Sticking To A Fitness Regimen: Sciatica Clinic

Hispanic man in gym sitting on bench, working out with weights — Young hispanic fitness man in gym sitting on bench, working out with weights. working on fitness machine at the gym. butterfly machine with weights in a gym

Everybody understands that exercise is necessary for optimal physical and mental health. Beginning a workout routine can be simple, but sticking with it long-term is the challenge. Knowing how to stay motivated can be overwhelming when facing various fitness options. Understanding the benefits of exercise and identifying the most significant motivating factors will help stick to the fitness plan.

Table of Contents

Benefits of Exercise

The first step is identifying why you want to start exercising and the principal motivator/s. For most individuals exercising regularly helps:

Contribute to weight loss
Decrease risk of disease
Increase lifespan
Improve the quality of life
Improve mental health

Sticking to a plan tends to dissolve after a few months without serious motivation. It is recommended to focus on making the why as specific and personal as possible. The more specific the why, the less likely the individual will stray from the plan. For example, a middle-aged father wants to get and stay in shape because he wants to keep up with his kids and set a healthy example.

Starting Out

A small amount of regular exercise positively affects the body’s health. This is a common cause of burnout and is not necessary. Those who have never exercised or worked out regularly are often tempted to start with intense hours-long exercise routines.

Current physical activity recommendations suggest at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week or
75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

That means that 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise/activity or 15 minutes a day of vigorous exercise/activity is the recommended amount to see and feel health benefits like improved metabolism and mental health.

Getting the body physically fit is a long-distance marathon, not a quick sprint.
Consistency is the objective.
Increasing the frequency and/or duration of workouts is fine, but doing it in a way where the exercise is still enjoyable and not a chore is recommended.
Individuals who work out too hard and need to rest for a few days risk losing motivation.

Daily Activities

Becoming more active throughout the day outside of the workout regimen is recommended to increase physical activity levels and build and reinforce healthy habits. If exercising is too strenuous for the individual, start with increasing physical daily activities. This is an effective way to ease into regular exercise. Examples of physical activities include:

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Turn cleaning the house/apartment into a workout.
Go for walks.
Gardening or doing yard work.
Listening to music and dancing.

Develop Healthy Habits

Developing healthy habits, physical and nutritional are the goals, which is why it is essential to find an exercise approach that doesn’t lose its appeal and continues to develop. One study found that working out with friends or joining group sports can generate greater enjoyment. There are a variety of activities that can include:

Structured workouts
HIIT
Yoga
Pilates
Strength training
Cycling
Running
Biking
Hiking
Organized sports leagues:
Soccer
Basketball
Softball
Volleyball
Tennis
Golf
Low-impact options:
Walking
Stretching
Water aerobics

What is essential is to find something that you will want to continue to do.

Personalized Training and Rehabilitation

References

Barranco-Ruiz, Yaira et al. “Dance Fitness Classes Improve the Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Women.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 17,11 3771. 26 May. 2020, doi:10.3390/ijerph17113771

Dalle Grave, Riccardo. “Nutrition and Fitness: Mental Health.” Nutrients vol. 12,6 1804. 17 Jun. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12061804

Higgins, John P. “Smartphone Applications for Patients’ Health and Fitness.” The American journal of medicine vol. 129,1 (2016): 11-9. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.05.038

Yang, Yun Jun. “An Overview of Current Physical Activity Recommendations in Primary Care.” Korean journal of family medicine vol. 40,3 (2019): 135-142. doi:10.4082/kjfm.19.0038

The Role Of Central Sensitization In Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The muscles, tissues, and ligaments help stabilize the joints and structure of the spine so that the body can function. These muscles are layered and interwoven in the spine and joints that help facilitate movement. When the body suffers from injuries or traumatic events, the muscles, tissues, and ligaments become affected, causing muscle pain and discomfort. This causes the muscles to be tender to the touch and sensitive. This is known as myofascial pain syndrome. Today’s article looks at myofascial pain syndrome, how it is linked with central sensitization, and ways to manage myofascial pain syndrome. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help many individuals with myofascial pain syndrome associated with central sensitization. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

What Is Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Have you been experiencing muscle tightness in different areas of your body? Have you felt your muscles tender to the touch? Or have you been having trouble sleeping? Many of these overlapping risk factors are signs that you might have myofascial pain syndrome. The term “myofascial” is split into two parts. “Myo” refers to the muscles, while “fascia” refers to the connective tissues found throughout the body. So myofascial pain syndrome is where there is muscle pain in various forms, which includes the muscle tissues, connective tissues, or both. Studies reveal that myofascial pain syndrome originates from trigger points in the skeletal muscle, causing the affected muscle to be in pain. The trigger points in the body’s skeletal muscles are the “knots” people feel when their muscles feel tight. These trigger points are challenging to identify because they occur in different areas causing referred pain (pain in one place but in another body area).

How Central Sensitization Link To Myofascial Pain Syndrome?

Studies reveal that central sensitization in the body is represented as an enhancement in neuron function and circuits in the nociceptive pathways that increases membrane excitability and synaptic efficacy. To that point, it reduces inhibition and manifests the remarkable plasticity of the somatosensory nervous system. The nociceptor inputs can trigger and manifest central sensitization as pain hypersensitivity when the body suffers from an injury. So how is central sensitization linked to myofascial pain syndrome? Let’s use fibromyalgia as an example. Many individuals dealing with myofascial pain may be potentially involved with fibromyalgia. This is due to fibromyalgia being a chronic condition that features widespread pain, and this causes the body to be more sensitive to pain. Central sensitization linked to myofascial pain syndrome can mimic fibromyalgia symptoms in the body, causing muscle pain and discomfort.

An Overview Of Myofascial Pain Syndrome-Video

Are you experiencing muscle weakness or soreness in some regions of your body? Have you dealt with chronic fatigue or poor sleep quality? Or have you been dealing with headaches constantly throughout the entire day? Many of these symptoms are signs that you might be at risk of developing myofascial pain syndrome. The video above explains myofascial pain syndrome, the symptoms, and the causes that affect the body. Studies reveal that myofascial pain has two types of trigger points:

Active trigger points associated with muscle pain without movement
Latent trigger points associated with muscle pain with movement

Myofascial pain syndrome can vary in acute or chronic forms and can range from mild to severe while being in different locations, making it very difficult to pinpoint where the pain is localized. Fortunately, there are ways to manage myofascial pain syndrome in the body that can help with the pain.

Ways To Manage Myofascial Pain Syndrome

When managing myofascial pain syndrome, many individuals dealing with muscle pain will take pain medication to alleviate it; however, that only minimizes the pain for a short period. One way to manage myofascial pain syndrome is by utilizing chiropractic care as part of treatment. Chiropractic care is non-invasive and often the preferred treatment for individuals with myofascial pain syndrome due to its effectiveness and drug-free approach. Chiropractors are not only good at finding the trigger points, but they are good when it comes to treating them using various techniques. Studies reveal that chiropractors use direct pressure on the trigger points to relieve the pain with their hands or specific tools. Incorporating chiropractic care provides the body with an increase in muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Since chiropractic care is a whole-body approach, it allows many people with myofascial pain syndrome to have a better quality of life and learn healthy habits, which include diet, exercise, and mental health, while living with less or no pain at all.

Conclusion

The body has muscles, tissues, and ligaments that help stabilize the joints and structure of the body, so there is functionality. These muscles help facilitate movement since the muscles are interwoven in the spine and joints. When the body suffers from a traumatic event or an injury, the muscles, tissues, and ligaments become affected. This causes muscle pain and discomfort, known as myofascial pain, where the trigger points cause pain in the body and can occur in different areas. Myofascial pain can be challenging to diagnose since it can be on one side of the body but affects a different section, known as referred pain. Fortunately, treatments like chiropractic care can help manage myofascial pain by treating the pain and using direct pressure to alleviate the pain. Incorporating chiropractic care to manage myofascial pain can help many individuals be pain-free on their health and wellness journey.

References

Bordoni, Bruno, et al. “Myofascial Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 18 July 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535344/.

Desai, Mehul J, et al. “Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Treatment Review.” Pain and Therapy, Springer Healthcare, June 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4107879/.

Latremoliere, Alban, and Clifford J Woolf. “Central Sensitization: A Generator of Pain Hypersensitivity by Central Neural Plasticity.” The Journal of Pain, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Sept. 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2750819/.

