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Chronic Back Pain

Back Clinic Chronic Back Pain Team. Chronic back pain has a far-reaching effect on many physiological processes. Dr. Jimenez reveals topics and issues affecting his patients. Understanding the pain is critical to its treatment. So here we begin the process for our patients in the journey of recovery.

Just about everyone feels pain from time to time. When you cut your finger or pull a muscle, pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Once the injury heals, you stop hurting.

Chronic pain is different. Your body keeps hurting weeks, months, or even years after the injury. Doctors often define chronic pain as any pain that lasts for 3 to 6 months or more.

Chronic back pain can have real effects on your day-to-day life and your mental health. But you and your doctor can work together to treat it.

Do call upon us to help you. We do understand the problem that should never be taken lightly.


Reducing Somatosensory Pain With Spinal Decompression

Reducing Somatosensory Pain With Spinal Decompression

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

Introduction

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

 

How Does Somatosensory Pain Affect The Legs & Back?

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

 

 

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

 


Move Better, Live Better- Video

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


Spinal Decompression Reduces Somatosenosory Pain

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

 

 

 

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


References

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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Advanced Oscillation Protocols For Spinal Decompression

Advanced Oscillation Protocols For Spinal Decompression

In many individuals with spinal issues, how does spinal decompression compared with traditional care restore muscle strength?

Introduction

Many people unknowingly put pressure on their spines during daily activities, causing intervertebral disc compression and tightness in surrounding ligaments, muscles, nerve roots, and tissues. Repetitive motions and aging can also lead to intervertebral disc cracking and misalignment, resulting in pain and discomfort in the three common areas: the back, neck, and shoulders. Spinal stenosis is a spinal condition where the spinal cord is compressed and narrow and can cause symptoms of muscle weakness and pain to the upper and lower body extremities if left untreated. This article explores how non-surgical treatments like advanced oscillation and spinal decompression can restore muscle strength and alleviate the effects of spinal stenosis. By working with certified medical providers who use our patients’ information to treat individuals suffering from spinal stenosis. We inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain spinal mobility and restore muscle strength. We encourage our patients to ask essential questions while seeking education from our associated medical providers about their situation. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Spinal Stenosis Causing Muscle Strength Issues

Do you find yourself struggling to hold onto objects while doing activities? Are you experiencing strange sensations like numbness or tingling in your arms or legs? Or you’re dealing with chronic back and neck pain that won’t go away. These issues can all be related to problems with your spine, which can cause your muscles to weaken and lead to conditions like low back pain, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.

 

 

Research shows that spinal stenosis is a common condition caused by nerve root impingement or ischemia in the spinal canal. This can lead to pain, weakness, sensory loss in your extremities, and tingling or numbness in your hands or feet. Additionally, studies have found that spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine can increase your risk of developing locomotive syndrome, which can further affect the muscle strength in your arms and legs. {Kasukawa, 2019

 

Strong muscles are important for daily movements, such as using your arms, legs, hands, and feet. However, spinal stenosis affects your muscle strength. In that case, it can cause various issues, including numbness or tingling in your upper and lower limbs, severe pain when walking but relief when sitting or resting, decreased grip strength, sciatic pain that mimics and reduced walking distance. While spinal stenosis can be caused by normal or traumatic factors that affect the mobility, flexibility, and stability of the upper and lower muscle quadrants in the body, several available treatments can alleviate the effects of spinal stenosis and help restore muscle strength to the body.

 


Discovering The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care-Video

Many people experiencing musculoskeletal pain symptoms related to spinal stenosis use over-the-counter medication, hot/cold therapy, and stretching to alleviate the referred pain. Traditional surgery is an effective option to remove the damaged disc that is aggravating the nerve root and relieve the spinal column. However, this surgery is typically only recommended when other treatments have failed and can be expensive. {Herrington, 2023} Nevertheless, numerous cost-effective non-surgical treatments are available to help reduce the pain-like symptoms caused by spinal stenosis and alleviate associated symptoms. Chiropractic care and spinal decompression are non-surgical treatments that use mechanical and manipulated techniques to realign the body and minimize nerve entrapment that causes pain-like symptoms. The video above provides more information about how non-surgical treatments can assist many individuals in maintaining mobility and flexibility by providing a personalized treatment plan to prevent the recurrence of musculoskeletal and spinal conditions.


