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Bananas and Stomach Pain

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
People eating bananas

Should individuals with existing gastrointestinal problems eat bananas?

Bananas and Stomach Pain

Bananas

  • Bananas can be easy to digest and are often recommended for nausea and diarrhea, however, not everyone can tolerate them. (MedlinePlus. 2021)
  • Bananas are high in fructose, sorbitol, and soluble fiber, which makes them a common trigger for gastrointestinal problems.
  • Additionally, individuals not used to eating a high-fiber diet may find it helpful to gradually increase fiber and drink more water to alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
  • If there is a suspicion of intolerance, IBS, or malabsorption, it is recommended to speak with a healthcare provider for an evaluation.
  • Bananas can make the stomach hurt due to:
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Cramping
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Other gastrointestinal (GI) problems.
  • Individuals can experience stomach discomfort if there is a fructose intolerance or a rare banana allergy.

Stomach Pain

  • Bananas are used to replenish potassium and other essential nutrients lost from vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Some individuals can experience bloating and gas after eating them.
  • One reason is because of their soluble fiber content.
  • Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is more readily fermented in the colon than insoluble fiber.
  • This can lead to gas and bloating. (Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. 2018)
  • Bananas also contain sorbitol – a naturally occurring sugar that acts as a laxative and can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea when consumed in large amounts. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2023)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome – IBS

  • Bananas can be a common trigger food for individuals with IBS.
  • This is because as bananas break down in the stomach, they can generate excess gas. (Bernadette Capili, et al., 2016)
  • Bananas are also high in fructose/simple sugar especially when they have overripened.
  • Individuals who have IBS are advised to avoid bananas because they can trigger many of the same side effects as undigested lactose/sugar in milk. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2023)
  • Ripe bananas are considered to be high in FODMAPS – fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
  • Individuals following a low FODMAP diet to manage IBS may want to avoid or limit consumption.
  • Unripe bananas are considered to be low-FODMAP food. (Monash University. 2019)

Allergy

  • Banana allergies are rare and affect less than 1.2% of the global population.
  • Many individuals with a banana allergy are also allergic to pollen or latex because of similar protein structures. (Dayıoğlu A, et al., 2020)
  • An individual with a banana allergy may experience wheezing, narrowing of the throat, or hives within minutes of eating.
  • They can also experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. (Family Medicine Austin. 2021)

Fructose Intolerance

  • An individual with fructose intolerance has difficulty digesting fructose.
  • Individuals with this intolerance should restrict or limit fructose. (UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 2019)
  • Fructose malabsorption is when the body cannot digest or absorb fructose correctly. This causes bloating gas and abdominal discomfort.
  • Hereditary fructose intolerance is very rare. It happens when the liver cannot assist in the breakdown of fructose.
  • This condition often causes more severe symptoms and requires additional treatment besides removing fructose from an individual’s diet. (UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 2019)
  • Most can tolerate small amounts of fructose found in fruits like bananas.
  • There is often more difficulty tolerating large fructose amounts found in honey and high fructose corn syrup. (UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 2019)

Prevent GI Symptoms

  • If experiencing gas, bloating, or abdominal discomfort after eating bananas, consider limiting the portion size.
  • For example, instead of eating one or more bananas a day, try eating half of a banana to see if symptoms resolve.
  • Alternatively, if there is a belief that there is fructose malabsorption, try temporarily removing all high-fructose foods.
  • If the body begins to feel better, slowly add foods that contain fructose.
  • This can help you pinpoint the foods that are causing the problem. (UW School of Medicine and Public Health. 2019)
  • If you’re eating bananas that are too green or unripe, you may also experience stomach discomfort.
  • Unripened bananas contain high amounts of resistant starch. In large quantities, this can cause mild symptoms like gas and bloating. (Jennifer M Erickson, et al., 2018)
  • Resistant starch ferments slowly, so it usually does not cause as much gas as other fiber types. (The Johns Hopkins Guide to Diabetes. 2020)
  • Ripe or cooked bananas have less starch and more simple sugars, making them easier to digest. (University of Hawaii. 2006)
  • Drinking more water and gradually increasing fiber intake can also reduce GI side effects. (The Johns Hopkins Guide to Diabetes. 2020)

Gut Dysfunction

References

MedlinePlus. Bananas and nausea.

Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Colon gas and flatus prevention.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sorbitol.

Capili, B., Anastasi, J. K., & Chang, M. (2016). Addressing the Role of Food in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Management. The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 12(5), 324–329. doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2015.12.007

Johns Hopkins Medicine. 5 foods to avoid if you have IBS.

Monash University. Bananas re-tested.

Dayıoğlu A, Akgiray S, Nacaroğlu HT, Bahçeci Erdem S. The clinical spectrum of reactions due to banana allergy. BMB. 2020;5(2):60-63. doi: 10.4274/BMB.galenos.2020.04.013

Family Medicine Austin. Banana allergy.

UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Fructose-restricted diet.

Erickson, J. M., Carlson, J. L., Stewart, M. L., & Slavin, J. L. (2018). The Fermentability of Novel Type-4 Resistant Starches in In Vitro System. Foods (Basel, Switzerland), 7(2), 18. doi.org/10.3390/foods7020018

The Johns Hopkins Guide to Diabetes. What is resistant starch?

The University of Hawaii. Cooking banana.

Incorporating Decompression To Alleviate Discogenic Low Back Pain

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

In individuals with discogenic low back pain, how does incorporating decompression reduce muscle strain in the back?

Introduction

When it comes to low back pain, many people often complain that the surrounding muscles will ache constantly, and there is no relief from their primary doctors. Muscle strain associated with low back pain is one of the pain-like symptoms that many individuals experience when normal or traumatic factors start to cause issues in the lower back region of the body. When people begin to make constant repetitive motions correlating with normal daily activities like heavy lifting objects, poor posture, or stepping wrong, it can cause micro-tears to the surrounding muscles and the spinal discs in the lumbar region. When the spinal discs degenerate over time and have been under constant pressure, it can aggravate the surrounding nerve roots causing pain-like problems to the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tissues, leading to musculoskeletal disorders corresponding with discogenic low back pain. Pain affecting the lower back can lead to a life of disability and make a person feel miserable. To that point, many individuals will seek non-surgical treatment to reduce discogenic pain associated with the low back and can find the relief they have sought. Today’s article examines how discogenic low back pain causes low back pain and how non-surgical treatments like decompression reduce discogenic low back pain and restore muscle strength. Additionally, we communicate with certified medical providers who incorporate our patient’s information to reduce muscle strain correlating with discogenic low back pain. We also inform them that decompression can help mitigate the pain-like symptoms associated with degenerated discs affecting the lower back region. We encourage our patients to ask amazing questions while looking for education from our associated medical providers about their low back issues. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Discogenic Low Back Pain Causing Muscle Strain

 

 

Do you often experience a pinched nerve or muscle strain in your lower back that hurts when standing? Do you feel symptoms of muscle spasms in your lower back or behind your legs? Or do you and your loved ones feel numbness or tingling sensations in your back, legs, and feet after sitting down excessively? These pain-like issues are associated with discogenic low back pain, which can lead to the development of disability in many people. Discogenic low back pain is developed when the intervertebral (spinal) disc degenerates over time and can contribute to disability. (Mohd Isa et al., 2022) When there are structural changes to the spinal disc that causes the degeneration to progress, it can lead to dysfunction and instability in the lumbar spine. The spinal discs in the spine have the primary job of absorbing the unwanted pressure load that the body is experiencing. Over time though, the spinal disc can degenerate and crack under pressure, leading to discogenic low back pain. Discogenic low back pain can lead to increased pain in the lower back region’s paraspinal muscles and muscle atrophy, inflammation, and muscle strain in the lower back muscles and lumbar spinal discs. (Huang et al., 2022) When the spinal disc is under constant pressure, the inflammatory cytokines can induce nerve ingrowth, structural and biomechanical changes, and a release of pain factors to contribute to the effects of discogenic low back pain. (Lyu et al., 2021) When people are dealing with discogenic low back pain associated with muscle strain, it can make them miss out on their daily activities.

 

From Injury To Recovery With Chiropractic-Video

 

From Injury to Recovery (with Chiropractic Care) | El Paso, Tx (2023)

When many individuals are experiencing discogenic low back pain, it can be difficult for pain specialists and doctors to identify the underlying source of pain since it is a multifactorial musculoskeletal disorder. (Fujii et al., 2019) However, numerous ways exist to reduce the pain and allow the individual to return to their daily routines. Non-surgical treatments are an excellent way to minimize the pain-like symptoms associated with discogenic low back pain. Treatments like decompression therapy and chiropractic care can create a happy experience for many individuals dealing with discogenic low back pain as it is safe, cost-effective, and gentle on the spine. Decompression can help reduce the pain in the posterior segment of the lumbar spine while relaxing the surrounding muscles and ligaments and pulling the affected disc back to its original position. (Choi et al., 2022) This creates negative pressure on the spinal column and increases disc height on the spine, which allows the fluids and nutrients to flood back into the spine and rehydrate the disc. Decompression therapy can also be combined with chiropractic care, as the spine can be manipulated mechanically or manually to allow the body to realign itself. This, in turn, promotes the body’s natural healing properties to work its magic and provide relief. The video explains how these treatments can positively impact many suffering individuals and help them regain their health.

Decompression Reducing Discogenic Low Back Pain

Decompression therapy allows the individuals to be strapped into a traction machine in a supine position and gently pulls the spine to enable the affected disc to return to the spine and lay off the pressure on the aggravating nerve root that is causing muscle strain. This causes the intervertebral disc space to change through negative pressure, which allows the height to increase in the intervertebral height without stimulating the surrounding fibers around the disc. (Oh et al., 2019) This allows the facet joints in the spine to be realigned, allowing them to be in their moveable location back to the spine to alleviate pain, thus restoring normal posture and activating body functions. When individuals incorporate decompression therapy consecutively, it can minimize the pain caused by discogenic low back pain and allows the individual to have a personalized plan to ensure the pain doesn’t return. (Macario et al., 2008)

 

Restoring Muscle Strength In The Low Back

Decompression therapy allows the affected muscle to be stretched gently, which can be strengthened through other treatments like physical therapy. This can effectively reduce discogenic low back pain associated with the affected discs and positively influence spinal mobility and muscle strength. (Wang et al., 2022) Even though degeneration in the spinal disc is a natural process, it is important to be mindful of the body to prevent pain-like symptoms from occurring and causing issues to the back. Decompression therapy can positively influence many individuals looking to regain their health and reduce the pain they are experiencing from discogenic low back pain so they can return to their daily activities.

 

References

Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837

 

Fujii, K., Yamazaki, M., Kang, J. D., Risbud, M. V., Cho, S. K., Qureshi, S. A., Hecht, A. C., & Iatridis, J. C. (2019). Discogenic Back Pain: Literature Review of Definition, Diagnosis, and Treatment. JBMR Plus, 3(5), e10180. doi.org/10.1002/jbm4.10180

 

Huang, Y., Wang, L., Luo, B., Yang, K., Zeng, X., Chen, J., Zhang, Z., Li, Y., Cheng, X., & He, B. (2022). Associations of Lumber Disc Degeneration With Paraspinal Muscles Myosteatosis in Discogenic Low Back Pain. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 13, 891088. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.891088

 

Lyu, F. J., Cui, H., Pan, H., Mc Cheung, K., Cao, X., Iatridis, J. C., & Zheng, Z. (2021). Painful intervertebral disc degeneration and inflammation: from laboratory evidence to clinical interventions. Bone Res, 9(1), 7. doi.org/10.1038/s41413-020-00125-x

 

Macario, A., Richmond, C., Auster, M., & Pergolizzi, J. V. (2008). Treatment of 94 outpatients with chronic discogenic low back pain with the DRX9000: a retrospective chart review. Pain Pract, 8(1), 11-17. doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2007.00167.x

 

Mohd Isa, I. L., Teoh, S. L., Mohd Nor, N. H., & Mokhtar, S. A. (2022). Discogenic Low Back Pain: Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Treatments of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci, 24(1). doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010208

 

Oh, H., Choi, S., Lee, S., Choi, J., & Lee, K. (2019). Effects of the flexion-distraction technique and drop technique on straight leg raising angle and intervertebral disc height of patients with an intervertebral disc herniation. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(8), 666-669. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.31.666

 

Wang, W., Long, F., Wu, X., Li, S., & Lin, J. (2022). Clinical Efficacy of Mechanical Traction as Physical Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. Comput Math Methods Med, 2022, 5670303. doi.org/10.1155/2022/5670303

 

Disclaimer

Throwing Sports Strength Training

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
javelin throwing in competition male athlete

Can weight and strength training increase speed and power in athletes that participate in throwing sports?

