Relieving Psoriasis With A Healthy Gut

Table of Contents

Introduction

The skin and the gut have a unique connection. The gut system is home to trillions of microorganisms that help metabolize the body’s homeostasis while keeping the immune system functioning for the body to be working correctly. The skin has its set of functions as well as it is the largest organ and helps protect the body from external factors from harm. When these disruptive factors start to affect either the gut or the skin, it can lead to numerous conditions that cause the body to be dysfunctional. When the gut becomes affected by these disruptive factors, it can cause gut disorders and inflammation, affecting the skin and causing disruptions. Today’s article will discuss a skin disorder known as psoriasis and how the gut-skin connection is affected by psoriasis. Referring patients to certified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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

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What Is Psoriasis?

Do you have severe itching along your face and arms? Do certain foods seem to aggravate your digestive tract or skin? Or have you experienced any gut disorders that are affecting your wellbeing? Many of these symptoms are signs of inflammatory issues affecting the gut and are associated with a skin disorder known as psoriasis. Research studies have defined psoriasis as a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is an autoimmune process in which abnormal differentiation and hyper-proliferation of the epidermis occur with redness and scaling. Psoriasis affects about 2% of the general population in the world and is an autoimmune process driven by abnormally activated helper T cells. Additional studies have mentioned that psoriasis is sustained by inflammation that causes the keratinocyte proliferation to be uncontrollable and has dysfunctional differentiation. The inflammatory pathways activate psoriasis in different body locations, causing the individual to become miserable because they are itching and becoming miserable.

An Overview Of Psoriasis-Video

Do you have scaly, patchy lesions in certain areas of your body? Do you feel any gut issues affecting you constantly? Do you feel inflammatory effects disrupting your gut and skin? Many of these conditions are signs that you are experiencing gut disorders associated with a skin disorder known as psoriasis. The video above explains how the gut and skin are affected due to psoriasis and how to heal it naturally. Research studies have mentioned that when the individual is suffering from psoriasis-prone skin, it is due to the alternation of the gut microbiota. When a person scratches the area where psoriasis is formed, it might damage the skin and cause the bacteria to colonize while invoking inflammation to occur in the affected area. Additional research has found that gut disorders like IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and psoriasis are interlinked due to the increased interaction of inflammatory receptor pathogens disrupting the body’s immune cells.

How The Gut-Skin Connection Is Affected By Psoriasis

The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that help metabolize the body’s homeostasis while regulating the immune system. Since the body inhabits microorganisms in various locations, including the skin and gut, it helps maintain homeostasis. The skin helps protect the body from external factors and has bidirectional communication with the gut system. However, like with any autoimmune process, it always starts with the gut. Research studies have mentioned that psoriasis is a multifactorial chronic skin disease that infiltrates the body’s immune cells, causing an increase in skin inflammation and making a person’s life miserable. With the gut system also being inflicted by inflammatory markers, many suffering individuals will experience IBD, SIBO, and other gut disorders that can disrupt the body. Additional information has shown that changes in the microflora in the gut-skin axis from genetic or environmental factors can contribute to various diseases. But when these factors begin to cause an increase in inflammatory markers in the body, it can affect a person’s quality of life through habits that make them miserable.

Conclusion

The body needs the gut and skin to maintain homeostasis and metabolize the immune system. The gut microbiota helps transport the nutrients that the body needs and regulates the body’s immunity, while the skin protects the body from outside factors while being the largest organ. The gut and skin have a bi-directional connection that allows them to keep the body from suffering from dysbiosis. When disruptive factors affect either the gut or the skin, it can lead to many disorders and make a person’s life miserable. The skin suffers from a condition known as psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease that causes itchy, patchy lesions that can affect the areas around the body. Psoriasis is associated with gut disorders, as many factors aggravate the inflammatory markers and can be a nuisance if not treated early. Incorporating small changes that benefit both the gut and skin health can help relieve the individual from psoriasis and bring back their quality of life.

References

Chen, Lihui, et al. “Skin and Gut Microbiome in Psoriasis: Gaining Insight into the Pathophysiology of It and Finding Novel Therapeutic Strategies.” Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 15 Dec. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7769758/.

De Francesco, Maria Antonia, and Arnaldo Caruso. “The Gut Microbiome in Psoriasis and Crohn’s Disease: Is Its Perturbation a Common Denominator for Their Pathogenesis?” Vaccines, MDPI, 5 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8877283/.

Ellis, Samantha R, et al. “The Skin and Gut Microbiome and Its Role in Common Dermatologic Conditions.” Microorganisms, MDPI, 11 Nov. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6920876/.

Nair, Pragya A, and Talel Badri. “Psoriasis.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 Apr. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448194/.

Olejniczak-Staruch, Irmina, et al. “Alterations of the Skin and Gut Microbiome in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 13 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8069836/.

Rendon, Adriana, and Knut Schäkel. “Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 23 Mar. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6471628/.

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Have Atopic Dermatitis? Your Gut Could Be The Issue

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The skin is the largest organ in the body and encounters numerous factors that can either benefit or harm the body. The skin helps protect the organs and intestines in the gut system, keeps the musculoskeletal system structure functional, and even helps the nervous system send out signals for motor-sensory functions to the rest of the body. The skin is associated with the gut system as the gut microbiota host trillions of beneficial gut flora that send out nutrients to help promote tissue growth, improve the body’s immunity, and metabolize skin health by protecting it from disruptive pathogens. When these pathogens cause inflammatory issues in the gut system, it can affect the body’s skin, brain, and immune health by making them dysfunctional. Today’s article will look at a skin condition known as atopic dermatitis, how it affects the gut-skin system, and what treatments are available for relieving gut issues and atopic dermatitis in individuals. Referring patients to certified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Is Atopic Dermatitis?

Have you experienced inflammation around your gut or in certain areas of your skin? Do issues like SIBO, IBD, leaky gut, or bloating become more frequent? Do certain foods trigger inflammatory markers in your skin and gut? The numerous signs and symptoms are due to a skin disorder known as atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a pruritic, hereditary skin disorder. The lifetime prevalence is 10% to 20%, with many cases starting as a baby and rising to 20% to 40% as adults continue to have atopic dermatitis. Research studies have defined atopic dermatitis as one of the most common skin diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the skin. The pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis is both complex and multifactorial. It involves the elements of barrier dysfunction, alterations in cell-mediated immune responses, IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, and environmental factors that cause flare-ups. Additional research studies have mentioned that the pathology of atopic dermatitis is being looked at as the skin’s structural abnormalities and immune dysregulation play their roles as this condition progress. Other genetic changes have also been identified, altering the skin’s barrier function, resulting in an atopic dermatitis phenotype. The imbalance of Th2 to Th1 cytokines is observed as it alters cell-mediated immune responses. Atopic dermatitis can promote IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in the skin as part of its development. This can also be due to the environmental factors that be the causing development of atopic dermatitis.

How Does It Affect The Gut-Skin Connection?

Since atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, many factors do come to play in its development. For example, food allergies cause atopic dermatitis in 25% to 50% of children. Some of the food allergens that are commonly linked to atopic dermatitis include:

Eggs
Soy
Milk
Wheat
Fish
Shellfish
Peanuts

One of the other factors that can cause the development of atopic dermatitis is gut issues. Research studies have shown that any alterations in the gut microbiome due to atopic dermatitis affect the immune system balance in the body. When the gut microbiome becomes altered, it affects metabolite production and reduces the body’s immune system. When bacteria overgrowth in the GI tract, it has been suggested as a causative factor in allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Another factor is when individuals consume trans fats, which increase the development of atopic dermatitis since they interfere with the metabolism and use of essential fatty acids.

The Microbiome Of Atopic Dermatitis-Video

The microbiome in atopic dermatitis - Dr. Heidi Kong

Have you experienced inflammation in your digestive tract or particular areas of your skin? Does your body feel fatigued constantly? Do you have any gut issues or disorders that are affecting your health? Most of these symptoms are signs that you are experiencing atopic dermatitis caused by gut issues. Research studies have found that various factors can trigger atopic dermatitis, affect the immune system, and disrupt the gut microbiota. The video above explains the microbiome in atopic dermatitis and how it affects the gut, skin, and the entire body. Luckily there are available treatments to relieve atopic dermatitis and gut disorders from wreaking havoc on the body.

Treatments For Relieving Atopic Dermatitis & The Gut

When a person begins to find treatments for relieving atopic dermatitis usually involves:

Early diagnosis.
Skin barrier function support.
Mitigation of cutaneous inflammation.
Concomitant risk stratification

Another way that many individuals can alleviate atopic dermatitis is with a healthy GI tract. This will help many individuals suffering from a food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and environmental allergies to relieve atopic dermatitis from progressing further. A study showed that probiotics and prebiotics are essential in preventing food allergies and eczema. Probiotics and prebiotics help replenish the beneficial bacteria in the gut and regulate the immune system. This prevents atopic dermatitis from stopping progressing and restor the body back.

