 Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
October 1, 8:51 PM
|
For individuals who may need to take pain medications to manage an injury or condition, can knowing the potential side effects help in treatment? Medications For Pain Side Effects Over-the-counter and prescription pain medications can help relieve physical discomfort and distress but can also cause side effects. Patients may not manifest side effects when using certain meds or experience mild, limited, severe, or intolerable effects. Pain medication side effects can include: - Allergic reactions
- Upset stomach
- Bruising
- Dizziness
However, medication side effects don't affect everyone in the same way. Pain Relief The patient and their healthcare provider can decide whether they risk developing side effects and which effects they are more predisposed to. Individuals may be susceptible to side effects from certain medications but are likely to tolerate others. For example, individuals with a history of ulcers may be recommended to avoid anti-inflammatories. For those who have trouble sleeping, it is recommended to avoid pain meds that are known to interfere with sleep. Reading Labels and Asking Questions When taking over-the-counter medications, read the label for side effects, then weigh the possible risks against the medicine's benefits for pain relief. Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider about anything that is not understood. Some side effects are medical emergencies, such as allergic reactions. Recognizing the signs of an allergic reaction and being prepared to call for emergency help if symptoms present. (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2024) These can include: - Itching
- Hives
- Rash
- Mouth or facial swelling
- Shortness of breath
If a healthcare provider prescribes medication, discuss the anticipated risks and benefits. The prescription will come with a label that lists the side effects associated with the drug. Opioid Risks Opioids are powerful prescription meds, usually used for severe, short-term use, like post-surgery pain or after a severe traumatic injury. Some effects of opioids include: (Plein L. M. and Rittner H. L. 2018) Common side effects include sedation, constipation, and nausea. Chronic use can lead to depression and/or sexual dysfunction. With narcotics, there is the risk of addiction that can change an individual's life, as addiction can be difficult to overcome. One of the reasons the CDC published a guideline on opioid prescriptions was because of the number of overdoses and deaths. - The CDC recommends that practitioners not prescribe opioids as a first-line treatment for chronic back pain.
- The CDC recommends that healthcare providers initially treat patients with chronic back or neck pain using non-pharmacological therapies or medications other than opioids.
- Opioids should only be used if the expected benefits for pain and function are anticipated to outweigh the risks to the patient.
With more than half of regular opioid users experiencing back pain, they aren't proven to help return individuals to work or normal life faster, nor did they improve functioning when used for the treatment of an acute episode. (Deyo R. A. Von Korff M. and Duhrkoop D. 2015) The effectiveness of opioids is about 30% for short-term relief and did not improve physical functioning. Examples and Comparisons Examples of common medications used to treat back pain. Advil - Active Ingredient - Ibuprofen
- Drug Class - NSAID
- Over-the-counter or Prescribed - Available over-the-counter
- Side Effects - GI-related symptoms and Reye's Syndrome in children
Aleve and Other Generic Brands - Active Ingredient - Naproxen
- Drug Class - NSAID
- Over-the-counter or Prescribed - Available as both depending on strength.
- Side Effects - GI-related symptoms, headaches
Tylenol and Other Generic Brands - Active Ingredient - Acetaminophen
- Drug Class Analgesic - pain reliever
- Over-the-counter or Prescribed - Available as both and can be prescribed with codeine.
- Side Effects - Potential liver damage
Lyrica - Active Ingredient - Pregabalin
- Drug Class - Anticonvulsant
- Over-the-counter or Prescribed - Prescribed FDA-approved for shingles pain and neuropathy in diabetes. Other uses off-label.
- Side Effects - Dizziness, drowsiness, swelling, weight gain.
Neurontin - Active Ingredient - Gabapentin
- Drug Class - Anticonvulsant
- Over-the-counter or Prescribed - Prescribed FDA-approved for shingles pain
- Side Effects - Dizziness, drowsiness, allergic reaction, withdrawal, and seizures.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic Chiropractic therapy is among the more conservative treatment options and may be tried first. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2024). Anaphylaxis Symptoms & Diagnosis. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/allergies/anaphylaxis Plein, L. M., & Rittner, H. L. (2018). Opioids and the immune system - friend or foe. British journal of pharmacology, 175(14), 2717–2725. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13750 Deyo, R. A., Von Korff, M., & Duhrkoop, D. (2015). Opioids for low back pain. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 350, g6380. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g6380
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
August 12, 9:02 PM
|
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking health care. Individuals dealing with back pain but don't know the cause may have some inflammatory joint disease or autoimmune condition. Can seeing a rheumatologist help? Rheumatologist Depending on what's causing the back pain, individuals may need to see their primary doctor for a referral. Individuals are recommended to see a rheumatologist if they have back pain that doesn't come from an injury that doesn't go away after a few weeks, pain that comes back after treatment, or symptoms that suggest a rheumatic condition. Rheumatologists treat severe or persistent back pain and are experts in autoimmune diseases, including lupus, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondylitis, Psoriatic arthritis, and other forms of inflammatory or autoimmune arthritis. What Do They Do? A rheumatologist is an internist or pediatrician who has completed special training in treating conditions that are: - Inflammatory
- Autoimmune
- Related to painful joint disease
The doctors diagnose, treat, and manage these conditions long-term. Depending on diagnosis and care needs, they may also lead or be part of a team that includes other healthcare providers. Symptoms When muscles ache, pain presents, or joints hurt, and especially if there are signs of inflammation that don't go away, seeing a healthcare provider is recommended. Symptoms of inflammation include: - Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Loss of joint function
Usually, to see a rheumatologist, individuals need a referral from their primary care provider and may be referred when: - There is no evidence of a back injury.