Morgan, William. “Chiropractic Treatment for Myofascial Pain Syndrome.” Spine, Spine-Health, 24 Sept. 2014, www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-treatment-myofascial-pain-syndrome.

Disclaimer

Knee Discomfort and Pain: Chiropractic Therapy

Dr. Alex Jimenez

handsome doctor touching knee of mature patient on step platform

Many live with chronic discomfort and pain regularly in one or both knees. This could be from past injuries, being overweight, lack of physical conditioning, degeneration, or arthritis. Many take prescription or over-the-counter pain medication to deal with the discomfort. Pain medications only dull and mask the pain and discomfort associated with the symptoms. As a result, living with masked knee pain can worsen the condition, and the surrounding bones, joints, and tissues can begin to deteriorate. Chiropractic combined with massage, decompression, and traction therapy can significantly reduce or eliminate knee pain.

Table of Contents

Knee Discomfort and Pain

The knee’s joint and ligaments need to be strong and healthy to support activities. The most common issues that individuals develop include:

Acute Injuries

Knee injuries can be caused by auto accidents, physical strain, playing sports, work accidents, workplace ergonomics, and walking up and down stairs.
The most common acute knee injuries include:
Knee contusions.
Ligament sprain.
Muscle strains.
Puncture injuries.

Chronic Injuries

Chronic or inflammatory medical conditions can wear down the cartilage cushion between the upper and lower leg bones.
Most common include gout, septic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Unhealthy postures and obesity can also contribute to the chronic degradation of the knee joint.

Knee discomfort and pain can present in various ways. Some might hear an acute popping in the knee followed by swelling. Others might notice the gradual development of stiffness and weakness over time. When injured or compromised, localized pain is one of the first indicators. Chronic knee and joint pain can lead to weakness, nerve damage, or create new injuries/problems. Not all knee pain is caused by injury; in many cases, a triggering incident, like an awkward step or misstep, a stretch that went too far, or a walk, can create an injury. Even a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to knee degeneration as the surrounding muscles can lose strength, placing unnecessary strain on the joints when movement is necessary.

Chiropractic

A chiropractor will examine the knee through a series of analyses, including x-rays, digital imaging, and a physical exam. The chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan to treat, rehabilitate, and strengthen the knee. The treatment can include:

Physical therapy
Trigger point therapy
Myofascial release
Massage therapy
Hip manipulation
Knee manipulation
Posture correction to distribute body weight evenly, lessening the stress on an affected knee.
Targeted exercises and nutritional recommendations will ensure long-term healing.

Q Angle of the Knee

References

Cimino, Francesca, et al. “Anterior cruciate ligament injury: diagnosis, management, and prevention.” American family physician vol. 82,8 (2010): 917-22.

Donnell-Fink, Laurel A et al. “Effectiveness of Knee Injury and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Prevention Programs: A Meta-Analysis.” PloS one vol. 10,12 e0144063. 4 Dec. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0144063

Hoskins, Wayne, et al. “Chiropractic treatment of lower extremity conditions: a literature review.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 29,8 (2006): 658-71. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2006.08.004

Neogi, Tuhina, et al. “Sensitivity and sensitization in relation to pain severity in knee osteoarthritis: trait or state?.” Annals of the rheumatic diseases vol. 74,4 (2015): 682-8. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204191

The Link Between Neuroinflammation & Neurodegenerative Diseases

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The brain sends neuron signals to the body to function for everyday movements like walking, running, or resting. These signals travel from the spinal cord through the numerous nerve roots connected to the muscles, tissue, and ligaments that support the joints and organs from multiple factors. However, these factors do affect the body over time, triggering issues that cause pain and discomfort to the body. When this happens, it disrupts the signals from traveling to and forth in the brain, causing dysfunction in the body and leading to neurological disorders associated with neuroinflammation. Today’s article looks at neuroinflammation, how it affects the body, and what is the link between neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in neurological treatments to help many individuals dealing with neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

What Is Neuroinflammation?

Are you experiencing fatigue and losing focus from your brain? Do you constantly feel stressed or overworked? Or how about developing the risk of Alzheimer’s or other neurological diseases? Many of these symptoms are correlated with neuroinflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammation is defined as an inflammatory response that affects either the brain or the spinal cord. The body has an extensive network known as the immune system, which produces cytokines, antibodies, white blood cells, and other chemicals that protect the body from foreign invaders. Producing cytokines triggers inflammation in the body where the alien invaders are eliminated. The brain surprisingly has its immune system, which provides maintenance and plasticity. When traumatic factors begin to affect the brain’s immune system, the nociceptors become hypersensitive and overexcited due to the results of tissue injuries and inflammation in the peripheral nervous system. Studies reveal that inflammation in the peripheral nervous system results from hyperactivity in the nervous system, which implicates either a positive or negative outcome for the brain.

How Does Neuroinflammation Affect The Body?

Since neuroinflammation has positive or negative outcomes in the nervous system, it can also trigger the body, making it dysfunctional. Studies reveal that neuroinflammation is mediated by the production of cytokines, ROS (reactive oxygen species), and secondary messengers that becomes the consequences of neuroinflammatory responses. This means that the inflammatory effects are taken into account depending on the intensity and duration of the immune signals in the nervous system, which can be either negative or positive. The positive aspects of neuroinflammation include:

Reorganization of host priorities (immune-brain communication)
Tissue repair (reducing injuries)
Neuro-protection (pre-conditioning immunity)
Enhance neuro-plasticity (development, memory function)

While the negative aspects of neuroinflammation include:

Cognitive impairment (aging)
Collateral damage( traumatic injuries)
Neuronal damage (neurodegenerative diseases)
Repeated social defeat stress (anxiety, depression)

Simplified Explanation On Neuroinflammation-Video

Neuroinflammation Simplified – The Link Between the Immune System and The Brain - Dr Sanil Rege

Have you been feeling anxious or depressed? Have you been forgetful as of late? Are you experiencing inflammatory effects in your brain? Many of these symptoms are signs that you could suffer from neuroinflammation in the brain. The video above explains neuroinflammation and how it is linked to the immune system affecting the body. Since neuroinflammation may cause various health issues such as anxiety, stress, depression, and other well-known symptoms, studies reveal that neuroinflammation is a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. To that point, the relationship between neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases shows that neuroinflammation has been responsible for the abnormal secretion of proinflammatory cytokines to trigger the signaling pathways to the brain, making it dysfunctional.

The Link Between Neuroinflammation & Neurodegenerative Diseases

Since the brain is the primary command center for the body, the link between neurodegenerative diseases and neuroinflammation overlap and cause havoc in the body. Studies reveal that inflammatory and neurotoxic mediators are released in the brain, thus viciously triggering neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in the body. When the body is dealing with neuroinflammation, one of the symptoms that are prominent in the body is chronic oxidative stress. Research studies have revealed that neuroinflammation has been associated with chronic oxidative stress, a vital feature of all neurodegenerative diseases causing genetic structural alterations. To that point, it results in neurodegeneration. Fortunately, there are ways to lower neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the ways that many people utilize to reduce neuroinflammation include:

Anti-inflammatory foods (avocados, oily fish, cacao, ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, etc.)
Controlling blood sugar
Exercising
Managing stress
Adequate sleep
Chiropractic care

All these small changes are remarkable in reducing neuroinflammation and managing neurodegenerative diseases in the body. This will help many individuals dealing with neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases and can regain their health and wellness by managing it.

Conclusion

The brain is the primary command center that sends neuron signals to the body to function in everyday movement. The neuron signals travel from the brain to the spinal cord through the numerous nerve roots connected to the muscles, tissues, and ligaments to support the organs and joints. When environmental factors affect the body over time, it risks developing neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammation is when the inflammatory mediators start to affect the brain, it can make the brain disrupt the neuron signals from traveling to the body and cause issues associated with neurodegeneration. Fortunately, incorporating different ways to reduce neuroinflammation can help manage neurodegenerative diseases and benefit the body.

References

Chen, Wei-Wei, et al. “Role of Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Review).” Molecular Medicine Reports, D.A. Spandidos, Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4805095.

DiSabato, Damon J, et al. “Neuroinflammation: The Devil Is in the Details.” Journal of Neurochemistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5025335/.

Guzman-Martinez, Leonardo, et al. “Neuroinflammation as a Common Feature of Neurodegenerative Disorders.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers Media S.A., 12 Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751310/.

