Sleep Decompression

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

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

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

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

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.

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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.

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Decompression Treatments For Relieving Trapped Sciatic Nerves

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

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

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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/.

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Prescription Medications

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

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.

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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.

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Repercussions

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

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.

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

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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

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

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

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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

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

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

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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

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/.

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

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Sciatic Nerve Nutrition Decompression

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

latino woman working at juice bar and cutting fruits, making fresh smoothies from bananas,orange and melon. she useing eco metal reusable tubes and glass.

Food is more than just energy. Diets have a profound effect on everything in an individual’s life. Some foods can help the body heal or interfere with the recovery/healing process from injury/s and/or conditions that include sciatica. Making changes to a diet plays a significant factor in the recovery/rehabilitation phase, and adding certain foods will improve and expedite the healing process. A fully functional sciatic nerve nutrition diet plan must be personalized to each individual’s needs.

Sciatic Nerve Nutrition

Sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, electrical shock-type pain, or a combination in the back, hip, outer side of the leg, and the foot. Clinical nutrition is a powerful tool when combating sciatica. Enzymes in certain foods can help reduce the inflammation associated with sciatica. A high percentage of individuals dealing with sciatica can enhance pain relief by adjusting their diets. Quick recommendations include:

Oily fish like salmon and halibut are rich in omega-three fatty acids that decrease inflammation in the body and the sciatic nerve.
Fresh pineapples and berries are anti-inflammatories that aid in healing and increase immune system function.
2-3 cups of green tea contain antioxidants that help control peripheral sensations and help manage pain.
Turmeric, ginger, and garlic contain anti-inflammatory agents that relieve swelling by reducing levels of inflammation-stimulating enzymes.
B-Vitamins are essential to maintain normal nerve function and can be found in green peas, spinach, navy beans, nuts, and bananas.
Magnesium-rich foods can ensure the body is not deficient and help control muscle spasms.
Foods rich in Vitamin A
Foods rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin K sources
Proper body hydration

Sciatica can also be triggered by a poor diet that causes constipation that can place pressure on the nerve. Therefore it is recommended to incorporate fiber-rich foods that include plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation.

Foods That Make Sciatica Worse

Inflammatory foods to avoid:

Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.
Trans fats include margarine and any hydrogenated/solidified or partially hydrogenated oils.
Refined vegetable oils – These are vegetable, nut, or seed oils that have been highly processed. Cut down on french fries, chips, or other foods fried in these oils.
Refined carbohydrates – Carbohydrates that have fiber removed increase the growth of inflammatory gut bacteria. These include white flour, refined corn products, white rice, and various commercial cereals and sugars.
Excessive alcohol – Moderate amounts of alcohol can provide health benefits, but higher amounts increase inflammation.
Processed meats – are often processed at high temperatures, creating chemicals/substances associated with inflammation.

Spinal Decompression Can Get Rid Of Sciatic Nerve Pain

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Avoid Surgery

References

Garfin, SR et al. “Spinal nerve root compression.” Spine vol. 20,16 (1995): 1810-20. doi:10.1097/00007632-199508150-00012

Kumar, M. Epidemiology, pathophysiology and symptomatic treatment of sciatica: A review. nt. J. Pharm. Bio. Arch. 2011, 2.

Safari, Mir Bahram, et al. “Efficacy of a Short-Term Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight and Obese Patients with Chronic Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) vol. 26,6 (2020): 508-514. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0360

Decompression Therapy Can Improve Disc Height

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

Introduction

Everyone worldwide has suffered from some reasonable amount of injuries in their spine. The spine is part of the musculoskeletal system that holds muscles, tissues, ligaments, and spinal cavities. In the spine, round, cushion-like discs are sectioned in each vertebra that helps protect the spine and spinal cord. As the body ages, so do the spine, causing the cushion-like disc to become stiff and compressed until they start to crack the outer layer. This crack allows the inner layer of the spinal disc to leak out and bulge out of the spine. This bulge then starts to press on the spinal nerve roots connected to the spinal cord causing the person to feel pain. When this happens, non-surgical treatments are available to help restore the spinal disc to the spine and allow the irritated nerve root to relax and repair itself. Today’s article explains how to take care of our spine, what happens when disc herniation is, and how decompression therapy can restore spinal discs and increase their height in 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

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Taking Care Of Your Spine

Feeling wear and tear on your back? Do you feel stiffness in your joints as you twist and turn? How about aches and pains in random places in the lumbar or cervical area of the body? When something like this happens to the body, it could be how you take care of your spine. In many previous articles, the spine is an S-shaped curve part of the musculoskeletal system that allows the body to do everyday movements that help a person move around. When a person injures their back, their spine usually takes damage in pulled muscles, stiff joints, a momentary sense of instability when getting up, and low back pain. Research studies have stated that when there are spine disorders in the back, it can involve the entire intervertebral disc, joints, and tissues that are connected to the spine.