- At-home therapies like heat application, prescription medications, or physical therapy are unsuccessful.
- There is uncertainty about what's causing the back pain, but I suspect it's rheumatological.
- Blood tests for inflammatory markers or certain antibodies yield abnormal results.
- There is a diagnosis of a rheumatic condition and recommend a specialist to manage it.
- There is a family history of a rheumatic or autoimmune condition that may cause back pain.
- There is a chronic pain condition that later develops back pain (Hospital for Special Surgery, 2023)
Individuals may also be referred to a rheumatologist if their back pain is accompanied by: Some types of arthritis can cause permanent, progressive joint damage. Conditions Conditions that can affect the spine and cause back pain and are treated by a rheumatologist include: (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024) Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - This often starts in smaller joints of the hands and feet and later moves to the neck and/or back.
- It can also affect different body organs and have systemic symptoms.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) - Primarily a disease of the spine, it may also impact the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles.
- Systemic symptoms, including fever and fatigue, can manifest.
Axial Spondylitis - This primarily affects the spine, chest, and pelvis.
- It may also cause problems with the connective tissue, eyes, bowel, and skin.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) - Pain in the lower back is common, especially in severe cases.
- It can affect other joints and cause psoriasis.
Reactive Arthritis - This is a reaction to infection.
- It is more common in the limbs, hands, and feet joints but can involve the spine.
Enteropathic Arthritis - This mainly affects the spine but can include other joints.
- It is associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
Autoimmune diseases that don't specifically target the spine but can also cause back pain include: - Lupus
- Sjögren's syndrome
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Finding a Doctor Individuals may be fine with their primary healthcare provider's choice regarding which rheumatologist to see. However, they may want to research other options to ensure the right rheumatologist is chosen. Things to look at include: - Search online medical directories.
- Visit the websites of the doctors being considered to learn more about their training, approach, and specialties.
- Check online reviews.
- Check on health insurance coverage.
- Ask members of the healthcare team, friends, and family for recommendations.
- Contact rheumatologists' offices to see if they are accepting new patients.
- Once decided, pass along the information to the primary care doctor so they can make the referral.
Preparing For The Initial Visit Before seeing a new rheumatologist, take a few minutes to prepare so you can make the most of the appointment. Individuals will want to have: - A list of back-related symptoms, including frequency and severity.
- A list of what makes symptoms better or worse.
- A copy of recent test results and records from other doctors.
- Individuals can ask their provider/s to send their medical information to the rheumatologist's office in advance.
- A list of treatments that have been tried and how well they worked.
- A list of all medications, over-the-counter and prescription, supplements, and herbal products taken.
- A list of medication allergies.
- Complete medical history and family history of potentially related diseases.
- A list of any questions regarding conditions, treatment, etc.