Advanced Oscillation For Spinal Stenosis

Many people opt for non-surgical treatments such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, spinal decompression, and advanced oscillation to alleviate pain. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” written by Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., it is noted that advanced oscillation therapy can be tailored to an individual’s needs, helping to minimize pain symptoms caused by spinal stenosis. Advanced oscillation settings can help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms associated with spinal stenosis while promoting the replenishment of nutrients in the spine. In addition, advanced oscillation can help the body restructure and re-tone the targeted spinal structures, loosening them up and reducing nerve entrapment. Advanced oscillation is one of the non-surgical treatments that synergizes well with spinal decompression.

 

Spinal Decompression To Restore Muscle Strength

Now spinal decompression has a unique ability to reduce the effects of spinal stenosis as it is safe on the spine, cost-effective, and non-invasive. What spinal decompression therapy does to the body is like advanced oscillation. It uses gentle traction to reduce intervertebral disc pressure through negative pressure, allowing oxygen, fluids, and nutrients to the spinal disc and releasing the aggravating nerve root. {Choi, 2015} Spinal decompression can also help restore disc height from the spine, allowing the compressed disc causing spinal stenosis to be put back into its original space. {Kang, 2016} When many individuals start thinking about their health and wellness, non-surgical treatments can give them a positive experience and improve their pain.

 


References

Choi, J., Lee, S., & Hwangbo, G. (2015). 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, 27(2), 481–483. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.481

Herrington, B. J., Fernandes, R. R., Urquhart, J. C., Rasoulinejad, P., Siddiqi, F., & Bailey, C. S. (2023). L3-L4 Hyperlordosis and Decreased Lower Lumbar Lordosis Following Short-Segment L4-L5 Lumbar Fusion Surgery is Associated With L3-L4 Revision Surgery for Adjacent Segment Stenosis. Global Spine Journal, 21925682231191414. doi.org/10.1177/21925682231191414

Kang, J.-I., Jeong, D.-K., & Choi, H. (2016). Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3125–3130. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.3125

Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

Kasukawa, Y., Miyakoshi, N., Hongo, M., Ishikawa, Y., Kudo, D., Kijima, H., Kimura, R., Ono, Y., Takahashi, Y., & Shimada, Y. (2019). Lumbar spinal stenosis associated with progression of locomotive syndrome and lower extremity muscle weakness. Clinical Interventions in Aging, Volume 14, 1399–1405. doi.org/10.2147/cia.s201974

Munakomi, S., Foris, L. A., & Varacallo, M. (2020). Spinal Stenosis And Neurogenic Claudication. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430872/

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IDD Therapy Treatment Protocols For Spinal Decompression

IDD Therapy Treatment Protocols For Spinal Decompression

Introduction

Many individuals are unaware of their pain until they perform specific movements that cause discomfort. This is due to the heavy weight that causes the body to carry an axial overload, compressing the spinal disc, which can lead to herniation or degeneration over time if not treated promptly. Compressed spinal discs can cause chronic conditions such as low back pain, spinal stenosis, or intervertebral disc disease (IDD). Several factors contribute to the development of IDD, including chronic conditions that can lead to compressed spinal discs. This condition can be relieved over time through therapy treatments that can reduce the pain effects of IDD and help individuals be more mindful of their spine. This article will discuss IDD therapy’s role in relieving spine pain, treatment protocols, and how it is combined with spinal decompression, a non-surgical therapy. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from back and spinal disc degeneration while informing them about non-surgical treatments like IDD(intervertebral disc degeneration) therapy and spinal decompression that can help relieve their pain and help rehydrate their spinal disc. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

What Is IDD Therapy?

The spine comprises muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, and bones extending from the skull’s base to the bottom of the sacrum. Its primary function is to keep the body upright and protect the spinal cord from injuries. According to research studies, the spinal discs act as shock absorbers during movement and can become damaged over time, causing pain-like symptoms and chronic conditions. IDD therapy is a common treatment for reducing pain caused by degenerative discs. 

