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Can using a self-care traction device help and be a cost-effective method of providing cervical relief at home for individuals who have neck pain? Neck Pain Traction Device Neck Pain Traction Device: Individuals with neck or arm pain caused by neck/cervical radiculopathy may benefit from physical therapy to manage their condition. (Alshami, A. M., and Bamhair, D. A. 2021) Physical therapy can improve neck mobility, restore function, and decrease pain. Traction A physical therapist may use various treatments and modalities to treat the individual's condition. Cervical traction is one treatment to help relieve neck pain and can help: - Stretch the muscles and soft tissues in the neck.
- Separate and open up the disc and joint spaces.
- Decrease pain in the neck and arms by relieving pressure on nerves from the cervical spine. (Madson, T. J., and Hollman, J. H. 2017)
There are different neck traction techniques. The therapist may use a mechanical traction device that requires the individual to strap their head and neck to a machine that gently pulls the neck, providing relief. (Romeo, A. et al., 2018) The physical therapist may also use manual traction with their hands to help the process. This type allows the therapist to easily adjust the amount of traction force and the direction of the pull on the neck. (Romeo, A. et al., 2018) Home Traction Devices Cervical traction that works for individuals at the clinic may also benefit from using a traction device at home to maintain their gains. Over-the-door cervical traction may be an effective, safe, and simple way to administer neck traction in the comfort of one's home to help decrease pain. (Fritz, J. M. et al., 2014) Medical supply stores and pharmacies carry over-the-door traction devices, which can also be found online. If finding an over-the-door traction unit is difficult, the therapy clinic can help order one from a medical supplier. Setting Up The Device Before using a neck pain traction device, consult a physical therapist or doctor to ensure neck traction is safe and on usage. Over-the-door traction units may be built differently but comprise the main parts: - A hook-and-pulley apparatus that hangs over the door.
- A nylon cord that’s fed through the pulley.
- A weight that could be a water bag that hangs on the end of the cord to provide traction force.
- A harness to wear on your head.
- The traction unit must be hung over a door secured to the top and closed.
- It is recommended that the door be a closet door so no one will open it while using the device.
- If a closet door is not available, be sure to lock the door so that no one can open it while attached to the device.
- A small hook with a pulley attached to it hangs on the door.
- The harness attaches to the end of the nylon cord opposite the weighted water bag.
- The harness goes on the head, and the chin strap should fit snugly under the chin and be secured by the hook-and-loop fasteners.
- The two straps on either side of your head should be hooked to the end of the nylon cord, which is fed through the pulley system.
- After strapping on the head harness, fill the water bag using the markings on the bag to indicate its weight and hang it on one end of the cord.
- Fill the bag until the water reaches the desired mark, usually 8–15 pounds.
- After filling the water bag, sit in a chair facing the door and hang the bag on the other end of the cord not attached to the head harness.
- Do not drop the bag; this could cause a sudden forceful traction motion on your neck.
How Long to Use Individuals should generally use the traction device for about 15 to 20 minutes each session and can perform several sessions per day. (American Physical Therapy Association. 2020) While using the over-the-door traction device, there should be a gentle pulling sensation in the neck, relieving the neck pain, and if there is arm pain or tingling, it should also decrease. Traction does not replace neck exercises or postural correction in treating neck pain. Be sure to follow the therapist's prescribed exercises. Active engagement is essential to treating and preventing neck pain from returning. If the pain increases while using the traction device, stop using it and consult a physical therapist or doctor. Ask a physical therapist or other neuromusculoskeletal medical professional if self-care traction is appropriate for specific conditions. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution that helps individuals return to normal. Our providers create personalized care plans for each patient, including Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine principles through an integrated approach to treat injuries and chronic pain syndromes to improve ability through flexibility, mobility, and agility programs to relieve pain. If other treatment is needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers to provide the most effective treatments. 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 get in touch with 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 Alshami, A. M., & Bamhair, D. A. (2021). Effect of manual therapy with exercise in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial. Trials, 22(1), 716. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05690-y Madson, T. J., & Hollman, J. H. (2017). Cervical Traction for Managing Neck Pain: A Survey of Physical Therapists in the United States. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 47(3), 200–208. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.6914 Romeo, A., Vanti, C., Boldrini, V., Ruggeri, M., Guccione, A. A., Pillastrini, P., & Bertozzi, L. (2018). Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to Physical Therapy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Physical therapy, 98(4), 231–242. https://doi.org/10.1093/physth/pzy001 Fritz, J. M., Thackeray, A., Brennan, G. P., & Childs, J. D. (2014). Exercise only, exercise with mechanical traction, or exercise with over-door traction for patients with cervical radiculopathy, with or without consideration of status on a previously described subgrouping rule: a randomized clinical trial. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 44(2), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.5065 American Physical Therapy Association. (2020). Physical therapy guide to cervical radiculopathy. https://www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-cervical-radiculopathy
Getting dizzy can happen, usually after standing up too fast or staring at an optical illusion then looking away. The unsteadiness can be troubling but is minimal when compared to vertigo symptoms. Vertigo is a symptom rather than a condition that causes dizziness combined with a spinning sensation, even when an individual stands completely still. Vertigo can make everyday life a debilitating nightmare: - It causes individuals to feel nauseous.