Throwing Sports Strength Training

Throwing Sports

Top-throwing athletes have amazing arm speed. To succeed in throwing sports athletes need to be able to generate quick explosive power. This means the ability to propel the arm forward with substantial velocity for maximum object delivery like a baseball, javelin, hammer throw, shot put, discus, etc. Combined with sports technique training, throwing strength and power can be increased by training with weights. Here is a three-phase training plan to improve throwing performance.

Full Body

  • The arm provides only one part of the delivery process.
  • The legs, core, shoulders, and general flexibility need to work cooperatively to exert maximum thrust and achieve maximum object speed.
  • The natural ability to throw fast with power is largely determined by an individual’s muscle type, joint structure, and biomechanics. (Alexander E Weber, et al., 2014)

Preparation

  • Preparation should provide all-around muscle and strength conditioning for early pre-season conditioning.
  • Athletes will be doing throwing training as well, so fieldwork will need to be able to fit in.
  • It is recommended not to do weight training prior to throwing practice.
  • Do the session on a separate day if possible.

Frequency

  • 2 to 3 sessions per week

Type

Exercises

  • Warm-up
  • Squat or leg press
  • Bench-press or chest press
  • Deadlift
  • Crunch
  • Seated cable row
  • Triceps pushdown
  • Lat pulldown
  • 3 sets of 12
  • Cool-down

Rest

  • Between sets 60 to 90 seconds.

Weight Training

  • This stage will focus more on the development of strength and power. (Nikolaos Zaras, et al., 2013)
  • This leads to the start of competition and tournament play.

Frequency

  • 2 to 3 sessions per week

Type

  • Strength and power – 60% to 70% for one-rep max/1RM
  • The one-repetition maximum test, known as a one-rep max or 1RM, is used to find out the heaviest weight you can lift once.
  • When designing a resistance training program, individuals use different percentages of their 1RM, depending on whether they’re lifting to improve muscular strength, endurance, hypertrophy, or power. (Dong-Il Seo, et al., 2012)

Exercises

  • 5 sets of 6
  • Romanian deadlift
  • Incline bench press (Akihiro Sakamoto, et al., 2018)
  • Hang clean press
  • Single-leg squats
  • Back squat
  • Lat pulldown
  • Pull-ups
  • Combo crunches

Rest

  • Between sets 2 to 3 minutes

Competition

  • This stage focuses on maintaining strength and power. (Nikolaos Zaras, et al., 2013)
  • Throwing practice and competition are the priorities.
  • Before competition begins, take a 7- to 10-day break from heavyweight sessions while maintaining throwing workouts.
  • Weight training during competition should provide maintenance.

Frequency

  • 1 to 2 sessions per week

Type

  • Power – lighter loads and faster execution than in the preparation stage.

Exercises

  • 3 sets of 10
  • Rapid movement, 40% to 60% of 1RM.
  • Squats
  • Power hang clean and press
  • Romanian deadlift
  • Lat pulldown
  • Incline bench press
  • Crunches

Rest

  • Between sets 1 to 2 minutes.

Training Tips

  • Athletes have individual needs, so a general program like this needs modification based on age, sex, goals, skills, competitions, etc.
  • A certified strength and conditioning coach or trainer could help develop a fitness plan that can be adjusted as the athlete progresses.
  • Be sure to warm up prior to weight training and cool down afterward.
  • Don’t try to train through injuries or try to progress too fast – it is recommended not to throw or do weights when treating or recovering from an injury. (Terrance A Sgroi, John M Zajac. 2018)
  • Focus on the fundamentals and practice proper form.
  • Take a few weeks off at the end of the season to recover after hard training and competition.

Body Transformation

References

Weber, A. E., Kontaxis, A., O’Brien, S. J., & Bedi, A. (2014). The biomechanics of throwing: simplified and cogent. Sports medicine and arthroscopy review, 22(2), 72–79. doi.org/10.1097/JSA.0000000000000019

American College of Sports Medicine (2009). American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 41(3), 687–708. doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181915670

Zaras, N., Spengos, K., Methenitis, S., Papadopoulos, C., Karampatsos, G., Georgiadis, G., Stasinaki, A., Manta, P., & Terzis, G. (2013). Effects of Strength vs. Ballistic-Power Training on Throwing Performance. Journal of sports science & medicine, 12(1), 130–137.

Seo, D. I., Kim, E., Fahs, C. A., Rossow, L., Young, K., Ferguson, S. L., Thiebaud, R., Sherk, V. D., Loenneke, J. P., Kim, D., Lee, M. K., Choi, K. H., Bemben, D. A., Bemben, M. G., & So, W. Y. (2012). Reliability of the one-repetition maximum test based on muscle group and gender. Journal of sports science & medicine, 11(2), 221–225.

Sakamoto, A., Kuroda, A., Sinclair, P. J., Naito, H., & Sakuma, K. (2018). The effectiveness of bench press training with or without throws on strength and shot put distance of competitive university athletes. European journal of applied physiology, 118(9), 1821–1830. doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-3917-9

Sgroi, T. A., & Zajac, J. M. (2018). Return to Throwing after Shoulder or Elbow Injury. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 11(1), 12–18. doi.org/10.1007/s12178-018-9454-7

Cisgender: What It Means

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Wood block, transgender and sex equality backgrounds of male, female and lgbtq identity sign, choic.

Cisgender has nothing to do with an individual’s sexual orientation. Therefore how do sex and gender differ and where does cisgender fall within the spectrum of gender identities?

Cisgender: What It Means

Cisgender

Cisgender is a segment of the larger spectrum of gender identities. Also referred to as “cis,” it describes an individual whose gender identity corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth. Therefore if an individual assigned sex at birth is female and identifies as a girl or a woman they are a cisgender woman.

  • The term describes how a person sees themselves and helps others communicate more accurately and respectfully.
  • Although many individuals may identify as cisgender, a cisgender person is not typical nor has qualities or characteristics that inherently differentiate them from a person of other gender identities.
  • Cisgender women commonly use the pronouns she and her.
  • A common mistake is using the term cis-gendered.
  • The proper usage of the term is cisgender.

Sex and Gender Differences

  • The terms sex and gender are often used interchangeably, however, they are not the same.
  • Sex is a biological and physiological designation based on an individual’s sex chromosomes and sexual organs.
  • It refers to an individual’s sex chromosomes and the characteristics assigned by those chromosomes. (Janine Austin Clayton, Cara Tannenbaum. 2016)
  • This includes an individual’s genitals and sex organs.
  • It also encompasses secondary characteristics – like body size, bone structure, breast size, and facial hair – that are regarded as female or male.

Differences

Gender is a social construct that refers to roles and behaviors that society assigns as being masculine or feminine. The construct infers behaviors that are accepted or appropriate based on how an individual behaves, speaks, dresses, sits, etc.

  • Gender titles include sir, ma’am, mister, or miss.
  • Pronouns include him, she, he, and her.
  • Roles include actress, actor, prince, and princess.
  • Many of these suggest a power hierarchy of who has it and who does not.
  • Cisgender women often fall victim to these dynamics.

Sex

  • Refers to an individual’s chromosomes and the way that their genes are expressed.
  • Typically described in terms of male and female characteristics or the sex assigned at birth.

Gender

  • A social construct.
  • Refers to the social roles, behaviors, and expectations considered and/or deemed appropriate for men and women.
  • Historically defined as masculine and feminine, however, definitions can change as society changes.

Gender Identities Glossary

Today, gender is viewed as a spectrum where an individual might identify as one gender, more than one gender, or no gender. The definitions are often subtle and can often overlap, co-exist, and/or change. Gender identities include:

Cisgender

  • An individual whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth.

Transgender

  • An individual whose gender identity does not align with their assigned sex at birth.

Non-binary

  • An individual who feels their gender identity cannot be defined.

Demigender

  • An individual who experiences a partial, but not full/complete connection to a particular gender.

Agender

  • An individual who feels neither male nor female.

Genderqueer

  • Similar to non-binary but infers refusal of societal expectations.

Gender-neutral

  • Non-binary similarities but focuses on abandoning gender labels.

Gender fluid

  • An individual who experiences multiple genders or shifts between genders.

Polygender

  • An individual who experiences or expresses more than one gender.

Pangender

  • An individual who identifies with all genders.

Third gender

  • Third gender is a concept in which individuals are categorized, either by themselves or by society, as neither male nor female, not transitioning.
  • They are a different gender altogether.

Twin gender

  • A Native American term describing someone who is male and female or of two spirits simultaneously.

Cis Woman Identity

The terms cis woman or cis female are used to describe individuals who were assigned female at birth and identify as a woman or female. For cisgender woman, this means their gender identity aligns with their primary sex organs and secondary sex traits that include:

  • Higher pitch voice.
  • Wider pelvis.
  • Broadening of hips.
  • Breast development

It can also involve cisnormativity – a concept that everyone identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth. This could inform how a cis woman is expected to dress and act. An even more extreme concept is gender essentialism – this is the belief that gender differences are rooted purely in biology and cannot be changed. However, even cisnormativity beauty standards can influence the perceptions of transgender women that end up reinforcing gender stereotypes. (Monteiro D, Poulakis M. 2019)

Cisgender Privilege

Cisgender privilege is the concept that individuals who are cisgender receive added benefits compared to individuals who don’t conform to the gender binary norm. This includes cisgender women and men. Privilege happens when a cisgender individual assumes they are the norm and consciously or unconsciously takes action against those who are outside the definition of masculine and feminine. Examples of cisgender privilege include:

  • Not being denied work and social opportunities because of not fitting into the boy’s or girl’s club.
  • Not having to have sexual orientation questioned.
  • Not being denied healthcare due to provider discomfort.
  • Not fearing that civil rights or legal protections will be taken.
  • Not worrying about being bullied.
  • Not having to worry about attracting questioning looks in public.
  • Not being challenged or questioned about the clothes being worn.
  • Not being demeaned or mocked because of pronoun use.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

  • Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. (Carla Moleiro, Nuno Pinto. 2015)
  • Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same.
  • A cisgender individual can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual and so can a transgender individual.
  • Being cisgender has no correlation to an individual’s sexual orientation.

Chiropractic Care After Accidents and Injuries

References

Clayton, J. A., & Tannenbaum, C. (2016). Reporting Sex, Gender, or Both in Clinical Research? JAMA, 316(18), 1863–1864. doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.16405

Monteiro, Delmira and Poulakis, Mixalis (2019) “Effects of Cisnormative Beauty Standards on Transgender Women’s Perceptions and Expressions of Beauty,” Midwest Social Sciences Journal: Vol. 22: Iss. 1, Article 10. DOI: doi.org/10.22543/2766-0796.1009 Available at: scholar.valpo.edu/mssj/vol22/iss1/10

Moleiro, C., & Pinto, N. (2015). Sexual orientation and gender identity: review of concepts, controversies and their relation to psychopathology classification systems. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1511. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01511

The Effects Of Vertebral Decompression On Intradiscal Pressure

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

Can the effects of vertebral decompression relieve individuals with herniated discs and reduce intradiscal pressure on the spine?