 

 

Research suggests that intervertebral disc degeneration can cause symptoms related to musculoskeletal disorders such as low back pain, disc herniation, and spinal stenosis. Conservative and non-invasive treatments can reduce the pain-like symptoms and effects caused by IDD. IDD therapy allows the spine to be re-toned, restructured and re-educated. Like spinal decompression, IDD therapy uses gentle traction pulling to rehydrate the discs and reduce the pressure on the nerve roots, as stated by research studies. IDD therapy helps restore muscle strength, increase the spine’s range of motion, and promote the body’s natural healing process to reduce spinal pain associated with environmental factors.


Home Exercise For Pain Relief- Video

Do you experience difficulty doing activities due to back pain? Do you feel stiffness or instability in your lower back? These may be symptoms of intervertebral degenerative disease caused by repetitive motions. IDD can cause chronic musculoskeletal disorders and disability. However, available non-surgical treatments like IDD therapy, which uses negative pressure to rehydrate the spinal disc, can reduce pain. Other non-surgical therapies like chiropractic care and physical therapy can help restore mobility and strengthen back muscles. Check out the video above for home exercise routines that relieve pain.


IDD Treatment Protocols

 

Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., wrote “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” explaining how chiropractors and massage therapists use personalized IDD therapy plans to treat musculoskeletal pain associated with intervertebral degenerative disease. IDD therapy involves strapping the individual to a traction machine and utilizing specific protocols for treatment.

 

The Treatment Schedule

The first step in IDD therapy is examining the individual’s range of motion, muscle strength, nerve conduction, and SSEP tests. This allows the doctor to document the pain’s location and develop a personalized treatment plan, including the indicated problem, treatment frequency, duration, etc. Afterward, the individual will receive other treatments before the IDD traction therapy machine.

  • Therapeutic Ultrasound
  • Electro-stimulation
  • Interferential Stimulation
  • Hydrocolator

This machine gently pulls the spine to create negative space between the spinal column, allowing nutrients to rehydrate the disc and begin healing. The process lasts 20-30 minutes and may cause mild soreness, but progress is seen after a few sessions.

 

Pre-& Post-Session Physical Therapy

The benefit of combining IDD therapy with physical therapy is that stretching techniques can loosen the surrounding muscles before spinal mobilization, allowing the soft tissues to accept the treatment. After treatment, cryo-therapeutic therapy or an ice pack can alleviate soreness and inflammation. Drinking plenty of water is important to replenish intra-cellular cells, and physical activities can be slowly incorporated to strengthen muscles.

 

Conclusion

Taking care of the spine is important by not constantly allowing axial overload to compress the spinal disc through repetitive motion. This causes the disc to degenerate and lead to back pain. However, non-surgical treatments like IDD therapy can help reduce the pain and help strengthen the surrounding muscles protecting the spine. IDD therapy is similar to spinal decompression, which allows the individual to be harnessed to a machine and uses gentle traction on the spine to create negative space in the spinal column and promote the body’s healing factors. Many individuals can see the beneficial results over time and continue their daily routine pain-free.

 

References

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Why People Spend More On Back & Neck Pain?

Why People Spend More On Back & Neck Pain?

Introduction

Many people experience neck and back pain due to various factors that affect their daily routine. These pain conditions are common and can be caused by repetitive motions that impact the surrounding muscles, tissues, ligaments, and spinal discs. Chronic pain can develop depending on the severity and duration of the condition. People with demanding jobs, pre-existing conditions, or older adults may seek medical attention to reduce the pain-like symptoms of neck and back pain. However, treatment costs can be high. There are safe, cost-effective, and non-invasive treatments to relieve neck and back pain. This article will explore why neck and back pain is expensive and why non-surgical treatments are cost-effective. It will also discuss how non-surgical therapies like spinal decompression can alleviate back and neck pain. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from back and neck pain while informing them about non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression that can help relieve their neck and back pain. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Why Does Back & Neck Pain Cost More?

Many people report to their primary doctors that they are experiencing radiating pain from the neck or lower back, which affects their upper or lower extremities. For neck pain, they may experience headaches or shoulder pain that causes pain-like symptoms like numbness or tingling sensations down to their arms and fingers. For back pain, they may experience muscle soreness in their lumbar region, which can result in numbness in the glute muscles or cause sciatic nerve pain, affecting their walking ability. Research studies reveal that cognitive, affective, and lifestyle factors all affect the neck and back. High-demanding jobs, stress, or trauma from an accident can develop neck and back pain. As a result, the body takes more overbearing loads, tightening the surrounding muscles in the neck and back. If not treated right away, it can lead to problematic issues that disrupt their routine.