- If possible, fill out any paperwork for the new office beforehand to save time on the appointment day.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic Talking with a healthcare provider is important. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop personalized treatment programs. Using an integrated approach to treating injuries and chronic pain syndromes to improve flexibility, mobility, and agility and help individuals return to normal activities. If other treatments are needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Hospital for Special Surgery. (2023). What Is a Rheumatologist, and What Conditions Do They Treat? https://www.hss.edu/conditions_what-is-a-rheumatologist.asp#when Yale University School of Medicine. Dee, J. E. (2021). 5 reasons why a patient should see a rheumatologist. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/5-reasons-to-see-a-rheumatologist/ National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023). Autoimmune diseases. Retrieved from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Spinal arthritis (arthritis in the back or neck). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spinal-arthritis
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
June 27, 5:55 PM
|
Can individuals with stiff person syndrome incorporate non-surgical treatments to reduce muscle stiffness and restore muscle mobility? Introduction The musculoskeletal system allows the body’s extremities to be mobile, provides stability to the host, and has an outstanding relationship with the other body systems. The musculoskeletal system’s muscles, tissues, and ligaments help protect the body’s vital organs from environmental factors. However, many individuals often deal with repetitive motions in the upper and lower body extremities that can cause pain and discomfort. Additionally, environmental factors, illnesses, and injuries can affect the musculoskeletal system and play a part in co-morbidities in overlapping risk profiles. These issues can cause the musculoskeletal system to develop a condition known as stiff person syndrome. Today’s articles focus on what stiff person syndrome is, the symptoms it is associated with, and how non-surgical treatments can help alleviate the symptoms of stiff person syndrome. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess stiff person syndrome and its associated symptoms affecting the musculoskeletal system. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate non-surgical treatments to reduce the overlapping symptoms correlating with stiff person syndrome. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. What Is Stiff Person Syndrome Have you been dealing with muscle stiffness in your lower extremities affecting your mobility? Have you noticed that your posture is rigid due to ongoing muscle spasms in your lower back? Or have you felt tightness in your back muscles? Many pain-like symptoms are associated with back pain, a common musculoskeletal condition; however, they can also correlate with a rare condition known as stiff person syndrome. Stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that is progressive and is characterized by rigidity and stimulus-triggered painful muscle spasms that affect the lower body and extremities. (Muranova & Shanina, 2024) There are three classifications that a person is experiencing with stiff person syndrome, and they are: - Classic Stiff Person Syndrome
- Partial Stiff Person Syndrome
- Stiff Person Syndrome Plus
Since stiff person syndrome is a rare condition, many individuals may not exhibit any objective findings early on, which then causes a delayed diagnosis that can impact a person’s quality of life (Newsome & Johnson, 2022). At the same time, since stiff person syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease, it can affect the musculoskeletal system with associated pain-like symptoms. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
May 31, 2:27 PM
|
How can healthcare professionals recognize and establish protocols for individuals who are being trafficked and provide a safe place? Introduction Today, we will look at part two of this series, which is about recognizing trafficking in a clinical setting. Today’s article in this two-part series of recognizing trafficking helps inform many healthcare professionals to understand the roles and protocols for identifying trafficking that is affecting their patients and help provide a safe, positive space for them. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess and identify trafficking in the clinic while taking the proper protocols to ensure patient safety. We also inform and guide patients while asking their associated medical provider intricate questions to integrate and provide them with a safe and positive space. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. Health Care Professional’s Role in Identifying Trafficking Even though they may come across victims of human trafficking and have the chance to step in, many healthcare professionals believe they lack the knowledge and self-assurance needed to recognize these victims and offer them the kind of aid they need. As an illustration: - Just 37% of social workers and medical professionals surveyed again had any training in recognizing and supporting victims of human trafficking (Beck et al., 2015).
- It is extremely hard for processors to identify and aid victims because traffickers move their victims around a lot and employ various strategies to evade discovery. Frequently, it could be your final interaction with the victim (Macy & Graham, 2012).
- There can be a companion who comes across as very domineering, who won’t let the patient spend time alone with you, or who insists on filling out paperwork or talking on the patient’s behalf.
- It’s possible that neither the victim nor their friend will have identification or insurance paperwork and will just pay in cash.
- The victim or their companion may refuse to answer questions.
- The victim may decline additional testing and follow-up care.
- The victim may have physical injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, and signs of psychosocial stress.
- The victim may not know the city and state that they are in.
- The victim may appear fearful when asked questions or in the presence of their companion.
- The victim may exhibit feelings of shame, guilt, helplessness, or humiliation.
- You may notice inconsistencies in basic information, such as age, name, address, work history, or information regarding living status and daily activities.
- If the patient does not speak English, where are they from, and how did they arrive?
- If the patient is a minor, who and where is the guardian?
- The victim may have unusual tattoos to indicate that they are the “property” of their trafficker.