Introduction

The spine’s main job is to maintain the vertical pressure of the body without feeling pain or discomfort, especially when a person is in motion. The spinal discs are between the spinal joints, which are shock absorbers when pressure is implemented when a person is carrying a heavy object. The spinal column also has the spinal cord and nerve roots that are spread out from each section and have nerve root signals to be transmitted back and forth from the muscles to the brain to carry out its function. However, as the body ages, so does the spine, as many individuals are constantly adding unwanted pressure on their spines by doing normal factors and developing musculoskeletal disorders. At the same time, the spinal discs are also being affected as the unwanted pressure compresses them constantly, causing them to crack and herniate out of their position. To that point, the herniated disc aggravates the spinal nerve roots, leading to pain-like symptoms affecting the upper and lower body extremities. When this happens, many people will begin to experience musculoskeletal pain and cause overlapping risk profiles that cause their bodies to be misaligned. However, non-surgical treatments can be implemented as part of a daily routine for individuals dealing with herniated discs to reduce intradiscal pressure off the affected muscles in the upper and lower body extremities and restore functionality to the body. Today’s article focuses on why herniated disc affects many people and how vertebral traction can reduce intradiscal pressure off the spine while relieving the musculoskeletal system. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with certified medical providers who incorporate our patient’s information to reduce intradiscal stress correlating with herniated discs. We also inform them that vertebral traction therapy (spinal decompression) can help mitigate the pain-like symptoms associated with herniated discs and provide relief to the body. We encourage our patients to ask profound questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain-like issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Why Does Herniated Disc Affect People?

Have you or your loved ones been dealing with muscle aches or strains in their back, neck, or shoulders after carrying/lifting a heavy object? Do you feel a numbing or tingling sensation in your hands, legs, or feet after a long day after work? Or have you been constantly dealing with muscle and joint stiffness after a long workday? At some point in their lives, everyone has dealt with pain affecting their upper and lower extremities, leading to herniated discs in the spine’s upper, middle, or lower portions. As stated earlier, the body and the spine age naturally, leading to the development of herniated discs in the spine. Disc herniation occurs when the nucleus pulposus (inner disc layer) starts to break through the weaker annulus fibrosus (outer disc layer) and compress the surrounding nerve root, leading to an overlapping risk profile to the upper and lower body portions. (Ge et al., 2019) Disc herniation is developed when the spine goes through a natural degeneration, which causes them to be more susceptible to microtears. When individuals start to do normal activities like lifting or carrying heavy objects, it can enhance the progression further, leading to musculoskeletal disorders. Additionally, the spinal degeneration associated with disc herniation can cause inflammatory responses when the protruding disc is compressing the nerve roots, which then causes symptoms of pain and numbness to the upper and lower extremities. (Cunha et al., 2018)

 

Why do herniated discs cause inflammatory responses to the compressed nerve roots that cause pain-like symptoms to the upper and lower body extremities? Well, when many individuals are experiencing pain associated with herniated discs, they believe they are dealing with upper or lower pain, depending on where the herniated disc is located. This causes referred pain symptoms where the pain is being perceived in one location than the site where the pain is originating. Coincidentally, when individuals are doing repetitive motions associated with herniated discs can cause the adjacent nerve root to be compressed, which then causes the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues to be in pain. (Blamoutier, 2019) Pain developing from herniated discs can reduce a person’s quality of life and make them miss out on important life events.

 

Disc Herniation Overview-Video

What Causes Disc Herniation? | El Paso, Tx (2023)

Many factors associated with a herniated disc can lead to its development and range from mild to severe depending on where the disc is herniated. Since the spine and spinal disc do degenerate over time naturally, it can cause the disc to crack and dehydrate. This leads to restricted movement, the development of neck, back, and shoulder pain, a decrease in muscle strength in the extremities, and numbness. (Jin et al., 2023) These are some results when herniated discs are not being treated right away. Luckily there are non-surgical treatments to alleviate the pain-like symptoms associated with herniated discs and help reduce intradiscal pressure in the spine while restoring spinal mobility and muscle strength. Spinal decompression, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy are some non-surgical treatments that can help alleviate herniated discs and its associated symptoms. Non-surgical treatments can help pull the herniated disc off the compressed nerve root through manual and mechanical manipulation and return it to its original position. Additionally, non-surgical treatments can be part of a daily health and wellness routine combined with other therapies to reduce pain-like symptoms associated with herniated discs and help restore the spine’s mobility. The video above explains the causes, factors, and symptoms associated with herniated discs and how these treatments can alleviate the pain.

The Effects Of Vertebral Traction On Disc Herniation

Non-surgical treatments like vertebral decompression can provide a positive outlook when reducing the effects of herniated discs. Vertical or spinal decompression can help reduce the underlying problem associated with herniated discs by relieving the pain and intradiscal pressure off the vital structures of the spine. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) Additionally, vertebral decompression uses gentle traction to relieve nerve pain associated with herniated discs. It helps reduce the compression force on the affected spinal discs, reducing nerve compression by expanding the disc height in the spine. (Wang et al., 2022)

 

 

Spinal Decompression Reducing Intradiscal Pressure

With spinal decompression being incorporated to reduce the effects of herniated discs, individuals are strapped into a traction machine in a supine position. They will feel a mechanical pull to their spines as the herniated disc returns to its original position and the height of the spinal disc increases. (Oh et al., 2019) This allows the negative pressure from the traction to increase the body’s blood flow for the nutrients and fluids to rehydrate the discs while allowing the body’s natural healing process to kick into full gear. (Choi et al., 2022) After a few consecutive sessions with spinal decompression, many individuals will notice that the pain in their neck, back, and shoulders has decreased and that they can return to their daily activities. Spinal decompression allows the individual to regain their health and well-being while also reminding them to be more mindful of what certain factors can cause the pain to return to the spine. By being more aware of what is affecting a person’s body, they have the tools to continue their health and wellness journey.

 

References

Blamoutier, A. (2019). Nerve root compression by lumbar disc herniation: A french discovery? Orthop Traumatol Surg Res, 105(2), 335-338. doi.org/10.1016/j.otsr.2018.10.025

 

Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837

 

Cunha, C., Silva, A. J., Pereira, P., Vaz, R., Goncalves, R. M., & Barbosa, M. A. (2018). The inflammatory response in the regression of lumbar disc herniation. Arthritis Res Ther, 20(1), 251. doi.org/10.1186/s13075-018-1743-4

 

Ge, C. Y., Hao, D. J., Yan, L., Shan, L. Q., Zhao, Q. P., He, B. R., & Hui, H. (2019). Intradural Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review. Clin Interv Aging, 14, 2295-2299. doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S228717

 

Jin, Y. Z., Zhao, B., Zhao, X. F., Lu, X. D., Fan, Z. F., Wang, C. J., Qi, D. T., Wang, X. N., Zhou, R. T., & Zhao, Y. B. (2023). Lumbar Intradural Disc Herniation Caused by Injury: A Case Report and Literature Review. Orthopaedic Surgery, 15(6), 1694-1701. doi.org/10.1111/os.13723

 

Oh, H., Choi, S., Lee, S., Choi, J., & Lee, K. (2019). Effects of the flexion-distraction technique and drop technique on straight leg raising angle and intervertebral disc height of patients with an intervertebral disc herniation. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 31(8), 666-669. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.31.666

 

Ramos, G., & Martin, W. (1994). Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg, 81(3), 350-353. doi.org/10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350

 

Wang, W., Long, F., Wu, X., Li, S., & Lin, J. (2022). Clinical Efficacy of Mechanical Traction as Physical Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. Comput Math Methods Med, 2022, 5670303. doi.org/10.1155/2022/5670303

 

Disclaimer

What Makes A Healthy Life?

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Female doctor talking to patient points to vertebrae on spine model telling principle of treatment. Serious doctor talking to young woman sitting at table in medical office. Concept of vertebrology.

While a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for one individual may not be the best option for another, can experts point out signs of a healthy life?

What Makes A Healthy Life?

Healthy Life

Being or living a healthy life is a phrase that can be confusing. Researchers examine some major areas of concern with constant imagery like social media’s role in shaping what behaviors people consider important to reach a physical fitness/health goal. These behaviors prioritize physical appearance and are often linked with negative psychological effects and worsening physical health outcomes. (Binder A, et al., 2021) Studies routinely show that someone’s body shape is not a good indicator of how healthy they really are. (Uhlmann LR, et al., 2018)

Living a healthy life is a multi-faceted endeavor that requires maintaining a balance. New research has shown that “adhering to both quality diet and sufficient physical activity is important for optimally reducing the risk of mortality from all causes, CVD and PDAR cancers.” (Ding D, et al., 2022) Individuals do not need to make extreme changes to these areas of their lifestyle. Studies show that making small adjustments, little by little, prepares the individual to develop long-term sustainable habits. (Adhikari P, Gollub E. 2021)

Nutritional Health

Too much salt, sugar, and saturated fat increases the risk of diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. (National Institutes of Health, 2017) It can be easy to overlook balanced nutrition and it is not all about what should be restricted and avoided. It is about making sure the body gets the proper amount of nutrient-rich foods essential to overall health. Examples include:

  • Deficiency of nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K are with sleep problems. (Ikonte CJ, et al., 2019)
  • Not acquiring enough protein can lead to slowed metabolism and weight gain. (Pezeshki A, et al., 2016)
  • Healthy fats are essential to protect against heart disease and can help maintain high energy levels. (Gammone MA, et al., 2018)
  • Research has found that depression and nutrition are linked.
  • Incorporating a diet like the Mediterranean has been associated with a reduced risk of depression symptoms. (Oddo VM, et al., 2022)

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity helps with weight management, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, maintains healthy bones and joints, and contributes to positive mental health and mood.

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 60 percent of the population does not get enough daily physical activity. (Surgeon General Report, CDC. 1999)
  • According to the research, individuals don’t exercise for consistent reasons that include: not having enough time, no access to resources, and being too tired to work out. (Yen Sin Koh, et al., 2022)
  • Studies show that going on a brisk 10-minute daily walk can extend lifespan. (Pedro F Saint-Maurice, et al., 2022)
  • Increasing the heart rate for only 12 minutes a day can protect the cardiovascular system. (Matthew Nayor, et al., 2020)

Signs

A few signs that an individual is healthy.

Stable Energy Levels

  • Having energy throughout the day is a sign you’re getting high-quality sleep.
  • Energy levels can also offer clues on nutritional intake, particularly of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. (Yohannes Adama Melaku, et al., 2019)
  • The right combination of macronutrients can be different for everyone, especially depending on factors like age, job, medical history, and physical activity.
  • Paying attention to energy levels at different times of the day can help guide fitness and health goals.

Can Handle Stress Healthily

  • Stress is a part of life.
  • Research says it can even be beneficial when it is approached in a healthy way. (Jeremy P Jamieson, et al., 2021)
  • One sign that the mind and body are dealing with stress well is the ability to set boundaries.
  • Setting boundaries shows recognition and priority for their needs.
  • This could be boundaries for respect of thoughts and ideas, physical space, emotional needs, the time spent on certain things, sex life, and material possessions.

Fresh Breath

  • The mouth can show what is going on as far as the health of the body.
  • Poor oral hygiene can lead to a buildup of bacteria that can spread throughout the respiratory and digestive tracts.
  • Chronic bad breath is a common sign of poor oral health.
  • Studies suggest that increased bacteria entering the body can lower immune system response and increase the development of general health problems. (NIH. 2018)

Time to Change

Signs that the mind and body are not healthy include:

  • Always sick or feel as if you’re coming down with something.
  • The stomach is constantly feeling like it is bloated, backed up, or dealing with acid reflux or indigestion.
  • Digestion problems caused by stress.
  • Minor physical activities cause major fatigue.
  • Increased irritability
  • Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and insomnia. (Filippo Vernia, et al., 2021)

The human body, organs, and tissues are complex structures, and the signals they transmit about underlying issues can be subtle which individuals tend to not notice until the little problems become major ones. It’s important to look at life habits and be honest about changes that may need to be implemented to improve health, lessen the risk of chronic health conditions, and improve quality of life.

