Fatigue And Fibromyalgia Chiropractic Therapeutics

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Fatigue And Fibromyalgia Chiropractic Therapeutics — portrait of chiropractor stretching neck of woman during appointment in hospital

Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal condition that consists of pain symptoms and fatigue that can make diagnosis a challenge. Through chiropractic therapeutics, individuals can find relief from pain, fatigue, inflammation, and improve their quality of life. Individuals dealing with fibromyalgia and searching for answers should consider consulting a chiropractor to determine what treatment options will provide the most benefits. Treatment can be as much of a challenge without clear underlying issues. This often leads to frustration when trying to develop a treatment plan that works.

Table of Contents

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by:

Body aches and pain
Tender points in muscles
General fatigue

Accompanied issues include:

Headaches
Anxiety
Depression
Sleep issues
Poor concentration

It is believed that fibromyalgia causes the brain and spinal cord to transmit amplified/overresponsive signals. The exaggerated response of the neural pathways in the spine and body generate chronic pain. This is where specific diagnostic tools for assessing symptoms, underlying cause/s, and treatment development are necessary. Risk factors include:

Smoking
Genetics
Previous infections
Autoimmune disorders
Trauma
Mental disorders
Sedentary lifestyle

Treatment

Fibromyalgia treatment that is most effective consists of lifestyle adjustments. These usually includes:

Gentle exercise
Nutritional adjustments
Stress management
Cognitive therapy

Treatment for chronic pain, swelling, and low energy includes:

Massage therapy
Physical therapy
Medication
Acupuncture
Chiropractic therapeutics

Chiropractors have a significant advantage for addressing these symptoms.

Chiropractic Therapeutics

Chiropractic therapeutics is a safe, gentle, non-invasive treatment option that can help alleviate body pain and swelling. Options include:

Spinal re-alignment
Physical therapy/massage for improved nerve circulation
Manual manipulation
Soft tissue therapy
Health coaching

When the body is rebalanced it can better manage symptoms because of the improved nerve circulation. Home treatments can include:

Exercise
Stretching
Heat therapy
Ice therapy

A full medical team consisting of the doctor, physical therapist, massage therapist, and chiropractor could be utilized to maximize results and ensure the highest quality of life.

Body Composition

InBody Spotlight - James Fitzgerald of OPEX

Muscles and The Immune System

Increasing muscle mass is a great way to improve body composition and boost the immune system. Research shows that senior adults with greater skeletal muscle mass have an increased number of immune cells in the blood. This indicates that muscles and the immune system are interrelated.

When the muscles are worked out, myokines are released. These are hormone-type proteins that strengthen the immune system that helps protect against diseases. A study revealed that regular exercise increases the release of T lymphocytes/T cells. Regular exercise also helps reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, various cancers, and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Schneider, Michael et al. “Chiropractic management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review of the literature.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 32,1 (2009): 25-40. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.08.012

Spinal Disc Herniation Chiropractic Reset

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Spinal Disc Herniation Chiropractic Reset — cropped shot of young man in pajamas suffering from backache while sitting on bed in the morning

Spinal disc herniation and bulging discs have nearly identical symptoms and can present almost in the same way. Both cause localized pain, nerve impingement, and are treated similarly with chiropractic. In most cases spinal disc herniation is not painful, it is the material that leaks out of the disc that causes pinching, inflammation, and irritates the nerves around the area, causing radicular pain.

Radicular pain/nerve root pain radiates/spreads to other areas of the body, like the low back to down the leg or from the neck down the arm. Leg pain from a pinched nerve usually leads to sciatica. A spinal disc itself can be the source of pain if it is dehydrating or degenerating causing pain and instability in the spinal segment, which is known as degenerative disc disease. Disc degeneration pain tends to include chronic, low-level pain around the disc and infrequent episodes of severe pain.

Table of Contents

Spinal Disc Herniation Differences and Similarities

Spinal disc herniation and bulging discs have similar roots that make them difficult to diagnose. Some core comparisons that can be made include:

Both include pain and tenderness
Both are caused by cartilage movement/slippage
They cause nerve pinching and nerve pain
They occur more often in the neck and lower spinal regions

How they differ:

Bulging discs protrude
Herniated discs rupture
Bulging discs are more common
Herniated discs are less common
Bulges are caused by constant pressure
A herniation is caused by trauma
Bulging discs create dull radiating pain
Herniated discs cause sharp intense pain

It is the severity that separates them. Bulging discs tend to be more passive and can be treated with incremental adjustments, while herniated discs usually require a more aggressive adjustment approach.

Injury Effects

How the injury affects the spine and overall wellness is the objective when diagnosing. Bulging discs are often associated with chronic pain that does not go away with time and needs proper treatment. Herniated discs are considered severe because of the disc fluid spilling/leaking out affecting the surrounding nerves. Left untreated, bulging discs lead to intermittent nerve blockages/pinching and posture problems. Herniated disc left untreated leads to chronic nerve pain and permanent nerve damage, which can develop into a series of issues. This includes limited mobility and/or loss of feeling in the affected area.

Early Detection

Chiropractic diagnosis for bulges and spinal disc herniation is recommended because of the specialization in spine care and focusing on all symptoms. For example, although it is not typically this simple, analysis revealing tingling in the fingers and sharp pain in the lower spine indicates herniation. Conversely, dull aches in the low back and down the legs, indicate sciatic pain that can be traced to a disc bulge. Making the correct diagnosis is crucial in developing the right treatment plan. The wrong treatment plan could result in worsening of the injury and creation of new injuries. Injury Medical Chiropractic provides optimal care along with education for patients to understand everything that is going on with their bodies.