Conclusion

Many factors cause atopic dermatitis progression to become severe, as it is crucial to find the root cause of the flare-ups and alleviate them at the source. Overall having gut issues associated with atopic dermatitis is no laughing matter. When the gut microbiome is being affected by inflammatory disorders, it can disrupt the immune system and cause atopic dermatitis to develop on the skin. Incorporating probiotics and prebiotics can help replenish the gut bacteria and figure out what causes the inflammatory symptoms to spike up from certain foods will benefit the gut and the skin to become healthier.

References

Fang, Zhifeng, et al. “Gut Microbiota, Probiotics, and Their Interactions in Prevention and Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis: A Review.” Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media S.A., 14 July 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8317022/.

Kapur, Sandeep, et al. “Atopic Dermatitis.” Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology : Official Journal of the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, BioMed Central, 12 Sept. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6157251/.

Kim, Jung Eun, and Hei Sung Kim. “Microbiome of the Skin and Gut in Atopic Dermatitis (AD): Understanding the Pathophysiology and Finding Novel Management Strategies.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 2 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6518061/.

Kolb, Logan, and Sarah J Ferrer-Bruker. “Atopic Dermatitis – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 13 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448071/.

Lee, So Yeon, et al. “Microbiome in the Gut-Skin Axis in Atopic Dermatitis.” Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology; The Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease, July 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6021588/.

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Claudication Spine

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Active senior in gym with back pain — Active senior man in gym with back pain

Claudication is muscle pain that presents when the body is active and stops when the body is at rest, also known as intermittent claudication. Individuals typically report dull aching, cramping, tingling, and/or numbness. Vascular claudication is caused by circulatory problems like poor blood circulation and peripheral artery disease. Still, spinal conditions can also cause neurogenic claudication caused by problems with the spine and nervous system.

Table of Contents

Neurogenic Claudication

Sciatica is the usual suspect when thigh, hip, buttock, calf, or total leg pain or other sensations are present; however, it could be spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication. Spinal stenosis is sometimes called pseudo claudication, a narrowing of the space around the low back, which can put pressure on the spinal cord directly and compress the blood vessels around the spine, cutting off oxygen-carrying blood. Pain can start in the lower back and circulate down the legs and cause weakness, tingling, or numbness in the legs and feet. The most common areas of spinal compression include:

The central spinal canal
The lateral recess
The foramen are the openings on the sides of the spine where nerves exit and connect to the peripheral nervous system.

The narrowing can occur in any of these areas, with the most common cause being lumbar spinal stenosis brought on by lumbar degenerative disease.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of neurogenic claudication include:

Pain in the lower extremities, including the buttocks, thighs, and calf, only manifests with activities like walking or standing around.
Pain that shows up equally on both sides.
There is no pain when sitting or not walking around.
Radiculopathy or nerve pain that radiates down an affected limb. Sciatica is a typical example.

However, the symptoms of claudication and radiculopathy are different.

Claudication will be felt all along the length of the nerve.
Radiculopathy pain is more localized to the buttock, thighs, and calves and can get worse with activity and is generally present even when at rest.

Treatment

Non-surgical treatment of neurogenic claudication includes medication to help control pain, chiropractic manual therapy, non-surgical spinal decompression, physical rehabilitation therapy, and steroid shots to reduce inflammation. A doctor will recommend stretching, strengthening exercises, and types of activities to help improve the body’s ability to support itself. This could include swimming, walking, and stationary cycling. However, conservative treatment might not be an option for individuals with more severe cases. If conservative treatment options don’t work, surgery could be recommended. A healthcare provider can help explain treatment options. Successful outcomes have been seen in cases that are diagnosed and treated early.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Chiropractor

References

Colak, Ahmet, et al. “A less invasive surgical approach in the lumbar lateral recess stenosis: a direct approach to the medial wall of the pedicle.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 17,12 (2008): 1745-51. doi:10.1007/s00586-008-0801-z

Munakomi S, Foris LA, Varacallo M. Spinal Stenosis And Neurogenic Claudication. [Updated 2022 Feb 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430872/

Cleveland Clinic. (2021) “Claudication.” my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21972-claudication

Why Gut Health Is Important For Skin Health

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The body is always going through many factors that constantly test the durability that can affect the entire microbiome itself. The gut helps the body’s homeostasis by metabolizing the nutrients that provide the energy for functionality. The gut system is home to trillions of microorganisms that communicate to the brain system, endocrine system, immune system, and skin to ensure that it is healthy. When disruptive factors enter the gut system, they can cause various issues that can make the dysfunctional body while affecting its communication with the body’s axis. Today’s article focuses on a skin condition that everyone has suffered in their lives known as acne and how the gut-skin axis is being affected by acne. Referring patients to certified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Is Acne Vulgaris?

Have you noticed bumps along your face, especially in the nose, forehead, and cheek regions? How about inflammatory reactions that are affecting your skin? Do issues like GERD, IBS, leaky gut, or SIBO affect your gut? Most of these issues are due to disruptive factors that affect the gut-skin connection and cause a skin condition known as acne vulgaris. Everybody suffers from acne when they are young, and it is a common condition with follicular papules or comedones and inflammatory papules and pustules. Research studies have shown that acne vulgaris is an inflammatory disorder triggered by many factors that can cause it to become aggravated and inflamed. Some of the contributing factors that can cause acne vulgaris to form due to the following:

Infection (Propionibacterium acnes)
Tissue inflammation
Plugging of hair follicles due to epidermal hyperproliferation
Hormone imbalance
Endocrine disorders
Excess sun exposure

Other research studies have shown that other factors like gut disorders can also affect the development of acne vulgaris. Acne vulgaris can be associated with the emotional factors that affect the brain and the gut’s inflammatory factors as they go hand in hand. When a person becomes stressed or anxious, their skin will flare up and develop acne around some skin regions. Additional studies have mentioned that emotional factors like stress and anxiety can alter the gut microbiota and increase intestinal permeability. When gut disorders start to contribute to skin inflammation, it can aggravate acne to develop and form on the skin.

Gut Health & Acne- Video

Eat yourself healthy -your microbiome and you | Sheena Cruickshank | TEDxManchester

Have you experienced gut disorders that seem to affect your quality of life? Have you noticed that particular foods you consume are not sitting well in your gut system? How about feeling overly stressed and anxious that acne forms around your face? The video above explains how the gut microbiome affects a person when making dietary changes that can provide beneficial results to the gut microbiota. Research studies have found that the intestinal microbiota is essential for forming acne lesions while being responsible for proper immunity and defense of the microorganisms. The GI tract and acne condition are closely associated because they provide the neuroendocrine and immune functions to the body.

The Gut-Skin Axis & How It Affects Acne

Since the gut is the host to trillions of bacteria, its primary job is to maintain constant communication with the skin to dampen unnecessary inflammatory markers that can cause the skin to break out. Research studies have found that the gut-skin axis, when affected by acne, produces significantly higher metabolites that generate ROS (reactive oxygen species) and induce inflammation in both the gut and skin. Additional research has shown that the gut microbiome plays an essential role in skin disorders and vice versa. When changes affect either the gut or the skin, it can drastically change a person’s outcome in life. Say, for instance, dietary habits that cause inflammation in the gut. This is due to processed foods that cause the gut to become inflamed and make the skin begin the development of acne in different portions of the skin. Research shows that the gut microbiome can vastly influence the immune system by regulating it. This builds a tolerance to dietary changes in the gut to promote acne-free skin. So incorporating a low-glycemic-load diet has been linked to improved acne, possibly through gut changes or attenuation of insulin levels.

Conclusion

Overall, the gut plays a massive role in the body in its homeostasis as it helps the body metabolize the nutrients to keep it functioning and moving. The gut microbiota also has bidirectional communication with the skin as common skin disorders like acne tend to show up. Acne is very common amongst individuals, especially in younger individuals, as it can affect their moods and cause changes to their mental health and their gut health. Incorporating small changes like eating healthy food, maintaining a stress-free environment, and even exercising can help not only lower gut inflammation but also clear up the skin from acne.

References

Bowe, Whitney P, and Alan C Logan. “Acne Vulgaris, Probiotics and the Gut-Brain-Skin Axis – Back to the Future?” Gut Pathogens, BioMed Central, 31 Jan. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038963/.

Chilicka, Karolina, et al. “Microbiome and Probiotics in Acne Vulgaris-A Narrative Review.” Life (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 15 Mar. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8953587/.

De Pessemier, Britta, et al. “Gut-Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions.” Microorganisms, MDPI, 11 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916842/.

Lee, Young Bok, et al. “Potential Role of the Microbiome in Acne: A Comprehensive Review.” Journal of Clinical Medicine, MDPI, 7 July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6678709/.

Salem, Iman, et al. “The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis.” Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 10 July 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048199/.

Sutaria, Amita H, et al. “Acne Vulgaris.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 8 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459173/.

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Skin Conditions Linked To Gut Health

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

As everyone knows, the gut helps the body metabolize nutrients and vitamins that it needs to function correctly. The gut system also allows the body’s immunity to perform while staying in communication with the brain. The gut helps sends signals back and forth to regulate the body’s hormones signals and other beneficial substances that the body requires. The gut is also in communication with the largest organ in the body, which is the skin. When intolerable factors start to wreck the gut and cause chaos inside the gut system, it disrupts the brain signals in the nervous system and can also take a toll on the skin. Today’s article will focus on a skin condition known as rosacea, how it affects the gut system, and what is the gut-skin connection. Referring patients to certified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Is Rosacea?