Kempuraj, D, et al. “Neuroinflammation Induces Neurodegeneration.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5260818/.

Matsuda, Megumi, et al. “Roles of Inflammation, Neurogenic Inflammation, and Neuroinflammation in Pain.” Journal of Anesthesia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6813778/.

Disclaimer

Anti-Inflammatory Diets: Sciatica Clinic Chiropractic Nutrition

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Mexican food tacos in human hand on dark wooden table, top view

Around 60% of individuals have a condition caused by or complicated by chronic inflammation. The body reacts with acute inflammation, which is beneficial as the immune system fights off bacteria that could infect the injury. Examples could be getting a cut on the finger that swells for a day or so to repair the wound or catching a cold and coughing up mucus to expel the germs. However, acute inflammation only lasts as long as necessary; chronic inflammation can last for weeks, months, and years. Individuals can have chronic inflammation and not know the damage being done to arteries and organs until pain or other issues begin to present. There are a few anti-inflammatory diets, which are nutrition plans that can help reduce inflammation.

Table of Contents

Anti-Inflammatory Diets

Health-promoting substances include vitamins, minerals, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, flavan-3-ols in tea and cocoa, and anthocyanins in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and other red and purple plant foods. Certain chemicals in the body cause inflammation, and naturally-occurring chemicals in foods, can prevent and combat inflammation by providing essential nutrients.

Nordic Diet

This includes Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, which each have different cuisines, but traditionally, they share healthy foods that provide anti-inflammatory benefits, including:

Apples
Berries
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Canola oil is the principal oil
Fish
Pears
Potatoes
Sauerkraut
Whole rye

Rye is a grain shown to help reduce blood sugar, the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein. Individuals that follow this way of eating have lower blood levels of C-reactive protein and other inflammation markers. A randomized study was done in various Nordic countries and lasted six to 24 weeks. One group was assigned a healthy Nordic diet while the other stayed on the country’s modern, less healthy diet. The studies found that individuals that practiced a healthy Nordic diet even for a short while improved inflammatory markers and lost weight.

Mexican Diet

Research has linked a traditional Mexican diet to lower inflammation. Staple foods of a traditional Mexican diet include:

Cheese
Corn tortillas
Fruits and vegetables, including hot peppers
Rice – brown and white
Legumes/Beans

Legumes/beans are linked to protection from inflammatory-related conditions that include:

Obesity
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease

Legumes are high in fiber, which helps:

Reduce inflammation
Reduce unhealthy cholesterol
Reduce blood sugar spikes after a meal, which helps prevent type 2 diabetes and inflammation.
Settles appetite, which helps with weight loss.
Dietary guidelines recommend legume consumption weekly.

A National Cancer Institute study of post-menopausal women of Mexican descent living in the U.S. found that those following a more traditional Mexican diet averaged 23% lower C-reactive protein levels.

Nutritionist Health Coach and Chiropractic

In some instances, chronic inflammation can come from acute inflammation that does not turn off, which can happen when the body does not make enough chemical substances responsible for turning off the immune response. Blood tests for inflammation can include tests that detect the C-reactive protein and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which measures the speed red blood cells settle in a test tube that shows if more inflammatory compounds are present. A combined approach and team of medical professionals, including chiropractic, massage therapy, health coaching, and nutrition, can help relieve and prevent inflammation.

Nutritionist

Consulting a nutritionist is recommended to figure out and determine the best diet/nutrition plan for the individual.
A nutritionist may also suggest supplementation like vitamin D, magnesium, and fish oil supplements.
Body composition analysis breaks down the body elements of water, protein, minerals, and fat that can also discover inflammation markers.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic adjustments help reduce the production of cytokines or proteins that regulate the cells of the immune system. Overproduction of cytokines can cause a severe inflammatory response. Chiropractic’s purpose is to rebalance the body by realigning the vertebrae to reduce pressure on the nerves and promote a healthy nervous system. When the spine and other joints are correctly aligned, the nerves function correctly, returning the body’s biomechanics to normal.

InBody Results

References

Galbete C, Kröger J, Jannasch F, et al. Nordic diet, Mediterranean diet, and the risk of chronic diseases: the EPIC-Potsdam study. BMC Med. 2018;16(1):99.

Lankinen M, Uusitupa M, Schwab U. Nordic Diet and Inflammation-A Review of Observational and Intervention Studies. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1369.

Ricker MA, Haas WC. Anti-Inflammatory Diet in Clinical Practice: A Review. Nutrition in Clinical Practice. 2017;32(3):318-325.

Santiago-Torres M, Tinker LF, Allison MA, et al. Development and Use of a Traditional Mexican Diet Score in Relation to Systemic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance among Women of Mexican Descent. J Nutr. 2015;145(12):2732-2740.

Valerino-Perea, Selene, et al. “Definition of the Traditional Mexican Diet and Its Role in Health: A Systematic Review.” Nutrients vol. 11,11 2803. 17 Nov. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11112803

Yang, Yoon Jung, et al. “Dietary flavan-3-ols intake and metabolic syndrome risk in Korean adults.” Nutrition research and practice vol. 6,1 (2012): 68-77. doi:10.4162/nrp.2012.6.1.68

A Look Into Pilates For Back Pain

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

Many people worldwide know that exercising has impressive benefits that help improve the body’s overall wellness. The body has different muscle groups that have a casual relationship with the vital organs inside the body. Organs like the heart, lungs, gut, and bladder correlate with the different muscles through the nerve roots that connect them. When the body suffers from various factors that affect it, it causes referred pain to the body where one pain is at one location but radiates from the other side. Exercising can help the body recover through physical rehabilitation by reducing inflammation and scarring on the muscle tissues. One of the many exercises that helps strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, and even improve posture is Pilates. Today’s article looks at Pilates, its benefits, and how it can help alleviate back pain. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help many individuals with low back pain issues affecting their bodies. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

What Is Pilates?

Have you been feeling sluggish or having low energy throughout the entire day? What about experiencing pain in your lower back? Have you experienced muscle stiffness in certain areas around your body? Many of these symptoms are associated with musculoskeletal issues that correlate with different factors that affect the body; why not try an exercise regime like Pilates? Pilates is a system of exercises that uses a particular machine or body to improve a person’s physical strength and posture while increasing the body’s flexibility and enhancing mental awareness. Joseph Pilates developed Pilates in the early 20th century as an exercise program to help World War I soldiers improve their physical fitness levels. Pilates was used as rehabilitation therapy for injured individuals by incorporating resistance, stretching, and target muscle strengthening. Pilates is now utilized for all individuals with different bodies and fitness levels and can provide tremendous benefits.

What Are The Benefits?

Pilates, like any other form of exercise, has many beneficial properties that help improve a person’s health and wellness. Studies reveal that Pilates helps many individuals, including older adults, by improving their posture by decreasing thoracic flexion while increasing lumbar extension for pain relief. Some of the beneficial properties that Pilates offer to the body include:

Increasing core strength: The deep muscles in the abdomen, back, and pelvic regions become stronger and help stabilize the body more.
Strengthen muscle groups: Pilates helps make the muscles not only strong but also helps stretch them so that they can look long and lean. This makes the individual look toned.
It’s a whole body workout: As many exercises work on specific body parts, Pilates focuses on each muscle part of the body and helps muscle development.
Posture Improvement: Pilates help keep the spine aligned while strengthening the body and core. Over time a person’s posture will improve naturally, making them stand taller, stronger, and even more graceful.
Increases energy: Like all exercises, Pilates will give a person the energy boost they need. This is due to the focused breathing and increased blood circulation that stimulates the muscles and the spine.

Pilates Exercises For Back Pain-Video

Back Pain Relief Exercises - 10 Minute Pilates for Back Pain!

Are you looking for a new exercise to tone your muscles? Have you been dealing with pain in your lower back? Do you have muscle weakness in some regions of your body? If you have been experiencing pain-related issues, why not try Pilates? The video above goes through a 10-minute Pilates workout for back pain. Studies reveal that non-specific low back pain is a highly prevalent condition many individuals associate with disability and work absence worldwide. Many environmental factors affect many individuals, causing them to suffer back issues. Pilates can help encourage many individuals to regain their health and wellness by incorporating core strength and stability while improving their posture.