Multidisciplinary Evaluations and Treatment

References

Binder, A., Noetzel, S., Spielvogel, I., & Matthes, J. (2021). “Context, Please?” The Effects of Appearance- and Health-Frames and Media Context on Body-Related Outcomes. Frontiers in public health, 9, 637354. doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.637354

Uhlmann, L. R., Donovan, C. L., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Bell, H. S., & Ramme, R. A. (2018). The fit beauty ideal: A healthy alternative to thinness or a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Body image, 25, 23–30. doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.01.005

Ding, D., Van Buskirk, J., Nguyen, B., Stamatakis, E., Elbarbary, M., Veronese, N., Clare, P. J., Lee, I. M., Ekelund, U., & Fontana, L. (2022). Physical activity, diet quality and all-cause cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality: a prospective study of 346 627 UK Biobank participants. British Journal of sports medicine, bj sports-2021-105195. Advanced online publication. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-105195

Adhikari, P., & Gollub, E. (2021). Evaluation of the Small Changes, Healthy Habits Pilot Program: Its Influence on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Behaviors of Adults in Louisiana. European journal of investigation in health, psychology, and education, 11(1), 251–262. doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11010019

How dietary factors influence disease risk. National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Ikonte, C. J., Mun, J. G., Reider, C. A., Grant, R. W., & Mitmesser, S. H. (2019). Micronutrient Inadequacy in Short Sleep: Analysis of the NHANES 2005-2016. Nutrients, 11(10), 2335. doi.org/10.3390/nu11102335

Pezeshki, A., Zapata, R. C., Singh, A., Yee, N. J., & Chelikani, P. K. (2016). Low protein diets produce divergent effects on energy balance. Scientific reports, 6, 25145. doi.org/10.1038/srep25145

Gammone, M. A., Riccioni, G., Parrinello, G., & D’Orazio, N. (2018). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Benefits and Endpoints in Sport. Nutrients, 11(1), 46. doi.org/10.3390/nu11010046

Oddo, V. M., Welke, L., McLeod, A., Pezley, L., Xia, Y., Maki, P., Koenig, M. D., Kominiarek, M. A., Langenecker, S., & Tussing-Humphreys, L. (2022). Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Lower Depressive Symptoms among U.S. Adults. Nutrients, 14(2), 278. doi.org/10.3390/nu14020278

Adults, Surgeon General Report, CDC.

Koh, Y. S., Asharani, P. V., Devi, F., Roystonn, K., Wang, P., Vaingankar, J. A., Abdin, E., Sum, C. F., Lee, E. S., Müller-Riemenschneider, F., Chong, S. A., & Subramaniam, M. (2022). A cross-sectional study on the perceived barriers to physical activity and their associations with domain-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior. BMC public health, 22(1), 1051. doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13431-2

Saint-Maurice, P. F., Graubard, B. I., Troiano, R. P., Berrigan, D., Galuska, D. A., Fulton, J. E., & Matthews, C. E. (2022). Estimated Number of Deaths Prevented Through Increased Physical Activity Among US Adults. JAMA internal medicine, 182(3), 349–352. doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.7755

Nayor, M., Shah, R. V., Miller, P. E., Blodgett, J. B., Tanguay, M., Pico, A. R., Murthy, V. L., Malhotra, R., Houstis, N. E., Deik, A., Pierce, K. A., Bullock, K., Dailey, L., Velagaleti, R. S., Moore, S. A., Ho, J. E., Baggish, A. L., Clish, C. B., Larson, M. G., Vasan, R. S., … Lewis, G. D. (2020). Metabolic Architecture of Acute Exercise Response in Middle-Aged Adults in the Community. Circulation, 142(20), 1905–1924. doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.050281

Melaku, Y. A., Reynolds, A. C., Gill, T. K., Appleton, S., & Adams, R. (2019). Association between Macronutrient Intake and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: An Iso-Caloric Substitution Analysis from the North West Adelaide Health Study. Nutrients, 11(10), 2374. doi.org/10.3390/nu11102374

Jamieson, J. P., Black, A. E., Pelaia, L. E., Gravelding, H., Gordils, J., & Reis, H. T. (2022). Reappraising stress arousal improves affective, neuroendocrine, and academic performance outcomes in community college classrooms. Journal of experimental psychology. General, 151(1), 197–212. doi.org/10.1037/xge0000893

Smelling Sickness, Body Odor May Be A Sign of Disease. NIH, News in Health.newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/09/smelling-sickness

Vernia, F., Di Ruscio, M., Ciccone, A., Viscido, A., Frieri, G., Stefanelli, G., & Latella, G. (2021). Sleep disorders related to nutrition and digestive diseases: a neglected clinical condition. International journal of medical sciences, 18(3), 593–603. doi.org/10.7150/ijms.45512

Incorporating Spinal Decompression Treatments For Lumbosacral Pain

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

Can spinal decompression treatments be incorporated for individuals with lumbosacral pain and improve posture?

Introduction

Many individuals only realize they have poor posture once they perform a movement that causes pain in the lumbosacral region of their body. Have you or your loved ones experienced muscle aches or strains after relaxing in a weird position? Or do you begin to notice that you are hunched over when walking from one location to another? Many of these scenarios correspond to how we present ourselves with our posture. Our posture helps support the upper body’s weight while stabilizing the lower body through the spine and ensuring that our body is in an upright position when we are in motion. However, as we age, so do our bodies and spine, which then causes us to be in a hunched position, causing our posture to degenerate. This causes lumbosacral pain to develop along the body’s lower extremities, leading to overlapping risk profiles that cause mobility issues, poor posture, and disability if not treated right away. When this happens, the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the lumbar spine will begin to develop pain-like symptoms and can make a person’s life miserable. Luckily there are various techniques and treatments to improve poor posture and reduce lumbosacral pain affecting many individuals. Today’s article looks at how lumbosacral pain affects a person’s posture and how spinal decompression and MET therapy can reduce lumbosacral pain and restore good posture. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with certified medical providers who incorporate our patient’s information to treat and minimize lumbosacral pain associated with poor posture. We also inform them that spinal decompression combined with MET therapy can help with lumbosacral pain while improving good posture back to the body. We encourage our patients to ask profound questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain-like issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Lumbosacral Pain Affects Posture

Have you noticed you are constantly slouching or being in a hunched position, only to feel muscle aches and strains in your lumbar-sacral region? Do you feel symptoms of tingling and numbness in your hips and buttock region after sitting down excessively? Or do you feel referred pain in one location and have to shift your weight to compensate for the pain? These pain-like symptoms and scenarios correspond to lumbosacral pain affecting your posture. The lumbosacral spine region has a natural curve that functions as a shock absorber to mitigate the body’s mechanical weight and stress when in motion. (Adams & Hutton, 1985) At the same time, it is susceptible to being constantly injured as the spinal disc is being compressed and can be herniated or damaged over time, manifesting into lumbosacral pain. So how does lumbosacral pain associate with poor posture? When individuals are dealing with low back problems associated with lumbosacral pain, the spinal disc in the lumbosacral region starts to have balancing issues when in motion. (Huang, Jaw, & Young, 2022) When people are dealing with difficulties balancing their gait cycle, it can cause their walking performance and postural control to be dysfunctional and cause the body to be misaligned, thus causing musculoskeletal issues to arise and affecting the lower body and its extremities. The surrounding muscles surrounding the lumbosacral region will begin to experience stiffness in the trunk region, which can cause musculoskeletal changes to the surrounding muscles when individuals start to be in an upright position. (Creze et al., 2019) When poor posture affects the trunk muscles, the surrounding accessory muscles start acting to compensate for the pain. To that point, lumbosacral pain associated with poor posture could lead to abdominal, low back, hip, and pelvic pain. However, many individuals can find various therapies and relieving techniques to improve posture, strengthen the surrounding muscles, and reduce pain-like symptoms.

 

Building A Stronger Body- Video

Building a Stronger Body = Better Life | El Paso, Tx (2023)

Many individuals can seek out various non-invasive therapies to alleviate the issue when it comes to improving posture and reducing lumbosacral pain. These therapies are cost-effective and personalized to the person’s pain. Treatments like chiropractic care and decompression can help restore good posture while realigning the body out of subluxation and help stretch the affected muscles. Coincidentally, non-surgical therapies can be combined with other treatments like physical therapy to strengthen the trunk muscles surrounding the lumbosacral region, thus reducing the load on the lumbosacral spine. (Callaghan, Gunning, & McGill, 1998) When people focus on their health and well-being, non-surgical therapies can provide a positive and safe experience with a team that can help reduce the pain the person has been dealing with their entire lives. The video above explains how these treatments work together to help you build a stronger body while revitalizing your energy and enhancing your health and wellness.

Spinal Decompression Reducing Lumbosacral Pain

When it comes to reducing lumbosacral pain associated with poor posture, many individuals can incorporate non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression and combine them with a personalized treatment plan to reduce the pain-like symptoms. What spinal decompression does to lumbosacral pain is that it helps mitigate intra-disc pressure while increasing disc space within the lumbosacral spinal region. (Amjad et al., 2022) Spinal decompression can help improve leg mobility and stretch out the affected muscles to kick-start the body’s natural healing process. Spinal decompression can even combine with physical therapy to help strengthen the lumbosacral region’s abdominal muscles and enable many individuals with poor posture to be mindful of how they present themselves.(Mielenz et al., 1997)

 

MET Therapy & Spinal Decompression Restoring Posture

When pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists incorporate spinal decompression treatment to reduce lumbosacral pain, they also utilize various techniques to strengthen the lumbosacral muscles to restore proper posture to the body. Many pain specialists use MET (muscle energy techniques) therapy to maintain while stretching the muscles and fascia in the affected areas. MET therapy combined with spinal decompression can help improve muscle shortness in the lumbar fascial tissue, improve posture, and even increase the lumbar and pelvic range of motion. (Tamartash & Bahrpeyma, 2022) These two non-surgical treatments can help many people by addressing their posture and movement dysfunction while strengthening their core stabilized muscles to reduce pain. (Norris & Matthews, 2008) Many individuals who want to regain their health and wellness can make small changes in their routine to improve their posture and be more mindful of their bodies to reduce the chances of lumbosacral pain returning.

 

References

Adams, M. A., & Hutton, W. C. (1985). The effect of posture on the lumbar spine. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 67(4), 625-629. doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.67B4.4030863

 

Amjad, F., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Gilani, S. A., Ahmad, A., & Hanif, A. (2022). 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 Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 255. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05196-x

 

Callaghan, J. P., Gunning, J. L., & McGill, S. M. (1998). The relationship between lumbar spine load and muscle activity during extensor exercises. Phys Ther, 78(1), 8-18. doi.org/10.1093/ptj/78.1.8

 

Creze, M., Bedretdinova, D., Soubeyrand, M., Rocher, L., Gennisson, J. L., Gagey, O., Maitre, X., & Bellin, M. F. (2019). Posture-related stiffness mapping of paraspinal muscles. J Anat, 234(6), 787-799. doi.org/10.1111/joa.12978

 

Huang, C. C., Jaw, F. S., & Young, Y. H. (2022). Radiological and functional assessment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 23(1), 137. doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05053-x

 

Mielenz, T. J., Carey, T. S., Dyrek, D. A., Harris, B. A., Garrett, J. M., & Darter, J. D. (1997). Physical therapy utilization by patients with acute low back pain. Phys Ther, 77(10), 1040-1051. doi.org/10.1093/ptj/77.10.1040

 

Norris, C., & Matthews, M. (2008). The role of an integrated back stability program in patients with chronic low back pain. Complement Ther Clin Pract, 14(4), 255-263. doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2008.06.001

 

Tamartash, H., & Bahrpeyma, F. (2022). Evaluation of Lumbar Myofascial Release Effects on Lumbar Flexion Angle and Pelvic Inclination Angle in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork, 15(1), 15-22. doi.org/10.3822/ijtmb.v15i1.709

 

Disclaimer

Calisthenics Resistance Training

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Young woman, training her core, by doing a plank exercise, at home.

Can adding calisthenics resistance training to a fitness routine provide health benefits like flexibility, balance, and coordination?

Calisthenics Resistance Training

Calisthenics Resistance Training

  • Calisthenics resistance training requires no equipment, they can be done with minimal space, and are a great way to get a quick burn.
  • They are a form of resistance training using your own body weight that is low-impact, which makes it accessible to individuals of all ages and fitness levels.
  • They effectively help build agility, and cardiovascular health, and improve balance, coordination, and flexibility.