Spine disorders are also associated with low back pain issues, causing them to lower the quality of life in a person and, if not treated right away, hinder their ability to move around. Additional information has mentioned that contributing factors affect when acute or repetitive trauma starts to cause low back pain issues. Compressing the spinal disc repeatedly through overtwisting and turning can increase the chances of internal disc disruptors and disc instability. When this happens, disc herniation does occur in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine.

Disc Herniation

When there are spine disorders associated with low back pain, disc herniation is one of the factors for back sufferers. Studies have defined that disc herniation occurs in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine, causing the spinal disc’s outer layer to crack and expose the inner walls to bulge out, causing the spinal nerve roots that are neck to them to be irritated and compressed. When the nerves start to become affected, it can cause pain and dysfunction in the spinal cord. Disc herniation can also progress to severe causes like loss of sensory and motor functions to the lower half of the body and lower back, causing muscle weakness. More research studies have stated that since disc herniation is so common for many people, it can be the pathogenesis of sciatica to develop. All is not lost, as there are treatments that provide the necessary relief for the spine and restore the intervertebral disc back to its original function.

Disc Height & Decompression- Video

Spinal Decompression: Study Shows Increased Disc Height & Decreased Pain | Podcast Ep. 236

Have you been experiencing numbness around some regions of your back? How about muscle stiffness that is occurring around your neck and lower back? Does it hurt when you stretch, and the pain radiates down your leg? Experiencing these symptoms is due to disc herniation and can cause severe spinal issues that affect the back and the spine. The best way to restore the spine is through spinal decompression therapy. The video above describes how spinal decompression can help improve spinal functionality by increasing the disc height and reducing the pain signals through gentle traction on the spinal disc leaving the nerve roots alone. This will allow the individual receiving spinal decompression therapy to have their sensory and motor functions back in their lower back and legs. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in providing relief from disc herniation? This link will explain what decompression offers optimal comfort for disc herniation in the spine.

Decompression Therapy Helps Increase Disc Height

Since disc herniation has been associated with issues affecting the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine, some treatments are available to help with disc restoration, and it is none other than decompression therapy. Research studies have shown that when individuals go in for decompression therapy, they are first lying down on a traction table and are strapped in. This allows the provider to adjust and change the direction where the opposing force will begin to reduce the pressure that the herniated disc has caused on the irritable nerve root while increasing the hydration back to the cracked outer layer of the spinal disc. The continuous effects of spinal decompression allow the intervertebral disc to increase its height between the spinal columns and reduce the herniated material. Spinal decompression therapy can also help alleviate other low back and neck pain symptoms that a person could be suffering from.

Conclusion

Utilizing treatments to take care of the body can allow it to live longer and reduce other ailments that can hinder one’s functionality. Overall, spinal decompression therapy can help restore spinal disc herniation by causing anti-gravitational or negative pressure on the spinal canals and help restore the functionality of the spine. Incorporating decompression therapy as part of a wellness lifestyle can benefit most people who suffer from low back and neck pain. Without it, many people will suffer from chronic pain and spinal issues that can cause them to become miserable

References

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/.

Raciborski, Filip, et al. “Disorders of the Spine. A Major Health and Social Problem.” Reumatologia, Narodowy Instytut Geriatrii, Reumatologii i Rehabilitacji w Warszawie, 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5090028/.

Tariq, Rayhan A, et al. “Back Safety – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 29 Nov. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519066/.

Vialle, Luis Roberto, et al. “Lumbar Disc Herniation.” Revista Brasileira De Ortopedia, Elsevier, 16 Nov. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4799068/.