- It makes it difficult to walk.
- It interrupts vision and hearing.
Vertigo symptoms usually begin with a communication issue with the inner ear and brain. This neurological connection involves the spinal cord, which chiropractic can treat and cure. A chiropractor will implement the necessary techniques to help alleviate vertigo symptoms. Causes The most common signs and symptoms are dizziness accompanied by a spinning sensation. Vertigo symptoms can also include: - Balance issues
- Body swaying
- Headache/s
- Tinnitus
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Vertigo is a common symptom in individuals that have gone through trauma to the neck and/or head. A disturbance/interruption occurs in the nerve pathways in the spinal column. Disruption, injury, or damage to the vestibular system/inner ear also causes vertigo symptoms. Other causes include: - Ear infections
- Pressure changes
- Movement of particles within the inner ear
Chiropractic Treatment Chiropractic treatment can cure vertigo symptoms through various exercises and spinal adjustments. When nerve signals don't transmit correctly, it can cause a feeling of dizziness along with the other symptoms. Adjustments or manipulations help alleviate the symptoms by allowing nerve energy to circulate properly. Spinal adjustments realign the joints and vertebrae in the cervical spine. This opens the nerves pathways and allows for clear communication. A common type of vertigo is known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. This is the movement of particles around the inner ear. These particles come from otolith organs. The particles break loose and fall into other parts of the vestibular labyrinth. This alters the center of balance and can cause dizziness. A chiropractor may use the Epley maneuver, which maneuvers the head into different positions. A chiropractor will recommend specific exercises at home to benefit the vestibular system and its communication with the brain. A Common Cold The common cold, aka upper respiratory tract inflammation. It is the most common infectious respiratory disease. It is called this because of the effects on the nose and throat. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an adult will catch 2–3 colds a year. A cold-causing virus enters the respiratory tract directly when an individual inhales droplets or direct skin contact from an infected person. Cold symptoms include: - Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Body aches
The duration of a cold differs, but most individuals with a healthy immune system recover in 7–10 days. However, individuals with compromised immune systems, asthma, or COPD have an increased risk of developing serious illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia. Quickly recovering from a cold requires boosting the immune system with proper rest, a nutritious diet, and drinking plenty of water. 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* References Collins, Matthew E, and Tom M Misukanis. “Chiropractic management of a patient with post-traumatic vertigo of complex origin.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 4,1 (2005): 32-8. doi:10.1016/S0899-3467(07)60110-4 Dalby, B J. “Chiropractic diagnosis and treatment of closed head trauma.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 16,6 (1993): 392-400. Sajko, Sandy S et al. “Chiropractic management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo using the Epley maneuver: a case series.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 36,2 (2013): 119-26. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.12.011
A spinal tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue either inside the spine or outside. It is also called a neoplasm meaning a new abnormal growth. They can develop in the bone, spread to other parts of the spine, or outside the spine, like the lungs and chest. Tumor cells can multiply slowly or very rapidly. Tumors are either cancerous or non-cancerous. They can develop anywhere in the spine: - Cervical - neck
- Thoracic - mid-back
- Lumbar - low-back
- Sacral - sacrum
It is not uncommon for spinal tumors to develop out of a tumor from the individual's breast, lung, kidney, prostate, or another area of the body that has spread out. Symptoms Whether cancerous or not, spinal tumors can cause a variety of symptoms, including: - Pain not related to an injury or physical activity.