Have you felt any gut disorders like IBS, leaky gut, or GERD affecting your mid-section? How about redness around your face, especially the nose and cheek areas? Does your skin seem to feel tender to the touch in certain areas? Most of these symptoms are related to a chronic inflammatory disease known as rosacea. It is usually indicated by genetic and environmental components that can trigger rosacea initiation on the skin. Rosacea is generally aggravated by dysregulation of the body’s innate and adaptive immune system. Research studies have mentioned that rosacea is usually developed by lymphatic dilation and blood vessels exposed to extreme temperatures, spices, or alcohol which causes rosacea to affect the cheeks and nose. Not only that, but genetics, immune reaction, microorganisms, and environmental factors lead to various mediators such as keratinocytes, endothelial cells, mast cells, macrophages, T helper type 1 (TH1), and TH17 cells.

How Does It Affect The Gut System?

Since rosacea is developed through exposure to high temperatures, spices, or alcohol, research studies have shown that particular food and drinks cause the inflammatory cytokines to become triggered in the face. Additionally, many trigger factors can directly communicate to the cutaneous nervous system; neurovascular and neuro-immune active neuropeptides are lead to the manifestation of rosacea lesions. Some of the other triggers that can cause rosacea to develop is an unhealthy gut system. A study showed that more than 50% had low stomach acid among patients who had both rosacea and dyspepsia. The bacteria H.pylori resides in the stomach and has been recognized to trigger inflammation and gastrin-induced flushing, thus causing rosacea. Additional studies have mentioned that rosacea individuals will experience some gut disorders to occur. Since the gut system can succumb to various factors, it can affect the gut’s composition and trigger rosacea. Since the gut microbiota has influenced the body’s homeostasis, it can also influence the skin. When there are factors that trigger the intestinal barrier of the gut, it can affect the skin, causing the inflammatory cytokines to proceed with the development of rosacea.

Uncovering The Gut-Skin Connection-Video

Uncover the Gut-Skin Connection with GI-MAP

Does your skin feel flushed due to extreme temperatures or consuming spicy food? Have you experienced gut disorders like SIBO, GERD, or leaky gut? Has your skin seemed to break out even more than it should? Your skin could be affected by your gut microbiota, as the video above shows what the gut-skin connection is and how they work with each other. Research studies have shown that since the gut microbiome is the key regulator of the body’s immune system, it plays a vital role in various skin disorders. This means that when environmental factors affect the gut’s microbiome, it also affects the skin through dysbiosis.

What Is The Gut-Skin Connection?

As stated earlier, the gut system is home to trillions of microorganisms that help metabolize the body’s homeostasis, including the largest organ, the skin. Research studies have found that when the gut microbial and the skin communicate with each other. It creates a bidirectional connection. The gut microbiome is also an essential mediator of inflammation in the gut and affects the skin. When there are factors like insulin resistance, imbalances in the sex hormones, gut inflammation, and microbial dysbiosis wrecking the gut system, the effects can cause the pathology of many inflammatory disorders to affect the skin. Any changes to the gut can also affect the skin as the gut consumes food to be biotransformed into nutrients that the body needs. But when food allergies and sensitivities affect the gut, the skin also gets involved, causing skin disorders like rosacea.

Conclusion

Overall the gut makes sure that the body is functioning correctly by metabolizing nutrients from consumed foods. The gut system has a connection to not only the brain and immune system but also the skin. The gut-skin connection goes hand in hand as factors that affect the gut can also affect the skin in developing skin disorders like rosacea. When a person is suffering from gut disorders, their skin is also damaged by factors like stress, food sensitivities, and skin disorders that can become a nuisance. This can be alleviated through small changes like reducing stress, eating healthy foods, and exercising, which are beneficial for relieving gut and skin disorders for individuals who want to get their health back.

References

Daou, Hala, et al. “Rosacea and the Microbiome: A Systematic Review.” Dermatology and Therapy, Springer Healthcare, Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7859152/.

Farshchian, Mehdi, and Steven Daveluy. “Rosacea.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Dec. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557574/.

Kim, Hei Sung. “Microbiota in Rosacea.” American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Springer International Publishing, Sept. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7584533/.

Mikkelsen, Carsten Sauer, et al. “Rosacea: A Clinical Review.” Dermatology Reports, PAGEPress Publications, Pavia, Italy, 23 June 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5134688/.

Salem, Iman, et al. “The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis.” Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 10 July 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6048199/.

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The Gut-Brain Axis Being Altered By Metainflammation

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The gut system is home to trillions of beneficial bacteria that helps biotransformed food into nutrients for the body to function correctly. The gut is also in constant communication with the brain as the neuron signals are in a bi-directional wavelength that helps move the nutrients to their designated areas in the body. These designated areas help the body as well, as they have their own set of instructions to work correctly while the body is in motion. When gut disorders like metainflammation start to disrupt the signals going back and forth between the brain and gut, it can cause various issues that can cause the body to become dysfunctional and progress into chronic inflammation. Today’s article discusses what metainflammation does to the gut-brain axis and how inflammasomes play their role in the gut-liver axis in the body. Referring patients to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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Metainflammation Affecting The Gut-Brain Axis

Have you been noticing an increase in food allergies or intolerances affecting you? How about feeling digestive problems rise on multiple occasions? Many of these symptoms are due to gut disorders like metainflammation, which can also affect the gut-brain axis in the body. Research studies have mentioned that the nervous system directly influences the gut through endocrine mediators interacting with microbial receptors. When metainflammation begins to affect the gut, it becomes the result of various gut dysbiosis like:

Increased sleep and mood disturbances
Fatigue
Decreased performance and exercise ability
Nutrient deficiencies – vitamin D, B vitamins
Thyroid imbalance

Other research studies have shown that since inflammation is a common factor for various disorders affecting the body, it can do much damage when the inflammatory cytokines affect the gut-brain axis and the immune system. Meta inflammation causes a decrease in intestinal absorption and contractility, but it can also increase the defective tight junctions and intestinal permeability. This causes gut issues like Crohn’s and celiac disease to rise, causing increased insulin and immune dysregulation and brain issues like sleep, cognition, mood disturbances, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders.

An Overview On The Gut-Brain-Axis-Video

The Gut Brain Axis and Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Alejandro Arias Vasquez PhD

Have you been experiencing weight gain around your mid section? How about an increase in memory and cognitive decline? Have you felt a rise in chronic inflammation or immune problems? All these symptoms are signs that you could be experiencing metainflammation that affects the gut-brain axis in your body. The video above explains the gut-brain axis and how neurodevelopment disorders can affect the brain. Research studies have found that a mixture of dysbiosis and inflammation affects the gut, and it can cause the brain to be linked to many neurological disorders. With the bi-directional connection that the brain and gut have, many factors are constantly challenging both microbiomes that can progress inflammatory markers to rise in the body.

What Are Inflammasomes?

Inflammasomes are a family of proteins in charge of initiating the inflammatory process during the innate immune response. Inflammasomes are defensive microbes that cause inflammatory effects against infections and can even affect the gut-liver axis in the body if it turns chronic. What inflammasomes does is that they help pattern recognition receptors to know when the body is feeling stressed or in danger, as they are significant actors in the metaflammation construct. Research studies have shown that inflammasomes in the body can help secrete toxins into the invading microbes causing gut disorders.

How Does Inflammasome Affect The Gut-Liver Axis?

The gut-liver axis is connected with the intestines via bile acid metabolism. Bile acid dysregulation can lead to intestinal dysbiosis, which allows the gram-negative erogenous pathogenic bacteria and LPS to enter the liver. When this happens, it triggers hepatic inflammation via inflammasomes. Research studies have shown that chronic inflammation affecting the gut-liver axis can cause the inflammasomes to affect the epithelial wall integrity and even induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production, causing more issues in the body. In contrast, the NLRP3 inflammasome primarily induces IL‐1beta by causing bile acids to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. This induces bacterial translocation to allow pathogens, i.e., Bacteroidetes (Gram‐negative bacteria) and LPS, into the liver.

Conclusion

Overall, the gut-brain axis allows bi-directional communication to the entire body as the gut help regulates the metabolic function of the body. At the same time, the brain controls the signals and processes that the body encounters. When chronic issues like metainflammation or chronic inflammasomes begin to affect the gut, it can disrupt the bidirectional communication to the brain, causing the body to become dysfunctional. Incorporating small changes to confident life choices like adding supplements and nutraceuticals to dampen inflammation, eating healthier, and exercising can help relieve the gut. When many individuals make these small changes in their health and wellness journey, they can feel themselves have more energy, feel less inflammation affecting their gut, and move around more.

References

Clapp, Megan, et al. “Gut Microbiota’s Effect on Mental Health: The Gut-Brain Axis.” Clinics and Practice, PAGEPress Scientific Publications, Pavia, Italy, 15 Sept. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5641835/.

de Zoete, Marcel R, et al. “Inflammasomes.” Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 16 Oct. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4292152/.

Herradon, Gonzalo, et al. “Connecting Metainflammation and Neuroinflammation through the PTN-Mk-Rptpβ/ζ Axis: Relevance in Therapeutic Development.” Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers Media S.A., 12 Apr. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6474308/.