InBody Composition

Types of pain

Pain can be grouped into three categories:

Early warning pain is most recognizable with the withdrawal reflex. For example, touching a scalding hot object and quickly pulling away. A protective mechanism that helps the body avoid danger and is important for survival.
Inflammatory pain occurs following an injury or surgery when the body is healing and in recovery. Inflammation prevents the body from moving too fast or too hard causing re-injury. This type of pain is important while healing, but is a cause for concern if it continues after the injury has healed.
Pathological pain happens after the body has healed but the nervous system has suffered damage. This often occurs with individuals that get injured in a way that changes the way the body functions. If the nervous system does not heal properly, the body’s protective pain responses can begin to create false alarms and become chronic.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

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

Ease Stress and Anxiety With Natural Medicine

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Ease Stress and Anxiety With Natural Medicine — Portrait Of Smiling Hispanic Couple Relaxing In Garden At Home Together

Natural medicine for dealing with stress and taking initial steps can also help prevent and alleviate stress pain. With age, the body becomes more vulnerable to emotional and physical stress. The spine endures the effects of stress and can lead to back and/or neck pain. Chronic stress can also lead to chemical imbalances in the brain and overreaction/s. This produces a Hyperarousal or anxious state of mind. If frequent bouts of anxiety or stress are occurring the body is signaling that balance needs to be restored.

Table of Contents

Steps to Control Stress

Take frequent physical and mental breaks

Throughout a day, there can be several and various stressful situations. Not letting the stress build-up is a skill that needs to be practiced. Every 50 minutes of work, take a 10-minute break to reduce any stress. This will increase productivity. In the middle or last break, practice deep breathing.

Inhale slowly until the air reaches the bottom of the stomach.
Exhale slowly like a balloon slowly releasing the air.
To achieve the full potential of deep breathing, every exhalation should last twice as long as each inhalation.

Caffeine reduction

Caffeine can be medicinal in small doses. It increases bile flow. This stimulates the gall bladder and reduces cholesterol. However, too much can interfere with the body’s systems that are responsible for stress response. Try to limit to one to two caffeinated drinks a week.

Regular physical activity

Physical activity is what helps remove waste products, specifically lactic and uric acids, from the muscles and nervous system. An excess of these acids makes the body edgy. Moderate activity prevents and reduces anxiety.
Try to get in at least 10 to 15 minutes of activity in the morning and afternoon. A quick walk combined with deep breathing is perfect.

Plenty of sleep

Hard work and playing hard help the body to sleep to the fullest. An irregular sleep pattern or poor-quality sleep confuses the body. The body reacts abnormally. Examples like confusion, tension, an adrenaline rush kicks in when it is not needed. Chronic poor sleep makes the body more vulnerable to disease and chronic conditions.

Natural Medicine Supplements

Natural medicine supplements have been shown to reduce mild to moderate stress and anxiety.

Before trying any vitamins, minerals, or herbal therapies check with a doctor. This is to ensure safety with any medical conditions like pregnancy, that could prevent an individual from taking certain supplements.
Also, make sure if taking any medications that could cause natural medicine supplements ineffective or create a dangerous situation.
The reason for this is if an individual takes several supplements and develops side effects, it becomes a challenge to figure out which is responsible.
Quality herbs and supplements can be purchased from a licensed naturopath physician, nutritionist, health coach, or from a health store.

Herbal supplements listed below can be taken for three months and then a two-week break should be implemented. This minimizes the potential for negative effects.

Vitamin B

The B vitamins, especially B6 and B12 help regulate the body’s response to stress and keeps the nervous system healthy.

Vitamin B complex formula that has at least 25 mg of B6 and also 1 mg of B12 can be taken twice a day.
These vitamins are optimized when used in combination with other nutrients like a multivitamin-mineral supplement also twice a day.
B12 in the form of hydroxocobalamin or methylcobalamin is better absorbed than the more common cyanocobalamin.

Kava

This is herbal supplement helps with anxiety and insomnia. It can help relieve acute and chronic anxiety without causing drowsiness or brain fog. Kava is effective for settling anxiety with no dependence potential.
Kava should be avoided if there is regular alcohol consumption or if taking Valium, Xanax, sleeping pills, like Seconal or Halcion, or anti-depressants, like Prozac or Zoloft.

Valerian

This is a natural sedative. It is used for relieving anxiety because it helps with sleep. The ingredients are similar to Valium. It is not addictive and does not cause grogginess the next day like sleeping pills. Recommended intake is one 150mg capsule twice a day. However, low doses can cause drowsiness. Therefore it is best used for sleep, one 300mg capsule one hour before sleeping is recommended. Do not use if taking sedatives, like phenobarbital or benzodiazepines.

The Body’s Composition

Stress Can Throw Off Diet and Sleep

Achieving healthy body composition is more than just building muscle and losing fat. Proper diet and getting enough sleep are necessary to make meaningful progress. With chronic stress or poor sleep, this cannot be achieved. Depressive symptoms can be associated with obesity, and anxiety and depression can trigger emotional eating and weight gain. Proper stress management means making sure there are positive strategies, techniques that can be turned to in time of need. Without a plan, stress will cause health problems and will be a significant barrier when trying to achieve fitness and health goals.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Boyle, Neil Bernard et al. “The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress-A Systematic Review.” Nutrients vol. 9,5 429. 26 Apr. 2017, doi:10.3390/nu9050429

Achieve Health Goals With Chiropractic, and Nutritional Coaching

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Achieve Health Goals With Chiropractic, and Nutritional Coaching — Full length portrait of contemporary young woman doing stretching exercises during fitness workout in health club with female instructor helping her, copy space

The new year offers a blank slate to better our lives and try new things that will help us achieve our life goals. Health goals can be achieved through chiropractic treatment and nutritional coaching. Improving one’s health is one of the quickest ways to boost the body and mind’s quality of life.

Table of Contents

Health Goals and A New Year

Individuals set health goals only to forget about them after a few weeks or months. When setting goals that don’t stick, the biggest issue is the focus is on the wrong process to achieve these goals. Individuals tend to aim for goals that are doable but too advanced to jump right into. Much like someone that has never worked on home renovation, but decides they can knock out a kitchen, or bathroom remodel in two weeks. This is where training comes in to learn how to go about achieving these goals properly and in a healthy fashion. Common goals include:

Weight loss
Maintaining a healthy diet
Regular exercise
Increased energy
Stress management skills improvement
More time with the family
Quitting smoking

Chiropractic Motivation

If there are health goals that have been a struggle to maintain then it is time to get expert professional help. Chiropractic and health coaching could be a practical option. Chiropractic addresses whole-body health with sustainable changes/adjustments to achieve optimal health. Chiropractic is a specialized branch of medicine dedicated to addressing body dysfunction through non-invasive spinal realignment.