 

 

Based on the book “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression” by Dr. Eric Kaplan D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., humans’ evolution to walk upright has strained their stability, leading to axial overload and potential neck and back pain. The book also highlights that the human body was not meant to remain sedentary, which can also contribute to the development of such pain. Research studies revealed that neck and back pain can be nociceptive with neuropathic components, making treatment costly and time-consuming. This economic burden can discourage individuals from seeking treatment despite the pain and expense involved.


Fighting Inflammation Naturally- Video

Are you experiencing persistent neck and back pain? Do your upper or lower extremities feel stiff or tingly? Or is your mobility limited, interfering with your daily activities? These issues are often associated with neck and back pain, disrupting a person’s routine and preventing them from enjoying life. Neck and back pain are common ailments that can be expensive to treat. Research studies revealed that they can also influence individuals’ ability to return to work, increasing treatment costs.

 

 

Additionally, pain-like symptoms often accompany neck and back pain, leading some individuals to spend nearly a billion dollars on treatment. However, cost-effective treatments are available that can help alleviate these symptoms. The video above explains how non-surgical treatments can reduce neck and back pain and relieve pain-like symptoms.


Why Non-Surgical Treatments Are Cost Effective?

 

Research studies have shown that non-surgical treatments are a cost-effective and effective solution for neck and back pain. Many individuals can utilize these treatments combined with various therapies to improve their quality of life and reduce pain symptoms. Non-surgical treatments offer personalized plans as healthcare providers work together to find solutions. They provide individuals with a positive approach to regaining their health and wellness by informing them about their bodies and how to be more mindful of how pain affects their daily routines. Some non-surgical treatments that can relieve neck and back pain include:

  • Chiropractic care
  • Physical therapy
  • Spinal Decompression
  • Acupuncture
  • Massage therapy

 

How Spinal Decompression Can Alleviate Back & Neck Pain

 

You might be interested in non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression if you suffer back or neck pain. This technique uses gentle traction on the spinal column to alleviate pain while helping your body heal naturally. Research studies have found that cervical spinal decompression can increase disc height and reduce pain caused by compressed cervical discs. This treatment can also alleviate residual pain symptoms like headaches or muscle stiffness and restore mobility to the neck. For back pain, research suggests that spinal decompression can reduce the effects of compressed spinal discs, which can aggravate nerve roots like the sciatic nerve in the lumbar region. Many people who try spinal decompression feel relief after just a few sessions and become more mindful of what triggers their pain. This can help them make small lifestyle changes to continue their journey toward health and wellness.

 

Conclusion

Many people struggle with neck and back pain, which can be caused by multiple normal and traumatic factors and can be costly. Individuals often prefer to endure the pain rather than subject themselves to invasive treatments. However, non-surgical therapies that are cost-effective and gentle on the body are available. Spinal decompression therapy is one such treatment that can help alleviate pain and promote the body’s natural healing processes. By reducing pain symptoms, many individuals who undergo spinal decompression therapy can return to their daily routines pain-free.

 

References

Daniel, D. M. (2007). Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media? Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 15(1). doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-7

Driessen, M. T., Lin, C.-W. C., & van Tulder, M. W. (2012). Cost-effectiveness of conservative treatments for neck pain: a systematic review on economic evaluations. European Spine Journal, 21(8), 1441–1450. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-012-2272-5

Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

Kazeminasab, S., Nejadghaderi, S. A., Amiri, P., Pourfathi, H., Araj-Khodaei, M., Sullman, M. J. M., Kolahi, A.-A., & Safiri, S. (2022). Neck pain: global epidemiology, trends and risk factors. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23(1). doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4

Kleinman, N., Patel, A. A., Benson, C., Macario, A., Kim, M., & Biondi, D. M. (2014). Economic Burden of Back and Neck Pain: Effect of a Neuropathic Component. Population Health Management, 17(4), 224–232. doi.org/10.1089/pop.2013.0071

Xu, Q., Tian, X., Bao, X., Liu, D., Zeng, F., & Sun, Q. (2022). Nonsurgical spinal decompression system traction combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of multi-segmental cervical disc herniation. Medicine, 101(3), e28540. doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000028540