- Pain in the back or neck that presents suddenly, quickly worsens, especially at night. This can be an indicator of a spinal tumor.
- Pain that radiates to other parts of the body, like the arms, hands, legs, and feet.
- The pain continues even when resting.
- Muscle weakness or loss of sensation, especially in the legs, arms, or chest.
- Difficulty walking
- Abnormal curvature of the spine not from poor posture
- Paralysis
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Lowered sensitivity to heat and cold
An individual could have a dominating symptom/s or a combination. Causes As previously mentioned these tumors can originally develop in another part of the body and then metastasize to the spine. These types of tumors are secondary tumors. Research scientists are still trying to figure out what exactly causes primary tumors that originate in the spine. One theory believes genetics plays a role. Early diagnosis The most common symptom of a spinal tumor is pain. Examinations and diagnostic tests will be conducted both physical and neurological. A doctor or specialist needs to see and evaluate the spine. This is essential in diagnosing a potential tumor. A doctor could also order: - CT scan
- MRI
- PET scan - Positron Emission Tomography
- Myelogram if there are symptoms of spinal cord compression
If the imaging reveals a tumor, a biopsy could be performed. A sample of tissue will be examined under a microscope to see if the tumor is cancerous or not. If the tumor is cancerous, the biopsy will show the type of cancer and determine the stage of the disease. Depending on the tumor type and location, other tests/procedures could be recommended. Treatment There are many factors that go into creating an optimal treatment plan. This includes whether the tumor is cancerous or not, size, location, and symptoms. Types of treatment: - Observe and wait as small non-cancerous tumors that are not growing or impinging/pinching other spinal structures could only need to be monitored for changes.
- Surgery
- Radiation treatment
- Stereotactic radiosurgery works by delivering a high dose of radiation specifically targeted at the tumor
- Chemotherapy
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate 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 make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
Cervical facet joint syndrome, or cervical facet osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition marked by stiffness and pain in the cervical region (neck) of the spine. Individuals can gain relief from various types of treatment, including chiropractic care. Facet joint problems are among the most common sources of lower back and neck pain. They can cause debilitating, chronic problems with the neck and back and can lead to other more severe conditions and symptoms that can be disabling. What is Cervical Facet Joint Pain? The spine, comprised of a chain of bones known as vertebrae. Each one has two facet joints on the back side and a large disc on the front side, allowing the vertebrae to stack neatly, one on top of the other, providing stabilization for the entire body. The facet joints are synovial joints, like other joints in the body and sometimes they can become inflamed or injured, causing pain and stiffness. Cervical facet joint pain is, quite literally, a pain in the neck. It means that the joints in the neck area have become injured or inflamed. Suffering from this condition can make it difficult for the patient to turn their head from side to side, or to move it up and down. The cervical facet joints are almost always working. They undergo repetitive, constant motion and over time they can become torn or worn down. Problems within the joint can cause movement to be restricted, or it can have too much, both of which can cause pain. Injury, such as whiplash, to the area, can also cause problems. If not treated appropriately the condition can be degenerative, and the patient can lose both flexibility and mobility, as well as suffer from chronic pain. Symptoms of Cervical Facet Joint Pain The symptoms of cervical facet joint pain tend to vary from patient to patient. A patient may experience one or several of these symptoms: - Tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and arm
- Neck pain
- Upper back pain that can affect the shoulders
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Headaches, typically located in the back of the head
- Swelling and tenderness at the site of the inflamed facet joint
- Decreased range of motion and flexibility in the neck
Treatment for Cervical Facet Joint Pain When a patient diagnosed with cervical facet joint pain, the procedure is usually fairly conservative. Their doctor may recommend soft tissue massage, physical therapy, and posture correction. Combined with medications such as an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, or muscle relaxers to ease muscle spasms in the muscles that surround the affected joint. If those methods do not give the patient relief, the doctor may take a more aggressive approach, prescribing facet joint injections that use steroid medications injected into the affected joint. This approach is intended to keep the pain localized while reducing it. The procedure can be performed in an outpatient setting and has a good record of being useful, but the results are temporary. Chiropractic for Cervical Facet Joint Pain Chiropractors have had much success in treating cervical facet joint pain. They can manipulate the areas that are affected, restoring painful, restricted facet joints to a point where they can move much more natural and without pain. Over time, with regular chiropractic treatments, they can help to reestablish range of motion in the neck area for their patients. This is all done without any medications or injections. It is a natural, gentle, effective method for relieving the pain and helping the patient enjoy a better quality of life.