A misaligned spine leads to poor nerve and blood circulation that affects the body’s functional health at every level. Treatment with a chiropractic provider can help achieve health goals from the ground up. Once spinal alignment has been achieved and the body is ready, then guidance and recommendations with lifestyle changes, like exercise and stress management can be addressed to reach full health potential.

Stop Waiting

There is no better time than now to start working toward health goals that can actually be controlled. We can control how we perceive our lives, treat our bodies and minds. A chiropractor and health coach will help set small attainable goals that can be kept, contact Injury Medical and Chiropractic Clinic today.

The Body’s Composition

InBody Spotlight - Lance Walker of Michael Johnson Performance

Invest In Your Body

It is easy to think of your body as healthy and invincible. This is true when young, but age will catch up. The muscles will begin to plateau in strength in an individual’s 30s, which can lead to less physical activity. Being aware of the body’s fat percentage and keeping track is a great way to determine if body composition is declining. If weight has not changed over a couple of years but body fat percentage seems to have increased, this is a red flag that could indicate age-related muscle loss is taking place.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Maiers, Michele et al. “Chiropractic in Global Health and wellbeing: a white paper describing the public health agenda of the World Federation of Chiropractic.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 26 26. 17 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1186/s12998-018-0194-y

Optimal Nerve Energy Circulation/Communication with Chiropractic

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Optimal Nerve Energy Circulation/Communication with Chiropractic — Young female therapist massaging buttocks of senior male patient at hospital ward

The body’s functionality, circulation, and communication are significantly affected by the health of the nervous system. The brain, spinal cord, and nerve roots connect every part of the body into a massive communication highway. If circulation and communication are interrupted, interfered with, or completely blocked then the body’s health begins to breakdown. Chiropractic treatment and spinal alignment will clear the pathways and get the nerve energy flowing restoring overall health.

Table of Contents

Nervous System Operations

The nervous system regulates all areas of the body in communication, coordination, and it functions in the control of all major bodily functions. This includes:

Basic cellular function
Organ processes
Higher-level brain functions that include

Learning
Thinking
Memory

The nerves within the nervous system communicate via chemical and electrical messages. Nerve cells primarily communicate through quick electronic pathways and signals.

Nerve Energy Compromised

The signals that pass between the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and rest of the body maintain connectivity, coordination, and proper organ function. The electrical energy necessary to keep the circulation/signals flowing smoothly happens with optimal nerve strength. Causes that can affect nerve integrity include:

Chronic inflammation
Injury
Mental health factor
Spinal misalignment

If the circulation/communication highway in the nervous system is compromised, it can rapidly turn into misinterpreted, crossed, false, or no signals being sent. Ultimately, the signals can turn into total confusion, making the body fall into a state of total dysfunction. The lines of communication need to remain clear and uninhibited. This allows the body to function with ease as all systems cooperate.

Spinal Misalignment Affects Nerve Energy

With all the signals traveling through the spinal cord, any misalignment will affect circulation. Common causes of misalignment include:

Poor posture
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor body mechanics
Injuries
Weight factors

Misalignment can be addressed with professional chiropractic adjustments. A chiropractor will pinpoint any subtle changes, address them, and restore the nerves’ circulation, as well as restore the body’s balance.

Restore and Maximize Nerve Circulation

Chiropractic is a research-based systematic approach to whole-body care and is designed to yield optimal results non-invasively. Contact Injury Medical Chiropractic to see what they can offer in helping to achieve health goals.

The Body’s Composition

InBody Spotlight - Anika Christ of Life Time Athletic

Stress is hard enough to handle, but chronic stress can have complex, detrimental effects on emotional health. Over time, stress can wear away at both mental and physical health. And it does not take weeks or months to start seeing the effects.

It can take as little as four days to notice a significant impact on energy, fatigue, and soreness levels. Remember that achieving healthy body composition is more than just building muscle and losing fat. Maintaining a proper diet and getting enough sleep is necessary to make consistent progress.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Lorei, M P, and E B Hershman. “Peripheral nerve injuries in athletes. Treatment and prevention.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 16,2 (1993): 130-47. doi:10.2165/00007256-199316020-00005

Support Full Body Detox With Chiropractic

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128. Support Full Body Detox With Chiropractic — Physiotherapist giving shoulder therapy to a woman in clinic

If dealing with chronic disease, condition, or just poor overall health, detox support combined with chiropractic/health coaching is definitely an option that will help. Toxicity in the body can initiate or worsen existing health conditions.

A detox is not about a massive diet overhaul or spending a lot of time at some clinic. Detox support involves making small changes/adjustments that will help support the body’s natural detoxing process without radical changes. One way that a detox is supported is with chiropractic.

Table of Contents

Detoxing the Body

The body is exposed to chemicals/toxins every day from food, air, and other particles that the body comes in contact with. However, the body has a natural ability for managing exposure to toxins to maintain overall health. If the toxins become too much to handle it can lead to a range of symptoms. Symptoms can range from:

Sleepiness
Fatigue
Poor concentration
Chronic disease
Musculoskeletal conditions

Methods

Reducing the toxic load can be accomplished by supporting the body’s natural detox pathways. The body has organs/systems that detoxify and keep the body in balance. These support detoxification and include:

Lymph nodes
Kidneys
Blood
Liver
Digestive system

Reducing toxin exposure is a long term strategy for improved health. Detox options include:

Increased water intake
Nutritional adjustments that focus on increased nutrient whole foods and reduced processed chemical foods
Regular exercise
More sleep
Improved stress management skills/techniques
Reducing environmental exposure with hygiene and cleaning product awareness
Cleansing supplements
Lifestyle changes
Fasting, intermittent or longer with nutritionist/health coach supervision

Chiropractic Can Help

When the body struggles with toxin overload, the body can begin storing some of these toxins. Common areas include visceral fat and joints, like the spine. If toxins buildup in the spine, spinal misalignment can be exacerbated as it affects blood and nerve circulation. Spinal alignment restoration will help open and support the body’s natural detox abilities and prevent unnecessary storage of toxins.

A chiropractic practitioner specializes in naturally restoring spinal alignment and the body’s balance. This supplies the body with the energy it needs to process and rid itself of toxins. When the body is optimally supported and its detox pathways cleared overall optimal health can be achieved. Contact Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic and experience what chiropractic support can do.