General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
May 22, 5:34 PM
|
How do healthcare professionals provide a clinical approach to recognizing HIV for individuals in pain and providing relief? Introduction The human body has dealt with various environmental factors, injuries, and pathogens that can cause issues to the body system. As many individuals are always on the go from one location to another, being healthy is extremely important. Making time to make an appointment for a person’s health and well-being is extremely important, as many people have experienced comorbidities and overlapping risk profiles that are causing them pain. When individuals experience onset issues of fatigue, muscle and joint pain, or immune disorders, many healthcare professionals must assess the situation and ask the individuals when they experienced these overlapping risk profiles and how they affect their daily activities. One of the overlapping risk profiles that seems to affect the body is a viral infection known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. This can get many healthcare professionals to come up with a personalized treatment plan to reduce these overlapping risk profiles and educate the individual on what to do to manage HIV symptoms. Today’s article looks at how HIV can impact a person, their symptoms, and non-surgical treatments to manage HIV. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess the effects of HIV and its associated symptoms. We also inform and guide patients on how to be aware of the impact of HIV and ask their associated medical providers intricate questions to integrate a customized treatment plan to incorporate multiple non-surgical therapies to manage the symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. What Is HIV? Do you constantly feel tired even after taking a good night’s rest? Do you feel your throat being sore without the flu symptoms? Or are you experiencing muscle and joint pain in different locations of your body? Worldwide, many individuals have often experienced these symptoms from a viral infection known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. HIV belongs to the retroviridae family, which targets the body’s immune system, especially the CD4+ T cells. The CD4+T cells play an important role in the body’s immune response, but when HIV starts to deplete the receptors and terminate the host cells. (Masenga et al., 2023) This causes individuals to have acute stages of HIV and, if not treated immediately, can lead to the progression of severe stages. However, how do individuals contract HIV? Well, the most common mode is through unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, or through maternal-infant exposure, which diminishes the T-helper cell population and, over time, can increasingly weaken the immune system. (van Heuvel et al., 2022) This causes many individuals to develop various symptoms from HIV that can vary, depending on the severity and the progression stages of the virus. The Symptoms Now, for the progression of HIV to infect the body’s immune system and cause various symptoms to affect the individual, many healthcare professionals have to look at the process of the host’s exosomes and their correlation role with HIV. The generational process of exosomes causes overlapping risk profiles with the viral assembly of HIV as exosomes can transport the virus from the infected cells to the uninfected cells of the body by helping it regulate the host’s immune response to the virus infection. (Chen et al., 2021) To that point, it can lead to the progression of several stages of HIV and its associated symptoms. When a person is dealing with an HIV infection in its acute stages, the symptoms can be mild and easily mistaken for a common viral infection. Some of the symptoms can include: - Muscle aches
- Joint pain
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Fatigue
- Neuropathy
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen glands
This is because the inflammatory cytokines from the immune system are heightened and influenced by HIV. When inflammatory cytokines become associated with HIV, symptoms have a huge impact on an individual’s life, causing them to be miserable. (Schnall et al., 2020) Additionally, when HIV is in a clinical latency stage, the virus is less active but can still replicate without exhibiting any symptoms in the body. However, when HIV progresses to its severe stage, it can lead to the development of AIDS. Luckily, treatment advancements to treat HIV from its acute stages can help manage the associated symptoms. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
May 14, 4:58 PM
|
Can individuals dealing with musculoskeletal trigger points seek non-surgical treatments to reduce pain in their extremities? Introduction The musculoskeletal system has various muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues that allow the lower and upper extremities to function in multiple tasks that the person is doing. From physical activities to relaxing or just doing errands, the musculoskeletal system has a wonderful relationship with all the various body systems. It helps protect the vital organs from environmental factors and injuries. However, when environmental factors or injuries affect the body, many overlapping risk profiles affect the upper and lower quadrants, thus affecting the muscles and the soft tissues. When the musculoskeletal system starts to feel symptoms of pain and discomfort, it can cause visceral-somatic referred pain in different body locations and cause the development of trigger points in the muscle tissues. This causes the individual to be in excruciating pain and discomfort and is seeking treatment to reduce the pain-like symptoms. Today’s article gives us an understanding of musculoskeletal trigger points and how various non-surgical treatments can alleviate musculoskeletal trigger points in the body. We discuss with certified associated medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess pain-like issues affecting their musculoskeletal system that are correlating to trigger point pain. We also inform and guide patients on various non-surgical treatments and ask their associated medical providers intricate questions to integrate a customized treatment plan to reduce musculoskeletal trigger point pain. