Spine Health & Spinal Hygiene

Chiropractic treatment/care is a recommended pain relief option for musculoskeletal automobile, sports, personal - injuries, strains, sprains, pain, and rehabilitation. An initial chiropractic examination is similar to a standard examination administered by health care providers. What an individual can expect at their first consultation includes:

• Condition or pain symptoms
• Medical history 
• Physical examination
• Initial exams last around 45 minutes or more.
• Follow-up appointments are shorter.

Online Conference or Phone Call

Some chiropractors offer individuals an initial interview over a video conference and/or phone call. It is focused on discussion with topics like the chiropractors:

• Types of insurance taken
• Cost
• Types of forms to fill out
• Philosophy
• Expertise
• Specialization areas
• Approaches
• Techniques
• Individual's preferences

Initial Clinic Visit

The initial in-office clinical exam generally includes:

Patient History and Symptoms

The patient will be asked to fill out forms that can also be filled out online before the visit, saving a patient time if they so choose. This provides background information about symptoms and conditions in preparation for the in-person chiropractic consultation. Questions include:

• Did the pain start as a result of an auto, sports, personal, work injury?
• How did the pain start - activities, sports, work, etc.?
• When did the pain start - a few days, weeks, months, years?
• Where is the pain located?
• Does the pain spread out to other areas?
• Is the pain dull, sharp, burning, or throbbing?
• Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?
• What activities or body positions make it better and/or worse?
• Patients are also asked to provide information on pre-existing medical conditions, family medical history if necessary, prior injuries, and previous and current treatments provided by other medical professionals.

Physical Examination

A chiropractic examination includes:

• Reflexes
• Respiration
• Blood pressure
• Pulse

Certain orthopedic and neurological tests can also be used. These include:

• Range of motion
• Neurological integrity
• Muscle strength
• Muscle tone
• Walking gait
• Posture analysis

Diagnostic Studies

Based on the medical history and physical exam results, diagnostic studies could help reveal pathologies and identify structural abnormalities to diagnose more accurately. X-rays are the most commonly used during an initial chiropractic exam and are used to:

• Diagnose recent trauma
• Diagnose bone fractures
• Study spinal deformities

An MRI scan is recommended for soft tissue damage like a herniated disc, torn muscle/s, or nerve compression.

Patient Diagnosis after the Chiropractic Exam

All the findings from the medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests help the chiropractor form a diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, the chiropractor will discuss personalized treatment options.

Body Composition

Heart Disease

Many factors can contribute to heart disease, and research has pointed to inflammation caused by obesity as one of the most significant factors to its development. The main contributor is cytokines produced by excess body fat. Cytokines cause inflammation in the walls of the arteries causing damage and increasing pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the vessels. High blood pressure means that the heart is not pumping blood effectively, and the heart begins to enlarge. An enlarged heart is a significant risk factor that can lead to heart failure if interventions are not taken to repair the damage.

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

Jenkins HJ, Downie AS, French SD. Current evidence for spinal x-ray use in the chiropractic profession. Chiropr Man Therap. 2018; 26:48.

Wang, Zhaoxia, and Tomohiro Nakayama. “Inflammation, a link between obesity and cardiovascular disease.” Mediators of inflammation vol. 2010 (2010): 535918. doi:10.1155/2010/535918

Weeks, William B et al. “Public Perceptions of Doctors of Chiropractic: Results of a National Survey and Examination of Variation According to Respondents' Likelihood to Use Chiropractic, Experience With Chiropractic, and Chiropractic Supply in Local Health Care Markets.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 38,8 (2015): 533-44. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2015.08.001

Losing weight can be one of the hardest things to do. It is also one of the best things anyone can do to get rid of back pain and optimize overall health. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight impacts the whole body, especially the spine. It is prevalent for individuals who are overweight to experience back pain. This comes from the added weight that the feet, legs, pelvis, and spine have to support. For many, once the weight comes off, the back pain reduces significantly and/or disappears completely. For those embarking on a weight loss journey,  our:

• Chiropractic team
• Physical therapists
• Health coach
• Nutritionist
• Can provide resources to plan, encourage, and assist in reaching health goals.