Osadchiy, Vadim, et al. “The Gut-Brain Axis and the Microbiome: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.” Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology : the Official Clinical Practice Journal of the American Gastroenterological Association, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6999848/.

Wang, Junfeng, et al. “Roles of the Inflammasome in the Gut‑Liver Axis (Review).” Molecular Medicine Reports, D.A. Spandidos, Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6297761/.

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How Nutraceuticals Help The Gut

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The gut system is a massive ecosystem that helps modulate the body’s immune system and metabolic changes that the body itself is going through. The gut system provides the body with the necessary nutrients to function correctly and transports these nutrients to their respective sections like the endocrine system, the nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system to do their jobs. When gut disorders start to affect the intestinal walls, it can cause the inflammatory cytokines to attack the gut walls due to bacteria and nutrients leaking out of the tight junctions. Fortunately, there are therapeutic ways to help the gut system and prevent inflammation from causing more issues in the gut. Today’s article looks at gut metainflammation and how nutraceuticals can help many individuals with gut metainflammation. Referring patients to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Is Gut Metainflammation?

Does your gut system feel sore or tender to the touch? Do ordinary factors like stress, sleep problems, hormone imbalances, and cardiovascular issues affect you more than they should have? Have you experienced inflammatory gut issues like IBS or leaky gut? Having any gut disorder is no laughing matter for your health. When the gut system is experiencing chronic low‐grade inflammatory sequela, this is what gut metainflammation is in the body. Gut metainflammation is defined as an over‐activation of immunity in the gut that leads to increased production of inflammatory cytokines, thus referring to metabolism-induced inflammation. Research studies have shown that when the gut is experiencing metainflammation, it causes a disturbance to the neurometabolic pathways. This causes an increase in the aging processes and metabolic signaling issues the gut is trying to provide for the body. Other research studies have shown that metainflammation is one of the primary markers for metabolic disorders like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). Gut metainflammation also causes an increase in peripheral and central inflammation that can cause gut disorders like leaky gut to allow bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream, thus leading to peripheral and central inflammation of the body.

Treatments For GI Disorders-Video

Treatment of Motility Disorders and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Have you experienced a leaky gut? Do you feel tired throughout the entire day? Have you experienced any food sensitivities in your gut? These gut issues are due to gut metainflammation that can impact a person’s health and quality of life. When this occurs, the body will become dysfunctional, and other issues will arise unless it is treated right away. The video above shows how treatments are available for alleviating motility disorders and GI disorders affecting the gut system. Utilizing treatments beneficial to the gut system can help dampen the effects of metainflammation and other gut disorders from progressing in the body. Some treatments that can help with draining metainflammation in the gut system can be found by changing dietary lifestyles and incorporating nutraceuticals that are beneficial to the gut.

Controlling Gut Metainflammation Through Nutraceuticals

Research studies have shown that since trillions of microbial cells make up the gut microbiota when factors like obesity, metainflammation, and impaired insulin activity affect the gut, it can cause the immune cells to reactivate and reinforce the inflammatory process to attack the gut system. When the gut system becomes dysfunctional, many individuals try to find ways to alleviate gut inflammation. One of the treatments is by incorporating nutraceuticals to provide relief from gut metainflammation. Research studies have mentioned that combined with functional foods can help provide a positive influence on the body’s metabolism and the gut microbiota. Nutraceuticals help give the body the necessary nutrients it deserves and help dampen any effects from disorders affecting the body’s gut, immune, and metabolic components. Two nutraceuticals can help control gut metainflammation: curcumin and peptides.

Curcumin & Peptides For Gut Metainflammaion

From turmeric (Curcuma longa) root/rhizome and used traditionally for dyspeptic conditions, research studies have mentioned that curcumin and its anti-inflammatory metabolites can help influence the gut microbiota. What curcumin does to the gut is that it helps decrease the inflammasome signaling while decreasing oxidative stress via the Nrf2‐keap1 pathway. Curcumin can also help improve flexibility and mobility in the body while inhibiting the activation of a peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma pathway. Additional information has provided that curcumin can help not only reduce oxidative stress and even prevent neurodegeneration.

Peptides or BPC‐157 (Body Protection Compound) are derived from human gastric juice that is cytoprotective and anti‐inflammatory that helps support the gut mucosal lining. Research studies have shown that peptides play a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis while being effective in decreasing metainflammatory signaling in the gut microbiota. When there is metainflammation in the gut, peptides can help improve cell survival under oxidative stress conditions by downregulating TNF‐alpha in the body. Incorporating peptides can help improve GI mucosal integrity from meta inflammation and help the gut function normally.

Conclusion

The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that help keep the body’s functionality and regulate immunity from various diseases. When unwanted factors like metainflammation start to infiltrate the gut, it can lead to dysbiosis and wreck the intestinal walls. Nutraceuticals like curcumin and peptides have beneficial properties that help repair the intestinal walls while dampening inflammatory effects from progressing further in the gut system. Incorporating nutraceuticals is helpful for many individuals who suffer from gut disorders and improve their health by replenishing their nutrients in the body.

References

Boulangé, Claire L, et al. “Impact of the Gut Microbiota on Inflammation, Obesity, and Metabolic Disease.” Genome Medicine, BioMed Central, 20 Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4839080/.

Di Meo, Francesco, et al. “Curcumin, Gut Microbiota, and Neuroprotection.” Nutrients, MDPI, 11 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835970/.

Gubatan, John, et al. “Antimicrobial Peptides and the Gut Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 21 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8613745/.

Laparra, J M, and Y Sanz. “Interactions of Gut Microbiota with Functional Food Components and Nutraceuticals.” Pharmacological Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Nov. 2009, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19914380/.

Scazzocchio, Beatrice, et al. “Interaction between Gut Microbiota and Curcumin: A New Key of Understanding for the Health Effects of Curcumin.” Nutrients, MDPI, 19 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551052/.

Scheithauer, Torsten P M, et al. “Gut Microbiota as a Trigger for Metabolic Inflammation in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.” Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media S.A., 16 Oct. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7596417/.

Tilg, Herbert, et al. “The Intestinal Microbiota Fuelling Metabolic Inflammation.” Nature Reviews. Immunology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 6 Aug. 2019, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31388093/.

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Nutritional Components For The Gut System

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

When it comes to the gut system, its main priority is to ensure that the body is supplied with nutrients and digests the consumed food that a person is eating. The beneficial nutrients help the body stay in motion, while the gut system constantly communicates with the immune and the central nervous system. The gut microbiota also harbors beneficial bacteria that helps keeps the gut staying functional and turns the consumed food into nutrients and vitamins to be distributed to the rest of the body. When disruptive factors start to affect the gut microbiota, it can cause unwanted symptoms, causing the body to become dysfunctional. Today’s article post will discuss how the gut microbiota helps the body and how healthy nutrients like probiotics and fermented foods help support the gut system. Referring patients to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We provide guidance to our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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How Does The Gut Microbiota Help The Body?

Have you felt discomfort in your gut? In your gut microbiota, do you experience inflammatory discomforts like IBS, SIBO, or GERD? Do you feel low energy or feeling sluggish throughout the entire day? Many of these symptoms that a person has encountered are associated with the gut system and can become chronic over time when it is not treated right away. Research studies have defined the gut microbiota as a complex organ system with a dynamic population of microorganisms that influences the body during homeostasis and diseases it encounters. The body needs the gut system since it plays a vital role in maintaining the body’s immunity and metabolic stasis while protecting it from infections. Additional studies have shown that when the body is going through different changes like dietary habits, lifestyle changes, or physical activities can influence the gut microbiota. Any of these changes can affect the gut system by changing the composition and density of the gut. When the changes are harmful to the gut, they can cause unwanted symptoms that cause dysfunction in the gut; however, when the changes are good, they can help the gut system in so many ways that help the body.

Tips For Keeping A Healthy Microbiota-Video

5 tips to keep your gut microbiome healthy | UCLA Health Newsroom

Feeling tired throughout the entire day? Have you become sensitive to the food you eat? Have you experienced inflammatory gut systems like GERD, IBS, or SIBO that affect your life? Many individuals with some gut issues try to find ways to alleviate them and change their dietary habits. Sometimes incorporating gut-healthy foods and supplements is beneficial in regrowing the gut flora in the intestines while also dampening the inflammatory effects caused by gut-related issues. Healthy nutrition and nutraceuticals that help the gut microbiota can also repair the intestinal wall lining from inflammatory factors attacking the gut. The video above gives an excellent presentation on five tips for keeping a healthy gut microbiota. When many individuals start changing their dietary habits to improve their gut system, they will experience more energy and a happy gut.

Healthy Nutrients For The Gut

When it comes to the gut system and trying to keep it healthy, the best way that a person can do that is by figuring out which healthy foods are beneficial to the gut and provide energy to the body. Since many people want to change their dietary habits from eating processed foods to nutritional whole foods, research studies have found that since the gut microbiota is a changing ecosystem, dietary strategies that a person goes under can help prevent diseases and maintain a healthy gut. One of the best ways that a person can do to ensure a healthy gut is by consuming prebiotic-rich foods, fermented, and cultured food to balance out the gut microbes. These two nutrients help stabilize the gut when the harmful bacteria start to overpopulate inside the intestines and diminish the beneficial bacteria in the gut system.