Pilates Alleviate Back Pain

Many people don’t realize that some low back pain symptoms are related to poor posture. Poor posture can lead to associated symptoms of headaches, back pain, improper balance, and pelvic issues. What Pilates does is that it creates body awareness and helps improve the lower back muscles by strengthening them and relaxing the stiff muscles. Studies reveal that incorporating Pilates as physical therapy for individuals suffering from low back pain can help address the mental and physical pain aspects with core strengthening, flexibility, and relaxing the tense muscles. Many individuals should never put off exercising when it comes to back pain. Incorporating an exercise routine can benefit the body and prevent future injuries.

Conclusion

An exercise regime can provide many beneficial results for those looking for ways to be healthy, those suffering from injuries, or those who want to add something else to their workout routine. Pilates is one of those exercises that incorporates resistance, stretching, and muscle targeting as it is a full-body workout. Pilates is used in rehabilitation therapy for injured individuals and can provide tremendous benefits. Pilates can help many individuals with back issues associated with environmental factors like poor posture. Many individuals that utilize Pilates as part of their exercise regime will begin to feel stronger and healthier as their backs will thank them.

References

Baker, Sara. “Pilates Exercise for a Healthy Spine – Spineuniverse.” Spineuniverse, 28 Dec. 2019, www.spineuniverse.com/wellness/exercise/pilates-exercise-healthy-spine.

Kuo, Yi-Liang, et al. “Sagittal Spinal Posture after Pilates-Based Exercise in Healthy Older Adults.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 May 2009, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19404180/.

Sorosky, Susan, et al. “Yoga and Pilates in the Management of Low Back Pain.” Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, Humana Press Inc, Mar. 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2684152/.

Yamato, Tiê P, et al. “Pilates for Low Back Pain.” The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2 July 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8078578/.

Disclaimer

Pinched Nerve In The Hip Sciatica Clinic

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Tired woman suffering from backache during cleaning — Full body length of young exhausted lady having back ache from cleaning her apartment, washing floor, holding spray mop, touching spine. Tired housewife suffering from pain cleaning dirty living room

A pinched nerve in the hip can cause numbness, tingliness, weakness, and pain. A pinched/compressed nerve creates pressure that can result from a bone structural issue like hip misalignment or the nerve getting overly stretched, stuck, twisted, or kinked. The pressure obstructs the neural pathways and decreases neural activity. This causes pain. If discomfort or pain is present, chiropractic, physical rehabilitation, rest, exercise, and ice and heat can release and reset the nerve and help prevent re-injury.

Table of Contents

Pinched Nerve In The Hip

A pinched or compressed nerve results from pressure being applied to the nerve. A pinched nerve in the hip often causes pain in the groin region, radiating down the inner thigh to the knee. The pain can feel like a dull ache or a sharp, burning pain. Individuals also report tightness, numbness, or a tingling sensation in the buttocks. The most common causes include:

Unhealthy posture.
Sitting for too long without moving around.
Misaligned bone or cartilage.
Muscle strain.
Pregnancy.
Obesity.
Inflamed tissue.
Herniated disc.
Arthritis.
Bone spurs.

Chiropractic

Different causes require different treatment approaches. For example, an obese individual could require chiropractic adjustments, specific exercises/stretches, and diet adjustments to address the whole body. The recommended treatment plans can vary but usually include:

Physical therapeutic massage.
Manipulative therapies of the joints and muscles.
Mobilization of the joints.
Soft tissue treatments.
Spinal decompression.
Exercise.

Walking and activity can worsen the pain when the hip presents with pain. This can cause the rest of the body to compensate by shifting the weight to the healthy side, which can cause even more pain in the back or legs or cause another injury. Regular chiropractic hip adjustments will improve posture, maintaining muscle and skeleton alignment that will prevent pinching nerves in the hip.

Chiropractic Hip Treatment

References

Ahuja, Vanita, et al. “Chronic hip pain in adults: Current knowledge and future prospective.” Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology vol. 36,4 (2020): 450-457. doi:10.4103/joacp.JOACP_170_19

Christmas, Colleen, et al. “How common is hip pain among older adults? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.” The Journal of family practice vol. 51,4 (2002): 345-8.

“Free Communications: Case Reports: Hip.” Journal of Athletic Training vol. 38,2 Suppl (2003): S.73–S.74.

The Beneficial Properties Of Yoga For The Body

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

When many individuals look for ways to relax after a stressful event in their daily lives, many people have an exercise regime that allows them to take their minds off of their hectic lives. When finding the proper exercise, it is best to consider that everybody is different and has different fitness levels. Many individuals could be dealing with chronic issues that affect them drastically and with so much pain in their bodies. When these chronic issues overlap with muscle and joint pain, it can make the body dysfunctional while potentially being involved in environmental factors. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that helps tone muscles, relax tension in the body, and focus on deep breathing. Today’s article looks at the benefits of yoga for the body, how chiropractic care works together with yoga, and different yoga poses can help manage various chronic issues. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in musculoskeletal treatments to help many individuals with musculoskeletal problems affecting their bodies. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

The Benefits of Yoga For The Body

Have you been dealing with chronic stress affecting your quality of life? Have you been dealing with bladder or gut issues constantly? What about feeling muscle stiffness in your back, neck, shoulders, or pelvic regions? Some of these symptoms are signs that you could risk developing musculoskeletal problems associated with pain. Dealing with musculoskeletal issues related to pain can make a person feel miserable and have stress affecting their bodies. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that doesn’t put pressure on the joints and will provide a full-body workout through strengthening and stretching weak muscles. Yoga has many benefits for many individuals that are dealing with the following:

Muscle weakness
Back pain
Neck pain
Pelvic Pain
Arthritic symptoms
Cardiovascular issues
Chronic stress

Studies reveal that environmental factors are involved in non-specified chronic pain in the spine, overlapping musculoskeletal disorders causing many individuals to try to find relief. Many individuals incorporate yoga because it is a safe and effective way to alleviate various forms of back, neck, or pelvic pain causing issues to the body. Yoga utilizes gentle stretching and strengthening of weak, injured muscles while increasing blood circulation to promote healing in the body.

Chiropractic Care & Yoga

When people are dealing with health conditions or injuries that have affected their bodies, it can make them feel frustrated and think their injuries are taking forever to heal. Many individuals don’t realize that incorporating yoga practices provides impressive health benefits while mirroring the similar foundations of chiropractic care. Both chiropractic care and yoga provide many beneficial results to an aching body that needs a good stretch and ready the body to heal itself naturally. Chiropractic care includes spinal manipulation to the spinal joints while reducing inflammation and strengthening weak muscles. Yoga allows the body to increase its flexibility and stamina, reduces stress and blood pressure, and provides a better sense of breathing and balance.

Yoga For Chronic Pain-Video

Have you felt muscle stiffness in your neck, back, or body? Have you felt sluggish or overly stressed from your day-to-day lives? Do you want to improve your balance? If you have been experiencing these issues affecting your quality of life, why not incorporate yoga as part of your exercise regime? The video above shows that yoga poses for chronic pain affect the body, including the neck, back, and pelvic regions. Studies reveal that yoga can help relieve intense neck pain while improving pain-related function disability. Yoga allows the muscles to not only relax but strengthen them as well. Yoga can also help improve the body’s range of motion through deep breathing and give more awareness of how the body holds tension in places a person hasn’t realized they were holding onto.

Yoga Poses For Different Issues

When a person does yoga, they will go through various poses and repeat them constantly as their body begins to get used to the movements. This allows the body to challenge itself and helps the individual focus more on deep breathing. A good example would be an individual taking a yoga class due to experiencing pelvic pain. By going through each yoga pose, many individuals suffering from pelvic pain will reduce the pain intensity while improving their quality of life. Below are some yoga poses that anyone can do to reduce pain associated with their back, neck, or pelvis.