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Waking up with neck soreness, stiffness, achiness, and pain can take a toll throughout the day. Individuals, that experience this regularly wonder what happened while laying down in bed? Individuals can wake up with one or a combination of these symptoms after sleeping. A few ways to prevent neck pain after sleeping and self-care to relieve any symptoms. What Is Happening? The spine keeps the body upright and moving and regularly resists gravity and other forces acting upon it. The neck, aka the cervical spine, is a little more delicate. The neck has the important job of holding up the head. The human head weighs around 10 to 12 lbs, and that's using proper posture. According to a study, the head's weight can increase up to 60 lbs. with a 60-degree tilt. This can happen from looking down at a phone for too long. All that weight makes the muscles that support the head and neck work overtime contributing to fatigued muscles. Then when sleeping, cervical spinal misalignment starts to set in, producing torticollis. Torticollis, aka wry neck, is a condition where the neck gets twisted or tilted at an awkward angle. Babies can be born with it, known as congenital torticollis, and individuals can develop it from various sources. It can be temporary, chronic, and it can be caused by acute trauma. Torticollis is not considered a condition like ankylosing spondylitis but more like a symptom with overlapping sources. - The neck's ligaments can become irritated and inflamed.
- Neck muscle spasms can cause soreness and inflammation.
- Either of these can be caused by sleeping in an awkward position or by using the wrong pillow.
Waking With Neck Pain When waking up with neck pain, it could be that the pillow no longer provides sufficient support, the pillow is too thick, placing the neck in an awkward position, the individual's sleeping position strains the muscles and ligaments, or a combination. It is usually a pillow that is too soft with no support that causes neck pain. Maintaining spinal alignment when sleeping is just as crucial as during the day, as it helps to prevent overly taxing the muscles and ligaments. How to control posture when sleeping? The pillow could be the answer. A firm pillow will keep the spine in a straight line from the atlas, which is the first cervical vertebra/C1, down to the coccyx or the tailbone. The way an individual sleeps also affects how they wake up. The most recommended sleeping position for individuals with morning neck pain is on the back. Back sleeping might not work for everyone as it can aggravate conditions like sleep apnea. If that is the case, sleeping on the side is the next recommended position. It is recommended to avoid sleeping on the stomach. The head could slip down the pillow edge causing the head to be in a tilted position. This can place added pressure on the nerves that start in the neck, leading to further neck pain or radiculopathy pain that spreads out to the arms or legs. What To Do? If neck pain presents after waking, get some ice or a cold pack on it. Try 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. This will reduce inflammation. Also, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen can help. If neck pain continues, switch from ice to heat also 20 minutes on, 20 off. If the pain is caused by spasming muscle/s, heat can relax the area and increase blood circulation. A gentle massage on and around the area can help spread the circulation and ease the spasm. Stretching the neck Stretching the neck will keep the muscles loose and reduce the risk of ligament, muscle and tendon strains, and torticollis. - Try to touch the right ear to the right shoulder.
- Push gently on the left side of the head.
- Return to the starting position.
- Repeat on the left side.
- Repeat on each side ten times.
- Look up to the ceiling as far as possible.
- Return to the starting position.
- Look down as far as possible.
- Do ten reps up and down.
- Turn the head to the right.
- Push the chin gently with the left hand.
- Return to starting position.
- Repeat on the left side.
- Do ten reps right and left.