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How Degenerative Discs Can Affect Your Back

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

Introduction

As part of the musculoskeletal system located in the middle of the back, the spine helps the body stay up and provides everyday movements that a person goes from one place to another. Ligaments, soft tissue muscles, nerve roots, and other components help protect the spinal cord and spine from significant injuries like auto accidents, a slip, fall, work injuries, or acute injuries like a slipped disc or degeneration, herniation, pulled back muscles. These damages can affect the back in multiple ways and cause most people to suffer from pain. Thus many people start trying to find ways to relieve the pain in their spine or back. Today’s article immerses us in how degenerative disc starts to affect the spine and how treatments like decompression can help reduce the pain affecting the back and 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

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The Spine Can Degenerate Naturally

Feeling tired and aching after a long workday? Do you think a variety range of pain starting to affect either your neck or lower back? How about feeling the wear and tear on your back due to normal activities? It is expected that the body naturally ages over time, causing muscles, joints, and even ligaments not to work correctly. For the spine, though, the spinal discs, which are located in-between the spinal joints, can also age and cause pain to the body. Studies have mentioned that degenerative disc disrupts the structure of the disc itself. In a healthy, average, functioning body, the spine allows mobility and stability to the person doing any activities without feeling discomfort. When habits and lifestyle choices begin to affect the body, it can develop over time into degeneration in the spinal joints, causing the spine to be afflicted. Other research studies have provided that disc degeneration on the spine affects not only the lumbar area but also the cervical area as it causes three stages during the degenerative process:

Dysfunction
Instability
Stabilization

These stages gradually affect the lumbar and cervical area over time; it causes spinal issues like osteoarthritis and spinal nerve root pressure in the back. When the spinal nerve roots become pressurized, it radiates pain that promotes muscle weakness in some back regions.

How Does It Affect The Back?

Since the spine does age naturally, causing disc degeneration, other symptoms in the lumbar regions of the back will begin to show up over time. Symptoms of low back pain seem to work hand-in-hand with disc degeneration as research studies have found that degenerative discs are irreversible in the spine. In contrast, low back pain can have adverse effects on many individuals. Low back pain exerts an enormous burden on the back’s lumbar region while promoting long-term disability. Anytime low back pain is associated with degenerative discs on the spine, the body loses the necessary sensory and motor functions such as movement limitations, balance issues, pain, muscle weakness, and reflex issues will hinder a person’s quality of life; studies have concluded.

An Overview On Degenerative Disc-Video

What is DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE? | How to Treat It WITHOUT SURGERY

Feeling pain along your spine? How about aches and discomfort in the lower regions of your back? How about muscle stiffness and discomfort around the cervical and lumbar region of the spine? Experiencing disc degeneration is no laughing matter; why not try non-surgical decompression to alleviate the severe symptoms of disc degeneration. The video above provides an overview of disc degeneration and how non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help promote relief to the spine. Decompression promotes traction through gentle pulling to elongate spinal disc height while releasing the compressed discs off the aggravated nerve roots causing low back and neck pain. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in providing relief from disc degeneration and other low back conditions? This link will explain what decompression offers optimal comfort for disc degeneration in the spine.

How Decompression Treats Degenerative Disc

Since both the spine and body can age, naturally, many unwanted symptoms can pop up over time in random locations in the back. With disc degeneration, the spinal discs help cushion the spine from any injuries that it succumbs to. Treatments like decompression can help with low back pain and disc degeneration. Research studies have proven that decompression treatments allow the space in-between the spinal joints to be vertically expanded while lessening the pressure and restoring disc height to the spine. Utilizing decompression enables the spine to restore the natural beneficial substances for the spinal discs while loosening the muscles connected to the spine.

Conclusion

Overall, the spine can age naturally, causing issues like disc degeneration to occur and causes unwanted symptoms like low back pain to cause long-term disability to many people. Disc degeneration is irreversible, causing sensory and motor dysfunction to the body, making it unstable, have muscle weakness in certain areas in the back, and affecting a person’s quality of life. Treatments like decompression therapy allow the spine to be decompressed while elongating disc height, causing relief to the individual while restoring spinal health. These types of treatments are perfect for many individuals that are looking to reclaim their health and wellness.

References

Fakhoury, Jordan, and Thomas J Dowling. “Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560772/.

Jandrić, Slavica, and Branislav Antić. “[Low Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease].” Medicinski Pregled, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2006, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17345822/.

Kirnaz, Sertac, et al. “Pathomechanism and Biomechanics of Degenerative Disc Disease: Features of Healthy and Degenerated Discs.” International Journal of Spine Surgery, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Apr. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8092938/.