Body Composition Support

InBody Spotlight - Todd Durkin of Fitness Quest 10

Food

Neutralizing oxidative stress, lowering inflammation, and boosting metallothionein expression, food can support the body when detoxifying and countering the effects like brain fog, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, foods and nutrients that detoxify can be a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes a regular fitness routine.

References

Klein, A V, and H Kiat. “Detox diets for toxin elimination and weight management: a critical review of the evidence.” Journal of human nutrition and dietetics: the official journal of the British Dietetic Association vol. 28,6 (2015): 675-86. doi:10.1111/jhn.12286

The Atlas Vertebra Key To Maintaining Head Balance And Alignment

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 The Atlas Vertebra Key To Maintaining Head Balance And Alignment — masseur looking at client with neckpain at office

The Atlas vertebra is named for the mythological figure who held the world on their back/neck. The vertebrae are located at the top of the spine, where the cranium and spine connect. More than just a foundation for support, the vertebrae could be the most important vertebrae of the body. It consists of a complex bundle of nerves, vertebral arteries, and is the point where the entire weight of the cranium makes contact.

The myth requires Atlas to be careful while holding the world carefully and confidently at all times, otherwise it will come crashing down. The key is being able to balance it perfectly. The vertebra has the same job to hold the head up properly and maintain posture. If not problems with balance and alignment will begin to develop, and affect the entire spine.

Table of Contents

The Atlas Vertebra

Balance

The Atlas vertebrae’s role in maintaining balance is based on its ability to adjust to the weight of the head. The actual vertebra is wider than the other cervical vertebrae. This creates a center of gravity that is reinforced through proper posture. It distributes the weight of the head (10-12lb) evenly to centralize the weight and is supported by the natural curvature of the spine.

If the center of gravity shifts, the Atlas vertebra will tilt in that direction as well. This creates instability in the cervical spine and can increase the amount of weight the spine is taking and trying to redistribute. This creates spinal issues and leads to everything from poor posture, overcompensation that leads to injury.

Shifting Causes

Disruption to the vertebra and its ability to balance can come from a variety of causes and can occur as a result of chronic and acute conditions. Some include:

Auto accidents, sports, work injuries can cause cervical soft tissue damage
Dislocation of cervical vertebrae below the Atlas results in instability
Poor posture/s make individuals overcompensate to one side of the body straining muscles, ligaments, tendons causing pain and other issues
Herniated, bulging, and slipped discs

Unbalanced effects

Spinal issues range from simple neck pain and soreness to full-on chronic pain. Because the Atlas can alter the balance of the entire spine, combined with cranium support, issues can be localized and referred creating further complications. Addressing the root problems requires a comprehensive chiropractic approach. Chiropractic will assess the position of the spine and determine the degree to which Atlas has shifted out of place. An adjustment treatment plan makes it possible to undo the widespread damage.

Body Composition

InBody Spotlight - Dr. Tricia Paulson & Jennifer Lutz of True Health

Muscle Loss

Individuals do not realize that muscle loss occurs throughout their lifetime. This is because muscles, like other tissues in the body, must go through cell turnover and protein synthesis. This means that the body is constantly breaking down protein in the muscles and rebuilding them.

Skeletal muscle can be developed with proper nutrition and includes consuming a proper amount of protein to provide the necessary amino acids and from physical activity. The reverse is also true, if an individual becomes less physically active and/or their diet no longer supports the development of increased muscle tissue, the body enters a catabolic/tissue-reducing state known as muscle atrophy.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Woodfield, H Charles 3rd et al. “Craniocervical chiropractic procedures – a précis of upper cervical chiropractic.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association vol. 59,2 (2015): 173-92.

Strengthening The Core Muscles For Back Pain Relief

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

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11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Strengthening The Core Muscles For Back Pain Relief — Athletic woman doing triceps push-ups with a barbell plate at the gym.

The core and the muscles involved are a group of muscles that wrap around the body’s torso. The front, back, and sides. Strengthening these muscles will improve and ultimately alleviate lower back pain. One of the main muscles that are overlooked is the transverse abdominis muscle. It is vital to a healthy core, especially if back pain is presenting. It’s known as the seatbelt muscle as it is deep in the abdomen and wraps around the waist. It has everything to do with long-term core strength and function. A properly developed transverse abdominus functions like a lumbar support belt that protects the spine. When the transverse abdominus is strong the muscle contracts to generate the correct amount of support and stability when in motion.

For example, individuals that do not have low back pain engage the transverse abdominus around 30 milliseconds before moving the shoulder, while individuals that have low back pain have a delayed contraction of the transverse abdominus muscles that makes them take on awkward postures, and move in an awkward fashion contributing to back pain and continuing to weaken the core muscles. Individuals that regularly do transverse abdominus strengthening exercises greatly reduce the risk of experiencing low back pain for the first time and reduce the recurrence of those already with back pain.

Table of Contents

Core Muscle Anatomy

The first step to strengthening is understanding the moves and how to do them correctly with basic anatomy. Think of the core as a muscle box where the:

The front is the abdominals
The back is the spinal stabilizing muscles
The base is the pelvic floor
The top is the diaphragm
The sides are the hip muscles

The core moves in three ways:

The body flexes and extends whenever bending forward and standing up
The body does a lateral side bend when bending the trunk to one side
The body rotates the trunk when twisting the torso

Muscle Weakness

The transverse abdominus tends to suffer from neglect which is one reason why it becomes weakened. This increases the risk of developing back pain. Another reason is that individuals have a weak muscle is they exercise in one-plane of movement. Not working out the core muscles in all planes of motion can contribute to back pain. For example, if an individual performs pelvic tilts, they are only moving in one plane when tilting the hips forward and back, known as flexion and extension. To achieve optimal/functional strength, the core workout needs to include side bending and twisting movements.

Strengthening The Transverse Abdominus

Pigeon Pose

Many individuals sit for extended amounts of time and are excessively tight along the sides and hips. The first step should be to increase the hip’s mobility before strengthening the core. If the hip muscle’s fibers become shortened, it can affect hip joint function and efficiency during core movement. The Pigeon Pose is a hip opener. How to do it:

Get on the floor with the knees and palms on the ground.
Slide the left leg back so the hip is extended, then externally rotate the right hip/turn the right leg out from the hip. Focus on positioning the right shin perpendicular to the body.
Extend the trunk so the body is upright, lifting the chest, arching the back, and looking toward the ceiling, while resting the fingertips on the floor a little forward of the hips.
Hold the pose for 30 seconds and switch sides.
This stretches the hip flexor muscles in the extended leg and the rotator and outer hip muscles in the flexed leg.