Probiotics & Fermented Foods

Probiotics are defined as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms that are conferring a health benefit to the gut system. Research studies have also defined probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that help dampen the inflammatory effects in the intestinal walls and help replenish the gut flora in the gut system. Additional research has also shown that pro and prebiotics help stimulate the beneficial growth of microorganisms in the gut. Probiotics can also alleviate many disorders affecting the immune, cardiovascular, and gut issues that a person is experiencing.

Just like probiotics, fermented foods can also promote a healthy gut microbiome. Fermented foods are more digestible while producing bioactive peptides such as CLA and bacteriocins in the gut. Fermented foods also allow polyphenols into an active state that incorporates vitamins, enzyme activity, and amino acid production while enhancing mineral absorption. Research studies have shown that fermented foods help balance gut microbial and brain functionality. Fermented foods also improve the balance with the intestinal permeability functions while filling with antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory factors. Additional information has shown that when people incorporate fermented foods into their diets, it can enhance a person’s health by changing the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut system. This will help restore the gut flora functionality and help reduce the gut inflammation that a person is experiencing.

Conclusion

The gut system helps keep the body functional by releasing nutrients and minerals to the vital organs, tissues, and muscles that help keep the body moving. The gut system also communicates with the immune and brain system in transmitting the information that the food is being transformed into nutrients. When a person is suffering from gut issues and inflammatory effects, the best way to alleviate these symptoms is to slowly change dietary habits by incorporating probiotics and fermented foods into a healthy diet to repair the gut system and the intestinal walls. When people make these small changes to their diets, their gut system will replenish the gut flora and have a happy gut.

References

Bell, Victoria, et al. “One Health, Fermented Foods, and Gut Microbiota.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland), MDPI, 3 Dec. 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6306734/.

Ferraris, Cinzia, et al. “Gut Microbiota for Health: How Can Diet Maintain a Healthy Gut Microbiota?” Nutrients, MDPI, 23 Nov. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7700621/.

Rinninella, Emanuele, et al. “Food Components and Dietary Habits: Keys for a Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition.” Nutrients, MDPI, 7 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835969/.

Stiemsma, Leah T, et al. “Does Consumption of Fermented Foods Modify the Human Gut Microbiota?” The Journal of Nutrition, Oxford University Press, 1 July 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7330458/.

Thursby, Elizabeth, and Nathalie Juge. “Introduction to the Human Gut Microbiota.” The Biochemical Journal, Portland Press Ltd., 16 May 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433529/.

Wieërs, Grégoire, et al. “How Probiotics Affect the Microbiota.” Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Frontiers Media S.A., 15 Jan. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6974441/.

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Traction Therapy Relieves Stenosis In The Lumbar Spine

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The lower half of the body consists of the low back, hips, legs, and feet to stabilize the upper body. The motor-sensory function helps the lower portion of the body move the leg muscles and sense when the lower back muscles are in pain. The lower back muscles help twist and turn the upper body without feeling discomfort or pain when it is in motion. Many ordinary factors put the lower back muscles to the test, which can become a nuisance later on if not treated right away. Factors like lifting and carrying heavy objects, being hunched over, and injuries can affect the lower back while causing immense pain to the lumbar spine. When injuries occur in the lower back, unwanted symptoms start to take effect, causing the individual to suffer and find some relief to alleviate the pain. Today’s article will focus on what causes lumbar stenosis, how it is associated with low back pain, and how traction therapy can help alleviate lumbar stenosis for many people. Patients are referred to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression and traction therapy. We go hand in hand with our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking critical questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Causes Lumbar Stenosis?

Experiencing mild to chronic pain in your lower back? Do you feel unstable when walking or running to your destination? Or have you experienced symptoms of muscle weakness or tenderness around your lower back? Many of these symptoms are caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. Research studies have defined lumbar stenosis as intervertebral spinal discs in the lumbar regions starting to degenerate naturally, causing the lower extremities to become hypermobile around the facet joints. When this happens to the spinal joint over time, it causes a reduction in the spinal canal, making the nerve roots that surround the spine irritated. Lumbar stenosis will gradually worsen as the pain symptoms range from mild to severe. Other research studies have shown that lumbar stenosis is caused due to natural aging in the spine that causes the degeneration process, thus leading to pain symptoms associated with stenosis.

How Low Back Pain Is Associated With Stenosis?

Research studies have found that lumbar stenosis is associated with leg and back pain when a person has lumbar stenosis, a common source in the lower back. Other back issues and symptoms are also playing an effect on the development of lumbar stenosis. Degenerative spondylosis causes an increased load on the posterior portions of the spine where the hips are located at. Additional research studies have shown that many suffering individuals will exhibit various symptoms associated with lumbar stenosis. Some of the signs that lumbar spinal stenosis does include:

Neurogenic claudication
Radiating pain in the lower limbs (buttock, legs, and feet)
Decrease sensory functions
Severe pain in posture stance
Increase chances of falling down

An Overview On Lumbar Traction-Video

Feeling radiating pain in your lower limbs? Do you feel muscle stiffness or tenderness in certain parts of your lower back? Have you experienced severe pain from standing or sitting for too long? Having lumbar spinal stenosis is no laughing matter for your lower back. The pain can become excruciating if it isn’t being taken care of, and that is where lumbar traction can help. The video above explains why lumbar traction is terrific when dealing with low back pain and lumbar stenosis. Lumbar traction helps loosen the tense muscles and resets the spinal discs that aggravate the nerve roots. Lumbar traction also provides relief to individuals suffering from sciatic nerve pain and can help rehydrate the dry intervertebral discs in the body. This link will explain what lumbar traction therapy offers and the impressive results for many individuals who suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis or other low back pain issues

How Traction Therapy Helps Alleviate Lumbar Stenosis

Many individuals looking for treatments that can help alleviate lumbar stenosis and low back can try lumbar traction therapy. Research studies have shown that traction therapy can help many suffering patients dealing with low back pain or lumbar stenosis will have a decrease in radicular pain in their lower back and legs. Lumbar traction helps relieve the surrounding nerves’ aggravated pressure, and radiculopathy symptoms are decreased in the lower back. Other research studies have mentioned that lumbar traction can help widen the spinal disc space in the spine while reducing low back pain and causing the sensory-motor functions to return to the legs. Lumbar traction therapy has many beneficial results for lower back pain relief for individuals.

Conclusion

Living with low back pain or lumbar stenosis is not a laughing matter for a person’s health. Overall, experiencing low back pain is no joke when associated with other symptoms like lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar stenosis causes the spinal canal to become narrow, and it can press on the surrounding nerve roots in the lumbar region. Many individuals who suffer from lumbar stenosis will have a wide range of pain in their lower extremities while feeling unstable when they are moving. When this happens, therapies like lumbar traction can help decompress the affected nerve roots and help widen the spinal canal and discs back to their original state. Incorporating traction and decompression therapy to alleviate low back pain can do many wonders for the individual.

References

Bjerke, Benjamin. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” Spine, Spine-Health, 8 June 2020, www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/lumbar-spinal-stenosis.

Harte, Annette A, et al. “The Effectiveness of Motorised Lumbar Traction in the Management of LBP with Lumbo Sacral Nerve Root Involvement: A Feasibility Study.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 29 Nov. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2217540/.

Lee, Byung Ho, et al. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Pathophysiology and Treatment Principle: A Narrative Review.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Oct. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7595829/.

Lee, Seung Yeop, et al. “Lumbar Stenosis: A Recent Update by Review of Literature.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Oct. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591458/.

Vanti, Carla, et al. “Vertical Traction for Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review.” Archives of Physiotherapy, BioMed Central, 15 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7958699/.

Wu, Lite, and Ricardo Cruz. “Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 25 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531493/.

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Decompression Treatments Relieving Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The neck can make sure that the head doesn’t flop around by letting the muscles, ligaments, and the spine hold the head upright. The neck is responsible for twisting and turning the head in all directions without the feeling of discomfort. However, the neck also has soft tissues, and nerve roots spread out from the cervical area of the spine that helps control the shoulders, arms, and hands. When a person suffers from a neck injury, it can cause unwanted pain and discomfort to the neck muscles and disrupt the motor functions in the upper body. Luckily, some treatments help alleviate the pain and restore motor function to the neck. Today’s article post will examine how cervical stenosis affects the neck and the cervical spine and how traction therapy can help alleviate cervical stenosis for many suffering individuals. Patients are referred to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We go hand in hand with our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking crucial questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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How Does Cervical Stenosis Affect The Neck?