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. Understanding Musculoskeletal Trigger Points Do you often experience pain in your legs, arms, hands, and feet throughout the day? How often do you experience symptoms of stiffness and discomfort in your neck, shoulder, or back? Or do you feel tingling and numbing sensations in your hands and feet? More often than not, many people who are experiencing these overlapping pain issues in their musculoskeletal system might have trigger points in their muscle fibers. Trigger points are part of a painful musculoskeletal condition known as myofascial pain syndrome. This painful musculoskeletal condition constitutes a hyperirritable spot within the taut band of the musculoskeletal system, causing pain when being compressed. (Lavelle et al., 2007) When a person is dealing with musculoskeletal trigger points, they will often experience referred pain and discomfort, motor dysfunction, and autonomic issues. This is because when many individuals experience pain in the upper or lower muscle quadrants, they deal with referred pain from the affected muscles. When the affected muscles have abnormal tender muscle regions, it can lead to impaired movements associated with the affected muscles in any joint area. (Macdonald, 1980) Additionally, musculoskeletal trigger points can be identified as latent or active based on the development of where the pain originates from within the musculoskeletal system. To that point, when environmental factors or injuries develop trigger points, pain-like symptoms like muscle stiffness, dysfunction, and restricted range of motion show up when a pain specialist is assessing a person. (Shah et al., 2015) Fortunately, musculoskeletal trigger points are not difficult to treat once the pain source is located in the musculoskeletal system. This is because non-surgical treatments help manage the pain-like symptoms by inactivating the trigger points and restoring the affected resistant muscles to their full range of motion. (Rubin, 1981) General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
May 8, 4:31 PM
|
Can athletic individuals incorporate MET (muscle energy techniques) therapy to reduce the pain-like effects of adductor strain? Introduction The body’s lower extremities have an important role as they provide stability and mobility to the individual. Many athletes utilize their lower extremities by adding much power to exert the energy to win matches or competitions. The various muscles, soft tissues, ligaments, and joints help support the body’s skeletal structure and can succumb to injuries from repetitive motions or environmental factors. One of the muscles that can be affected by constant repetitive motions and environmental factors is the adductor muscles, which can cause many athletes to be in continuous pain and affect their performance during competitions. Luckily, there is a technique that many treatments offer to reduce muscle strain in the adductors and provide relief to the lower extremities. Today’s article looks at how adductor strain can affect many individuals, how MET therapy can help with an adductor strain, and its positive effect on athletic individuals. We discuss with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess the pain-like effects of an adductor strain in the lower extremities. We also inform and guide patients on how MET therapy can help stretch and strengthen tight adductor muscles to reduce strain and provide relief. We also encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers many intricate and important questions about incorporating MET and other non-surgical therapies into their personalized treatment plan for a healthier lifestyle. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. How Does Adductor Strain Affect Individuals? Do you feel tightness along your thighs and legs after a long day at work? Do you experience instability when walking from one location to another? Or do you feel pain when stretching your thighs that causes temporary relief? Many individuals experiencing pain in their lower extremities will often think it is hip pain, but their adductor muscles are in pain. The adductor muscles consist of three muscles that provide torque to the lower extremities by allowing them to move inward when a person is walking and help keep the trunk muscles steady. So, when many athletes begin to make constant repetitive motions while performing, it can cause issues for the adductors. As a common injury to many athletes, adductor strain can put exaggerated stress on the actual tendon, leading to biomechanical abnormalities affecting the musculoskeletal system. (Kiel & Kaiser, 2024a) Also, when athletes start to use constant repetitive motions during an increased volume or intensity of the training workload, it can cause stress factors in the lower extremities. (Kiel & Kaiser, 2024b) This, in turn, can have many individuals feel like they are experiencing hip and groin pain when it is, in fact, stress fractures in the adductor muscles causing myofascial pain. So, for athletic individuals dealing with adductor strain, primary doctors need to differentiate between adductor strain and regular muscle strain in the lower extremities, as the pain symptoms sometimes have overlapping risk profiles with acute onset pain symptoms associated with distinct injury mechanisms. (McHugh et al., 2023) This is because when athletes overuse their adductor muscles, it causes pain, as many injuries within the adductors are associated with the hips and groin region. (Koscso et al., 2022) However, there are ways for athletes to find the relief they seek to reduce adductor strain and return to their routine. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
April 24, 9:13 PM
|
Individuals may discover a lump, bump, or nodule under the skin around their lower back, hips, and sacrum that can cause pain by compressing nerves and damaging the fascia. Can knowing the conditions linked to them and their symptoms help healthcare providers determine a correct diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan for them? Painful Bumps, Nodules Around Low Back, Hips, and Sacrum Painful masses in and around the hips, the sacrum, and the lower back are lumps of fat or lipomas, fibrous tissue, or other types of nodules that move when pressed on. Some healthcare providers and chiropractors, in particular, use the non-medical term back mice (In 1937, the term was used to describe lumps associated with episacroiliac lipoma) to describe the bumps. Some healthcare professionals argue against calling the masses mice because it is not specific and could lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect treatment. - Most show up in the lower back and hip area.
- In some cases, they protrude or herniate through the lumbodorsal fascia or the network of connective tissue that covers the deep muscles of the lower and middle back.
- Other lumps can develop in the tissue under the skin.
Today, many conditions are associated with back mice lumps, including: - Iliac crest pain syndrome
- Multifidus triangle syndrome
- Lumbar fascial fat herniation
- Lumbosacral (sacrum) fat herniation
- Episacral lipoma
Related Conditions Iliac Crest Pain Syndrome - Also known as iliolumbar syndrome, iliac crest pain syndrome develops when a tear in the ligament occurs.
- The ligament band connects the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae with the ilium on the same side. (Dąbrowski, K. Ciszek, B. 2023)
- Causes include:
- Tearing the ligament from repeated bending and twisting.
- Trauma or fracture of the ilium bone caused by a fall or vehicle collision accident.
Multifidus Triangle Syndrome - Multifidus triangle syndrome develops when the multifidus muscles along the spine weaken and diminish function or ability.
- These muscles can atrophy, and intramuscular fatty tissue can replace the muscle.
- Atrophied muscles decrease the spine's stability and can cause lower back pain. (Seyedhoseinpoor, T. et al., 2022)
Lumbar Facial Fat Herniation - The lumbodorsal fascia is a thin fibrous membrane covering the back's deep muscles.
