. This will provide much-needed relief to many suffering individuals hindered by sciatica.

Conclusion

Overall, sciatica happens to everybody; it causes pain in the lower regions of the body. When a compressed spinal disc starts to irritate the sciatic nerve root, it can send radiating, searing pain that travels down the leg. Since the sciatic nerve root is the largest in the peripheral nervous system, it provides sensory and motor functions to the legs, allowing them to move around from place to place. When the spine gets injured and starts to affect the sciatic nerve, sciatica begins to develop, causing leg pain and spinal issues. Incorporating various treatments that help alleviate sciatica provides much-needed relief for many suffering individuals.

References

Apfel, Christian C, et al. “Restoration of Disk Height through Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Is Associated with Decreased Discogenic Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 8 July 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912793/.

Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/.

Davis, David, et al. “Sciatica – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 4 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/.

Hochschuler, Stephen. “Sciatica Treatment.” Spine, Spine-Health, 5 June 2019, https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/sciatica-treatment.

Koes, B W, et al. “Diagnosis and Treatment of Sciatica.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), BMJ Publishing Group Ltd., 23 June 2007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1895638/.

Shiri, R, et al. “Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Sciatica: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” European Journal of Pain (London, England), U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5081102/.

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Have Sciatic Nerve Injury: Try Decompression

By

Dr Alexander D Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

-

Table of Contents

Introduction

Throughout the entire body, the nerves that start from the brain in the central nervous system and branch out from the spine, allow the user to feel, sense, and move wherever it is going. These nerve roots allow many of us to send the information that we are experiencing to and forth in the brain. These nerves also help with our motor functions such as walking, sitting, standing, and running in any location that we are currently at. When unforeseen circumstances like an injury to the body or accidents that start to affect the nerves, it can cause a variety of issues to occur and dampen the quality of life in a person. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help alleviate nerve injuries and reduce the pain that it is causing in each region of the body. Today’s article will look at spinal nerve injury, its symptoms, and how decompression therapy can help individuals that are suffering from sciatic nerve pain. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

Download

What Is Sciatic Nerve Injury?

Do you feel a throbbing, radiating pain that travels from the lower back to the back of the leg? Does the back of your leg feel tender to the touch? Or does it hurt to walk or run, even for a short distance? These symptoms are caused by sciatic nerve pain and can be excruciating for many people. As mentioned in research studies, the sciatic nerve in the body is considered the largest nerve that resides in the lower back and travels down the buttock area to the legs. The sciatic nerve is responsible for the motor function of the legs to move around. When the spine succumbs to injury, the compressed discs between the spinal joints crack and herniate out of the spine, aggravating the sciatic nerve by producing pain signals, known as neuropathy, to the brain and radiating down the leg, causing leg pain. Additional studies have found that sciatic neuropathy causes deficits in the sensory and motor function of the legs while also mimicking other neuro- and radiculopathies factors that affect the lower half of the body. When the sciatic nerve root is aggravated on either side of the legs, symptoms like sciatica will develop and cause excruciating pain.

The Symptoms

When the sciatic nerve becomes aggravated, it can lead to sciatica and affect the legs’ motor and sensory functions. Research studies have found that sciatica is often mistaken for any low back or radicular leg pain when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated from a compressed spinal disc. When a person suffers from sciatica, the pain worsens when their bodies do everyday movements, depending on the severity. Additional research has found that symptoms and areas that are affected by sciatic nerve pain can include:

Electric shocking-like pain
A constant dull ache
Muscle weakness in the tighs, legs, and feet muscles
Paresthesia
Come and go discomfort

All is not lost, though, as treatments can help alleviate sciatic nerve pain and can help restore the compressed spinal discs back to their original functioning state.

Causes Of Sciatic Nerve Pain-Video

Have you started to feel radiating pain that travels down your leg? How about the discomfort that comes and goes when you shift your position? Do the muscles from your legs, thighs, and feet starting to feel weak? You might be experiencing sciatic nerve pain, and decompression therapy is the possible answer that you are looking for. The video explains the causes of sciatic nerve pain and how it affects the functionality of the legs. So by adding decompression therapy as part of your treatment, the sciatic nerve pain will be alleviated as the herniated discs return to the spine and take the pressure off the nerve root. Many individuals suffering from sciatic nerve pain will begin to feel relief in their legs when they go in for decompression therapy. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in providing relief from sciatic nerve pain? This link will explain how decompression offers optimal comfort for sciatic nerve pain.

How Decompression Therapy Can Alleviate Sciatic Nerve Pain

When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated, it can send radiating throbbing pain down from the buttock to the legs. When sciatic nerve pain occurs, treatments like anti-inflammatory medication, physical activities, and chiropractic adjustments can help reduce the pain arising along the sciatic nerve. One of the treatments is spinal decompression. Research has shown that spinal decompression can help take the pressure off the sciatic nerves trapped in the piriformis muscles and relieve the lower half of the body. Decompression therapy uses gentle traction on the spine to pull the compressed spinal discs back into the spine. The pressure from the irritated sciatic nerve is relieved, and the pain signals are diminished.

Conclusion

Overall, the sciatic nerve is the largest in the central nervous system that can become irritated and cause pain in the lower half of the body. This is due to compressed spinal discs pressing on the sciatic nerve that sends throbbing, radiating pain down to the legs. When this happens, treatments like decompression therapy are there to help pull the compressed spinal discs back to the spine gently and relieve the pressure off the sciatic nerve. People that utilize decompression therapy are part of their wellness treatment and will begin to feel relief from leg pain and be able to restore motor function back to the leg muscles.

References

Davis, David, et al. “Sciatica – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 4 Feb. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/.

Feinberg, Joseph, and Shikha Sethi. “Sciatic Neuropathy: Case Report and Discussion of the Literature on Postoperative Sciatic Neuropathy and Sciatic Nerve Tumors.” HSS Journal : the Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery, Springer-Verlag, Sept. 2006, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2488172/.

Guiffre, Brittney A, and Rebecca Jeanmonod. “Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 29 July 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/.

Son, Byung-Chul, et al. “Decompression of the Sciatic Nerve Entrapment Caused by Post-Inflammatory Scarring.” Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, The Korean Neurosurgical Society, Feb. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345190/.

Yeomans, Steven. “Types of Sciatic Nerve Pain.” Spine, Spine-Health, 7 June 2019, https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sciatica/types-sciatic-nerve-pain.