Has your neck been feeling stiff lately? Do you suffer from any pain in your neck after stretching from side to side? How about feeling discomfort after being hunched over for an extended period? All these issues are due to neck pain, and if a traumatic event or injury affects the neck even more, it can lead to the development of cervical stenosis. Like the lower back, the neck can also be injured as the soft tissues, and nerve roots spread out from the cervical area are compressed and aggravated. Research studies have found that cervical stenosis develops when the spinal column in the cervical spine becomes narrow due to either degenerative spinal changes or traumatic incidents. When the spinal canal becomes more limited, it can cause unwanted neck issues like cervical herniation and neck pain. If the nerve roots are aggravated due to being compressed, it can disrupt the sensory-motor function of the shoulders and arms, and hands. Additional information has shown that the symptoms of cervical stenosis symptoms develop gradually over time as there is no pain in the early stages. However, as cervical stenosis begins to progress in compressing the spinal canal and provoking the nerve roots, motor functions in the hands will start to lose their function in writing or grasping items. This can become a problem for many individuals if cervical stenosis is not treated immediately.

What Other Causes Does It Do To The Cervical Spine?

Since cervical stenosis progresses gradually without any pain symptoms in the early stages and becomes worse in the advanced settings, other causes can start affecting the neck and cervical spine. One of them is cervical myelopathy. Research studies have shown that it is a condition where the spinal cord becomes compressed and causes a disturbance in the upper extremity portions. When the upper part of the body begins to feel sharp electric sensations radiating from the neck down to the hands, it can cause muscle weakness and numbness in each section of the upper body. Other causes like natural degenerative issues can also result from cervical stenosis occurring in the cervical spine. Other research studies have shown that degenerative causes associated with cervical stenosis can activate pro-inflammatory factors in the spinal joints and cause excruciating swelling and pain-like symptoms along the spine. However, there are treatments to help reduce the pro-inflammatory markers and alleviate spinal cord compression along the cervical spine.

Traction Therapy For Cervical Stenosis-Video

CERVICAL TRACTION TABLE - with Ivan Prothoy

Do you have neck pain? Do your shoulders feel tight and tense? Have you lost the sensation in your hands? Traction therapy alleviates spinal stenosis in the cervical area and has given many beneficial factors for people who need neck pain relief. Experiencing cervical stenosis can dampen a person’s day and progressively worsen if it is not treated right away; traction therapy can help alleviate cervical stenosis. The video above shows how traction therapy works using the cervical mechanics from the Chatanooga decompression table. Cervical traction helps loosen up the tight muscle tissues and resets the cervical spine by setting it back in its proper alignment. This allows the spinal cord and nerve roots to feel relief from the pressure they’ve been under. Cervical traction also helps rehydrate the dry spinal discs with the nutrients beneficial to the body. This link will explain what traction has to offer and the impressive results for many individuals who suffer from cervical spinal stenosis or other issues that occur in the neck.

Traction Therapy To Alleviate Cervical Stenosis

Many treatments associated with neck pain do have beneficial results when people are trying to relieve the pain. Some people use ice/hot packs to ease tense neck muscles, while others take over-the-counter medicine to stop the pain for the remainder of the day. Traction therapy is one treatment that seems to alleviate the pain and help restore the cervical spine. Research studies have mentioned that cervical traction is a non-surgical procedure that uses a tension pull on the cervical spine to increase the height of the spinal disc and take the pressure off the spinal cord and surrounding nerve roots. Traction on the cervical spine helps relax the neck muscles while also providing much-needed relief to the cervical spine. Additional research mentioned the beneficial properties that cervical traction offers to help separate the vertebral bodies while providing movement on the facet joints and gently stretching the soft tissues.

Conclusion

The neck makes sure that the head stays upright and can make everyday motions without feeling pain or discomfort. When traumatic events or injuries affect the sensory-motor functions of the neck, it can narrow the spinal canal in the cervical spine and cause many unwanted symptoms like cervical stenosis. Cervical stenosis can develop over time and can progressively become worse if it is not treated right away. Some of the symptoms can induce muscle weakness, numbness, and pain along the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands in the body’s upper portion. Traction therapy for the cervical spine can help ease the painful symptoms by taking the pressure off the spinal canal and help reset the spine back in alignment. Incorporating cervical traction for neck pain can help many suffering individuals become pain-free on their health and wellness journey.

References

Abi-Aad, Karl R, and Armen Derian. “Cervical Traction – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/.

Bjerke, Benjamin. “Cervical Stenosis with Myelopathy.” Spine, Spine-Health, 10 July 2017, www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/cervical-stenosis-myelopathy.

Burns, Stephen P, et al. “Cervical Stenosis in Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders.” The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Taylor & Francis, July 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5102300/.

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

Meyer, Frerk, et al. “Degenerative Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Current Strategies in Diagnosis and Treatment.” Deutsches Arzteblatt International, Deutscher Arzte Verlag, May 2008, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696878/.

Rulleau, Thomas, et al. “Effect of an Intensive Cervical Traction Protocol on Mid-Term Disability and Pain in Patients with Cervical Radiculopathy: An Exploratory, Prospective, Observational Pilot Study.” PloS One, Public Library of Science, 11 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8357129/.

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Dehydrated Spine Discs: Rehydration and Decompression

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Dehydration affects the body physically and mentally but also affects the health of the spine’s discs. Spinal discs that lack proper hydration begin to compress, collapse between vertebrae, or cannot refill correctly, causing further compression and increasing the risk of spinal injury. Dehydrated discs can cause injuries like herniated disc/s, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Chiropractic treatment offers spinal decompression that will restretch and realign the spine allowing the injury/s to heal and proper disc rehydration.

Table of Contents

Spine Support

As crucial as the spine is within daily activities, it is vital to understand its mechanics. The spinal vertebrae discs work to absorb shock when bending, twisting, or flexing to ensure the bones do not rub together. Within each disc is the nucleus pulposus, made up of 85 percent water that provides movement when the spine rotates and moves in various directions. This high water content in the discs helps the spine function. The discs naturally lose some water as the body ages, but dehydration can also occur when individuals do not intake enough water from drinking or in food. If the dehydration is severe, the risk of injury increases or can aggravate existing spine conditions. The loss of hydration in an adult spine can cause a loss of disc height daily. Without proper rehydration, other medical issues can begin to present.

Symptoms

Depending on which discs are affected, the pain or numbness can travel from the neck into the shoulders, arms, and hands or from the lower back down through the legs. Symptoms can include:

Back stiffness
Burning or tingling sensations
Reduced or painful movement
Back pain
Weakness
Numbness in the low back, legs, or feet
Changes in knee and foot reflexes
Sciatica

When the body is dehydrated, it can be difficult to replenish the water in the discs thoroughly, as well as nutrient levels through a consistent loss of fluid. Dehydration disrupts the balance which can lead to an increased risk of injury and increased degeneration. Causes of disc dehydration include:

Trauma from an auto accident, fall, work, or sports injury.
Repeated strain on the back from consistent lifting, reaching, bending, twisting, etc.
Sudden weight loss can cause the body, including the discs, to lose fluid.
Ankylosing spondylitis.

Spinal Rehydration

The entire body relies on proper hydration with direct water consumption to rehydrate the body but also incorporating fruits and vegetables to aid in hydration. These foods include:

Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Lettuce
Tomatoes

These foods are made of more than 90% water and contain essential nutrients and help the spine function more efficiently. Proper water consumption is based on age, body size, and activity level. However, to fully heal desiccated discs, spinal injuries, or back pain, chiropractic decompression, and manipulation adjustments are recommended. Non-surgical motorized spinal decompression treatment is gentle. The therapy lengthens and decompresses the spine reversing the pressure within the damaged disc/s creating an intradiscal vacuum that relieves the pressure off the nerve and helps reshape and rehydrate the damaged disc/s.

DOC

References

Djurasovic, Mladen, et al. “The influence of preoperative MRI findings on lumbar fusion clinical outcomes.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 21,8 (2012): 1616-23. doi:10.1007/s00586-012-2244-9

Karki, D B et al. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Lumbar Disc Degeneration in Symptomatic Patients.” Journal of Nepal Health Research Council vol. 13,30 (2015): 154-9.

Twomey, L T, and J R Taylor. “Age changes in lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs.” Clinical Orthopedics and related research,224 (1987): 97-104.

Videman, Tapio et al. “Age- and pathology-specific measures of disc degeneration.” Spine vol. 33,25 (2008): 2781-8. doi:10.1097/BRS.0b013e31817e1d11

Improving The Gut With Dietary Components

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The human body requires nutritional healthy foods to provide energy for each component, like the muscles and tissues to move around. The gut system takes the nutrients and transports them to the different organs, systems, and body parts that need these nutrients to function correctly. The gut system is also in communication with the brain and the immune system, where they send information to each other back and forth and help the body stay healthy. When chronic issues start attacking the gut system, they can throw the body off course by causing inflammation, an overflow of gut bacteria, and other gut issues that can affect the gut and the body. Today’s article looks at how finding the proper diet can help the gut microbiome and the body and how different dietary components affect the gut microbiome. Referring patients to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in gastroenterology treatments. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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How Does A Diet Help The Gut?

Have you been feeling low on energy throughout the entire day? Have you felt inflammatory symptoms like acid reflux or IBS occurring in your gut? Or have you felt that you could be sensitive to your favorite type of food? When experiencing these symptoms constantly, it happens to affect your gut microbiome. Numerous factors can influence the gut microbiome; some are good while others are bad. One of the good influences for a healthy gut microbiome is a nutritional diet. A diet plays a massive role in the gut microbiota as it helps determine the gut’s composition and changes. Since diets have the most powerful influence on gut microbial communities in healthy human bodies, research studies have found gut microbiota is considered a dynamic system. Incorporating the proper diet can have a significant influence.