Bridge Pose

Lie on your back
Bend both knees while placing the feet on the floor at hip-width apart
Arm on the sides with palms facing down
Press feet to the floor and lift the hips as you inhale
Engage the legs and buttock
Hold 4-8 breaths and exhale to lower the hips back to the ground slowly

Cobra Pose

Lie on your stomach with hands near the chest just under the shoulders and fingers facing forward
Keep elbows close to sides
Press hands on the floor and slowly lift your head, chest, and shoulders while slightly bending the elbows by inhaling
Exhale to go back down slow and rest your head

Cat-Cow

Be on all fours, hands under the shoulders and knees under hips (Think like a table)
Inhale to lower your core to the floor as your head looks up to the sky
Exhale slowly to lower your chin to the chest as you round your back
Continue fluid motion for a minute

Forward Bend

Be in a standing position, and feet are at a hip distance apart
Lengthen the body as you lean forward while keeping the knees slightly bended
Place hands on either legs, yoga block, or the floor (Whichever makes you comfortable)
Tuck the chin into the chest, letting the neck and head relax
Gently rock your head side to side to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders
Slowly roll up to a standing position allowing the arms and head to be the last to rise

Supine Spinal Twist

Lie on your back while your knees bent and feet flat on the floor
Extend arms out of the side and place palms down on the floor
As you inhale, breathe into the gut and lower limbs
Exhale to lower knees on the left side (Look at the opposite way to slowly stretch the neck and shoulder muscles)
Pay attention to the stretches for 5 breathes as well as the lengthening sensations on the ribs
Return the knees to the middle and repeat on the right side

Child’s Pose

Sit back on the heels with the knees together (For added support, you can use a rolled-up blanket under your knees)
Bend forward and walk hands in front of you
Gently rest your forehead on the floor
Keep arms extended in the front while focusing on relieving tension in the back as the upper body falls to the knees
Stay in that pose for 5 minutes

Conclusion

Incorporating yoga as part of an exercise regime allows the individual to focus on deep breathing while calming the mind. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that helps strengthen weak muscles associated with pain and inflammation. Yoga provides a full-body workout that benefits many people dealing with chronic pain. Utilizing yoga as part of a daily practice might help individuals learn to be calm and practice mindfulness.

References

Busch, Fred. “Healing Benefits of Yoga.” Spine, Spine-Health, 27 Jan. 2004, www.spine-health.com/wellness/yoga-pilates-tai-chi/healing-benefits-yoga.

Crow, Edith Meszaros, et al. “Effectiveness of Iyengar Yoga in Treating Spinal (Back and Neck) Pain: A Systematic Review.” International Journal of Yoga, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Jan. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4278133/.

Li, Yunxia, et al. “Effects of Yoga on Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Prisma Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Medicine, Wolters Kluwer Health, Feb. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407933/.

Saxena, Rahul, et al. “Effects of Yogic Intervention on Pain Scores and Quality of Life in Females with Chronic Pelvic Pain.” International Journal of Yoga, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5225749/.

Disclaimer

Skin Disorders Ankylosing Spondylitis Sciatica Clinic

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Annoyed middle aged man scratching his palm — Annoyed middle aged bearded man scratching his red palm on grey studio background, copy space. Caucasian man suffering from allergic reaction, psoriasis or eczema, having itchy hands

Ankylosing spondylitis/AS is a common type of arthritis that can cause damage to spinal structures, body parts, and organs. Ankylosing spondylitis causes inflammation in the spine’s ligaments and joints which can cause affected vertebrae to fuse, but other symptoms/complications are skin disorders. Ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups can present with skin disorders like rashes and the possible development of skin diseases like psoriasis.

Table of Contents

Ankylosing Spondylitis

The inflammation causes back stiffness and pain that causes the spine to become inflexible and rigid. The vertebrae can fuse in extreme cases.

It is typically seen in the early adult population as back pain and hip pain.
Symptoms are more common in individuals between 17 and 45.
Men are more likely to be affected than women.
Genetics can play a role in this condition.

Doctors utilize multiple approaches to relieve symptoms and manage the condition through combined exercise, chiropractic, physical therapy, diet, and stress management to help improve quality of life.

Skin Disorders

A flare-up can present as a skin rash but can also affect the skin in other ways that include:

Rashes brought on by medication treatments.
Trouble healing from incisions after surgery.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis presents as red skin patches appearing anywhere on the body.
The most common areas are the scalp, palms, elbows, and knees.
The affected skin can itch, become tender, and can also sting and burn.
Some psoriasis outbreaks result in lesions or blisters.

Ankylosing Spondylitis vs. Psoriatic Arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis are related and come under spondyloarthritis/SpA rheumatic disease.
Ankylosing spondylitis is typically localized to the spine, whereas psoriatic arthritis can affect almost any joint in the body and presents with tendinopathy.
Some individuals with AS can begin to develop psoriasis.

Management

Doctors are currently treating psoriasis with multiple treatment options that can include:

Topical agents such as vitamin D analogs.
Corticosteroids can help with pain and swelling.
Non-steroidal topical agents can be used for facial and flexible body parts like the armpits, elbows, and back of the knees.
Light/phototherapy using narrow-band UV-B light.
Medications can also help but can produce side effects.

Ankylosing spondylitis skin disorders present ongoing challenges. However, increasing treatment options are helping to minimize the condition’s impact on a better quality of life.

AS Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

References

Meier, Katharina, et al. “Skin manifestations in spondyloarthritis.” Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease vol. 12 1759720X20975915. 8 Dec. 2020, doi:10.1177/1759720X20975915

Myers, Elisha et al. “An Update on Narrowband Ultraviolet B Therapy for the Treatment of Skin Diseases.” Cureus vol. 13,11 e19182. 1 Nov. 2021, doi:10.7759/cureus.19182

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.) “Ankylosing spondylitis.” www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/ankylosing-spondylitis

Ye, Chao, and Wenyuan Li. “Cutaneous vasculitis in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: A case report.” Medicine vol. 98,3 (2019): e14121. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000014121

The Body’s Natural Detox Machine: The Liver

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

Everyone has different tips and tricks for being healthy and losing weight. Many individuals incorporate other diets, eating habits, and exercise regimes to lose excess weight, have energy throughout the day and feel good. One of the other diets many people seem to lean toward when it comes to losing weight and helping the body is detox. Surprisingly, many people seem misinformed about detox and dieting being the same; however, they are not, as detoxing is a natural process of body purification while dieting incorporates healthy eating habits, exercising, and healthy life choices. For the body, the best detoxing machine is the liver. Today’s article looks at how the liver detoxes the body, how factors can cause detox imbalances in the body, and how different food helps liver detoxification. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in liver or gastrointestinal treatments to help many individuals with liver issues. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

The Body’s Own Detox Machine: The Liver

Have you been experiencing gut sensitivities from the foods you eat? How about experiencing chronic fatigue throughout the entire day? What about experiencing pain and swelling in your abdominals or legs? Some of these issues may indicate that something is wrong with your liver. The liver is the most crucial organ with a massive responsibility for the vast array of functions of the body. The liver helps support many visceral functions like maintaining the body’s metabolism, immunity, digestion, and detoxification. Detoxification is a biochemical process where non-water-soluble compounds are transformed into water-soluble compounds flushed out of the body. The benefit of detox is that it helps protect the body from adverse effects of external and internal toxins.

Since the liver is a massive organ, its essential role in the body is detoxification. Studies reveal that the detoxification process for the liver is in two phases. Phase 1 activated the enzymes in the body to prepare the substance to be removed. Phase 2 excretes the enzymes out of the body as urine, stool, and bile. These two phases help keep the body healthy and stop excessive toxins from harming the rest of the body.

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is one of the central detoxification systems responsible for allowing waste products to leave and be carried away to the bloodstream, becoming one of the defense mechanisms for the body and purifying the body fluids for proper functioning. The lymphatic vasculatures also play an active role in immune regulation by impacting inflammatory and immune responses. This means that the lymphatic will produce white blood cells to attack foreign invaders entering the body.

The Gut-Liver Axis

Since the liver is the master organ for detoxification, what is its relationship with the gut? Well, studies reveal that the gut microbiota forms a complex microbial community that significantly impacts human health. The gut microbiota can indirectly modulate the functionality of the extra-intestinal organs, which involves the liver. The gut connects to the liver with the intestines through bile acid metabolism. When there is a decrease in bile acid in the gut, it could trigger hepatic inflammation via inflammasomes. Inflammasomes are an essential component of innate immune response while being critical for the clearance of pathogens or damaged cells. When the inflammasomes start becoming mediators for hepatic inflammation, they could potentially be involved with detoxification imbalances in the body.