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The Real Cost Of Back Pain

The Real Cost Of Back Pain

Introduction

Back pain is widespread and can negatively impact an individual’s work productivity. The severity and location of where the pain can vary from acute to chronic, making it a complex problem that can be expensive to treat. Several factors can contribute to back pain, affecting the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and spinal discs in the spinal region. The most commonly affected area where back pain is causing issues is the lumbar region, which supports the upper body’s weight and stabilizes the lower body. Lower back pain can also cause radiating referred pain down to the legs, further affecting an individual’s quality of life. In this article, we will explore the economic cost and burden of chronic back pain and how spinal decompression can help alleviate the pain, allowing many individuals to return to work pain-free. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals with back pain and inform them about non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression that can help relieve them from back pain and get them back to their daily activities. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

The Burden Of Chronic Back Pain

 

Back pain can range from acute to chronic, depending on the extent of the injury. It can affect the non-specific or specific area of the spine. Non-specific back pain doesn’t have an underlying cause, while specific back pain is due to environmental factors that increase the risk of compressing the spinal discs. Research studies revealed that back pain can be a burden because it is difficult to treat and costly, affecting millions of individuals in the workplace. It is a widespread musculoskeletal disorder that can be disheartening without relief.

 

The Economic Cost Of Back Pain

Back pain is a significant cause of work loss and limitations for many individuals, as reported by “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression” by Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., and Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA. Working adults with back pain are more likely to utilize healthcare services, leading to costs of over $12 billion per year, making it one of the most expensive conditions in the U.S. Additional research studies revealed that back pain has a greater economic impact than most other health conditions due to its effect on work absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased risk of leaving the labor market. This can leave working adults feeling disheartened, angry, depressed, and stressed. However, many cost-effective and safe treatments can help relieve individuals suffering from back pain, eliminating the need for expensive surgeries.

 


Reducing Soft Tissue Injuries With Chiropractic-Video

Are you suffering from pain that radiates from your back down to your legs? Do you experience stiffness in certain areas of your back or constant stress affecting your work productivity? If so, you may be dealing with back pain, a common complaint among many individuals in the workforce. Depending on its severity, back pain can be either specific or non-specific and is a complex condition that can be expensive to treat. Unfortunately, many working adults continue to work with back pain, which can cause them to take a leave of absence from work due to the pain. This can lead to more harm and disability since the pain can be unbearable. However, there are ways to reduce the effects of back pain and provide relief to many working individuals. Non-surgical treatments such as MET, chiropractic manipulation, traction therapy, and spinal decompression can help reduce the impact of back pain by relieving pain from the surrounding muscles, soft tissues, and ligaments affected by back pain. Additionally, individuals can combine non-surgical treatments with other therapies to prevent back pain from reoccurring and promote overall health and wellness. A video demonstrating these non-surgical treatments is available for your convenience.


The Effects Of Spinal Decompression On Back Pain

 

Many individuals choose non-surgical treatments to alleviate back pain for their cost-effectiveness, safety, and non-invasiveness. One such treatment is spinal decompression, which research studies have shown to improve lumbar spine conditions in individuals with associated back pain. Spinal decompression uses gentle traction to pull the spine and allow compressed spinal discs to return to their original position, restoring nutrients and oxygenated blood and reducing back pain’s effects. It also relieves nerve root compression, which can affect surrounding muscles. Through regular spinal decompression sessions, individuals can begin to feel relief from back pain while becoming more mindful of the environmental factors that cause it.

 

Conclusion

Many people in the workforce suffer from back pain, causing them to miss work frequently. This problem is common and expensive to treat due to its complexity. Back pain is often accompanied by other symptoms associated with various conditions that can cause chronic pain. Fortunately, cost-effective and safe treatments can help alleviate back pain and allow individuals to return to work. One effective treatment is spinal decompression, which involves gentle traction that pulls the spine and relieves associated symptoms. This non-surgical treatment is safe, affordable and helps the body heal naturally. After a few sessions, many individuals experience significant relief from back pain and reduced chances of recurrence.