Pay Attention To The Engaged Muscles

Individuals can train the transverse muscles to activate faster and more effectively throughout the day by slowing down and paying attention to moving with more intent. Place the hands around the waist and engage the core to feel the muscles contracting. This will help get a feel for the movement. Once comfortable remember to engage these abdominal muscles before and while reaching, twisting, or lifting items.

Pelvic Tilt

This exercise is vital for building the smaller muscles that support a healthy core. How to do it:

Lie on back with knees bent and feet on the floor.
Engage the transverse muscles and gently tilt the pelvis upward.
Return the pelvis to a neutral position.
Repeat.
Start with 3 sets of 10-12 reps.

When this is no longer challenging and can be completed without increasing back pain, advance to more challenging exercises like the bird dog, planks, or plank variations.

Standing Exercises

Translating core strength into functional strength and pain-free movement progresses to standing exercises that require rotation. One example is a standing lunge with rotation. How to do it:

Get into a lunge stance with the front leg flexed 90 degrees at the hip, knee, and ankle. The rear leg should be extended at the hip with the knee touching or almost touching the floor.
Twist from the waist. When comfortable doing this movement, hold weight like a dumbbell, medicine ball, or gallon jug of water in both hands, and gradually increase the weight as the muscles get stronger.

When in the process of strengthening the core, consistency is the key. Commit to a short workout every day instead of one massive workout once or twice a week. Ten minutes a day is enough to build strength, improve function, and decrease back pain.

Improved Body Composition

InBody Spotlight - Heather Whitaker of Western Digital

Functional fitness and the ability to move about comfortably not only benefit physical wellness but also improves body composition. The aging process reduces the metabolic rate, which leads to increased body fat. Lean Body Mass gets lost from age and inactivity. Lean Body Mass contributes to the overall Basal Metabolic Rate, also known as the body’s metabolism. It is the number of calories the body needs to support essential functions. Engaging in strength training or resistance exercises will help regain the muscle loss from aging/inactivity, and can lead to an increase in lean body mass.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

People who regularly engaged in TVA-strengthening exercises were less likely to experience a recurrence of low back pain: Australian Journal of Physiotherapy (2002), “Specific spinal exercise substantially reduces the risk of low back pain recurrence” www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000495141460283X?via%3Dihub

The Health of The Spine and Chiropractic For Optimal Body Performance

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 The Health of The Spine and Chiropractic For Optimal Body Performance — Back view of chiropractor massaging back of man lying on Massage Table in hospital

The health of the spine and optimal body performance go hand in hand. When thinking about chiropractic treatment thoughts of cracking, popping, or fixing spinal kinks are what usually come to mind. This is true, however, chiropractic goes much deeper than just adjustments. Regular chiropractic will help maintain overall/optimal health and prevent:

Painful musculoskeletal conditions
Disease
Other health issues

Learn more about the treatment options and benefits that chiropractic can provide.

Table of Contents

How Chiropractic Supports The Health Of The Spine

The main focus of chiropractic is on the health of the spine. This is because the spine’s health is the base for all other aspects of the body’s health. When the spine is properly aligned, nerve energy/communication and blood circulation are optimized to support the body’s function. When the body is in proper form the health benefits are numerous. These include:

Pain alleviation
Increased energy
Increased productivity
Clear thinking
Improved biomechanics movement
Improved mood

The chiropractic approach is science-based and is highly recommended for achieving positive health results.

Treatment Options

Chiropractic builds-up the body’s nervous system, immune system, and strengthens the musculoskeletal system. What to expect from treatment sessions depends on each individual’s specific conditions, needs, and goals. Treatment can include:

Spinal adjusting

Spinal adjustments combined with other treatment techniques are needed to maintain the body’s health long term.

Health Coaching

Understanding the causes of ill health/conditions will help manage and prevent issues. A chiropractor and a health coach can discuss positive lifestyle modification factors that will help like:
Posture education
Exercise tips
Stress management techniques
Sleep modification
Developing healthy diet habits

Deep/Soft tissue massage

Soreness, stiffness, and connective tissue flexibility problems are common with misalignment. Addressing these areas with physical therapeutic massage will help reinforce proper body alignment.

Prescribed exercise program

A chiropractic practitioner will recommend exercises for strengthening and stretching muscles, tendons will provide support for optimal body alignment and overall health.

Health Potential

Seeking treatment options for improved health, consider a chiropractic provider. They will address the root cause to help bring out the best on every level. Chiropractic providers are in high demand and will get the body back to its full potential. See what the possibilities can be.

Body Composition Benefits

InBody Spotlight - Bryan Burnstein of Cirque du Soleil

Best Diet for Weight Loss

Life is about balance and is important to remember that all macronutrients are needed to function properly. Protein does not just affect muscle, it also acts on hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Carbs are an energy source that the red blood cells use, and without enough fat in the diet, an individual can gain weight by eating more filler foods. The body is a well-refined machine that does not function on fad diets.

The function is obtained through balance and variety in a healthy diet. The best diet for weight loss is not complicated or high-tech. The focus should be on whole unrefined foods, reduced red meat consumption, and plenty of vegetables. But, the food does not have to taste bad or have no taste at all. A too rigid diet can make individuals more likely to revert back into unhealthy eating habits. Try a salad with leafy greens, brown rice, sweet potatoes, avocado, black beans, and cilantro lime dressing. It may be a surprise, how healthy eating can taste amazing.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Meeker, William C, and Scott Haldeman. “Chiropractic: a profession at the crossroads of mainstream and alternative medicine.” Annals of internal medicine vol. 136,3 (2002): 216-27. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-136-3-200202050-00010

Chiropractic Injury Prevention for Work, Personal, and Sports Activities

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Chiropractic Injury Prevention for Work, Personal, and Sports — Patient has a rehabilitation in physiotherapy clinic. Doctor in a uniform.

Injury prevention should be on everyone’s mind. All jobs, sports, and activities have the potential to cause some form of injury/s. Sustaining an injury, no matter how big or small can take a toll on the body. It can force an individual to take a lengthy break from work, school, sports, etc, or stop completely.