- Lumbar fascial fat herniation is a painful mass of fat that protrudes or herniates through the membrane, gets trapped and inflamed, and causes pain.
- The causes of this type of herniation are currently unknown.
Lumbosacral (Sacrum) Fat Herniation - Lumbosacral describes where the lumbar spine meets the sacrum.
- Lumbosacral fat herniation is a painful mass like lumbar facial herniation in a different location around the sacrum.
- The causes of this type of herniation are currently unknown.
Episacral Lipoma Episacral lipoma is a small painful nodule under the skin that primarily develops over the top outer edges of the pelvic bone. These lumps occur when a portion of the dorsal fat pad protrudes through a tear in the thoracodorsal fascia, the connective tissue that helps hold the back muscles in place. (Erdem, H. R. et al., 2013) A healthcare provider may refer an individual to an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon for this lipoma. An individual may also find pain relief from a massage therapist familiar with the condition. (Erdem, H. R. et al., 2013) Symptoms Back lumps can often be seen under the skin. They are typically tender to the touch and can make sitting in a chair or lying on the back difficult, as they often appear on the hip bones and sacroiliac region. (Bicket, M. C. et al., 2016) The nodules may: - Be firm or tight.
- Have an elastic feel.
- Move under the skin when pressed.
- Cause intense, severe pain.
- The pain results from pressure on the lump, which compresses the nerves.
- Damage to the underlying fascia can also cause pain symptoms.
Diagnosis Some individuals do not realize they have nodules or lumps until pressure is applied. Chiropractors and massage therapists often find them during treatments but do not diagnose the abnormal fatty growth. The chiropractor or massage therapist will refer the patient to a qualified dermatologist or medical professional who can perform imaging studies and a biopsy. Determining what the lumps are can be challenging because they are non-specific. Healthcare providers sometimes diagnose the nodules by injecting them with a local anesthetic. (Bicket, M. C. et al., 2016) Differential Diagnosis The fatty deposits can be any number of things, and the same applies to the sources of nerve pain. A healthcare provider may further diagnose by ruling out other causes, which can include: Sebaceous Cysts - A benign, fluid-filled capsule between the layers of skin.
Subcutaneous Abscess - A collection of pus beneath the skin.
- Usually painful.
- It can become inflamed.
Sciatica - Radiating nerve pain down one or both legs that is caused by a herniated disc, bone spur, or spasming muscles in the lower back.
Liposarcoma - Malignant tumors can sometimes appear as fatty growths in the muscles.
- Liposarcoma is typically diagnosed by biopsy, where some tissue is removed from the nodule and examined for cancer cells. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2024)
- An MRI or CT scan may also be performed to determine the exact location of the nodule.
- Painful lipomas are also associated with fibromyalgia.
Treatment Back nodules are usually benign, so there's no reason to remove them unless they're causing pain or mobility problems (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. 2023). However, they should be examined to make sure they are not cancerous. Treatment usually involves injected anesthetics, such as lidocaine or corticosteroids, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers like NSAIDs. Surgery If pain is severe, surgical removal may be recommended. This involves cutting out the mass and repairing the fascia for lasting relief. However, removal may not be recommended if there are many nodules, as some individuals can have hundreds. Liposuction may be effective if the lumps are smaller, more extensive, and comprise more fluid. (American Family Physician. 2002) Complications of surgical removal can include: - Scarring
- Bruising
- Uneven skin texture
- Infection
Complementary and Alternative Treatment Complimentary and Alternative Medicine treatments like acupuncture, dry needling, and spinal manipulation can help. Many chiropractors believe back nodules can be successfully treated with complementary and alternative therapies. A common approach uses acupuncture and spinal manipulation in combination. A case study reported that anesthetic injections followed by dry needling, like acupuncture, improved pain relief. (Bicket, M. C. et al., 2016) Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic specializes in progressive therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on restoring normal body functions after trauma and soft tissue injuries and the complete recovery process. Our areas of practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. If the individual requires other treatment, they will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited for their condition, as Dr. Jimenez has teamed with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, therapists, trainers, and premiere rehabilitation providers. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and identified the relevant research studies or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies that are available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Alex Jimenez or call us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico* References Dąbrowski, K., & Ciszek, B. (2023). Anatomy and morphology of iliolumbar ligament. Surgical and radiologic anatomy: SRA, 45(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-03070-y Seyedhoseinpoor, T., Taghipour, M., Dadgoo, M., Sanjari, M. A., Takamjani, I. E., Kazemnejad, A., Khoshamooz, Y., & Hides, J. (2022). Alteration of lumbar muscle morphology and composition in relation to low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society, 22(4), 660–676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2021.10.018 Erdem, H. R., Nacır, B., Özeri, Z., & Karagöz, A. (2013). Episakral lipoma: Bel ağrısının tedavi edilebilir bir nedeni [Episacral lipoma: a treatable cause of low back pain]. Agri: Agri (Algoloji) Dernegi'nin Yayin organidir = The journal of the Turkish Society of Algology, 25(2), 83–86. https://doi.org/10.5505/agri.2013.63626 Bicket, M. C., Simmons, C., & Zheng, Y. (2016). The Best-Laid Plans of "Back Mice" and Men: A Case Report and Literature Review of Episacroiliac Lipoma. Pain physician, 19(3), 181–188. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Liposarcoma. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sarcoma/liposarcoma American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. (2023). Lipoma. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/lipoma American Family Physician. (2002). Lipoma excision. American Family Physician, 65(5), 901-905. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2002/0301/p901.html