Overweight, Obesity and Back Pain

Spine pain is one of the top reasons individuals see a doctor. The need to lose weight is based on body mass index/BMI. BMI can be an indicator that an individual's weight might not be in a healthy range. BMI ranges:

• Normal weight - Body Mass Index of less than 25
• Overweight - Body Mass Index of 25 to 30
• Obese - Body Mass Index of 31 to 35
• Extremely obese - Body Mass Index of 36 or higher

If unsure about how to get an accurate BMI measurement, talk to our team about InBody Testing.

Added Weight Places Pressure On the Spine

Added bodyweight places added strain on the low back. Studies have linked obesity with degenerative disc problems. Combined with the physical impact the added weight has on the spine and overall health, it can also affect spine surgery outcomes. Studies have shown that some overweight/obese individuals have an increased risk for surgery-related complications like:

• Infection
• Issues recovering from anesthesia
• Overall recovery struggles

The good news is that individuals do not have to lose a significant amount of weight to see and feel the benefits. Losing 15% of excess weight will improve chronic back pain.

Exercise

Successful weight loss is the ability to maintain the loss. It needs to be something that can be committed to and brought into an individual's lifestyle. Trying to go hard with an extreme diet or intense exercise program is not recommended. This is like not having any long-distance running knowledge along with training but entering a 12345K race. An individual will collapse after a few blocks. And sustained weight loss is just that, a long-distance journey that requires:

• Getting educated about what is going on with the body
• Understanding how foods affect/impact the body
• Understanding the body's unique needs to lose weight
• Developing a personal health goal plan
• Following through

Lifestyle factors contribute to healthy body weight. Being able to embed healthy habits into one's life is the objective. Although it can sound easy to do, it can be a challenging process. With professional help, individuals can:

• Maintain a nutritious and balanced diet
• Have an active lifestyle
• Maintain healthy sleep habits
• Keep stress under control

Discussing a weight loss plan is very important. A professional health coach, nutritionist, and chiropractor will develop the right program that considers an individual's specific health status.

Overall Health

Achieving a healthy weight will reduce to relieve back pain completely and significantly improve quality of life. Weight management is challenging, but once the benefits are seen and felt, it becomes second nature.

Body Composition

Healthy Kidneys 

The kidneys pump more than 400 gallons of recycled blood through the body every day. These organs work nonstop to filter blood and remove waste. If the kidneys become impaired, the body can become overloaded with waste. Unhealthy lifestyle choices can harm/damage the kidneys. Kidney disease progresses slowly over the years. Individuals can lose 90 percent of kidney function before symptoms become serious. Chronic kidney disease is not reversible. However, with lifestyle adjustments, an individual can lower their risk of developing kidney-related diseases.

Proper Hydration

Drink plenty of water to clear sodium, urea, and toxins from the body and prevents kidney stones. Try to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Every individual's body water levels are different. A body composition test can determine what is normal for the individual.

Maintain healthy diet 

Poor diet contributes to visceral fat gain. This has been linked to chronic kidney disease. Reduce visceral fat by eating a healthy diet of vegetables, fruit, and lean protein. Cut down on salty, processed foods. Body composition testing can help form an individualized diet plan to reduce visceral fat.

 Supplements, antibiotics, and OTC medications

Overuse of common over-the-counter medications and supplements can cause kidney damage and disease. Consult with a doctor before taking medications and supplements if there is kidney function impairment.

Maintain fitness and physical activity

Cardio and strength training exercises are recommended. High blood sugar levels stress the kidneys. Building adequate muscle mass will help control blood sugar. A body composition test can make sure there are adequate amounts of muscle mass.

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 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

Liuke M, Solovieva S, Lamminen A, Luoma K, et al. Disc degeneration of the lumbar spine in relation to overweight. Int J Obes (Lond). 2005;29(8):903-908.

Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults and Youth: the United States, 2011–2014. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center for Health Statistics.https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db219.htm. Page last updated: October 28, 2015. Accessed July 10, 2017

Samartzis D, Karppinen J, Chan D, Luk KD, et al. The association of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging with body mass index in overweight and obese adults: A population-based study. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2012;64(5):1488-1496.

Scoliosis causes the spinal curvature to go sideways and can cause various symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is scoliosis hip pain. This happens because the spine's curvature can pull the hips out of alignment, causing one side to be raised higher than the other. A result of this is one hip begins to take on more weight. This overloads the hip causing strain, soreness, aches, and pain, especially after standing or walking.