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Chiropractic Injury Prevention for Work, Personal, and Sports Activities

Some form of rest is usually necessary to expedite the healing process but there are other ways to help with injury prevention. The most common type of injury that can be prevented is overuse/repetitive motion/s injuries. Many individuals realize that an underlying issue for injuries is spinal/body misalignment.

Table of Contents

Injury prevention

A few ways that injury prevention can be optimized for various activities:

Full body stretching regularly will keep the body flexible
A nutrient-rich diet
A regular strength training regimen
Avoiding getting into a sedentary lifestyle
Stress management methods/techniques
Developing the body’s ability to learn healthy movement/s
Regular chiropractic, physical therapy
Health coaching

Misalignment and injury

When the spine is out of alignment the entire body goes out of balance and begins to function improperly and eventually breaks down. The nerve, blood circulation energy is affected. This compromises:

Tissue health
The body’s natural healing abilities
Normal body coordination and movement

This increases the risk of injury/s. Proper posture and body mechanics have a primary role in injury prevention. Proper spinal alignment allows the body’s ability to coordinate effective, pain/injury-free movement. Better coordination promotes optimal performance with less effort and corrects/improves muscle strain, tissue damage, and enhances bone health.

Proper spinal alignment

Chiropractic is a specialized expert approach that focuses on addressing core issues related to spinal alignment. Chiropractic treatment will locate and address spinal misalignments that individuals did not even know were there. The chiropractic approach will help establish a solid foundation for regular daily activities without injury. When the spine/body is properly-aligned nerve flow is restored and the body can move with reduced risk of injury or complication/s. Contact a chiropractic specialist and see what they can offer.

Body Composition Clinic

InBody Spotlight - Larry Conner of Stone Creek Club and Spa

Too Much Sitting Health Consequences

When the body is in a seated position, the gluteal muscles, abdominal muscles, and legs remain static. When sitting for a long time day after day with no exercise/movement the muscles begin to degenerate/weaken and go into a pseudo form of atrophy from the lack of engaged movement/exercise.

Metabolism is linked with body composition meaning that more muscle increases metabolism and helps burn more calories. Muscle loss, especially from the lower body which is the largest muscle group, can lead to continued fat gain if exercise is not implemented and an unhealthy diet is not changed. Gradual muscle loss from the lower body can hurt functional strength and with age increases the risk of falls.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

McClure, Roderick J. “What is this thing called injury prevention?.” Injury prevention: journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention vol. 24,3 (2018): 177. doi:10.1136/injury prev-2018-042838

Mechanical Vs. Manual Cervical Traction The Chiropractic Difference

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Mechanical Vs. Manual Cervical Traction The Chiropractic Difference — partial view of physiotherapist massaging neck of patient that lying on massage table in clinic

Spinal traction, both mechanical and manual are treatment options that are based on the application of force to the axis of the spinal column. A region of the spinal column is pulled in opposite directions to stabilize or change the position of herniated, slipped, bulging, discs, and/or nerve injury/damage to the spine. Traction treatment is crucial to spinal adjustments, especially with disc or nerve compression.

It allows the chiropractor to alleviate any stress that could lead to disc problems like herniation, rupture, or displacement. However, traction is a general term. The concepts can apply to all forms of traction, but the application itself can be drastically different in terms of static positioning and inverse force.

Table of Contents

Mechanical vs. Manual Cervical Traction

Mechanical force is typically applied through a series of weights or a fixation device and requires the patient to stay in bed or is placed in a halo vest. The techniques and methodologies can vary, but the objectives/results are the same.

The utilization is developed on a case-by-case basis and the chiropractor’s diagnosis/recommendations. Many chiropractors implement both mechanical and manual traction approaches. Choosing the right traction plan comes from a thorough examination, medical history, and understanding of each method’s strengths.

Traction approach

The difference between mechanical and manual traction is simple. Mechanical traction is directed by the use of machines, weights, and pulleys, while manual traction is performed by a professional chiropractor. With mechanical traction, an individual’s head is cradled into a sling, then positioned at the optimal position for the adjustment. The sling is counterweighted to hold the head/neck in that position, leveraging mechanical pressure and affecting change.

Manual traction has the individual lie down on a table, with the chiropractor pulling the head away from the neck to decompress the cervical spine. The adjustment/s can be a continuous pull, or a series of low-force pulls in different directions. Again these depend on the individual’s condition and nature of the adjustment.

Techniques and methodologies

Mechanical and manual traction can have similar results, but both offer different benefits based on the individual. Mechanical traction is a hands-free technique for decompression that allows chiropractors to focus on the patient’s needs when working on complex cases. This method is more applicable for severe cases, where the traction could last for 20-30 minutes.

Mechanical traction is helpful when teaching healthy posturing. Manual traction benefits come from the control that a chiropractor has over the technique. With the manual pulling, the chiropractor can increase or decrease the countering force. A hands-on approach enables chiropractors to feel the spinal adjustments, and understand the effects of the traction.

Proper form of traction

The overall ability of traction to decompress the spine makes it a valuable approach to treat various conditions. The exact nature of the condition determines whether mechanical or manual traction will be used along with the recommendation/treatment plan of the chiropractor. Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic is committed to implementing the best approach for spinal correction for every patient. Mechanical and manual traction are just two adjustment modalities.

Body Composition Health

Resistance Training For Everyone

Even if not an athlete resistance training is important for functional fitness. Functional strength training attempts to emulate the physiological demands of real day-to-day activities. Traditional strength training focuses on specific muscle groups during the exercise, while functional training focuses on whole muscle groups to train the body for daily responsibilities.

Individuals might believe they are too old for resistance training. But research shows the benefits of improving an individual’s functional fitness level, specifically for older adults. Functional training resistance exercises and bodyweight movements can help the body become stronger, more flexible, more agile, and better equipped to handle day-to-day responsibilities. Plus, it can help with injury prevention.

Reference

Afzal, Rabia et al. “Comparison between Manual Traction, Manual Opening technique and Combination in Patients with cervical radiculopathy: Randomized Control Trial.” JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association vol. 69,9 (2019): 1237-1241.