Zheng, Chang-Jiang, and James Chen. “Disc Degeneration Implies Low Back Pain.” Theoretical Biology & Medical Modelling, BioMed Central, 9 Nov. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4640162/.

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The Difference Between Traction & Decompression Therapy

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

Introduction

Anyone that has dealt with low back pain can describe it in various ways. Some may describe it as a mild, dull ache that can be a gradual nuisance throughout the day, while others describe it as sudden throbbing, burning pain that can radiate pain that travels down to the feet. Either way, having low back pain is horrible, and it could be developed more if people don’t change their habits to relieve back pain. Some of the risk factors can be poor lifestyle choices, common factors like looking down at your phone or lifting heavy objects, while others can be due to stress and anxiety. These risk factors can cause more pressure on the lower back; however, there are a variety of treatments that can help alleviate low back pain. Today’s article focuses on the differences between two non-surgical treatments, traction therapy and decompression therapy, and how they can relieve low back pain in their unique way. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is essential for asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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The Difference Between Traction & Decompression Therapy

Are you feeling a wide variety of pain in your lower back? Has the pain been a dull gradual ache that causes you to place your hand on your lower back? Or is it a sudden throbbing pain that hinders your ability to do any errands? This type of pain is called low back pain, and trying out either traction therapy or decompression therapy could be the answer you are looking for low back relief. Say you want to try traction therapy. Well, research studies have mentioned that traction therapy can be both manually and mechanically used to gently pulls on the spine to increase the spinal disc height while reducing the internal pressure. This allows the pain-sensitive fibers surrounding the outer layer of the spinal disc to relax. Traction therapy also allows the physical function of the spine to recover and return to normal posture; plus decreases the pain and improves the biomechanic function of the spine’s mobility. Other research studies have found that when individuals try traction therapy, the positive results show that traction therapy can help alleviate leg pain conditions like sciatica and relieve nerve root tension.

If traction therapy is not suitable for you, decompression therapy can help. As research has stated, Decompression therapy is a treatment that helps reduce the pressure off the irritated spinal nerve roots that are sending out pain signals throughout the entire lower half of the body. Decompression helps compressed, bulging discs that are touching pinched nerve roots retract back to the spine and cause the relief to the individual. That allows the reduction of muscular back spasms and loosens tense soft tissues. Additional information has been provided that decompression works well with physical therapy by restoring lumbar functionality on the spine and enhancing muscle endurance on the back. Decompression even provides relief for individuals suffering from other back pain conditions such as herniation, slipped disc, poor posture, and pinched nerves.

An Overview Of Lumbar Traction-Video

Feeling aches and pains all over your back? How about stiff muscles on your lower back when you stretch side to side? Does the pain come in a gradual or sudden throbbing way? These can be issues of low back pain and decompression, along with traction therapy can help you. The above explains what traction does while using the Chatanooga Trition machine. The machine helps many people suffering from low back pain issues and helps alleviate other chronic problems like sciatica, bulging disc, lumbar scoliosis, and pinched nerves in the lumbar region. People will feel instant relief after going in for a treatment to relieve low back pain. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression or traction therapy and how it can benefit you in relieving low back pain and other low back conditions? This link will explain what these two therapies do for the lower back.

How Both Traction & Decompression Therapy Alleviate Low Back Pain

Both traction and decompression therapy have unique ways of alleviating low back pain as both are non-surgical treatments. Research studies have demonstrated that the effects of both these treatments have increased back muscle activities through muscle endurance from the torso. Traction and decompression therapy can also provide valuable information in relieving low back pain due to degenerative changes in the spinal discs, as studies have concluded. Both treatments are excellent for many people suffering from lumbar, cervical, and leg pain, restricting their quality of life. Non-surgical treatments help people worldwide recuperate from suffering so long with back pain and help them utilize non-surgical therapy as part of their path to recovery.

Conclusion

Overall, even though traction and decompression therapy has unique functions to help alleviate pain, they both have one thing in common: they are used in non-surgical treatments to ease low back pain for many individuals. Integrating non-surgical treatments for a person’s health and wellness journey can help them live longer, develop new habits, and even help supply relief to their back. While traction therapy increases spinal disc height and decompression relieves pressure off irritated, pinched nerves, having low back pain is no laughing matter when it stops a person’s quality of life. Knowing that there are treatments for low back pain can help many individuals in the long run with their health and wellness.