Detoxification Imbalances

When there are decreased bile acids in the gut, the body could be at risk of developing intestinal dysbiosis. This causes impaired intestinal barrier function, which overlaps to leaky gut and aggravates hepatic inflammation in the liver. When this happens, toxins in the body become excessive and may cause immune and nervous system abnormalities while triggering imbalanced detoxification symptoms that correspond to issues similar to chronic conditions. Some of these detoxification imbalances include:

Fatigue
Allergies/intolerances
Sluggish metabolism
Weight gain easily
Intolerance to fats
Puffy – excess fluid
Body odor, bad breath, metallic taste
Profuse sweating even in cool weather

Naturally Detoxing Your Body-Video

A cleanse won't detox your body -- but here's what will | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter | TED

Have you been dealing with allergies or food intolerances affecting your abdominals? Have you been feeling sluggish? What about feeling chronic fatigue throughout the entire day? Some of these symptoms are signs that your liver could suffer from some issues. The liver’s primary function in the body is to detoxify the body. The video above explains how the liver detoxifies the body and how drinks to cleanse the body don’t add additional benefits. The best way for a healthy liver to be functional and detox the body naturally is by eating the right foods that help support the liver, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water to flush out the system, and getting adequate sleep.

Foods That Support Liver Detoxification

When it comes to supporting the liver, eating the right foods can provide energy and reduce inflammatory effects on the body. Studies reveal that eating various wild and semidomestic food plants can provide various components to liver function. Plants like dandelions contain taxasterols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that allow the liver to increase bile secretion. Other foods that help with liver functionality associated with other body functions include:

Berries (blueberries & cranberries)
Grapefruit
Prickly pear
Cruciferous vegetables
Garlic
Carrots
Beets
Olive oil
Nuts

Incorporating these healthy foods can not only be beneficial to the liver but can help the major organs and body to receive the nutrients that the body deserves.

Conclusion

The liver is a massive organ that helps the body to function correctly by harmful detoxifying pathogens through excretion. As a natural detoxifying machine, the liver has a casual relationship with the gut system by filtering the nutrients and transporting them out to different body areas. Harmful pathogens enter the body and disrupt the liver can lead to dysbiosis and liver dysfunction. Fortunately, there are nutritious foods that can help support the liver and even help flush out the toxins over time so the body can begin its healing process naturally.

References

Grant, D M. “Detoxification Pathways in the Liver.” Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1991, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1749210/.

Guan, Yong-Song, and Qing He. “Plants Consumption and Liver Health.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499388/.

Karla, Arjun, et al. “Physiology, Liver – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 8 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535438/.

Konturek, Peter Christopher, et al. “Gut⁻Liver Axis: How Do Gut Bacteria Influence the Liver?” Medical Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 17 Sept. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165386/.

Sharma, Deepika, and Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti. “The Cell Biology of Inflammasomes: Mechanisms of Inflammasome Activation and Regulation.” The Journal of Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University Press, 20 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4915194/.

Disclaimer

Energy Boosting Foods: Sciatica Clinic

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Energy Boosting Foods: Nutritionists, dieticians, and health coaches are constantly asked which foods help maintain energy, alertness, and focus throughout the day. The first thing to know is that all foods provide energy in the form of calories, but not all foods affect energy levels the same way. There are three macronutrients, carbohydrates, fat, and protein. However, carbohydrates are a rapid energy source compared to proteins and fats and are the body’s preferred energy. Here are a few foods for steady, consistent energy levels to include in a meal plan.

Table of Contents

Energy Boosting Foods

Properly planned meals can keep the body fueled for up to four hours, and it is recommended to eat every four hours to keep a steady flow of energy. The objective is to maintain balanced blood sugar levels and eat foods with low glycemic index carbohydrates combined with protein and healthy fats. Unhealthy foods for energy are high-sugar foods that cause blood sugar levels to spike, triggering a heavy insulin release, which triggers plunging blood sugar levels, also known as a sugar crash.

Avocados

Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and B vitamins.
The fat in avocados promotes healthy blood-fat levels and increases the absorption of nutrients.
Around 80% of the carbohydrate content is made up of fiber, which means sustained energy.

Bananas

One of the best energy-boosting foods that can be eaten on its own, frozen and blended into a smoothie or mixed into oatmeal.
Bananas contain complex carbohydrates, vitamin B6, potassium, and some protein.

Beans

It can be pinto, great northern, red, black, Anasazi beans, or other varieties as they have similar nutrient profiles.
They digest slowly, which stabilizes blood sugar.
They contain antioxidants, carbohydrates, fiber, protein, folic acid, iron, and
Magnesium helps produce energy and delivers it to the body’s cells.

Cashews

Cashews are low in sugar, rich in fiber,
They contain heart-healthy fats and plant protein.
They are a reliable source of copper, magnesium, and manganese, critical for energy production, healthy bones, brain health, and immunity.

Eggs

Eggs are packed with protein and rich in B vitamins, which help enzymes turn food into energy generating steady energy.
They contain leucine, an amino acid that stimulates energy production by helping cells to:
Take in more blood sugar.
Stimulates energy production in the cells.
Break down fat to produce energy.

Oatmeal

The complex carbs in oatmeal generate a steady source of slow-burning energy.
Oats boost serotonin production, which helps:
Manage stress.
Enhances learning.
Memory function.
Oast can be made with raisins, berries, bananas, and healthy maple syrup or honey for a healthy meal.

Yogurt

Yogurt contains lactose and galactose that breaks down to provide ready-to-use energy.
Top with oats, fruits, berries, and some honey or maple syrup.

Shrimp

Shrimp are low in calories and provide vitamin B12 and omega-3 fat, which helps with:
Mood
Energy

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are recommended for energy production because of their iron, magnesium, and vitamin C nutrients.

The food we eat significantly impacts the body’s health and wellness, along with exercise, proper hydration, and healthy sleep are essential in sustaining high energy levels. Avoiding highly processed and sugary foods will help prevent mental and body fatigue. Consult a licensed nutritionist to learn about personalized diet and nutrition plans.

Natural Energy

References

Atkinson, Fiona S et al. “International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review.” The American journal of clinical nutrition vol. 114,5 (2021): 1625-1632. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqab233

Evans J, Richards JR, Battisti AS. Caffeine. [Updated 2022 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519490/

Holesh, Julie E., et al. “Physiology, Carbohydrates.” StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 26 July 2021.

Melaku, Yohannes Adama, et al. “Association between Macronutrient Intake and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: An Iso-Caloric Substitution Analysis from the North West Adelaide Health Study.” Nutrients vol. 11,10 2374. 5 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3390/nu11102374

Osilla EV, Safadi AO, Sharma S. Calories. [Updated 2021 Sep 15]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499909/

Hypothyroidism May Affect More Than The Thyroid

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The body is a functional being with the brain to control the host’s movements when going to places or resting, the immune system to battle viruses that enter the body, digest food through the gut system, and the endocrine system regulate hormones that maintain the body. The thyroid secretes hormones out and has a vital role in the body’s functionality, and when it gets affected, it can cause issues associated with the body. When the thyroid doesn’t produce more hormones in the body, it can be at risk of developing hypothyroidism. Today’s article looks at the thyroid’s role in the body, how hypothyroidism affects the body, and how to manage hypothyroidism in the body. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in endocrinology treatments to help many individuals with hypothyroidism. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

What’s The Thyroid’s Role In The Body?

Have you been experiencing fatigue out of nowhere? What about having constipation issues in your lower abdominals? Or have you been experiencing frequent and heavy menstrual cycles? Some of these symptoms are associated with hypothyroidism. The thyroid is located at the neck’s base and produces hormones. Studies reveal that this small organ is mighty as it has a massive responsibility to the body by controlling its metabolism, growth, and functionality. As the thyroid secretes hormones for the body, these hormones travel with the bloodstream to different organs, muscles, and tissues throughout the body. Thyroxine(T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are the two main hormones the thyroid gland produces. While the hypothalamus produces TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), and the anterior pituitary glands produce TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). All three of these organs work in synchronized harmony with the body by maintaining the proper mechanism and homeostasis. The thyroid hormone affects not only the body but the vital organs like:

Heart
Central nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
Lungs
Skeletal muscles
Metabolism
GI tract

The Effects Of Hypothyroidism In The Body

Since the thyroid helps regulate hormones in the body, environmental factors play a role in hormone production. When environmental factors begin to affect the body, they potentially involve hormones. When the thyroid gland cannot produce sufficient hormones in the body, it risks developing hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is defined as a common condition that is the result of low hormone production overlapping various conditions and manifestations. When left untreated, hypothyroidism could associate with sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Studies reveal that the thyroid hormone influences the autonomic nervous system. Individuals suffering from hypothyroidism correlate to a dysfunctional autonomic system overlapping sympathetic reactivity. This means that hypothyroidism will cause the body’s metabolism to slow down and cause various symptoms to affect each vital organ.