 

References

Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

Phillips, C. J. (2009). The Cost and Burden of Chronic Pain. Reviews in Pain, 3(1), 2–5. doi.org/10.1177/204946370900300102

Srinivas, S., Paquet, J., Bailey, C., Nataraj, A., Stratton, A., Johnson, M. K., Salo, P. T., Christie, S., Fisher, C. G., Hall, H., Manson, N. B., Y. Raja Rampersaud, Thomas, K. R., Hall, H., & Dea, N. (2019). Effect of spinal decompression on back pain in lumbar spinal stenosis: a Canadian Spine Outcomes Research Network (CSORN) study. The Spine Journal, 19(6), 1001–1008. doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2019.01.003

Urits, I., Burshtein, A., Sharma, M., Testa, L., Gold, P. A., Orhurhu, V., Viswanath, O., Jones, M. R., Sidransky, M. A., Spektor, B., & Kaye, A. D. (2019). Low Back Pain, a Comprehensive Review: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Current Pain and Headache Reports, 23(3). doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1

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The Difference Between Surgery & Decompression For Back Pain

The Difference Between Surgery & Decompression For Back Pain

Introduction

Back pain is a common problem that affects people worldwide, but many individuals are unaware of it until they experience constant back muscle aches. Back pain can impact the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine and can even lead to referred pain in the arms and legs. Repetitive movements, poor posture, prolonged sitting, and physical inactivity are common causes of back pain. In some cases, traumatic incidents or accidents can also contribute to the development of back pain. To manage back pain, individuals often seek treatments to alleviate it and improve their quality of life. In this article, we’ll explore two treatments to help alleviate back pain and provide tips on managing the pain effectively. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals with back pain and find the right treatment to alleviate their pain. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Spine Surgery For Low Back Pain

Are you experiencing pain in your upper, middle, or lower back? Do you feel a radiating pain running down your arms or legs, or have you noticed that you are hunching over more than usual? These symptoms are often associated with back pain, which can be debilitating. Many people who suffer from back pain seek relief and may opt for surgery to alleviate their symptoms. Research studies revealed that spinal surgery could effectively reduce neurogenic pain and deficits that exacerbate spinal nerve root compression and may help individuals regain their functionality and mobility. However, as research studies stated, surgery is typically recommended only after conservative treatments have been tried for at least six months without success. Several surgical options are available, including injection therapy, non-fusion stabilization, facet and disc replacement, and spinal fusion surgery, which may relieve back pain.

 

Managing Back Pain After Surgery

Individuals who undergo surgery for back pain must follow a recovery plan to prevent the pain from recurring. Research studies suggest that the effects of spinal surgery for back pain should last for three days, after which adequate rest is essential. Following this, individuals should become pain-free and able to move again. To prevent back pain from returning, doctors often recommend changing daily habits and activities and creating a personalized treatment plan to strengthen back muscles. While surgery for back pain can be expensive, non-surgical treatments are available to alleviate the pain.

 


The Science Of Motion & Chiropractic Care- Video

Are you experiencing pain in your upper, middle, or lower back? Do you feel discomfort, stiffness, or aches when stretching? Have you engaged in activities that can strain your back muscles? These symptoms often indicate back pain, a common problem many people face at some point. Several factors contribute to back pain, including repetitive movements, spinal disc compression, and spinal nerve root irritation. Physical inactivity, prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, and poor posture are common causes of back pain that can lead to disability. However, various treatments can alleviate the effects of back pain and prevent it from recurring. The video above demonstrates how chiropractic care can help relieve back pain by using spinal manipulation to align the spine. Chiropractic care is a safe, gentle, and affordable non-surgical treatment that can be combined with other therapies to prevent future back pain.


Spinal Decompression For Back Pain

 

When relieving back pain, some people avoid surgery because it can be expensive. Fortunately, alternative treatments are safe, affordable, and gentle on the spine. Non-surgical options can relieve many individuals suffering from back pain without surgery. Research shows that spinal decompression is an effective treatment that uses gentle traction to create negative pressure in the spinal disc. This can increase hydration and reduce pressure on the nerve root, which can alleviate back pain. Spinal decompression can also help relax and stretch the back muscles by gently pulling the spine. This treatment is cost-effective and can be combined with other therapies to prevent the return of back pain.

 

The Effects Of Spinal Decompression On Back Pain

Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., wrote “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” which states that spinal decompression is safe and effective in reducing back pain. Through spinal decompression, the herniated disc causing back pain is pulled back to its original position, allowing the surrounding nerve roots to relax. Research studies have shown that spinal decompression can help increase spinal disc height and restore mobility to the back and spine, enabling individuals to return to their daily activities without pain.