Since about 75% of the food in a typical Western diet is limited or has no beneficial nutrients to the microbiota in the lower gut, most of it is explicitly comprised of refined carbohydrates that are already absorbed in the upper GI tract. After the food has been consumed, it will eventually reach the large intestines containing only small amounts of the necessary minerals and vitamins to maintain the gut microbiota. Additional research studies have found that since various dietary patterns do correspond with gut microbiota composition, it is up to the person’s habits to see what works for them and what doesn’t when it comes to eating healthy.

How Does It Impact The Body?

Research studies have mentioned that with the many microorganisms in the GI tract, having a proper diet with the right amount of nutritional food group can help modulate and influence the microbial body profile. Let’s say, for example, that two different groups ate meat, eggs, and cheese for one day and switched to whole grains, vegetables, and legumes the next day. What happens is that within about 1-2 days, there were significant alterations in the gut microbiome that were measured by 16S rRNA sequence in both groups. The microbial activity mirrors the differences between herbivorous and carnivorous diets, and it reflects the trade-offs between carbohydrate and protein fermentation in the body. Other research studies have also mentioned that long-term nutritional habits are fundamental for a person’s health status and how it shapes their gut microbiota.

What Role Does The Gut Play In A Healthy Diet-Video

What Role Does our Microbiome Play in a Healthy Diet? - with Tim Spector

Have you been trying to eat healthier? Do you feel sluggish and lose energy quickly? Have you experienced food sensitivity from your favorite type of food? The video above explains how the gut microbiome play’s its role when a person eats healthier. Since various nutritional diets do go together with the gut microbiota, it is essential to know that incorporating healthy foods into the gut can provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients for the rest of the body. When bad choices influence lifestyle habits, it becomes challenging to get the motivation to reset the body and incorporate the beneficial nutrients the body needs. Unhealthy habits can also affect the gut by causing inflammation and other gut issues that can cause a person to be under constant stress and pain. By figuring out what causes these issues and eating the necessary foods filled with nutrients like vitamins and minerals, the body and the gut can begin to heal themselves properly.

The Dietary Components That Affect The Gut

Since the gut microbiota is responsible for influencing the body, it is essential to know which components are being digested in the gut that can directly affect a person. Since research studies have found that a healthy diet is one of the critical modulators that directly influences the gut microbial composition by thoroughly changing the biological process of fermenting the nutrients and impacting the intestinal barrier functions. Increased fruits, vegetables, and higher fiber consumption are associated with high gut bacteria richness. Additional research has provided that the diverse population in the gut microbial can even mediate the beneficial effect of fermenting the dietary fibers to produce SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) to reduce inflammatory effects in the gut. Other nutritional components that can affect the gut include:

Plant Foods
Protein
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and CLA (proposed)
Carbohydrates
- Soluble Fiber/Resistant Starch (Microbiotaaccessible carbohydrate =MACS)
Sugars
Prebiotics
Polyphenols
Cultured and Fermented Foods

Conclusion

Incorporating a healthy diet can provide a beneficial influence on the gut microbial system. When unwanted factors like a poor, unhealthy diet, stress, and gut issues begin to affect the body, it can cause the person to be in pain and affect their overall health. Making small changes can have a massive impact on the individual when trying to become healthier and take back their life. When incorporating whole foods, the body will begin to heal itself properly, and the individual will have more energy in their health and wellness journey.

References

Conlon, Michael A, and Anthony R Bird. “The Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Gut Microbiota and Human Health.” Nutrients, MDPI, 24 Dec. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303825/.

Ferraris, Cinzia, et al. “Gut Microbiota for Health: How Can Diet Maintain a Healthy Gut Microbiota?” Nutrients, MDPI, 23 Nov. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7700621/.

Hills, Ronald D, et al. “Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease.” Nutrients, MDPI, 16 July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6682904/.

Leeming, Emily R, et al. “Effect of Diet on the Gut Microbiota: Rethinking Intervention Duration.” Nutrients, MDPI, 22 Nov. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6950569/.

Moszak, Małgorzata, et al. “You Are What You Eat-the Relationship between Diet, Microbiota, and Metabolic Disorders-A Review.” Nutrients, MDPI, 15 Apr. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7230850/.

Rinninella, Emanuele, et al. “Food Components and Dietary Habits: Keys for a Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition.” Nutrients, MDPI, 7 Oct. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835969/.

Disclaimer

Spinal Issues Being Treated With Decompression

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The spine is located in the back of the body, ensuring that it’s standing, on the move constantly, and resting when needed. This S-shaped curve helps protect the spinal cord from various injuries and helps transmit the signals from the brain and throughout the rest of the body. When injuries start to affect the spinal cord, it can lead to many chronic issues affecting the spine, neck, and lower back. Fortunately, there are available treatments that help alleviate spinal problems in the body, therefore providing relief for the individual. Today’s article emphasizes spinal stenosis, how it affects the spine, and how decompression can help restore the spine for many suffering individuals. Patients are referred to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We go hand in hand with our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking crucial questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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What Is Spinal Stenosis?

Have you felt radiating pain traveling along your back? How about muscle weakness in certain parts of your body? Do you feel weird sensations on your legs, neck, or lower back? These are signs that you could be encountering spinal stenosis along your spine, causing these symptoms. Research studies have defined spinal stenosis as a frequent condition in the cervical and lumbar portions of the spine that compressed the nerve roots connected to the spinal column. Spinal stenosis usually occurs when a person has experienced traumatic injuries and degenerative changes that affect the spinal canal either with mechanical force or spinal issues like disc herniation. Additional information has found that when many people are suffering from spinal stenosis, it can become progressively worse if it is not treated beforehand and can cause symptoms affecting the spine. Some of the signs that spinal stenosis can cause to a person depending on how severe it has affected their spine; which can include:

Radiating pain goes from dull to electric-shooting pain depending on the area in which spinal stenosis occurs.
Pins and needles sensations run from the legs, arms, or neck that occasionally flare-up.
Numbness that affects the arms and legs
Muscle weakness reduces the motor functions of the legs and arms while causing coordination problems to the person.

How Does It Affect The Spine?

Since spinal stenosis causes nerve root compression and narrowing of the spinal canal, it can affect many people dealing with excruciating pain along their spine. Research studies have shown that when spinal stenosis affects the spine, it causes degeneration of the spinal discs between the spinal joints to become unstable, hypermobile, and even hypertrophy. What this does is that it reduces the spinal canal, causing intermittent neurogenic claudication, which makes a person lose their balance and fall. Additional research has shown that when intermittent neurogenic claudication is associated with spinal stenosis, it affects the nerve roots through mechanical compression. This results in factors like venous congestion, diminished arterial blood flow to the spine, and even decreased nerve root impulse conduction to the spinal column. All is not lost as there are available treatments for many people who suffer from spinal stenosis.

An Overview On Spinal Stenosis-Video

Spinal Stenosis: Causes and How to Treat It Without Surgery

Have you been feeling various pains that range from dull to excruciating along your back? Do you feel muscle weakness located in the arms or legs? Or have you been experiencing weird tingling sensations that cause numbness to your arms or legs? These are symptoms of spinal stenosis and can affect your overall health while causing you pain. Fortunately, spinal decompression might be the answer that you are seeking. The video above explains the causes of spinal stenosis and how to treat them non-surgical. Spinal decompression helps the spinal column gently move and stretch the spinal discs back to their position and restore their original functionality. This will cause the spinal canal to be relieved and alleviate the symptoms affecting the spine’s motor functions. Not only that, but many suffering individuals will notice that other issues like back, neck, and leg pain are reduced in their bodies. Spinal decompression for alleviating spinal stenosis has given many beneficial factors for people that need relief. This link will explain how spinal decompression offers impressive results for many individuals who suffer from spinal stenosis or other spinal issues.

How Decompression Help Restore The Spine

With many treatments available for relieving spinal stenosis, research shows that non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy and spinal decompression can help reduce the pain symptoms caused by spinal stenosis and help improve the functionality back to the legs and lower back. Decompression does to the spine because it uses mechanical and manual traction to help loosen the stiff muscles and cause tension to reset the spinal discs back in place. Additional research has also shown that laminectomy, a form of surgical decompression, has been used to alleviate spinal stenosis by releasing the neural structures affected along the spine. With these treatments, many suffering individuals will feel much better and slowly regain their sense of purpose in the world without being in pain.

Conclusion

The spine helps the body protect the spinal cord while keeping it standing straight. When some injuries or issues affect the spine, it can lead to spinal problems like spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis occurs when the nerve roots are compressed and narrow the spinal canal. The symptoms that spinal stenosis causes to the body can affect the sensory and motor functions to cause numbness and various pain ranging from dull to sudden sharp pain. Therefore, with decompression therapy, many individuals will feel relief from spinal stenosis as the spinal column becomes wider and allows the spinal discs to return to their proper position. Many people who use decompression treatments will feel much better and notice that their functionality is coming back, so they can keep on moving.