References

Alrwaily, Muhammad, et al. “Assessment of Variability in Traction Interventions for Patients with Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, BioMed Central, 17 Sept. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6139896/.

Horseman, Ian, and Mark W Morningstar. “Radiographic Disk Height Increase after a Trial of Multimodal Spine Rehabilitation and Vibration Traction: A Retrospective Case Series.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, Elsevier, Dec. 2008, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697595/.

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/.

Oh, Hyunju, et al. “The Impact of Manual Spinal Traction Therapy on the Pain and Oswestry Disability Index of Patients with Chronic Back Pain.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Dec. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279706/.

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Decompression Massage Center

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

physiotherapist treating a contracture in the patient's back

Massage is the manipulation of the body’s muscles and tissues using controlled force, gentle and slow kneading, and assisted instrumentation. Decompression Massage Center tailors treatment plans to the individual’s health needs to help expedite recovery. A medical decompression massage can:

Bring pain relief
Relieve stress
Relieve muscle aches and tension
Release knotted or cramped muscles
Improve sleep
Improve mental/emotional state
Accelerate injury rehabilitation
Strengthen the musculoskeletal system
Release toxins
Boost the immune system

Trained professionals perform massage therapy in a clinical or hospital setting to find and focus on problem areas. The therapeutic massage involves focused work on the body’s:

Soft tissues
Muscles
Tendons
Ligaments

Discomfort and Pain Relief

A massage therapist works on several medical issues that are either chronic or acute, which include:

Overuse/Repetitive stress injuries.
Neck pain
Whiplash.
Migraines.
Tension headaches, cluster headaches, and sinus headaches.
Shoulder pain.
Back pain.
Radiating pain.
Strains and sprains.
Tendonitis.
Post-surgical scar tissue rehabilitation with a doctor’s clearance.

Decompression Massage

A therapeutic decompression massage is more profound, with individuals experiencing more tenderness as the therapist works through the tissue using various techniques and instruments that could incorporate:

Deep tissue massage
Percussive massage
Heat and ice
Myofascial release
Trigger point work
Various movement therapies
Gentle resistance stretching techniques

Massage Spot Work

A decompression massage could be recommended as an extended part of a treatment plan. Spot work focuses on areas of concern for a shorter period while enhancing the decompression treatment. Focused massage techniques will:

Alleviate pain
Increase range of motion
Restore movement and function
Assist in healing faster

Non-Surgical Solution For Neck and Back Pain

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Spinal DRX9000

References

Demirel, Aynur, et al. “Regression of lumbar disc herniation by physiotherapy. Does non-surgical spinal decompression therapy make a difference? A double-blind, randomized controlled trial.” Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation vol. 30,5 (2017): 1015-1022. doi:10.3233/BMR-169581

Keller, Glenda. “The effects of massage therapy after decompression and fusion surgery of the lumbar spine: a case study.” International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork vol. 5,4 (2012): 3-8. doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v5i4.189

Menard, Martha Brown. “Immediate Effect of Therapeutic Massage on Pain Sensation and Unpleasantness: A Consecutive Case Series.” Global advances in health and medicine vol. 4,5 (2015): 56-60. doi:10.7453/gahmj.2015.059

Zainuddin, Zainal, et al. “Effects of massage on delayed-onset muscle soreness, swelling, and recovery of muscle function.” Journal of athletic training vol. 40,3 (2005): 174-80.

Your Weight Could Affect Your Back: Try Decompression

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

Introduction

As the world moves, so does the body. When the body does everyday movements like running, jumping, and walking without feeling pain. When people incorporate daily habits to live longer and have healthier bodies, the body will not succumb to injuries and pain. However, when certain circumstances like stress, anxiety, and unhealthy habits start to take hold of the person’s body, it can lead to complications like obesity, chronic inflammatory responses, and low back pain affecting the body. Treatments like physical therapy and decompression therapy have been used to help many individuals trying to get their lives back together. Today’s article focuses on how obesity is associated with low back pain, how it affects the body, and how decompression therapy can help weight loss patients experiencing low back pain. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable 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, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

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Obesity and Low Back Pain

Feeling sluggish after walking around all day long? Do you feel shortness of breath? How about aches on your lower back? Experiencing any of these symptoms could result from obesity and low back pain affecting you. Research studies have mentioned that low back pain and obesity are the most common concerns for everybody worldwide. Since low back pain is the most musculoskeletal health concern and obesity is a health problem, many individuals will have an increased risk of lumbar radicular pain. This is due to the mass body index affecting the person’s body, as research studies have mentioned that obesity can have both biomechanical and meta-inflammatory effects on the spine. Since both male and female bodies are different in fat composition, it is more likely that female bodies tend to have more fat masses stored around the torso area, causing lower back pain issues than male bodies. In regards to that, lifestyle habits and changes can also cause obesity to progress further in both male and female bodies causing low back pain issues to develop further.