 

Conclusion

Across the world back pain is a widespread problem that affects many people worldwide. It can be a significant problem if left untreated. Fortunately, numerous treatment options can alleviate the symptoms and allow individuals to resume their daily activities. The two main types of treatment are surgical and non-surgical therapies. While surgical treatment can be effective, it is also expensive. Non-surgical therapy, on the other hand, is cost-effective. Combining these treatments with other therapies is possible to decrease the likelihood of back pain returning. By listening to their bodies and taking preventive measures, individuals can avoid a reoccurrence of pain.

 

References

Bajwa, S. J., & Haldar, R. (2015). Pain management following spinal surgeries: An appraisal of the available options. Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine, 6(3), 105. doi.org/10.4103/0974-8237.161589

Baliga, S., Treon, K., & Craig, N. J. A. (2015). Low Back Pain: Current Surgical Approaches. Asian Spine Journal, 9(4), 645. doi.org/10.4184/asj.2015.9.4.645

Choi, J., Lee, S., & Hwangbo, G. (2015). 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, 27(2), 481–483. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.481

Evans, L., O’Donohoe, T., Morokoff, A., & Drummond, K. (2022). The role of spinal surgery in the treatment of low back pain. Medical Journal of Australia, 218(1), 40–45. doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51788

Kang, J.-I., Jeong, D.-K., & Choi, H. (2016). Effect of spinal decompression on the lumbar muscle activity and disk height in patients with herniated intervertebral disk. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3125–3130. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.28.3125

Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

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Middle Back Trigger Points: El Paso Back Clinic

Middle Back Trigger Points: El Paso Back Clinic

Upper and middle/mid-back pain and/or pain between the shoulder blades is common for individuals who spend long hours sitting or standing. Stress, tension, and repetitive movements can cause middle-back trigger points to develop. Symptoms occur anywhere from the neck’s base to the bottom of the rib cage. Trigger point development and reoccurrence can contribute to chronic upper and middle back pain. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can release, relieve and help prevent trigger points through various therapies and treatment plans.

Middle Back Trigger Points: EP's Chiropractic Injury Specialists

Middle Back Trigger Points

The ribs attach to the sternum and adhere to and wrap around the back. Pain and sensation symptoms can radiate to other places where the nerve travels if a nerve in this area is pinched, irritated, or injured. The muscle groups of the chest region also have a significant role in middle back trigger point development. Tension in the chest muscles can overload the muscles of the mid-back region, causing tightness. This happens to individuals that release the trigger points in the mid-back muscles but fail to address the trigger points in the chest muscles, causing reactivation that could worsen the injury. Three muscle groups can cause trigger point referred pain between the shoulder blades include:

  • Rhomboids
  • Middle Trapezius
  • Pectoralis Major

Rhomboid Trigger Points Between the Shoulder Blades

  • The Rhomboid muscle group is found in the mid-back region, between the shoulder blades.
  • These muscles attach along the spine and run diagonally downward to connect to the inside of the shoulder blade.
  • The contraction causes the shoulder blades to retract and rotate.
  • Trigger points only cause pain in the region of the muscle group.
  • They can cause tenderness in the region and the spinous process or the bony tip extending from the lamina or part that can be felt when touching the back.
  • The pain is often described as burning.

Rhomboid Trigger Symptoms

  • A common symptom is superficial aching between the shoulder blades that individuals try to rub with their fingers to get relief.
  • Intense pain can extend upward to the shoulder area above the blade and into the neck area.
  • Individuals may hear or feel a crunching and snapping as they move the shoulder blades.
  • The common rounded-shoulder and forward-head hunching posture are nearly always present in individuals with these trigger points.

Middle Trapezius Trigger Points

  • The trapezius is the large, diamond-shaped muscle group that forms the base of the neck and upper back.
  • It has attachment points at the bottom of the skull, along the spine, collarbone, and shoulder blade.
  • When this muscle contracts, it moves the shoulder blade.
  • Movements can also affect the neck and head region.
  • Trigger points in the middle portion of this muscle refer to pain between the shoulder blades and the spine.
  • Trigger points develop for several reasons, including unhealthy postures, stress, injuries, falls, and sleeping positions.
  • Additionally, tension and added trigger points in the chest muscles can overload the Trapezius muscle fibers, causing trigger point development.