Heart Health, The Spine, and The Chiropractic Connection

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Heart Health, The Spine, and The Chiropractic Connection — Young runner woman with heart rate monitor running on beach

Heart health and proper function circulate millions of gallons of blood to the entire body. The circulation moves:

Oxygen
Fuel
Hormones
Essential cells
Other compounds
Removes metabolic waste products

If the heart stops, vital functions can fail almost instantly. Family history and genetics play a role in the development of heart disease, but lifestyle choices also play a part. Heart health disease prevention focuses on:

Weight control
Nutritional recommendations
Exercise
Medications

Chiropractic treatment can help improve overall heart health.

Table of Contents

Heart Health

If every nerve was disconnected, the heart would continue to beat. There is a small node of the heart muscle that rhythmically contracts and relaxes inherently, and sets the heartbeat pace. It can be thought of as a natural pacemaker and is called the sinoatrial node.

In an average adult, the node maintains a rhythm of around 70 beats per minute. This natural pacemaker keeps the heart working, while the nerves that accelerate and decelerate (the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves) can affect the sinoatrial node affecting the heartbeat.

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerves

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are located in the thoracic and upper cervical spine. With chiropractic, any spinal misalignments, pressure, stress, and restrictions are properly addressed, and able to normalize the cardiac rhythm and heart rate. Corrective treatment of the cervical spine will also help lower blood pressure and remove any stress on the cardiovascular system. Heart and spinal health are vital, contact a local chiropractor today.

Healthy Body Composition

InBody Spotlight - Mark Fitzgerald of Anaheim Ducks

Aerobic Training Strengthens The Heart

Aerobic exercise will strengthen the heart, as well as, train the heart to be more efficient in circulating blood. The chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body literally gets larger and squeezes out more blood with each pump, meaning the stroke volume gets increased.

This improves cardiac output, which is the quantity of blood pumped by the heart per minute. A strong, efficient heart is the objective to live a long and healthy life. When the heart is stronger and pumps more blood it doesn’t have to beat as much and as rapidly. Lowering the resting heart rate is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac adaptations are helped with an increase in blood volume that happens with aerobic exercise training. What happens is the expanded blood volume improves the heart’s contractility/fill capacity pumping more blood per beat. The heart contracts to move blood throughout the body. By making it stronger and more efficient, the heart’s responsibilities are lightened by decreasing the different types of resistance.

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Yang, Jian et al. “Physical Exercise Is a Potential “Medicine” for Atherosclerosis.” Advances in experimental medicine and biology vol. 999 (2017): 269-286. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-4307-9_15

IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION & Inflammation | El Paso, Tx (2021)

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION & Inflammation | El Paso, Tx (2021)

In this new functional medicine episode Dr. Alex Jimenez brings to you this part 2 of 3 of a presentation titled “Immune Dysfunction and Inflammation: A primary Mechanism of Illness” where we will recall the key physiologic steps by which the immune system defends the body and repairs it after injury and infection. He will also help us Identify key factors that often underlie a dysfunctional inflammatory process and how this contributes to many chronic disorders. He also talks about locating critical biochemical choice points in the inflammatory cascade that can be leveraged to dampen inflammation & restore immunologic balance. Compose interventions with lifestyle, diet, & nutraceuticals to modify the inflammatory response in individual cases of chronic diseases and many other topics related to immune dysfunction and inflammation.

–
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way
please feel free to subscribe and share us.

Thank You & God Bless.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, ATN, IFMCP. CIFM, CCST

Join our webinars!
el-paso-tx-functional-medicine.eventbritestudio.com

Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)

Online Functional Medicine Assessment: bit.ly/functionmed

Online Appointments or Consultations: bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment

Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form: bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-History

If you are someone who truly cares about their health we recommend you look at the care plans we offer on our site:

www.functionalmedicine.expert/

Please Subscribe: bit.ly/drjyt

Facebook Clinical Page: www.facebook.com/dralexjimenez/
Facebook Sports Page: www.facebook.com/pushasrx/
Facebook Injuries Page: www.facebook.com/elpasochiropractor/
Facebook Neuropathy Page: www.facebook.com/ElPasoNeuropathyCenter/
Facebook Fitness Center Page: www.facebook.com/justplayfitness

Yelp: El Paso Rehabilitation Center: goo.gl/pwY2n2
Yelp: El Paso Clinical Center: Treatment: goo.gl/r2QPuZ

Clinical Testimonies: www.dralexjimenez.com/category/testimonies/

Information:
Clinical Site: www.dralexjimenez.com
Injury Site: personalinjurydoctorgroup.com
Sports Injury Site: chiropracticscientist.com
Back Injury Site: www.elpasobackclinic.com
Rehabilitation Center: www.pushasrx.com
Functional Medicine: wellnessdoctorrx.com
–

Twitter: twitter.com/dralexjimenez
Twitter: twitter.com/crossfitdoctor

Disclaimer:
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our presentations share knowledge and information from research, experience, and the collaborative functional medicine community. The information and scope are limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. Our discussions include Integrative Doctors, Functional Medicine Experts,Nutritionists, Health Coaches, Chiropractors, Physical Medicine Doctors, Therapists, Exercise Performance Specialists, Physicians, and others. Each specialist practices within their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care plans for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our discussions, videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our collaborative clinical scope of practice. We make a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and identify the relevant research studies supporting our presentations. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover issues that may require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subjects matters presented, please feel free to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez.

What is Immune Dysfunction and Inflammation? – A Primary Mechanism | El Paso, Tx (2021)

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

What is Immune Dysfunction and Inflammation? - A Primary Mechanism | El Paso, Tx (2021)

In this new functional medicine episode Dr. Alex Jimenez brings to you this presentation titled Immune Dysfunction and Inflammation: A primary Mechanism of Illness where we will recall the key physiologic steps by which the immune system defends the body and repairs it after injury and infection. He will also help us Identify key factors that often underlie a dysfunctional inflammatory process and how this contributes to many chronic disorders. He also talks about locating critical biochemical choice points in the inflammatory cascade that can be leveraged to dampen inflammation & restore immunologic balance. Compose interventions with lifestyle, diet, & nutraceuticals to modify the inflammatory response in individual cases of chronic diseases and many other topics related to immune dysfunction and inflammation.

–
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way
please feel free to subscribe and share us.