An Overview Of Hypothyroidism-Video

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Visual Explanation for Students

Have you been experiencing chronic fatigue? How about muscle weakness in your arms or legs? What about feeling cold all the time? Individuals experiencing these symptoms are dealing with a condition known as hypothyroidism. The video above explains hypothyroidism, how it is diagnosed, and its symptoms in the body. Many environmental factors do play a role when it comes to the development of hypothyroidism. Some of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism include:

Constipation
Decrease in sexual function
Depression
High cholesterol
Weight gain
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Hashimoto’s

When the body is being affected by environmental factors correlating with hypothyroidism, studies reveal that factors like spinal cord injuries do cause an impact on the body’s metabolic function and derange various hormonal axes. This causes issues that could potentially involve co-morbidities like urinary tract infections. Fortunately, there are ways to manage hypothyroidism and regulate the hormones to make the body functional again.

Managing Hypothyroidism

One cornerstone in managing hypothyroidism and reducing its associated symptoms is following a proper treatment for health and wellness. Maintaining healthy hormone levels in the body is achievable regarding hypothyroidism. Taking thyroid medication as prescribed by a doctor help improve symptoms associated with hypothyroidism while regulating T3 and T4 hormones. Eating nutritious foods may help relieve some symptoms of hypothyroidism. Exercising helps enhance energy levels and strengthen weak muscles for individuals with hypothyroidism. Incorporating chiropractic care can help reduce somato-visceral disorders associated with hypothyroidism through spinal manipulation. Utilizing these treatments to manage hypothyroidism benefits one’s health and wellness journey.

Conclusion

The thyroid is an organ at the neck’s base as part of the endocrine system. This organ is mighty as it helps the body by secreting hormones for all the various organs, muscles, and tissues. When the thyroid can’t produce sufficient hormones to regulate the body, it risks developing hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a common condition that results in a low hormonal count, triggering symptoms that affect the body. If left untreated, it could become the mediator for sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Luckily, treatments are available to manage hypothyroidism and regulate hormonal secretion in the body. This allows the individual to incorporate healthy habits to maintain their hormones while their health and wellness journey continues impacting their lives.

References

Cheville, A L, and S C Kirshblum. “Thyroid Hormone Changes in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.” The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 1995, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8591067/.

Hardy, Katie, and Henry Pollard. “The Organisation of the Stress Response, and Its Relevance to Chiropractors: A Commentary.” Chiropractic & Osteopathy, BioMed Central, 18 Oct. 2006, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1629015/.

Mahajan, Aarti S, et al. “Evaluation of Autonomic Functions in Subclinical Hypothyroid and Hypothyroid Patients.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, May 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3712377/.

Patil, Nikita, et al. “Hypothyroidism.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 19 June 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519536/.

Shahid, Muhammad A, et al. “Physiology, Thyroid Hormone – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 8 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500006/.

Disclaimer

Nerve Interference Clinic

Dr. Alex Jimenez

a man being treated for a spinal cord injury at the physiotherapist's office

The neuromusculoskeletal system refers to the nerves, muscles, and bones. Nerve messages flow through the nervous system to coordinate and control every bodily function. Nerve interference causes an imbalance in this system, compromising body function. Uncoordinated or reduced nerve function over time can result in an unhealthy state or disease development. Complex or puzzling symptoms can include:

Tiredness
Unhealthy sleep quality
Stiffness
Neck discomfort
Back discomfort
Sharp pain
Irregular digestion
Nausea
GERD
Neuropathy related issues

Table of Contents

Nerve Interference

The nerves in the body are linked to the spinal cord, and when the spinal joints shift out of position, they can compress or kink the nerves, causing malfunction. Even a minor misalignment can create nerve, joint, and muscle tightness that travels throughout the body. This causes imbalances in nearly every other bodily system, forcing it to change in negative ways and typically becomes worse with time. Injuries from slips and falls, playing sports, accidents, unhealthy ergonomics, and repetitive/overuse motions can cause nerve injuries. Nerve dysfunction or damage can irritate the nerves causing nerve irritation that leads to nerve interference. Nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, discomfort, and pain.

Dizziness and Mental Fog

Nerve interference can cause brain fog, sluggishness, dizziness, and anxiety.
If the brain and nervous system’s communication is disrupted by damage or injury to the nerves, mental ability may become confused and muddled.

Negatively Affect Sleep

Nerve interference can produce discomfort all over the body, causing sleep problems.
During restorative sleep, nerve interference can interrupt memory and cognitive function.

Stomach Issues

The enteric nervous system is a component of the digestive system.
Damage to the system can affect digestion phases.
Gastrointestinal symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, and nausea can present suddenly.

Back Pain

Back discomfort and pain can be caused by nerve issues.
Nerve pain can be aching, pinching, throbbing, or stabbing in the upper, middle, and lower back areas.

Numbness

Nerve signals can get mixed up or sent to the wrong areas.
Nerve interference reduces nerve energy circulation, causing tingling and numbing sensations in different body regions.

Recovery Problems

Pain could result from a past injury making injuries more difficult to heal.
Nerve interference can cause the body to become stiff, immobile, and numb, depleting the body’s energy.
Nerve energy transmission is required so the body can react to its surroundings and function correctly.

Chiropractic

Nerve blockage can be cleared through functional chiropractic medicine.

The nerve/s that are blocked or restricted are worked on through therapeutic percussive massage, manual adjustments, decompression, and stretching exercises.
Therapeutic deep tissue stimulation with or without heat is applied directly to the nerve region to increase circulation.
Proper function of nerves is restored and allows for increased blood circulation that provides increased oxygenated nutrients expediting the healing process.
Discomfort and pain are relieved.
Range of motion increases.
Restoration of muscle function and joint stability.
Tissue repair improves through treatment and nutrition.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

References

Crawford, J P. “Chiropractic intervention in the treatment of joint and soft tissue disorders.” Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee vol. 24,3 (1999): 279-89. doi:10.1139/h99-023

Gu, Xiaosong, et al. “Neural tissue engineering options for peripheral nerve regeneration.” Biomaterials vol. 35,24 (2014): 6143-56. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.064

Mackinnon, Susan E. “Pathophysiology of nerve compression.” Hand clinics vol. 18,2 (2002): 231-41. doi:10.1016/s0749-0712(01)00012-9

Norton, Charles E et al. “Role of perivascular nerve and sensory neurotransmitter dysfunction in inflammatory bowel disease.” American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology vol. 320,5 (2021): H1887-H1902. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00037.2021

T Francio, Vinicius. “Chiropractic care for foot drop due to peroneal nerve neuropathy.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 18,2 (2014): 200-3. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.08.004

The Impact Of Chiari Malformation

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The brain and the spinal cord have a casual relationship in the nervous system as they help transport neuron signals to the rest of the body. These neuron signals travel through the various nerve pathways that provide motor-sensory functions to the arms, legs, neck, and back that help keep the body upright and function properly. When natural causes or traumatic issues affect the spinal cord, it can cause pain symptoms associated with nerve compression that overlaps with different chronic problems. When there is spinal nerve compression in the back, it may potentially involve low back or neck pain. Today’s article looks at a condition known as Chiari malformation, its associated symptoms with the spine, and how decompression and chiropractic care manage Chiari malformation. We refer patients to certified providers specializing in neurological treatments to help many individuals with Chiari malformation. We also guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is the solution to asking our providers insightful questions. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Download

What Is Chiari Malformation?

Have you been experiencing chronic headaches that are triggering neck stiffness? What about uncontrollable bladder issues? Are you feeling tingling sensations down your fingers and toes? Some of these symptoms are signs that you might risk developing Chiari malformation. Chiari malformation is uncommon when parts of the brain tissue extend into the spinal canal. This condition is a cluster of abnormalities that involves parts of the brain and cervical cord. The brain consists of 6 pieces that have different functions; they are:

Frontal lobe (Problem-solving, emotions, attention & concentration, etc.)
Parietal lobe (Sense of touch, visual perception, differentiation, etc.)
Temporal lobe (Memory, understanding languages)
Occipital lobe (Vision)
Cerebellum (Balance, motor activity, coordination)
The brain stem (spinal cord, breathing, sleep and wake cycles, etc.)