Trapezius Symptoms

  • It can be difficult to distinguish pain from the middle trapezius and rhomboid trigger points.
  • Pain in the middle trapezius can have more of a burning sensation and often extends over the thoracic spine.
  • The pain referral to the spine can activate secondary trigger points in the surrounding muscles.

Pectoralis Major Trigger Points

  • The Pectoralis Major muscle group is the large, flat muscles in the upper chest region.
  • The muscle has four overlapping sections that attach to the ribs, collarbone, chest bone, and upper arm at the shoulder.
  • The muscle group contracts when pushing with the arms in front of the body and rotating the arms inward towards the trunk.
  • Trigger points can radiate pain symptoms to the chest, shoulder, and breast regions.
  • Numbness and/or pain can radiate down the inside of the arm and into the fingers.
  • Trigger points in this muscle group can activate triggers in the upper back, causing pain symptoms between the shoulder blades.

Pectoralis Major Symptoms

  • Individuals will present with chest pain, front shoulder pain, and pain traveling down the inside of the arm to the elbow.
  • If referred pain occurs on the person’s left side, it can be similar to cardiac pain.
  • Consult a cardiologist to rule out cardiac involvement before investigating trigger points.
  • The pain will initially occur on one side of the chest but can spread to the other as it intensifies.
  • In many, the pain is only experienced with the movement of the arms and goes away or decreases with rest.
  • Simultaneous pain in the mid-back, between the shoulder blades, frequently occurs.
  • In women, there may be nipple sensitivity and pain in the breast.
  • The breast can become enlarged from the tension causing impaired lymphatic drainage.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractors treat myofascial pain syndromes such as myofascial trigger points or adhesions with various therapies. A chiropractor will locate trigger points by pressing muscle tissue or manipulating the muscle fibers. Once the trigger points have been found, treatment can include:

  • Massage.
  • Percussive Massage.
  • MET techniques.
  • Myofascial release techniques.
  • Applied pressure to reduce pain gradually.
  • Direct pressure upon the trigger point.
  • Chiropractic adjustments.
  • Targeted stretching.
  • Decompression.
  • Health coaching.

Fighting Inflammation Naturally


References

Barbero, Marco, et al. “Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points: evaluation and treatment in patients with musculoskeletal pain.” Current Opinion in Supportive and palliative care vol. 13,3 (2019): 270-276. doi:10.1097/SPC.0000000000000445

Bethers, Amber H et al. “Positional release therapy and therapeutic massage reduce muscle trigger and tender points.” Journal of Bodywork and movement therapies vol. 28 (2021): 264-270. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.07.005

Birinci, Tansu, et al. “Stretching exercises combined with ischemic compression in pectoralis minor muscle with latent trigger points: A single-blind, randomized, controlled pilot trial.” Complementary therapies in clinical practice vol. 38 (2020): 101080. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.101080

Farrell C, Kiel J. Anatomy, Back, Rhomboid Muscles. [Updated 2023 May 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534856/

Gupta, Lokesh, and Shri Prakash Singh. “Ultrasound-Guided Trigger Point Injection for Myofascial Trigger Points in the Subscapularis and Pectoralis Muscles.” Yonsei medical journal vol. 57,2 (2016): 538. doi:10.3349/ymj.2016.57.2.538

Moraska, Albert F et al. “Responsiveness of Myofascial Trigger Points to Single and Multiple Trigger Point Release Massages: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” American Journal of physical medicine & Rehabilitation vol. 96,9 (2017): 639-645. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000000728

Sadria, Golnaz, et al. “A comparison of the effect of the active release and muscle energy techniques on the latent trigger points of the upper trapezius.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 21,4 (2017): 920-925. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.10.005

Tiric-Campara, Merita, et al. “Occupational overuse syndrome (technological diseases): carpal tunnel syndrome, a mouse shoulder, cervical pain syndrome.” Acta informatica medica : AIM : journal of the Society for Medical Informatics of Bosnia & Herzegovina : casopis Drustva za medicinsku informatiku BiH vol. 22,5 (2014): 333-40. doi:10.5455/aim.2014.22.333-340