References

Bjerke, Benjamin. “What Is Spinal Stenosis?” Spine, Spine-Health, 25 Nov. 2019, www.spine-health.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/what-spinal-stenosis.

Estefan, Martin, and Gaston O Camino Willhuber. “Laminectomy.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 1 May 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542274/.

Lurie, Jon, and Christy Tomkins-Lane. “Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.” BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.), British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 4 Jan. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6887476/.

Munakomi, Sunil, et al. “Spinal Stenosis And Neurogenic Claudication.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430872/.

Raja, Avais, et al. “Spinal Stenosis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 19 Dec. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441989/.

Disclaimer

Cheat Meals: Nutritious

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Celebrating Pancake day, healthy breakfast. Delicious homemade american bananas pancakes with chocolate and red orange on grey stone background. Copy space.

Maintaining a healthy weight is challenging, especially Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and extended weekends, increasing the risk of binge eating and weight gain. This is where healthy cheat meals and snacks come into play to help individuals stick to their diet while enjoying healthy junk food. Plus, finding the proper high-calorie carb-packed meal can help optimize the body’s hormones to prevent adverse effects on metabolism and hunger.

Table of Contents

Cheat Meals

One way to look at a diet and still have the flexibility for sweet or savory foods is to set up the flexibility. To maintain health, practice portion control and eat healthy foods 80% of the time, allowing a 20% margin for the junk foods. To improve health, eat healthy foods 90% of the time, and allow a 10% margin until a health goal is reached.

Cheeseburger without the Buns and Sweet Potato Fries

Try lean meat and replace the regular fries with sweet potato fries.
It is high in carbohydrates and calories but still contains plenty of nutrients.
Add a little salad, and there is a balanced meal that is the perfect fuel for working out.

Loaded Nachos

High in calories and carbs.
They can be made healthy with lean ground beef, beans, peppers, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, and jalapeños for a meal that incorporates quality protein and healthy fats.
It can be made vegetarian by removing the meat and adding more beans and vegetables.

Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are ideal for getting Omega-3s, lean protein, and vitamin D.
Easy to put together and can be combined with radishes, cucumbers, red onion, fennel, olives, and lemon juice for added flavor and health benefits.
By grilling, the calories will also be cut.

Pancakes

Try to always have ingredients on hand to make some pancakes.
Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and cinnamon apple sauce can be added.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be a healthy snack.
Dark chocolate contains monounsaturated fats that can help improve cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin levels.
Dark chocolate also supplies vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for heart and brain health.

Dietician Nutritionist

These are a few examples; the objective is to get individuals to learn to create their healthy cheat meals A diet or adjusting for a more nutritional food plan should always start with a nutritionist, dietician, or health care provider. They can help develop a customized plan that fits an individual’s specific needs. It is about finding the balance and creating a positive relationship with food.

Fibromyalgia Food Choices Nutraceutical Options

Decompression, Nutrition, and Rehabilitation

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References

Coelho de Vale R, et al. (2016). The benefits of behaving badly on occasion: Successful regulation by planned hedonic deviations.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2015.05.001

Kuijer RG, et al. (2014). Chocolate cake. Guilt or celebration? Associations with healthy eating attitudes, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and weight loss. DOI:
10.1016/j.appet.2013.11.013

Murray SB, et al. (2018). Cheat meals: A benign or ominous variant of binge eating behavior? DOI:
10.1016/j.appet.2018.08.026

Warren JM, et al. (2017). A structured literature review on the role of mindfulness, mindful eating, and intuitive eating in changing eating behaviors: Effectiveness and associated potential mechanisms. DOI:
10.1017/S0954422417000154

Degenerative Discs Relieved Through Decompression Therapy

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Table of Contents

Introduction

The spine has an S-shaped curve that helps the body keep standing and even protects the spinal cord from injuries. As part of the central nervous system, which helps transport the signals that the brain wants the send out to the rest of the body through the nerve roots that are branched out all over the body. The nerve roots have their job in providing the body motor and sensory functions incorporated in making the body move around. When the nerve roots or the spine becomes injured, it can lead to back and neck issues that can abruptly affect a person’s quality of life and cause them to be in constant pain. When this happens, a person will not be able to function correctly due to their nerves being aggravated and their spine being compressed. Today’s article focuses on two spinal conditions known as disc herniation and disc degenerative, how they affect the spine, and how nonsurgical decompression can help alleviate disc herniation and degenerative disc symptoms. Patients that are referred to qualified, skilled providers who specialize in decompression therapy. We accompanied our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking crucial questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

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How Degenerative Discs & Herniation Affect The Spine

Have you been experiencing pain running down from your neck to your lower back? How about shifting to a comfortable position that lessens the pain? Do your muscles ache after being hunched all day or after work? Many of these symptoms are spinal issues that inflict pain on the neck and back. The two spinal issues that affect the spine are degenerative discs and herniation. Research studies have shown that degenerative discs usually affect the spine through natural aging and wear and tear on the discs in between the spine. Degenerative spinal discs will begin to inflict more pressure on the spinal discs and even cause the spinal vertebrae to start rubbing against each other. Additional information has found that disc degeneration starts early throughout a person’s life. Disc herniation is often considered the early step for disc degeneration in the spine, thus causing painful symptoms to rise.

For disc herniation, research studies have mentioned that when the spine is dealing with disc herniation, disc degeneration is not too far behind. When the spine begins to flatten and squeeze on the discs, it can rapidly dehydrate them and protrude out of its original position. Other times disc herniation is mainly caused when a person is lifting or carrying heavy weights from one place to another. This causes the body itself to be unstable and invokes pain in the lower back or neck. Additional research has shown that the pathology of intervertebral discs is a common disorder that many people do suffer from. The pathology of intervertebral disc disorders can cause various symptoms that can progressively worsen over time if it is not treated right away.

The Symptoms These Two Cause In The Spine

The symptoms of disc herniation and degeneration are usually the same, depending on where the pain is located in the body. For disc degeneration, research shows that when a person suffers from degenerative discs in the spine, they experience continuous moderate low back pain that can cause the lower half to ache. This goes the same way for disc herniation, as many people will change their movements and postures to relieve the pain. Other symptoms that disc herniation and degeneration cause in the spine and body include:

Leg pain
Muscle tenderness
Sciatica
Nerve pain
Loss of sensory functions on the feet and back

Thankfully, there are treatments available to lessen the effects of disc herniation and degeneration. Experiencing these symptoms can dampen a person’s day since they are in constant pain. When the pain symptoms range from mild to severe, many suffering individuals try to find ways to alleviate the pain and try to get by through the rest of their day.

An Overview Of Spinal Decompression Works- Video

How Spinal Decompression Works - Degenerative Disc Disease

Have you been experiencing low back pain throughout the day? Does your sciatic nerve flare up every time you are out and about? Do you feel muscle tenderness in certain parts of your back? Disc herniation and degeneration are spinal issues that can affect your quality of life and make you in constant pain if it is not taken care of. Fortunately, treatment is available that can help provide you with the relief you desperately need: spinal decompression. The video above explains how spinal decompression works on individuals suffering from degenerative discs in their spine. Spinal decompression can help stop the progression of degenerative discs by utilizing mechanical traction on the spine to gently pull on the spinal joints to increase the height of the compressed discs and take the pressure off of the nearby nerve roots. Spinal decompression can also help loosen the tight, tense muscles in the cervical and lumbar portions of the body and provide fantastic relief. Spinal decompression for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in preventing disc herniation and stopping the progression of disc degeneration. This link will explain how spinal decompression offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain herniation or disc degeneration.

Non-Surgical Decompression Alleviating Degenerative Disc & Herniation

With many available treatments that help alleviate the symptoms of disc degeneration and herniation on the spine and back, nonsurgical spinal decompression can help reset the spinal discs back to their original position. Research studies mentioned that nonsurgical spinal decompression is one of the most widely used methods for conservative treatment that incorporates negative pressure and sufficient tension to the spine, causing an increase in the disc height. Nonsurgical decompression can also help loose ligaments to retighten in the spinal cord, thus resetting the herniated disc back in the spine and even rehydrating the disc. Many people will begin to get their quality of life back together after a few sessions with spinal decompression and not be in constant pain.

Conclusion

The spine has an essential job in ensuring that the body is standing and that it can be on the move. The S-shaped curvature located in the back has nearby ligaments, nerves, and muscles to protect the spine and spinal cord from injuries. Unfortunately, the body and the spine age naturally and can cause the spinal discs to harden and eventually crack. This causes disc herniation and degeneration, causing a wide range of pain issues that affect the entire body. Treatments like spinal decompression allow the spinal discs to be restored to their original function and provide relief to the nearby components around the spine. Incorporating spinal decompression can bring back a person’s quality of life and stop these spinal issues from progressing further.

References

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

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

Donnally, Chester J, et al. “Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 6 Mar. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/.

Khan, Hashim. “Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Symptoms.” Spine, Spine-Health, 23 Apr. 2018, www.spine-health.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/lumbar-degenerative-disc-disease-symptoms.

Schroeder, Josh E, et al. “Disc Degeneration after Disc Herniation: Are We Accelerating the Process?” Evidence-Based Spine-Care Journal, © AOSpine International, Nov. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3592777/.

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