These different brain sections have a casual relationship with their correlated organs and muscles to keep the body moving. When there are deformities affecting the brain from Chiari malformation, studies reveal that the cerebellum is leaking out of the skull and pressing against the surrounding spinal canal, triggering symptoms along the spine.

The Symptoms Associated With Chiari Malformation & The Spine

The symptoms associated with Chiari malformation do affect the spine in the body. The symptoms vary from each individual, ranging from none to severe. The most common sign that is associated with Chiari malformation is a headache. Studies reveal that symptomatic cluster-like headaches are related to various diseases, including Chiari malformation. When dealing with a headache that radiates pain along the neck and shoulders, this is known as somato-visceral pain, where the affected muscle affects the organ, causing pain associated with a chronic issue. Let’s look at another symptom related to the presence of Chiari malformation. Scoliosis is when there is a sideways curvature in the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spine. So how is scoliosis associated with Chiari malformation? When skeletal maturity and age are affected by scoliosis, studies show that neural axis abnormalities correlate with curve progression, causing the risk of Chiari malformation to develop. Other symptoms that are associated with Chiari malformation include:

Muscle weakness (coordination issues, loss of balance)
Hearing problems (tinnitus)
Vision problems (double vision, light sensitivity)
Issues swallowing
Troubles sleeping (chronic fatigue, insomnia, sleep apnea)
Bowel issues

The Diagnosis Of Chiari Malformation-Video

Chiari Malformation - Diagnosis and Treatment

Have you been experiencing bladder issues out of nowhere? Do you feel tingling, burning sensations along your arms and legs? Has your neck and upper back been feeling stiff? These are some of the symptoms associated with Chiari malformation in the cervical region. The video above gives an overview of Chiari malformation, its diagnosis, and how it’s treated. Chiari malformation has multiple causes, but the most common cause is when the cerebellum develops downward and compresses the spinal canal. This causes painful issues on the neck and affects the visceral organs and muscles, causing painful symptoms that potentially involve other parts of the body. Fortunately, treatments are available to manage Chiari malformation and its associated symptoms.

Decompression & Chiropractic Care For Chiari Malformation

Chiari malformation is treatable through decompression and chiropractic care by managing the associated symptoms. Studies show that decompression may improve the symptoms associated with Chiari malformation and regain motor functions in the neck and range of motion in the arms. Decompression for the cervical region allows gentle traction on the neck to elongate the compressed spinal disc to release the pressure off the nerve root. For chiropractic care, spinal manipulation on the upper back may help alleviate headaches due to subluxation or spinal misalignment. Utilizing these two treatments allows many individuals to find the relief they are looking for and help manage the symptoms associated with their chronic issues.

Conclusion

Overall, the brain and spinal cord have a casual relationship in the nervous system as they help transport the neuron signals to each body part to be functional. Traumatic issues or injuries to the spine can cause pain in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions while potentially being involved with chronic issues. Chiari malformation is a chronic condition where the cerebellum develops downwards and compresses the spinal canal. This causes associated symptoms in the cervical region that can drastically affect the upper half of the body. Treatments like decompression and chiropractic care help manage the associated symptoms that are caused by Chiari malformation through non-invasive ways. Incorporating these treatments allow the individual to be pain-free.

References

Goldschagg, Nicolina, et al. “Decompression in Chiari Malformation: Clinical, Ocular Motor, Cerebellar, and Vestibular Outcome.” Frontiers in Neurology, Frontiers Media S.A., 22 June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5479925/.

Hidalgo, Joaquin A, et al. “Arnold Chiari Malformation – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431076/.

Kaplan, Yüksel, and Özden Kamişli. “Cluster-like Headache Associated with Symptomatic Chiari Type 1 Malformation.” Noro Psikiyatri Arsivi, Turkish Neuropsychiatric Society, Mar. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5370268/.

Kelly, Michael P, et al. “Spinal Deformity Associated with Chiari Malformation.” Neurosurgery Clinics of North America, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4584090/.

Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Chiari Malformation.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 24 Sept. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chiari-malformation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354010.

Disclaimer

Internal Organ Damage Chiropractic Sciatica Clinic

Dr. Alex Jimenez

x-rays — Interesting X-Ray film of female chest

Internal injuries occur under the skin and muscle tissues. Internal organ damage occurs when an organ’s structure becomes altered or begins to malfunction and can be brought on by trauma or disease. Sympathetic nerves send and receive messages, including pain signals, from the brain through the spinal cord. Chiropractors understand the spine and internal organ connection. For example, the splanchnic nerves connect to the stomach, originating between thoracic vertebra six and ten.

Table of Contents

Internal Organ Damage

Blunt Trauma

Blunt trauma/Non-penetrating trauma happens when a forceful impact strikes the body.
A car accident, hard fall, or getting hit by a dull object qualifies as blunt trauma.
Blunt trauma can rupture the blood vessels and organs.
Organs most likely to experience damage include the spleen and liver.

Penetrating Trauma

Penetrating trauma happens when an object enters the body.
The object can bruise, slice, and pierce organs.
Internal bleeding can occur if blood vessels are torn or cut.

Organs fall into two categories:

Solid Organs

The solid organs contain organ tissue throughout and include the following:

Liver
Spleen
Kidneys
Pancreas
When solid organs go through trauma, they can rupture and/or develop hematomas.
A hematoma is when blood vessels rupture and blood collects inside the organ.

Hollow Organs

The hollow organs have an organ wall that surrounds an empty/hollow space that includes:

Stomach
Intestines
Colon
Bladder
Ureters
Hollow organs that experience trauma can tear the walls and allow material to leak out.
This leakage can cause peritonitis and sepsis.
Individuals can also develop hematomas with blood collecting in the organ wall.

Thoracic Spine

The thoracic spine is the most interconnected with the internal organs and includes:

T2 – the chest, heart, and blood vessels.
T4 – the gallbladder, tendons, and ligaments.
T6 – the stomach and pancreas.
T10 – the kidneys.

Lumbar Spine

The lumbar spine is connected to the lower organs.

L1 is connected to the large intestine.
Issues with L1 might be indicated by constipation or diarrhea.
L3 Is connected to the bladder, uterus in women, and prostate in men.
Painful menstruation or impotence could indicate problems.

Organ Damage Effects

Internal bleeding is the most immediate issue arising from internal organ damage.

Bleeding can lead to shock as blood volume drops.
It can also form hematomas in the organs.
Internal bleeding can also occur after less severe trauma and/or be delayed for hours or days.
After the individual is stabilized, localized symptoms can appear.
Damaged organs can become inflamed and swell, causing abdominal compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome occurs when swelling restricts blood circulation to and from the organ to the circulatory and nervous systems, causing pain and further damage to the organ tissues.
If circulation is not restored, the organs may fail.
Severe swelling of the organs can cause heart and lung problems, as the swollen organs leave no room for the lungs to expand or for the heart to pump blood.

Emergency Treatment and Rehabilitation

Blunt force injuries that produce significant organ impact, bleeding, and penetrating injuries may require surgery to repair or remove damaged organs. Doctors may keep the injured individual under observation for minor internal bleeding to see if surgery is needed. Minor internal bleeding often heals on its own without surgery. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer rehabilitation after surgery as a thorough way to expedite healing and recovery.

Chiropractic manages pain without medications that can interfere with the ability to perform simple tasks.
The body’s functions and biochemical responses from the trauma and surgery are addressed.
Inflammation and swelling are alleviated, and prevention is done through adjustments, massage, diet, and health coaching.

Severe Back Pain Chiropractic

References

Iheozor-Ejiofor, Zipporah, et al. “Negative pressure wound therapy for open traumatic wounds.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 7,7 CD012522. 3 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012522.pub2

McCausland C, Sajjad H. Anatomy, Back, Splanchnic Nerve. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549856/

Newman RK, Dayal N, Dominique E. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. [Updated 2022 Apr 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430932/

Risselada, Marije. “Perforating Cervical, Thoracic, and Abdominal Wounds.” The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice vol. 47,6 (2017): 1135-1148. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.06.002

Shaheen, Aisha W et al. “Abdominal compartment syndrome in trauma patients: New insights for predicting outcomes.” Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock vol. 9,2 (2016): 53-7. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.179452

Sikka, Rishi. “Unsuspected internal organ traumatic injuries.” Emergency medicine clinics of North America vol. 22,4 (2004): 1067-80. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2004.05.006