Thank You & God Bless.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, ATN, IFMCP. CIFM, CCST

Join our webinars!
el-paso-tx-functional-medicine.eventbritestudio.com

Additional Online Links & Resources (Available 24/7)

Online Functional Medicine Assessment: bit.ly/functionmed

Online Appointments or Consultations: bit.ly/Book-Online-Appointment

Online Physical Injury / Accident Intake Form: bit.ly/Fill-Out-Your-Online-History

If you are someone who truly cares about their health we recommend you look at the care plans we offer on our site:

www.functionalmedicine.expert/

Please Subscribe: bit.ly/drjyt

Facebook Clinical Page: www.facebook.com/dralexjimenez/
Facebook Sports Page: www.facebook.com/pushasrx/
Facebook Injuries Page: www.facebook.com/elpasochiropractor/
Facebook Neuropathy Page: www.facebook.com/ElPasoNeuropathyCenter/
Facebook Fitness Center Page: www.facebook.com/justplayfitness

Yelp: El Paso Rehabilitation Center: goo.gl/pwY2n2
Yelp: El Paso Clinical Center: Treatment: goo.gl/r2QPuZ

Clinical Testimonies: www.dralexjimenez.com/category/testimonies/

Information:
Clinical Site: www.dralexjimenez.com
Injury Site: personalinjurydoctorgroup.com
Sports Injury Site: chiropracticscientist.com
Back Injury Site: www.elpasobackclinic.com
Rehabilitation Center: www.pushasrx.com
Functional Medicine: wellnessdoctorrx.com
–

Twitter: twitter.com/dralexjimenez
Twitter: twitter.com/crossfitdoctor

Disclaimer:
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our presentations share knowledge and information from research, experience, and the collaborative functional medicine community. The information and scope are limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. Our discussions include Integrative Doctors, Functional Medicine Experts,Nutritionists, Health Coaches, Chiropractors, Physical Medicine Doctors, Therapists, Exercise Performance Specialists, Physicians, and others. Each specialist practices within their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care plans for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our discussions, videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters and issues that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our collaborative clinical scope of practice. We make a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and identify the relevant research studies supporting our presentations. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover issues that may require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subjects matters presented, please feel free to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez.

Any Low Back Tingling, Discomfort, or Soreness Should Not Be Ignored

By

Dr. Alex Jimenez

-

11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Any Low Back Tingling, Discomfort, or Soreness Should Not Be Ignored — selective focus of doctor holding spine model and looking at patient gesturing while touching back

Participating in any sports or physical activities strengthens the mind and body. But working out and engaging in these types of activities too much or without rest periods wears down the body. There is the feeling of a good workout with some sore muscles and achiness that lets you know the activity is working positively.

However, soreness can quickly lead to pain and further injury if ignored. The lower back is a common area of soreness after working out playing sports, and where muscle spasms, pulls, and pinches occur. Being able to distinguish between workout soreness and pain is critical for maintaining a healthy spine.

A constant-sore back or feelings of sharp pains is not normal. If there is a feeling of low back pain during or after a physical routine, stop and take a moment to examine the tingling, discomfort, or pain being experienced. If unsure if the soreness or pain is a cause for concern call or video conference with a chiropractor to discuss what is going on.

Table of Contents

Physical activity and pain

Individuals participating in physical/sports activities have an increased risk of low back pain because of the consistent running, twisting, and jumping. Any of these movements place pressure on the spine along with the surrounding ligaments and muscles, which can lead to injury.

Repetitive twisting and turning, stresses the muscles around the spine, which can cause frequent muscle sprains. Running and jumping also wears down the vertebrae and discs. Impact activities can also cause injuries to the spine, nerve roots, and surrounding tissues. The most common back problems include:

Muscle sprains
Osteoarthritis
Bulging discs
Herniated discs
Sciatica
Fractures are less common but still pose a risk

Individuals should watch for achiness or stiffness that lasts longer than a few days and does not alleviate with ice or anti-inflammatory over the counter medication, or sharp pain that happens with specific movement/s, along with any pain, numbness, tingling that runs down the leg/s or to other areas should consult a medical professional.

Treatment and prevention

Maintaining the body’s health is critical. If the lower back begins to present discomfort or hurts, do not ignore it. Many will play through the pain when they should be taking a break. And ignoring any back pain could create new injuries or worsen the condition. Continued pressure on the back will worsen any strains or fractures and will hinder the body from healing properly.

Individuals tend to take on awkward/uncomfortable postures and move in awkward ways to avoid or compensate for the pain. This places added pressure in the wrong places and can cause/worsen an injury or condition. Pay attention to the pain. Try ice and heat therapy at home to see if it eases up. Using a foam roller or self-massage device can help if the back pain is muscular. However, if the pain is sharp, shooting, or does not go away, visit a chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment.

A chiropractor will conduct imaging tests and physical exams to identify the root cause. Once a diagnosis has been reached a treatment plan will be implemented through:

Massage
Stretches
Therapeutic exercises
Spinal adjustments
Health coaching

Visiting a chiropractic professional will improve the condition and strengthen the spine.

Fit Body Composition

InBody Spotlight - Bryce Henson of Fit Body Boot Camp

Muscle recovery

When engaging in physical activity there is microscopic damage to the muscle cells. The stress and fatigue the body goes through during physical activity cause hormone and enzyme levels to fluctuate, increasing inflammation. This leads to:

Fat loss
Increased metabolism
Increased strength
Muscle growth

However, it happens through proper recovery. There are different types of recovery: immediate, short-term, and training.

Immediate recovery is the short time between movements. For example, when jogging, immediate recovery is the time between each stride.
Short-term is the time between sets of exercises. For example, the rest periods between exercise intervals.
Training recovery is the period between one workout session ending and the next beginning.

Research has shown that rest time is not a one size fits all. Everyone is different and therefore should consult a fitness trainer, or sports chiropractor and experiment with what feels right. For some individuals, 24 hours works. For others, it can be 48 or 72 hours to feel fully recovered. It depends on age, fitness level, physical activity intensity, diet, sleep, and more.

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Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Smith, Jo Armour et al. “Risk Factors Associated With Low Back Pain in Golfers: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Sports health vol. 10,6 (2018): 538-546. doi:10.1177/1941738118795425