Benefits

Muscle Strength

Because calisthenics are easily adaptable to any fitness level, require minimal or no equipment, and are great for beginners and experienced exercise enthusiasts it is a fantastic full-body workout and an excellent way to build strength and muscle. Research supports that calisthenics resistance training can improve muscle strength in various ways.

  • One study found that eight weeks of calisthenics not only improved posture and body mass index/BMI but can impact strength, even with exercises not routinely performed. (Thomas E, et al., 2017)
  • During the study, one group did calisthenics and the other maintained regular training routines.
  • The researchers discovered that the group that did calisthenics increased their repetitions of exercises that were not included.
  • The group who continued with their regular training routines did not improve on what they could do before the eight-week study. (Thomas E, et al., 2017)

Cardiovascular Fitness

  • Regular participation in calisthenic resistance training can lead to improved cardiovascular health, including increased endurance and a healthier heart.
  • Certain calisthenic exercises, like burpees and mountain climbers, are high-intensity movements that can increase heart rate and blood circulation just from the movements.
  • Gradually performing these exercises at a faster pace, research indicates could potentially experience the same cardiovascular benefits from interval or treadmill running. (Bellissimo GF, et al., 2022) – (Lavie CJ, et al., 2015)

Balance, Coordination, and Flexibility

  • The movements require a full range of motion that stretches and strengthens the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
  • These exercises can help decrease the risk of injury and make daily physical activities easier to perform without over-exertion.
  • Incorporating calisthenics resistance training on a regular basis can help improve posture, balance, and flexibility, depending on which exercises are recommended.
  • Exercises like stretches, lunges, and squats help to improve flexibility and mobility.
  • Exercises like single-leg squats and one-arm push-ups can work the balance, coordination, and proprioception of the body.

Mental Health

  • Exercise, in general, is known to improve mood, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
  • Calisthenic resistance training can have additional impacts on mental well-being.
  • For example, the discipline and focus required to perform the movements can help concentration and mental clarity.
  • One study found that calisthenics can reduce cognitive decline and may be useful for dementia prevention. (Osuka Y, et al., 2020)
  • Another study found that calisthenics helped mental well-being in individuals with diseases like ankylosing spondylitis and multiple sclerosis. (Taspinar O, et al., 2015)

Types

Bodyweight exercises that use an individual’s own body weight as resistance are the foundation. Common examples include push-ups, squats, and lunges. An overview of some of the types of exercises.

Pulling

  • These exercises focus on training the muscles for pulling movements, which include the back, shoulders, and arms.
  • Examples include pull-ups, chin-ups, and rows.

Pushing

  • These exercises focus on training the muscles for pushing movements, like the chest, shoulders, and triceps.
  • Examples include dips, push-ups, and handstand push-ups.

Core

  • Core exercises focus on training the abdominal and lower back muscles, which are responsible for maintaining stability and balance.
  • Examples of core exercises include planks, sit-ups, and leg raises.

Single-Leg

  • Single-leg exercises focus on training one leg at a time.
  • These target the muscles of the legs, hips, and core.
  • Examples of single-leg exercises include single-leg squats, lunges, and step-ups.

Plyometric

  • Calisthenics resistance training focuses on powerful explosive movements.
  • Plyometric exercises challenge the muscles to work quickly and forcefully.
  • Examples include jump squats, clap push-ups, and box jumps.

Getting Started

  • Start by making sure calisthenics is an appropriate workout option, especially if you are a beginner or have pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Once cleared to exercise start with familiar movements that can be done with the correct form.
  • Pushups, bodyweight squats, planks, lunges, and other basic movements are a good place to start.
  • Make sure to warm up with light and easy motions that mimic the workout movements.
  • Aim to work each body part during the workout.
  • Try for at least two workouts a week.
  • It is recommended to split the movement patterns.
  • Reps can be counted or set a timer to switch exercises every minute. This is called EMOM-style or every minute on the minute.
  • Pick four to five exercises that target various areas.
  • For example, sit-ups can be done for the core, lunges for the glutes and thighs, planks can be done for the shoulders and core, and jumping jacks or jumping rope for cardiovascular.
  • Calisthenic resistance training is easily modifiable and can be adjusted to individual needs.

Core Strength

References

Thomas, E., Bianco, A., Mancuso, E. P., Patti, A., Tabacchi, G., Paoli, A., … & Palma, A. (2017). The effects of a calisthenics training intervention on posture, strength, and body composition. Isokinetics and exercise science, 25(3), 215-222.

Bellissimo, G. F., Ducharme, J., Mang, Z., Millender, D., Smith, J., Stork, M. J., Little, J. P., Deyhle, M. R., Gibson, A. L., de Castro Magalhaes, F., & Amorim, F. (2022). The Acute Physiological and Perceptual Responses Between Bodyweight and Treadmill Running High-Intensity Interval Exercises. Frontiers in physiology, 13, 824154. doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.824154

Osuka, Y., Kojima, N., Sasai, H., Ohara, Y., Watanabe, Y., Hirano, H., & Kim, H. (2020). Exercise Types and the Risk of Developing Cognitive Decline in Older Women: A Prospective Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s disease: JAD, 77(4), 1733–1742. doi.org/10.3233/JAD-200867

Taspinar, O., Aydın, T., Celebi, A., Keskin, Y., Yavuz, S., Guneser, M., Camli, A., Tosun, M., Canbaz, N., & Gok, M. (2015). Psychological effects of calisthenic exercises on neuroinflammatory and rheumatic diseases. Zeitschrift fur Rheumatologie, 74(8), 722–727. doi.org/10.1007/s00393-015-1570-9

Lavie, C. J., Lee, D. C., Sui, X., Arena, R., O’Keefe, J. H., Church, T. S., Milani, R. V., & Blair, S. N. (2015). Effects of Running on Chronic Diseases and Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(11), 1541–1552. doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.08.001

Spinal Decompression Efficacy On Chronic Low Back Pain

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

Can spinal decompression treat individuals with chronic low back pain to reduce joint arthritis and strengthen the surrounding muscles to restore lumbar mobility?

Introduction

When many individuals are dealing with pain in their lumbar region, more often than not, they believe that it’s the surrounding muscles that protect the spine that is being affected. However, that is only half of the problem. Do you or your loved ones often feel a warm sensation within your lower back, hips, and knees that radiates pain within your joints? Well, joint pain can correlate with low back pain in its chronic state. Since the body and spine can degenerate over time, it can cause the joints to wear and tear while rubbing against each other, causing joint arthritis to develop. When arthritic pain is associated with chronic low back pain, it can lead to overlapping risk profiles that can lead to a life of disability and make the individual miserable. Many pain-like symptoms correlating with chronic low back pain can develop over time and cause mobility and stability problems within the body. Fortunately, many non-surgical treatments can reduce the progression of joint arthritis and alleviate chronic low back pain. Today’s articles examine the correlation between joint arthritis and chronic low back pain while taking a look at how non-invasive treatments like spinal decompression can not only reduce chronic low back pain associated with joint arthritis but also restore lumbar mobility. Additionally, we work hand-in-hand with certified medical providers who incorporate our patient’s information to treat and reduce the progression of joint arthritis associated with low back pain. We also inform them that spinal decompression can help restore lumbar mobility while enhancing muscle strength back to the lumbar region. We encourage our patients to ask profound questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain-like issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Joint Arthritis & Chronic Low Back Pain

Do you often experience stiffness in the morning that seems to go away after a few hours? Do you feel aches and pains at work, either at the desk or the requires heavy objects? Or do you feel your joints ache constantly that you are not getting enough sleep at night? These pain-like scenarios are associated with joint arthritis, which can develop into chronic low back pain. Many people know that the lumber spine and the lower extremities will experience high mechanical stress when the body is in an upright position without pain. As the lumbar spine and lower extremities begin to go through repetitive motions over time, that can cause the ligaments and surrounding muscles to have microtrauma tears, resulting in the development of joint arthritis, which can lead to inflammatory effects. (Xiong et al., 2022) Now inflammation in the body is beneficial and harmful depending on the severity within the affected area. Joint arthritis, especially spondylarthritis, is part of inflammatory diseases that affect the joint and the spine and can have various clinical manifestations. (Sharip & Kunz, 2020) The symptoms of joint arthritis include inflammatory pain in the affected area, joint stiffness and swelling, and muscle weakness. When dealing with inflammatory effects associated with joint arthritis, it can cause them to have a decreased quality of life, increase mortality, and become an economic burden. (Walsh & Magrey, 2021)

 

 

Now how does joint arthritis be associated with low back pain? When individuals start to make repetitive motions to their lumbar spine, it can lead to abnormal changes to the intervertebral discs. When unwanted pressure begins to compress the intervertebral disc constantly, it can cause wear and tear on the disc, causing them to crack and allowing the annular nociceptors to become over-sensitized. (Weinstein, Claverie, & Gibson, 1988) The affected disc then aggravates the surrounding nerve roots and muscles, causing low back pain. When individuals do their everyday normal, factors that cause degenerative changes to the intervertebral discs can lead to chronic low back pain. (Vernon-Roberts & Pirie, 1977) To that point, chronic low back pain associated with joint arthritis can become a chronic issue if not treated right away.

 

Arthritis Explained- Video

Arthritis Explained | El Paso, Tx (2023)

When reducing the effects of chronic low back pain associated with joint arthritis, many individuals seek treatments to relieve their pain-affected areas with a positive outcome. Non-surgical treatments could be the answer, combined with other therapies to reduce chronic low back pain. (Kizhakkeveettil, Rose, & Kadar, 2014) Non-surgical treatments can be customizable to the individual’s pain while being cost-effective. Many people with arthritic joints can benefit from non-surgical treatments as pain specialists like massage therapists and chiropractors can use various techniques to stretch out the affected muscles, increase the joint’s ROM (range of motions) and realign the body out of misalignment to promote the body’s natural healing process. The video above gives an overview of how arthritis can affect the joints, be associated with low back pain, and how these treatments can alleviate its symptoms through various techniques.

Spinal Decompression & Chronic Low Back Pain

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical therapy treatment that can help many individuals with chronic low back pain. Spinal decompression uses gentle traction on the lumbar spine to pull the spine, allowing the fluids and nutrients to flood back to the affected area and help the body naturally heal itself. When individuals start incorporating spinal decompression for their chronic low back pain, they will feel pressure off their spinal discs. (Ramos, 2004) When individuals begin to feel an improvement in their lumbar region after a few consecutive treatments, they will start to regain their lumbar mobility.

 

Spinal Decompression Restoring Lumbar Mobility

Spinal decompression can reduce the effects of chronic low back pain and restore lumbar mobility to the spine. Since spinal decompression uses gentle traction on the spine, the intervertebral disc will return to its original position, while the spinal cavity increases disc height. To that point, spinal decompression can cause individuals to improve mobility and cause them to return to their normal daily activities, as it correlates strongly with pain reduction. (Gose, Naguszewski, & Naguszewski, 1998) By incorporating spinal decompression as part of a routine, many individuals can regain their health without dealing with pain-like symptoms.

 

References

Gose, E. E., Naguszewski, W. K., & Naguszewski, R. K. (1998). Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res, 20(3), 186-190. doi.org/10.1080/01616412.1998.11740504

 

Kizhakkeveettil, A., Rose, K., & Kadar, G. E. (2014). Integrative therapies for low back pain that include complementary and alternative medicine care: a systematic review. Glob Adv Health Med, 3(5), 49-64. doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2014.043

 

Ramos, G. (2004). Efficacy of vertebral axial decompression on chronic low back pain: study of dosage regimen. Neurol Res, 26(3), 320-324. doi.org/10.1179/016164104225014030

 

Sharip, A., & Kunz, J. (2020). Understanding the Pathogenesis of Spondyloarthritis. Biomolecules, 10(10). doi.org/10.3390/biom10101461

 

Vernon-Roberts, B., & Pirie, C. J. (1977). Degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine and their sequelae. Rheumatol Rehabil, 16(1), 13-21. doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/16.1.13

 

Walsh, J. A., & Magrey, M. (2021). Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis of Axial Spondyloarthritis. J Clin Rheumatol, 27(8), e547-e560. doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000001575

 

Weinstein, J., Claverie, W., & Gibson, S. (1988). The pain of discography. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 13(12), 1344-1348. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-198812000-00002

 

Xiong, Y., Cai, M., Xu, Y., Dong, P., Chen, H., He, W., & Zhang, J. (2022). Joint together: The etiology and pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis. Front Immunol, 13, 996103. doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.996103

 

Disclaimer

Gender Transitioning: Expressing and Affirming Gender Identity

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Portrait, pride and lesbian woman with flag on city bridge, lgbtq community, identity with support .