Sleep and Fat Loss Body composition change and losing fat mass are also related to sleep. Losing fat requires the body to be in a caloric deficit. This means having the body use more energy than the body takes in. This is accomplished by restricting calories through diet or increasing calories used through physical activity/exercise. However, most individuals utilize a combination. This can be referred to as calories in/calories out. Losing sleep can sabotage fat loss goals by stealing both the calories in and calories out. 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* References Hansraj, Kenneth K. "Assessment of stresses in the cervical spine caused by posture and position of the head." Surgical technology international vol. 25 (2014): 277-9. Preventing Neck Pain from Sleeping: National Sleep Foundation. (n.d.) "How to Prevent Neck Pain While Sleeping." sleep.org/articles/prevent-neck-pain-while-sleeping/
Individuals experiencing radiculopathy in and around the neck notice it immediately often driving them to the medicine cabinet. This condition presents with: - Acute pain
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
However, medication will only help relieve the pain temporarily but it won't alleviate what is causing the radiculopathy. This is because pain medication/s can exacerbate the condition by blocking the pain signals with the root nerve issue never being resolved. Chiropractic is a complete solution that specifically mobilizes the cervical joints where nerve impingement is happening. The objective is to help individuals understand the underlying cause of the acute pain induced by radiculopathy and provide long-term pain relief through cervical joint mobilization. Radiculopathy Pain To determine what cervical nerve bundles are being affected by a subluxation or vertebral compression a chiropractor needs to isolate the pain. This is accomplished through a description of symptoms, radiological imaging to provide visual confirmation, and an examination of the affected area. Isolating the pain allows the chiropractor to determine the extent of misalignment and how much the nerve is being compressed. This will help in the development of a customized treatment plan. A chiropractor will be able to see and feel the degree of pressure being placed on the nerve or bundle of nerves. Mobilizing The Cervical Joints Chiropractors approach this directly based on the individual and the severity of the case. The most common joint mobilizations include: - Low-impact adjusting will shift the misaligned vertebrae back into place
- Traction to decompress cervical vertebrae
- Adjustments to the opposite non-painful area will help counterbalance stress in the spine
Radiculopathy improvement consists of: - The cervical spine is stabilized through bracing and posture supports
- Isometric exercises will recondition the neck, shoulders, and upper back
- Range of motion exercises will prevent any subtle compression/s
- Corrective restoration of the cervical spine's curve
The spine returns to normal during cervical joint mobilization and alleviates radiculopathy immediately and long term. Proper chiropractic care will correct the affected nerve bundle, and stabilize the cervical spine to prevent/resist: - Compression
- Translation
- Subluxation
- Other shifts that can occur
Chiropractic Mobilization Long Term Relief A pinched nerve should not be treated with over-the-counter medications for long-term health. Corrective chiropractic mobilization is a recommended course of action for alleviating this and other musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractic understands the nature and severity of radiculopathy as well as developing the proper customized treatment plan that will bring optimal results. DASH Diet Example Breakfast - 3/4 cup bran flakes cereal with 1 banana and 1 cup low-fat milk
- 1 slice whole-wheat bread with 1 tsp. unsalted butter
- 1 orange
- 1 cup coffee
Lunch - Sandwich 2 slices of whole-wheat bread
- 3 oz. grilled thin chicken breast
- 2 slices low-fat cheese
- 1 tbsp. mustard
Salad - 1/2 cup chopped/diced cucumbers
- 1/2 cup chopped/diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 1 teaspoon low-calorie non-cream dressing
- 1/2 cup fruit cocktail with no sugar
Snack Dinner - 3 oz. lean beef with 2 tbsp. fat-free, low sodium gravy
- 1 cup broccoli sauteed with 1/2 tsp. olive oil
- 1 small baked potato topped with:
- 1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp. shredded, reduced-fat, natural low-sodium cheddar cheese
- 1 tbsp. chopped scallions
- 1 small apple
Dessert - 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt topped with:
- 1/2 cup berries
- Cocoa powder light dusting
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 musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. 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*, CTG*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico References BMJ. 2017 Advances in the diagnosis and management of neck pain. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28807894/ Mayo Clin Proc. 2015. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25659245/ Open Orthop J. 2016. A Qualitative Description of Chronic Neck Pain has Implications for Outcome Assessment and Classification. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5301418/ Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4541004/
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a procedure that treats chronic neck conditions and is the most common spinal surgery performed in the U.S. 30 percent of Americans a year experience neck pain, chronic neck pain and radiculopathy or pain that spreads out and radiates to other parts of the body, in this case down the arms. It’s a procedure that can work wonders, but as many as two-thirds of patients continue to manage neck pain and dysfunction after ACDF. One of the best ways of managing neck pain and dysfunction is to exercise. Research shows that a prescribed exercise program right after surgery can help lessen the pain and create less dependence on medications. A 2020 study published in SPINE suggests that patients that began therapeutic exercises right away had better results than individuals that started an exercise program after the six-week checkup/examination. What Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion Treats The procedure is performed on individuals with degenerative disc disease or a bulging or herniated disc. These conditions can cause the spinal disc to place pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots that branch out, creating: - Numbness
- Tingling
- Pain
- Weakness in one or both arms
Most individuals that are recommended to undergo the surgery experience symptoms that don’t respond to non-surgical therapies or medication/s. A significant symptom is hand/arm weakness and arm pain that’s worse than the neck pain. ACDF Surgery The ACDF procedure is broken into two parts: a discectomy and a fusion. Anterior means in front and in this case it's the front of the neck that the surgeon accesses the damaged discs. In a discectomy, the surgeon removes a portion/s or all of an intervertebral disc/s to release the pressure on the nerves. The fusion part fuses the two vertebrae together. This eliminates the painful movements. A bone graft is inserted between the vertebrae at the spot where the disc was removed. The bone graft serves as a structural scaffold that the body uses to build new tissue and cause the vertebrae to grow together. The graft can come from three sources: - Your own bone called an autograft, this is usually a piece of bone from the pelvis just above where the front jean pocket would be.