How Does It Affect The Body

When obesity and low back pain start to affect the body, research studies have shown that chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension are associated with obesity and can influence the path for diseases in the tendons and ligaments of the body. As the body goes through the natural aging process, this can lead to low back pain and cause many overweight individuals to be at risk of osteoarthritis. The excess weight starts putting more pressure on the knees, hips, feet, and lower back when this happens. This causes the pelvis to pull forward in the body, causing the lower back muscles to become strained. All is not lost as there are treatments to lose weight and alleviate the symptoms of low back pain.

DRX9000 Decompression Therapy-Video

DRX9000 Spinal Decompression Therapy:: Herniated Disc / Disc Herniation Treatment

Do you feel aches and strains on your lower back? How about feeling out of breath from walking? Do you feel the weight bearing down onto your legs and feet? Your weight could be affecting your back, and non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and decompression therapy might be able to help you out. The video above shows how the DRX9000 decompression machine can help alleviate low back pain by gently stretching the spine to elongate the disc height and loosen up the lower back muscles. While decompression therapy helps with low back pain, research studies have found that physical therapy can help promote weight loss. Losing the excess weight can alleviate low back symptoms that are causing the muscles and joints to relax and take the stress off the spine. Suppose you want to learn more about decompression and how it can benefit you in relieving low back pain and other low back pain conditions? This link will explain what it does for the lower back.

How Decompression Can Help Weightloss Individuals

As stated in a previous article, physical therapy and decompression go hand in hand in alleviating low back pain. For individuals suffering from obesity, physical therapy can help get them back in shape. With the right motivation to exercise, lose weight, and eat healthier, individuals will begin to see the excess weight be taken off and take the pressure off their lower backs. Research studies have mentioned that individuals who lose weight are allowed to do spinal decompression therapy. After a person starts to lose weight, the residual low back pain is still there and can be a nuisance to the back. Luckily, that is where decompression therapy comes in, and as research shows, decompression therapy can help relieve low back pain and reduce the symptoms of leg pain. This is beneficial for weight loss individuals as both of these therapies can help improve a person’s quality of life and help them on their weight loss journey.

Conclusion

Overall, obesity and low back pain can cause a person to become miserable and be in pain. When a person is obese, the excess weight around the torso can pressure the lower back, hips, knees, and feet. If a person is suffering from lower back issues, it can cause them to develop other back problems that can cause them to lean and find relief. Incorporating physical therapy and decompression therapy is a match made in heaven as many individuals lose weight and start to take the pressure off their lower back. Eating healthy foods, exercising, and changing certain lifestyles can help promote a healthy body without pain, and many individuals can benefit from that.

References

Chou, Louisa, et al. “The Association between Obesity and Low Back Pain and Disability Is Affected by Mood Disorders: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of Men.” Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, Apr. 2016, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839843/.

Frilander, Heikki, et al. “Role of Overweight and Obesity in Low Back Disorders among Men: A Longitudinal Study with a Life Course Approach.” BMJ Open, BMJ Publishing Group, 21 Aug. 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4550727.

Frisco, Donald. “Weight Loss for Back Pain Relief.” Spine, Spine-Health, 2 Nov. 2004, https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/nutrition-diet-weight-loss/weight-loss-back-pain-relief.

Kakiuchi, Masaaki, et al. “Relief of Low Back Pain after Posterior Decompression for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Sept. 2021, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34435987/.

Mirtz, Timothy A, and Leon Greene. “Is Obesity a Risk Factor for Low Back Pain? an Example of Using the Evidence to Answer a Clinical Question.” Chiropractic & Osteopathy, BioMed Central, 11 Apr. 2005, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1151650/.

Ross, Donald A, et al. “Trends in Weight and Body Mass Index after Spinal Surgery for Degenerative Disease.” International Journal of Spine Surgery, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Aug. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8375684/.