Gender transitioning is the process of affirming and expressing an individual’s internal sense of gender rather than the one assigned at birth. How can learning the aspects of gender and gender transitioning help support the LGBTQ+ community?

Gender Transitioning: Expressing and Affirming Gender Identity

Gender Transitioning

Gender transitioning or gender affirmation is a process through which transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals align their internal gender identity with their external gender expression. It can be described as a binary – male or female – but can also be non-binary, meaning an individual is neither exclusively male nor female.

  • The process can involve aesthetic appearances, changes in social roles, legal recognitions, and/or physical aspects of the body.
  • Social affirmation – dressing differently or coming out to friends and family.
  • Legal affirmation – changing name and gender on legal documents.
  • Medical affirmation – using hormones and/or surgery to change certain physical aspects of their body.
  • Transgender individuals can pursue some or all of these.

Barriers

Gender transitioning can be obstructed by various barriers that can include:

  • Cost
  • Lack of insurance
  • Lack of family, friends, or partner support.
  • Discrimination
  • Stigma

Addressing  All Aspects

The process does not have a specific timeline and is not always linear.

  • Many transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals prefer gender affirmation to gender transitioning because transitioning is often taken to mean the process of medically transforming the body.
  • An individual does not have to undergo medical treatment to affirm their identity, and some transgender people avoid hormones or gender-affirming surgery.
  • Transitioning is a holistic process that addresses all aspects of who a person is inwardly and outwardly.
  • Certain aspects of transitioning may be more important than others, like changing one’s name and gender on their birth certificate.
  • Reevaluation and revision of gender identity can be continual rather than a step-by-step, one-way process.

Exploring Gender Identity

Gender transitioning often starts in response to gender dysphoria which describes the constant sense of uneasiness that occurs when the gender an individual was assigned at birth does not match how they experience or express their gender internally.

  • Some individuals have experienced symptoms of gender dysphoria as early as 3 or 4 years of age. (Selin Gülgöz, et al., 2019)
  • Gender dysphoria can be largely informed by the culture that surrounds the individual, specifically in cultures where strict codes determine what is masculine/male and feminine/female.

Unease Expressed in Different Ways

  • Dislike of one’s sexual anatomy.
  • A preference for clothes typically worn by the other gender.
  • Not wanting to wear clothes typically worn by their own gender.
  • A preference for cross-gender roles in fantasy play.
  • A strong preference for engaging in activities that are typically done by the other gender.

Dysphoria

  • Gender dysphoria can fully emerge during puberty when awareness about how an individual’s body defines them creates internal distress.
  • Feelings may be amplified when an individual is described as a tomboy, or a sissy, or is criticized and attacked for acting like a girl or acting like a boy.
  • During puberty, the physical changes can cause long-standing feelings of not fitting in and may evolve into feelings of not fitting in their own body.
  • This is when individuals can undergo a process referred to as internal transitioning and begin to change how they see themselves.

Gender transitioning/affirmation becomes the next step. Transitioning is not about changing or recreating oneself but about expressing their authentic self and asserting who they are socially, legally, and/or medically.

Social

Social transitioning involves how a person publicly expresses their gender. The transition can include:

  • Changing pronouns.
  • Using chosen name.
  • Coming out to friends, family, coworkers, etc.
  • Wearing new clothes.
  • Cutting or styling hair differently.
  • Changing mannerisms like moving, sitting, etc.
  • Changing voice.
  • Binding – strapping the chest to hide breasts.
  • Wearing breast and hip prosthetics to accentuate feminine curvature.
  • Packing – wearing a penile prosthesis to create a penile bulge.
  • Tucking – tucking the penis to conceal a bulge.
  • Playing certain sports
  • Pursuing different lines of work.
  • Participating in activities that might typically be seen as male or female.

Legal

Legal transitioning involves changing legal documents to reflect the individual’s chosen name, gender, and pronouns. This includes governmental and non-government documents that can include:

  • Birth certificates
  • Social Security ID
  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Bank records
  • Medical and dental records
  • Voter registration
  • School ID
  • Provisions allowing for changes can vary by state.
  • Some states only allow changes if bottom surgery – genital reconstruction is performed.
  • Others will allow the changes without any form of gender-affirming surgery.
  • Other states have begun to offer an X-gender option for non-binary individuals. (Wesley M King, Kristi E Gamarel. 2021)

Medical

Medical transitioning typically involves hormone therapy to develop some of the male or female sex characteristics. It can also involve surgery to change certain physical aspects combined with hormone therapy.

  • Hormone therapy assists individuals to physically look more like the gender they identify as.
  • They can be used on their own and can also be used before gender-affirming surgery.

Hormone therapy takes two forms:

Transgender Men

Transgender Women

Surgery

Gender affirmation surgery aligns an individual’s physical appearance to their gender identity. Many hospitals provide gender-affirming surgery through a transgender medicine department. Medical procedures include:

  • Facial surgery – Facial feminization surgery.
  • Breast augmentation – Increases breast size with implants.
  • Chest masculinization – Removes contours of breast tissues.
  • Tracheal shaving – Reduces the Adam’s apple.
  • Phalloplasty – Construction of a penis.
  • Orchiectomy – Removal of the testicles.
  • Scrotoplasty – Construction of a scrotum.
  • Vaginoplasty – Construction of a vaginal canal.
  • Vulvoplasty – Construction of the outer female genitalia.

Roadblocks

If you know someone who is transgender or is considering transitioning, learning about gender and gender transitioning and how to be supportive is a great way to be an ally.

Enhancing Your Lifestyle

References

Gülgöz, S., Glazier, J. J., Enright, E. A., Alonso, D. J., Durwood, L. J., Fast, A. A., Lowe, R., Ji, C., Heer, J., Martin, C. L., & Olson, K. R. (2019). Similarity in transgender and cisgender children’s gender development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116(49), 24480–24485. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1909367116

Irwig, M. S., Childs, K., & Hancock, A. B. (2017). Effects of testosterone on the transgender male voice. Andrology, 5(1), 107–112. doi.org/10.1111/andr.12278

Tangpricha, V., & den Heijer, M. (2017). Estrogen and anti-androgen therapy for transgender women. The Lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 5(4), 291–300. doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(16)30319-9

National Center for Transgender Equality. Know Your Rights in Health Care.

Kaiser Family Foundation. Update on Medicaid coverage of gender-affirming health services.

Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services. Gender dysphoria and gender reassignment surgery.

Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund. Health insurance medical policies.

National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.

Turban, J. L., Loo, S. S., Almazan, A. N., & Keuroghlian, A. S. (2021). Factors Leading to “Detransition” Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Analysis. LGBT health, 8(4), 273–280. doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2020.0437

Upper Crossed Syndrome Muscle Health

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Female doctor examining pain neck of patient during his visit to hospital

Can musculoskeletal therapies treat individuals with upper crossed syndrome to relieve pain, improve posture, and strengthen the muscles in the neck, shoulders and chest?

Upper Crossed Syndrome Muscle Health

Upper Crossed Syndrome

Upper crossed syndrome is a condition in which the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and chest become weak and tight, and is usually brought on from practicing unhealthy posture. Symptoms typically include:

  • Neck stiffness and pulling sensations.
  • Jaw tension and/or tightness
  • Upper back tension, lack of flexibility, stiffness, and aching soreness.
  • Neck, shoulder, and upper back pain.
  • Tension headaches
  • Rounded shoulders
  • Hunched spine

Upper Crossed Syndrome and Posture

  • The condition affects healthy posture by creating imbalanced muscles between the upper back and chest.
  • The tight short muscles in the upper chest get overly stretched and remain in a semi-contracted state pulling on the back muscles.
  • This causes the muscles in the upper back, shoulders, and neck to get pulled and weaken.
  • The result is a hunched back, forward shoulders, and protruded neck.
  • The specific muscles affected include the trapezius and the levator scapula/side of the neck muscles. (Hospital for Special Surgery. 2023)

Individuals having back pain lasting two weeks or longer are recommended to consult a spine specialist or healthcare provider to examine and determine the cause of the pain symptoms. (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023)

Lingering Pain

  • The imbalances in muscle activation and movement and unhealthy posture all contribute to the symptoms.
  • The syndrome is characterized by chronic stiffness, tension, pain, and increasing immobility of the chest and shoulder muscles.
  • Over time the tightness and pulling, combined with weakness can lead to shoulder joint damage. (Seidi F, et al., 2020)

Causes

There are certain activities and jobs that can contribute to the development and worsening of the syndrome. Factors that worsen symptoms include: (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023) – (Seidi F, et al., 2020)

  • Physical trauma/injury to any of the muscle regions.
  • Occupations with high amounts of physical exertion, heavy lifting, and injury risks.
  • Practicing incorrect postures and positioning.
  • Jobs requiring extended periods of sitting and/or standing.
  • Inactivity and/or sedentary lifestyle.
  • Over athletic activity.
  • Smoking.

However, the syndrome is preventable and manageable.

Therapies

Working with a chiropractor and physical massage therapy team can help determine and develop a personalized treatment plan that is the most effective and suitable. A chiropractic and physical therapist will provide several options, which can include: (Cedars-Sinai. 2022) – (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023) – (Bae WS, et al., 2016)

  • Bracing
  • Massage therapy to increase circulation, relax, and retrain the muscles.
  • Chiropractic adjustments for spinal realignment and posture retraining.
  • Non-surgical mechanical traction and decompression therapy.
  • Kinesiology taping – recovery and preventive.
  • Posture retraining.
  • Muscle movement training.
  • Exercises targeting soft tissues and joints.
  • Core strengthening.
  • Steroid injections to a specific area.
  • Prescription anti-inflammatory medication for pain symptoms – short-term.
  1. Individuals may be advised by the chiropractic therapy team to avoid too much bed rest and to limit or avoid activities that can cause pain or worsen symptoms. (Cedars-Sinai. 2022)
  2. Studies have shown chiropractic spinal manipulation effectively reduces neck, spine, and low back pain symptoms. (Gevers-Montoro C, et al., 2021)

Self Management

There are ways to self-manage upper-crossed syndrome and associated symptoms. Common techniques include: (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2023) – (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. 2023)

  • Practicing correct posture.
  • Increasing or decreasing physical activity as recommended by the therapy team.
  • Using ice or heat packs to relieve pain and increase circulation to promote muscle rehabilitation and healing.
  • Using topical pain creams or gels.
  • Over-the-counter nonsteroidal – NSAIDs, like Advil or Motrin and Aleve.
  • Muscle relaxants to relieve tension short-term.

Enhance Your Lifestyle

References

Hospital for Special Surgery. Move with the purpose to combat upper and lower crossed syndromes.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Back pain.

Seidi, F., Bayattork, M., Minoonejad, H., Andersen, L. L., & Page, P. (2020). Comprehensive corrective exercise program improves alignment, muscle activation, and movement pattern of men with upper crossed syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Scientific reports, 10(1), 20688. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-77571-4

Bae, W. S., Lee, H. O., Shin, J. W., & Lee, K. C. (2016). The effect of middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercises in upper crossed syndrome. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(5), 1636–1639. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.1636

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Back pain.

Cedars-Sinai. Back and neck pain.

Gevers-Montoro, C., Provencher, B., Descarreaux, M., Ortega de Mues, A., & Piché, M. (2021). Clinical Effectiveness and Efficacy of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation for Spine Pain. Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland), 2, 765921. doi.org/10.3389/fpain.2021.765921

A New Direction For Initial Treatment For Low Back Pain

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

For many individuals with low back pain, how does spinal decompression alleviate muscle stress as part of initial treatment?