- Bone donation called an allograft that comes from a cadaver from a bone donor bank.
- Substitute material/s like man-made plastic, ceramic, or bioresorbable compounds.
Home Exercise Program There are those that are of the opinion to hold off on physical therapy or exercise until about six weeks post-ACDF when recovery is established. However, the study suggests it is more effective to begin a home exercise program (HEP) as soon as possible. At this time telemedicine is the replacement for in-person physical therapy sessions but works just as well. The study examined 28 individuals' outcomes over 12-months post-operation. The participants were divided into two groups: Standard care and Early HEP. Both groups went through the standard postoperative care, along with medication, a cervical collar or neck brace, and restrictions of certain activities. The standard care group received physical therapy referral six weeks after surgery while the early HEP group was given a home exercise program to perform during the postoperative six-weeks. This included walking and sleeping instructions and a range of motion/strengthening exercises. A cognitive-behavioral strategy was also given to help relax. The participants would phone-conference with a physical therapist on a weekly basis. Exercises increased in difficulty every two weeks, based on the therapists' judgment. When compared to the standard care group, the early HEP group reported a reduction in short-term neck pain and were less likely to be using pain meds/opioids twelve months after their surgery. Recovery Tips Recovery time after ACDF surgery typically lasts about four to six weeks. If the bone graft was from the pelvis, there could be pain, soreness, and stiffness. To minimize discomfort, try not to sit or lie down for long periods. And remember to change position or take a quick short walk down the hall, to the kitchen, etc. every 20-30 minutes. If you are referred to physical therapy combine it with the home exercise program. The therapist will teach you exercises and proper form. Exercising ten minutes every day is far more effective than doing 45 minutes once a week. Resuming normal activities gradually is crucial. No pain, no gain does not apply when recovering from ACDF surgery. Recovery exercises can feel great. However, pain and fatigue can sneak up the next day or the following week. Gradually easing back into daily activities can help avoid major setbacks. Work, shopping, house chores, childcare, and lawn care all fall into the activity category. A recurrence of neck pain after recovery is normal. However, discomfort can be minimized by taking a few precautions. - Use proper form when lifting
- Keep objects close to the body
- Keep the back flat as you lift
- Maintain neutral neck position
- Be aware of your posture when sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping
- Gradually increase the exercise program
- Don't overdo it
- Address underlying fear/anxiety
- Fear of generating pain can cause tension and exacerbate or even create new pain symptoms
- Stop smoking, as it has shown to impede the fusion and heighten the risk for complications
ACDF surgery can improve quality of life. Your surgeon is responsible for performing the procedure, it’s up to the individual to follow through with an exercise program and proper ergonomics for optimal results.
Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alexander Jimenez looks at the cervical spine and low back pain.
Low back pain and leg pain are the most common cause of disability worldwide. As such new research based treatment approaches are needed. This new randomized trial by BCP Non-profit and Cairo University tested the ability of the cervical Denneroll orthotic to improve cervical spine curvature and its consequent effect on low back and leg pain.
Great short term results were found where patients receiving the cervical spine Denneroll improved with low back pain, leg pain, neurological outcomes and disability compared to a PT only interventional group.
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Manage neck pain with a traction device. Learn how physical therapy can improve mobility, decrease pain, and restore function. For answers to any questions you may have, call Dr. Alexander Jimenez at 915-850-0900 or 915-412-6677