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
March 13, 3:22 PM
|
Can individuals dealing with muscle pain find relief from acupuncture therapy to get back to their daily activities and well-being? Introduction Many people worldwide have dealt with pain in their musculoskeletal system that has affected their daily routine. Some of the most common factors that people have experienced muscle pain include sedentary lifestyles from working at a desk job or physical demands from an active lifestyle. The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues can become overstretched and overworked, causing the muscles to become weak. At the same time, visceral somatic issues in the neck, shoulders, and back can affect the upper and lower extremities, leading to a life of disability. Many factors that can contribute to the development of muscle pain can impact a person’s routine and cause them to find various techniques to reduce the muscle pain in their bodies. Since muscle pain can be in acute or chronic form, many individuals who are seeking treatment for their ailments can look into non-surgical therapies like acupuncture to not only reduce muscle pain but also find the relief they are looking for. Today’s article focuses on how muscle pain can affect a person’s well-being, how the essence of acupuncture can be beneficial for muscle pain, and how people can integrate acupuncture therapy as part of a wellness routine. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how muscle pain can impact a person’s well-being. We also inform and guide patients on how acupuncture therapy can benefit the body by reducing the effects of muscle pain. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating acupuncture therapy into a wellness routine to reduce muscle pain and its referred symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. How Muscle Pain Can Affect A Person’s Well-Being Do you feel the effects of tiredness and weakness in your upper and lower extremity muscles? Have you experienced general soreness or aches in your neck, shoulders, or back? Or does twisting and turning your body cause temporary relief to your body, only for it to be worse throughout the day? When it comes to muscle pain can be a multi-factorial condition where that can involve complex interactions on a person’s structure, physical, social, lifestyle, and comorbid health factors that can come into play as contributing factors for people to experience long-term pain and disability. (Caneiro et al., 2021) As many individuals start to do repetitive motions or stay in sedentary positions, muscle pain can develop when they stretch or try to move their muscles while doing their routine. The burden of muscle pain often correlates with socioeconomic factors that can cause many people, both young and old, to substantially limit their mobility and engagement in their routine, which predisposes increased risk factors to other chronic conditions they may have. (Dzakpasu et al., 2021) When many individuals are dealing with muscle pain in its acute or chronic form, many often don’t realize that when the affected muscles in the upper and lower body quadrants are coping with pain, there is associated pain and stiffness from how active or inactive the muscles are can affect the soft tissue causing high mechanical stress to the affect the skeletal joints. (Wilke & Behringer, 2021) When this happens, many people will start to experience referred muscle pain in their bodies, causing issues with their mobility, flexibility, and stability. Coincidentally, muscle pain can also be a symptom of many people who have various pains in their bodies that have impacted their lives prior; seeking treatment can reduce the effects of muscle pain and help them take back their routine to lead a healthier lifestyle. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
February 19, 4:25 PM
|
For individuals dealing with musculoskeletal pain, can incorporating acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy provide beneficial results? Introduction The upper and lower body quadrants are surrounded by muscles, soft tissues, and ligaments that allow the body to be mobile with feelings of pain or discomfort. Each muscle group has an important job providing sensory-motor functions like grasping objects, moving extremities, supporting the body in a correct posture, and stabilizing vertical axial weight. However, many people have adopted various habits from environmental factors or have been through traumatic injuries that can cause referred muscle pain in the upper and lower body quadrants. When this happens, it can lead to a life of disability, pain, and discomfort over time if it is not treated right away. To that point, musculoskeletal pain can also cause overlapping risk profiles with other comorbidities that can be pre-existing in the body. Fortunately, numerous treatments can help reduce musculoskeletal pain and benefit the body. Today’s article looks at two different non-surgical therapies, how each is beneficial to reducing musculoskeletal pain, and how effective they can help many people with musculoskeletal pain. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how to reduce the pain-like effects of musculoskeletal pain with non-surgical treatments. We also guide patients on how these non-surgical treatments can help lessen the referred pain caused by various environmental factors affecting their musculoskeletal system. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating non-surgical treatments into their health and wellness treatments. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. The Traditional Touch Of Acupuncture After a long workday, do you feel soreness in your arms, legs, or feet? Have you experienced any symptoms of numbness or stiffness in the upper or lower portions of your body? Or do you feel muscle aches and pains after waking up in the morning? Around the world, many individuals have dealt with musculoskeletal pain at some point, which causes many people to miss out on numerous activities. Musculoskeletal pain is a multifactorial condition that any individual can develop over time. Some biological mechanisms contributing to the development of musculoskeletal pain can be heterogeneous, cardiometabolic, and systemic inflammation that can affect the body. (Dzakpasu et al., 2021) When many people are doing repetitive motions or have dealt with injuries, it can cause the various muscles to be overstretched, tightened, or weak, which can cause individuals to feel miserable and seek treatment. When people go to get treatment for their musculoskeletal pain, many people will tell their doctors about their pain experience and how it impacts their daily social well-being. By gaining information about how musculoskeletal pain negatively affects their lives, a multidisciplinary approach to pain management that emphasizes rehabilitation and non-surgical treatments can be the first step in effectively managing musculoskeletal pain. (Welsh et al., 2020) Now, non-surgical treatments vary depending on the severity of musculoskeletal pain the person is experiencing. Since musculoskeletal pain is a multifactorial condition, many people could experience comorbidities that cause overlapping risk profiles that correlate with musculoskeletal pain, hence why many people incorporate non-surgical treatments since it is affordable and can be combined with other treatments. One of the oldest therapies that is still practiced today is acupuncture. Now, acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, solid needles into the body’s acupoints to restore the normal flow of energy through the body’s pathways. Highly trained professionals do acupuncture, and it is safe and effective for the person dealing with musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, acupuncture can positively affect the body as it can help change the pain perception of the affected muscle. (Kelly & Willis, 2019) General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
|
Scooped by
Dr. Alex Jimenez
February 14, 3:41 PM
|
Can individuals dealing with neck pain find relief with electroacupuncture therapy while reducing pain symptoms to restore neck function? Introduction The cervical region of the body consists of the neck region, which allows the head to be mobile and stabilized from discomfort or pain. The neck has numerous muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the cervical facet joints and spinal discs. However, when the neck muscles are overstretched or ached from environmental factors or traumatic injuries that cause the head and the neck muscles to whip back and forth rapidly, it can force individuals to deal with not only pain and discomfort from the neck but also the head and shoulders are affected as well. When this happens, many individuals try to find various relief methods to reduce the pain and its associated symptoms. Today’s articles look at how the pain symptoms are associated with the neck, how there are non-surgical treatments for neck pain, and how electroacupuncture can help restore neck function. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to understand better why they are experiencing neck pain. We also inform and guide patients on how non-surgical treatments like electroacupuncture can help restore neck function to the body. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about reducing the impact of neck pain while trying to incorporate various therapeutic reliefs into their bodies. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer. How Are Pain Symptoms Associated with the Neck? Do you experience stiffness or pain on your neck’s left or right side? Do you constantly get headaches that you have to lie in a dark room to reduce the pain? Or do you experience numbness or tingling sensations on your shoulders and arms? Many of these pain-like scenarios are associated with neck pain. Now similar to back pain, neck pain is a multifactorial musculoskeletal condition that can lead to a socio-economic burden that causes many people to have reduced productivity and job-related problems that can be an issue. (Kazeminasab et al., 2022) Neck pain can be in acute or chronic stages as multiple factors can play the developmental part of neck pain. Some of the environmental factors and traumatic injuries associated with neck pain include: - Poor posture
- Whiplash
- Degenerative issues
- Slouching/hunching position
- Sprains or strains
- Spinal fractures
When these environmental and traumatic injury factors start to cause issues in the neck region of the body, they can cause pain-like symptoms.
So, how is pain associated with the neck? Well, many individuals dealing with neck pain can either have specific or non-specific neck pain with various symptoms depending on the severity of the pain. While specific neck pain deals with the cervical spine, non-specific neck pain deals with the surrounding muscles and ligaments. To that point, many individuals who are dealing with neck pain are also experiencing somatic referred pain and radicular pain that is associated with neurological signs that make a diagnosis difficult to classify. (Misailidou et al., 2010) This can cause many individuals to experience referred pain in their shoulders and arms or have neurological issues like headaches and tension within their upper body regions, which then causes personal discomfort, disability, and impaired quality of life. (Ben Ayed et al., 2019) But all is not lost, as many individuals seek treatment to reduce the effects of neck pain. General Disclaimer * The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
|
Among the young college athletes and professional athletes alike, low back pain is considered to be one of the most common complaints, estimated to affect more than 30 percent of athletes at least once in their career. A wide number of back injuries can affect the athlete, including muscle spasms and stress fractures and disc herniation. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.