Introduction

Many working individuals know that low back pain is a common problem that causes them to go to their primary doctor to get examined and miss out on work. Low back pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal condition that causes overlapping risk profiles to affect the body’s lower extremities. Low back pain can correlate with musculoskeletal disorders like sciatica, abdominal pain, leg pain, and DDD (degenerative disc disease). It can range from acute to chronic, depending on the severity the individual is dealing with when it comes to pain. At the same time, low back pain can be non-specific or mechanical as the surrounding muscles, soft tissues, joints, and ligaments are affected and dealing with symptoms of muscle strain, unwanted pressure on the joint, causing stress, and muscle aches. Since the body and the spine naturally age, it causes more stress on the lower back as individuals begin to hunch over more when walking or carrying heavy objects, which causes more strain on the back muscles, leading them to a life of disability. Luckily, non-surgical treatments have become more available to reduce the effects of muscle stress associated with low back pain and alleviate the pain-like symptoms in the lumbar spine. Today’s article focuses on how numerous factors can cause muscle stress to the lower back and how spinal decompression can reduce its effects while alleviating low back pain. At the same time, we work hand-in-hand with certified medical providers who incorporate our patient’s information to treat and mitigate muscle stress on the lower back. We also inform them that non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help alleviate residual pain-like symptoms associated with low back pain and help them return to their daily activities. We encourage our patients to ask profound questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain-like issues. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

How Factors Cause Muscle Stress To The Low Back

Do you feel gradual or consistent pain in your lower back after carrying a heavy object from one location to another? Are you constantly taking medication for your low back pain to finish the workday? Or do you feel pain in your sciatic nerve that gets aggravated when you are in motion, and you feel relief when resting? Around the world, many people have dealt with low back pain and its associated symptom at some point. Since low back pain can be either specific or non-specific, pain can come from spinal issues that cause referred pain to a different body location or normal repetitive factors that cause discomfort to the surrounding soft tissues, muscles, and ligaments. Some symptoms correlating with low back pain include progressive motor or sensory issues, urinary retention, abnormal neurologic issues, spinal misalignment, or soft tissue abnormalities. (Will, Bury, & Miller, 2018) When many working individuals are dealing with non-specific low back pain, the surrounding soft tissues and muscles can become weak and overworked, which causes overlapping risk profiles and results in the development of low back pain.

 

 

Many working individuals with demanding jobs, whether physical or sedentary, will often strain their lumbar region from lifting/carrying heavy objects or being hunched over constantly at the computer. When a person continues to put repetitive stress on the surrounding muscles, it can cause chronic pain over time and become a major cause of work loss. (Becker & Childress, 2019) Low back pain can cause the individual to be more stressed since they are missing out on work. Low back pain can also be due to lumbar instability from the intervertebral disc and surrounding muscles and ligaments under constant pressure. (Hauser et al., 2022) Since the body and spine age over time naturally, many individuals dealing with low back pain will begin to feel their joints and muscle structures loosen over time, leading to musculoskeletal symptoms that prevent the spine from destabilizing. This can cause the individual to limit their ability to participate in daily activities and even reduce their quality of life. Luckily, non-surgical treatments can reduce the effects of low back pain while revitalizing the lumbar region so many people can continue their daily activities pain-free.

 

From Injury To Recovery-Video

From Injury to Recovery (with Chiropractic Care) | El Paso, Tx (2023)

When treating and reducing low back pain, many pain specialists like chiropractors and massage therapists can incorporate non-invasive treatments to ease low back pain. Non-invasive treatments like chiropractic care and spinal decompression can help reduce muscle stress on the lumbar region with mechanical or manual spinal manipulation and help relieve the affected lumbar area. Now spinal decompression and chiropractic care have a wonderful relationship as they use negative pressure on the intervertebral disc to increase nutrient flow back to the spine and help kick-start the body’s natural healing process. (Schimmel et al., 2009) These treatments are not only non-invasive, but they are also safe and cost-effective while being customizable to the person’s pain. The video above explains how these treatments can reduce soft tissue injuries and the effects of musculoskeletal pain on the lumbar region.

Spinal Decompression Reducing Muscle Stress From Low Back Pain

Non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression are incorporated into a person’s personalized health plan to reduce the effects of low back pain. Spinal decompression uses gentle traction on the spine to diminish the compressive load on the intervertebral disc to reduce herniation while stretching the lumbar spinal muscles and ligaments to decrease muscle spasms. (Sari et al., 2005) When individuals start to feel relief in their lower back due to spinal decompression as they begin to feel general improvement in the lumbar region. (Borman, Keskin, & Bodur, 2003) Since spinal decompression uses gentle traction on the spine, this gentle force can relieve radicular symptoms associated with the lower extremities. (Krause et al., 2000) Additionally, the effects of spinal decompression can be a positive experience for many individuals dealing with low back pain. (Pellecchia, 1994) When it comes to reducing low back pain, utilizing non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help improve mobility back to the individual and reduce the pain they were experiencing before. When people begin to think about their health and wellness, they can experience relief from the pain and get back to normalcy.

 

References

Becker, B. A., & Childress, M. A. (2019). Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Return To Work. American Family Physician, 100(11), 697-703. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31790184

www.aafp.org/dam/brand/aafp/pubs/afp/issues/2019/1201/p697.pdf

 

Borman, P., Keskin, D., & Bodur, H. (2003). The efficacy of lumbar traction in the management of patients with low back pain. Rheumatol Int, 23(2), 82-86. doi.org/10.1007/s00296-002-0249-0

 

Hauser, R. A., Matias, D., Woznica, D., Rawlings, B., & Woldin, B. A. (2022). Lumbar instability as an etiology of low back pain and its treatment by prolotherapy: A review. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil, 35(4), 701-712. doi.org/10.3233/BMR-210097

 

Krause, M., Refshauge, K. M., Dessen, M., & Boland, R. (2000). Lumbar spine traction: evaluation of effects and recommended application for treatment. Man Ther, 5(2), 72-81. doi.org/10.1054/math.2000.0235

 

Pellecchia, G. L. (1994). Lumbar traction: a review of the literature. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 20(5), 262-267. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1994.20.5.262

 

Sari, H., Akarirmak, U., Karacan, I., & Akman, H. (2005). Computed tomographic evaluation of lumbar spinal structures during traction. Physiother Theory Pract, 21(1), 3-11. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16385939

 

Schimmel, J. J., de Kleuver, M., Horsting, P. P., Spruit, M., Jacobs, W. C., & van Limbeek, J. (2009). No effect of traction in patients with low back pain: a single centre, single blind, randomized controlled trial of Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy. Eur Spine J, 18(12), 1843-1850. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-009-1044-3

 

Will, J. S., Bury, D. C., & Miller, J. A. (2018). Mechanical Low Back Pain. American Family Physician, 98(7), 421-428. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30252425

www.aafp.org/dam/brand/aafp/pubs/afp/issues/2018/1001/p421.pdf

 

Disclaimer

Food Condiments and Overall Health

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
Set of sauces - ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard soy sauce, bbq sauce, pesto, chimichurri, mustard grains and pomegranate sauce on dark stone background.

For individuals, does knowing about food condiments nutritional values help with overall health?

Food Condiments and Overall Health

Food Condiments

Condiment options go beyond the standard mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Today there are various options to use as toppers, to marinate, tenderize, increase flavor, and add an appeal to the dish. Most condiments don’t provide much nutrition, but some do contain healthy ingredients like herbs, spices, ​heart-healthy fats, and antioxidants.

Healthy

The food condiments that are made the healthiest are those that are low in calories and unhealthy fat and they are made with less or no processed additives and quality ingredients that provide health benefits.

Pico de Gallo

  • This is a low-calorie, low-fat, nutrient-dense salsa that can zest up any meal.
  • It is made with tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and lime.
  • Easily make your own to control sodium levels.
  • Top salads, vegetables, or protein with the salsa to add flavor.
  • Use as a dip for fresh raw vegetables as a snack.

Mustard

  • Mustard is a very low-calorie – 5 calories in 1 teaspoon, low-carbohydrate, and fat-free condiment that can increase the flavor of food by adding a sweet, sour, or spicy kick.
  • Most traditional mustards – yellow and spicy – are made with mustard seed, distilled vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, spices, and turmeric.
  • This means that mustard contains little or insignificant calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrate in one serving.
  • Studies have shown that turmeric can provide health benefits from a compound called curcumin.
  • Preclinical studies suggest that curcumin can act as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. (Abrahams S, et al., 2019)
  • Flavored mustards, like ​honey flavor, can contain added sugars, therefore, it is recommended to read the label before eating.
  • According to the USDA, 1 teaspoon of spicy mustard contains 5 calories, 60mg sodium, and no fat, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, or sugar. (FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2021)

Vinegar

  • Balsamic, red or white wine, or apple cider vinegar can be used on side dishes, salads, sandwiches, and to marinate.
  • This condiment ranges from 0 calories to 10 calories per tablespoon and contains no sodium.
  • Studies have shown that apple cider vinegar can reduce fasting blood sugar in individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes. (Johnston CS, Quagliano S, White S. 2013)

Hot Sauce

  • Hot sauce is made from red chili peppers.
  • Top eggs, vegetables, or whole grains with a few dashes.
  • Studies suggest that adding spice can help satisfy hunger, help curb appetite and possibly speed up metabolism. (Emily Siebert, et al., 2022)
  • Read labels as sauces can contain added sugars.

Ketchup

  • Because of its carbohydrate and sugar content, ketchup is a condiment that needs to be portion-controlled, especially for individuals with diabetes who are following a modified nutritional plan.
  • Ketchup contains 17 calories, 5 grams of sugar, and 4 grams of carbohydrates in one tablespoon. (FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2020)
  • Individuals are recommended to stick to one portion and choose a ketchup that is not made with high fructose corn syrup.

Unhealthy

Unhealthy food condiments are high in calories, sodium, fat, and/or sugar in a single serving.

Creamy Salad Dressing

Mayonnaise

  • Mayonnaise can be extremely high in calories for a small portion.
  • Despite being made from whole ingredients like egg yolks, olive oil, and vinegar,
  • One tablespoon is 94 calories and 10 grams of fat. (FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2020)
  • Although much of the fat is unsaturated/healthy type, it can be hard to portion control this food condiment, which can result in excess calorie intake.

Barbecue Sauce

  • Barbecue sauce is moderate in calories, around 60 in two tablespoons, but it can contain a large amount of sodium and sugar.
  • Most brands can contain 10 to 13 grams of sugar/equivalent to 3 teaspoons and 280 to 350 milligrams of sodium.
  • The recommended serving size is two tablespoons.
  • Individuals trying to watch calorie and sugar intake are recommended to stick to one serving.

Sour Cream

  • Sour cream contains 60 calories and 6 grams of fat in two tablespoons.
  • About half of the fat in sour cream is saturated. (FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2020)
  • Regularly consuming saturated fat has been linked with heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
  • A healthy substitute for sour cream can be a tablespoon or two of low-fat or non-fat plain Greek yogurt.

Regardless of the healthy or non-healthy food condiments, it is recommended not to drown the food in them and stick to the recommended serving sizes.

Benefits of Healthy Diet and Chiropractic Care

References

Abrahams, S., Haylett, W. L., Johnson, G., Carr, J. A., & Bardien, S. (2019). Antioxidant effects of curcumin in models of neurodegeneration, aging, oxidative and nitrosative stress: A review. Neuroscience, 406, 1–21. doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.02.020

Spicy brown mustard. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Johnston CS, Quagliano S, White S. Vinegar ingestion at mealtime reduced fasting blood glucose concentrations in healthy adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. J Funct Foods. 2013;5(4):2007-2011. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2013.08.003

Siebert, E., Lee, S. Y., & Prescott, M. P. (2022). Chili pepper preference development and its impact on dietary intake: A narrative review. Frontiers in nutrition, 9, 1039207. doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.1039207

Ketchup. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Caesar dressing. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Vinaigrette. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mayonnaise. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Sour cream, regular. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Non-Binary Gender Identity

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-
LGBT pride month concept or LGBTQ+ or LGBTQIA+ with rainbow colorful heart shape for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Agender, Non Binary, Two Spirit, Pansexual

Gender identity is a wide spectrum. Can learning the language used to describe various gender identities and non-binary pronouns help explain the difference between gender expression and help in inclusivity?