Scoliosis Hip Pain

Idiopathic scoliosis typically occurs in children, but often there are no pain symptoms. This type of scoliosis can go on unnoticed and undiagnosed for years even until adulthood. When the spine stops growing, even a small scoliosis curve can cause hip pain. The hip pain varies but generally presents with:

• Sharp pain.
• Throbbing pain.
• Pain that increases with activity like walking, running, standing for a long time.
• Stiffness with combined pain after sitting or lying down for a long time.
• Sciatica.
• Numbness.
• Tingling.
• Tight hip flexors.

The amount of pain depends on:

• The misalignment severity.
• The type of scoliosis - degenerative or idiopathic.
• Bodyweight. Individuals that are obese are more likely to have severe hip pain because of the added weight.
• Activity level. Physical activity can cause the pain to worsen.
• Lifestyle.
• It varies from person to person.

The Higher Hip

When scoliosis has progressed enough, the curvature and uneven hips are pretty apparent. However, only around 10% of scoliosis cases get this far. If the curvature is minimal, which is usually the case, trying to determine which hip is higher usually requires medical assistance.

• The hip that presents with pain is generally the one taking on more weight.
• This causes the muscles to fatigue faster and places added stress on that hip joint.
• A way to tell which hip is higher stand on bare feet in front of a mirror holding a piece of yarn, or string with both hands.
• Place the heel of each hand on the corresponding hip bone.
• The string will be tilted if the hips are uneven or will be straight if they are not.

Adult Scoliosis 

Hip pain caused by scoliosis is most common in adults. However, it is not the only cause of hip pain. Unless diagnosed with scoliosis as a child, individuals may be suffering from de novo scoliosis or degenerative scoliosis.

De Novo/Degenerative Scoliosis

As the body ages, the spinal discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down. The worn-down discs can cause the spine to develop a sideways curve, that can pull the hips out of alignment. Studies are showing that this type of scoliosis is widespread. Loss of bone density can be a contributor to scoliosis in older adults. Bone density loss from menopause means women are more susceptible than men. Past the age of 70, both men and women lose on average, the same amount of bone density. There are effective integrative, natural treatment therapies that incorporate:

• Exercises
• Nutrition
• Posture correction
• Chiropractic
• Physical therapy

Scoliosis Hip Exercises

For uneven hips, there are exercises to help relieve pain and strengthen weak muscles.

Hip Stretch

• Lie on the back with both legs straight out.
• Lift the right leg
• Using the hands pull the knee toward you, keeping the foot pointed up.
• Pull the knee to your chest as far as you can without causing discomfort or pain.
• Hold for 5 to 8 seconds.
• Release.
• Switch to the other leg.
• Repeat 4 to 6 times on each leg.

Wide Leg Stretch

• Sit on the floor with the legs as wide as they can go.
• With the right hand, reach toward the left foot, touching if possible.
• Return to the original position.
• With the left hand, reach toward the right foot.
• Repeat 6 to 8 times.

Chiropractic

If misaligned and uneven hips are causing pain, chiropractic care for scoliosis is recommended. Spine and hip realignments help relieve pain, stretch the muscles, and corrects posture. One study showed that multi-approach chiropractic for adult scoliosis was found to be beneficial even two years after treatment was finished. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help with recommending nutrition and lifestyle tips. Instead of just treating symptoms, our team helps manage the cause.

Body Composition

Body Analysis for Disease Prevention

Early identification of disease is imperative for developing the proper treatment plan. Testing can help improve long-term health outcomes. Testing is made easy with the data being easily implemented into patient management software. A comprehensive printout is ready for engaging and educating patients in understanding health risk management and reduction. In 60 seconds, an InBody Test will generate easy-to-understand, accurate, and objective measurements to evaluate potential disease risk. Medical providers can use the InBody to:

• Monitor muscle, and visceral fat to provide an accurate measure of health risk.
• Monitor muscle distribution to determine specific health risks related to diseases.
• Identify fluid imbalances associated with certain diseases.
• Track changes for effective long-term risk identification and reduction.

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

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2001/0701/p111.html#afp20010701p111-b1

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00586-020-06453-0.pdf

https://www.healthline.com/health/uneven-hips

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1556370711000915