Non-Binary Gender Identity

Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used that describes individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female. The term addresses various gender identities and expressions that are outside of the traditional gender binary system, which categorizes individuals as either male or female.

Definition

  • Non-binary individuals are those whose gender identity and/or expression fall outside of the traditional binary categories of a man or woman. (Human Rights Campaign. (n.d.))
  • Some non-binary individuals identify as a blend of male and female; others identify as a gender different from male or female; some do not identify with any gender.
  • The term “non-binary” can also be “enby”/phonetic pronunciation of the letters NB for non-binary, although not every non-binary individual uses this term.
  • Non-binary individuals may use various terms to describe themselves, including: (Outright International. 2023)

Genderqueer

  • An individual who does not follow conventional gender norms.

Agender

  • An individual who does not identify with any gender.

Genderfluid

  • An individual whose gender identity is not fixed and can change over time.

Demigender

  • An individual who feels a partial connection to a particular gender.

Intergender

  • An individual who identifies as both male and female or a combination.

Pangender

  • An individual who identifies as many genders.

Androgynous

  • An individual whose gender expression is a mix of masculine and feminine traits or…
  • Who identifies as having a gender that is neither male nor female.

Gender Nonconforming

  • An individual who does not conform to societal expectations or norms of gender expression or identity.

Transgender/Trans

  • An individual whose gender identity differs from the gender assigned at birth.

Non-Binary Pronouns

A pronoun is a word used to replace a noun.

  • In gender context, pronouns refer to an individual without using their name, like “he” – masculine or “she” – feminine.
  • Non-binary individuals may use pronouns that do not fit the pronoun associated with the gender assigned at birth.
  • Instead, they will use pronouns that more accurately reflect their gender identity.
  • “They/them” are gender-neutral pronouns that refer to someone without assuming their gender identity.
  • Some non-binary individuals use “they/them” pronouns, but not all.
  • Some may use “he/him” or “she/her” or a combination.
  • Others may refrain from using pronouns and instead ask you to use their name.
  • Some nonbinary individuals use newer gender-neutral pronouns known as neopronouns, like ze/zir/zirs. (Human Rights Campaign. 2022)
  • Gender pronouns and neopronouns include: (NYC Department of Social Services. 2010)
  • He/him/his – masculine
  • She/her/hers – feminine
  • They/them/theirs – neutral
  • Ze/Zir/Zirs – neutral
  • Ze/Hir/Hirs – neutral
  • Fae/fae/faers

Are Transgender Individuals Non-Binary?

Transgender individuals and non-binary individuals are two distinct groups that are related.

  • There are some transgender/trans individuals who are non-binary, however, most transgender individuals identify as either male or female. (National Center for Transgender Equality. 2023)
  • To understand the difference, it can help to know the meanings of transgender, cisgender, and nonbinary: (GLAAD. 2023)

Transgender

  • An individual who identifies with a gender different from the one assigned at birth.
  • For example, someone assigned male at birth/AMAB, but identifies as a female is a transgender woman.

Cisgender

  • An individual whose gender identity follows the one they were assigned at birth.
  • For example, someone assigned female at birth/AFAB and identifies as a woman.

Non-binary

  • An individual who identifies with a gender outside the traditional binary of male and female.
  • This can include individuals who identify as genderqueer, agender, or genderfluid and others.

Using Pronouns

Using non-binary pronouns is a way to show respect and validation for an individual’s gender identity. Here are some recommendations on how to use pronouns: (National Center for Transgender Equality. 2023)

Ask for the individual’s pronouns

  • It’s recommended to avoid assuming an individual’s pronouns based on appearance or stereotype.
  • If unsure of someone’s pronouns, ask respectfully.
  • “What pronouns do you use?”
  • “Can you share your pronouns with me?”

Practice using the pronouns

  • Once you know an individual’s pronouns, practice using them.
  • This can be accomplished by using their pronouns when referring to them in conversation, emails, written forms, and/or other types of communication.
  • If you make a mistake, apologize and make the correction.

Gender-neutral language

  • If unsure of an individual’s pronouns, or if someone uses gender-neutral pronouns like they/them, use gender-neutral language instead of gendered language.
  • For example, instead of saying he or she, you can say they or their name.

Continue Learning

  • Learn as much as possible about identities and pronouns to better understand and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic wants to help create a more inclusive and affirming environment for everyone.

Is Motion Key to Healing?

References

Human Rights Campaign. Transgender and nonbinary people FAQ.

Outright International. Terminology surrounding gender identity and expression.

Human Rights Campaign. Understanding neopronouns.

NYC Department of Social Services. Gender pronouns.

National Center for Transgender Equality. Understanding nonbinary people: How to be respectful and supportive.

GLAAD. Glossary of terms: transgender.

Reducing Somatosensory Pain With Spinal Decompression

By
Dr. Alex Jimenez
-

How does spinal decompression help reduce somatosensory pain associated with individuals dealing with back and leg pain?

Introduction

As we all know, the human body is a complex system that works together to perform various actions without feeling pain or discomfort. With muscles, organs, tissues, ligaments, bones, and nerve roots, each component has its job and interacts with other body parts. For instance, the spine collaborates with the central nervous system to instruct the muscles and organs to function correctly. Meanwhile, the nerve roots and muscles work together to provide mobility, stability, and flexibility to the upper and lower body extremities. However, as time passes, the body ages naturally, and this can lead to unwanted issues. Normal and traumatic factors can interfere with the neuron signals from the brain and cause somatosensory pain in the upper and lower extremities. This pain-like sensation can affect each body section, making the individual miserable. Luckily, there are ways to reduce somatosensory pain and provide relief to the body. Today’s article explores how somatosensory pain can impact the lower extremities, particularly the legs and back, and how non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can alleviate somatosensory pain in the lower extremities. At the same time, we work hand-in-hand with certified medical providers who use our patient’s information to treat and mitigate somatosensory pain affecting the legs and back. We also inform them that non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help alleviate residual pain-like symptoms from the lower extremities. We encourage our patients to ask essential and important questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their pain. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., incorporates this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

How Does Somatosensory Pain Affect The Legs & Back?

Are you experiencing numbness or tingling in your legs or back that disappears after a few minutes? Do you feel questionable pain in your lumbar spine after work? Or do you feel a warm sensation in the back of your legs that turns into sharp shooting pain? These issues may be related to the somatosensory system within the central nervous system, which provides voluntary reflexes to muscle groups. When normal movements or traumatic forces cause problems to the somatosensory system over time, it can lead to pain that affects the body’s extremities. (Finnerup, Kuner, & Jensen, 2021) This pain may be accompanied by burning, pricking, or squeezing sensations that affect the lumbar region. Many factors can be associated with somatosensory pain, which is part of the central nervous system and works with the spinal cord. When the spinal cord becomes compressed or aggravated due to injury or normal factors, it can lead to low back and leg pain. For example, a herniated disc in the lumbosacral area can cause nerve roots to send pain signals to the brain and cause abnormalities in the back and legs. (Aminoff & Goodin, 1988)

 

 

When people are dealing with back and leg pain from somatosensory pain, it can cause them to be miserable by reducing their quality of life and leading to a life of disability. (Rosenberger et al., 2020) At the same time, individuals dealing with somatosensory pain will also begin to feel inflammatory effects from the affected muscle area in the legs and back. Since inflammation is a body’s natural response when dealing with pain, the inflammatory cytokines can cause a cascading effect from the brain through the spinal cord, causing leg and back pain. (Matsuda, Huh, & Ji, 2019) To that point, somatosensory pain is associated with inflammation caused by normal or traumatic factors that can cause overlapping risk factors contributing to leg and back pain. Luckily, numerous treatments can reduce these overlapping risk factors caused by somatosensory pain and help restore the lower body extremities’ function.

 

Move Better, Live Better- Video

Move Better, Live Better *Chiropractic Care* | El Paso, Tx (2023)

When the body is dealing with somatosensory pain, it can cause many individuals to think they are only dealing with one source of pain from one muscle area. Still, it can lead to multifactorial issues that affect different body locations. This is known as referred pain, where one body section deals with pain but is in a different area. Referred pain can also be combined with somato-visceral/visceral-somatic pain, where the affected muscle or organ affects one or the other, causing more pain-like issues. However, numerous treatments can reduce somatosensory pain from causing more leg and back problems. Non-surgical therapies like chiropractic care and spinal decompression can help mitigate the effects of somatosensory pain affecting the lower body extremities causing leg and back pain. These treatments allow the pain specialist to incorporate various therapeutic techniques to stretch the affected muscles and realign the spine to its original position. Many individuals can see an improvement in their mobility and daily activities as the pain-like symptoms associated with somatosensory pain are reduced. (Gose, Naguszewski, & Naguszewski, 1998) When individuals dealing with somatosensory pain start thinking about their health and wellness to ease the pain they are experiencing, they can look into non-surgical treatments as they are cost-effective, safe, and provide a positive outcome. Additionally, non-surgical treatments can be personalized to the individual’s pain and begin to see improvement after a few treatment sessions. (Saal & Saal, 1989) Check out the video above to learn more about how non-surgical treatments can be combined with other therapies to improve a person’s well-being.

Spinal Decompression Reduces Somatosenosory Pain

Now spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment that can help reduce somatosensory pain affecting the legs and back. Since somatosensory pain correlates with the spinal cord, it can affect the lumbosacral spine and lead to back and leg pain. With spinal decompression, it utilizes gentle traction to gently pull the spine, which then can reduce the symptoms associated with somatosensory pain. Spinal decompression can help improve the somatosensory system by reducing pain and alleviating aggravated nerve root compression to relieve the legs and back. (Daniel, 2007)

 

 

 

Additionally, spinal decompression can be combined with other non-surgical treatments, like chiropractic, as it can help with reducing the effects of nerve entrapment and help restore the joint’s ROM (range of motion). (Kirkaldy-Willis & Cassidy, 1985) Spinal decompression can create a positive experience for many individuals dealing with leg and back pain associated with somatosensory pain while getting back their health and wellness.

References

Aminoff, M. J., & Goodin, D. S. (1988). Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials in lumbosacral root compression. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 51(5), 740-742. doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.51.5.740-a

 

Daniel, D. M. (2007). Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media? Chiropr Osteopat, 15, 7. doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-7

 

Finnerup, N. B., Kuner, R., & Jensen, T. S. (2021). Neuropathic Pain: From Mechanisms to Treatment. Physiol Rev, 101(1), 259-301. doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00045.2019

 

Gose, E. E., Naguszewski, W. K., & Naguszewski, R. K. (1998). Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res, 20(3), 186-190. doi.org/10.1080/01616412.1998.11740504

 

Kirkaldy-Willis, W. H., & Cassidy, J. D. (1985). Spinal manipulation in the treatment of low-back pain. Can Fam Physician, 31, 535-540. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21274223

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2327983/pdf/canfamphys00205-0107.pdf

 

Matsuda, M., Huh, Y., & Ji, R. R. (2019). Roles of inflammation, neurogenic inflammation, and neuroinflammation in pain. J Anesth, 33(1), 131-139. doi.org/10.1007/s00540-018-2579-4

 

Rosenberger, D. C., Blechschmidt, V., Timmerman, H., Wolff, A., & Treede, R. D. (2020). Challenges of neuropathic pain: focus on diabetic neuropathy. J Neural Transm (Vienna), 127(4), 589-624. doi.org/10.1007/s00702-020-02145-7

 

Saal, J. A., & Saal, J. S. (1989). Nonoperative treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc with radiculopathy. An outcome study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 14(4), 431-437. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-198904000-00018

 

Disclaimer

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STOP SUFFERING! We specialize in advanced non-surgical approaches in treating sciatica. Our focus is to stop the pain, remove the cause and prevent chronic recurrence of complex sciatica pain syndromes. We treat with advanced protocols and supportive care plans. Blessings - Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, IFMCP, CIFM, ATN
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