Spine Health & Spinal Hygiene

Individuals with neck and shoulder pain may experience what feels like tightened lumps or knots in and around the muscles where the neck and shoulder meet. Can using kinesiology tape for neck and shoulder trigger points help to loosen and release them, restore function, and bring pain relief?

Kinesiology Tape For Neck and Shoulder Trigger Points

The upper trapezius and levator scapula muscles are where the shoulder and neck come together and are often the location of trigger point formations. These trigger points can cause tension, pain, and muscular spasms in the neck and shoulders. Various treatments for releasing trigger points and alleviating the pain symptoms include therapeutic massage, trigger point release, and chiropractic adjustments in a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

• Electrical stimulation and ultrasound have often been used to break up the knots, but scientific evidence has shown that these treatments alone are not the most effective. (David O. Draper et al., 2010)
• Stretching the neck muscles can bring tension relief and help release the knots.
• Practicing healthy postures helps avoid and prevent symptoms. (Cleveland Clinic. 2019)
• Kinesiology tape can decrease pain and spasms and help to release the trigger points.

Therapy

Using kinesiology tape is a form of physical therapy that can be used in various ways.

• The tape helps lift the upper tissues from underlying tissues to increase circulation and release muscular spasms.
• It can help improve muscular contractions, decrease swelling, and inhibit pain in injured tissues.
• Helps stop the trigger points and knots from worsening.
• The tape can also be used for managing lymphedema.

Usage

To decrease trigger points, individuals can use a specific kinesiology tape strip called a lift strip. Individuals can consult their healthcare provider or physical therapist to show them the various types of strips to learn how to cut them properly.

• Before using kinesiology tape, consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist to assess the injury and situation.
• Kinesiology tape is not for everyone, and some people have conditions where the use of kinesiology tape should be avoided altogether.
• A therapist can evaluate the neck pain and trigger points to determine if the individual should use kinesiology tape.

To use kinesiology tape for neck and shoulder trigger points:

1. Get comfortable with the neck and shoulders exposed.
2. Cut one lift strip for each side of the neck, if necessary.
3. The lift strip should be around 3 to 4 inches long.
4. Remove the paper backing in the center with the exposed tape in the center, which should look like a band-aid.
5. Both ends of the lift strip should still have the paper backing on.
6. Stretch out the kinesiology tape.
7. Place the stretched tape directly over the trigger points in the upper shoulder area.
8. Remove the backing on either side of the lift strip and place the ends on without stretching.
9. Gently rub the tape to help the adhesive adhere.

• Once the tape has been applied, it can be left there for 2 to 5 days.
• It's ok if it gets wet with a bath or shower.
• Monitor the skin around the tape to watch for redness or other signs of a negative reaction to the tape.
• Kinesiology taping can be a useful tool to decrease pain and spasms but does not replace professional treatment, prescribed exercises and stretches, and posture retraining.
• The physical therapy team will teach proper self-care strategies for the individual's condition.
• For individuals with neck and shoulder pain and muscle spasms, a trial of kinesiology taping may help alleviate symptoms and improve the overall injury.

The Non-Surgical Approach to Wellness with Chiropractic Care

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 discuss the subject matter above further, 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

Draper, D. O., Mahaffey, C., Kaiser, D., Eggett, D., & Jarmin, J. (2010). Thermal ultrasound decreases tissue stiffness of trigger points in upper trapezius muscles. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 26(3), 167–172. https://doi.org/10.3109/09593980903423079

Cleveland Clinic. (2019). Knots in Your Neck? How to Try a Trigger Point Massage to Release Them.

Tony Robbins Talks Network Chiropractic

Tony Robbins, the #1 personal growth and business leader, talks about his experience of Network Chiropractic and Donny Epstein.

Network Spinal Analysis™ could be described in this way, arising as it did when in 1982, New York Chiropractor, Dr Donald Epstein began ‘networking’ various chiropractic techniques. Through meticulous observation and by comparing the findings and results of one method with another, he began to see the efficacy of marrying certain techniques in a manner which enables the practitioner, through the use of light touch, to release large amounts of spinal tension from a patient. Although this might not sound very dramatic, it is a fact that the absolutely remarkable ‘life-changing’ ways in which patients respond to this method of care has become a hallmark of NSA. This unique approach to health is a synthesis of long standing chiropractic methods, quantum mechanics, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology while also acknowledging changing perspectives in health care. In Dr Epstein’s case, these changes involve an expanded interpretation of the concept of ‘wellness’.

What is Network Chiropractic?

Here is an interview with Dr. Epstein from the Positive Health

Online website:

Dr Epstein: “Network Spinal Analysis™ sits within a new paradigm which I have been developing internationally and that’s called the Wellness Paradigm. Wellness is not about whether a person has disease. It’s about their internal experience of their body, the ability to make constructive healthy choices, and their ability to enjoy life and be well. Wellness is that state of concern in which you are relatively invincible, nothing can ruin your day, you feel alive, vital and confident and experience a high state of well-being. When you experience wellness, your circumstances of the moment do not easily upset your internal state.”

Findings from Network Care have been documented in major university studies which examine the social science and bio-medical indicators of wellness by looking at a variety of different things people do to increase their health levels. A person who meditates daily, has buns of steel from exercise and the most expensive urine on the planet from supplements, and who has stopped doing the destructive things, will double their perceived wellness factor. However, if that person then adds Network Care, their wellness factor – their ability to make healthy life choices and stick to them – trebles!

Dr Epstein: “What we are looking at here is an experience of life beyond the usual form. A more subtle engagement with the parts of the brain that allow a person to express their higher level of humanity and function occurs so that a greater capacity to express more connections of compassion and love arises. I call these ‘higher end social changes’, because there are spiritual connotations involved. The individual is different in the way they relate to others and their environment. They can be instrumental in helping create a more compassionately productive community.

“To understand the ‘mechanics’ of NSA, we must first remind ourselves that the spine is composed of bones sitting on top of each other with discs or pads in-between. These bones or vertebrae have holes like donuts in them. These holes create a spinal-canal for the spinal cord which extends from the base of the brain to the tail-bone. The central nervous system comprises the brain and the spinal cord, and is supported by an intricate system of tissues called the meninges that are filled with fluid which nourishes and protects the nervous system, all of which sits within the spinal canal, protected by the bony vertebrae. Connective tissue attaches this system to the top and bottom of the spine and this tissue is subject to stresses, tension and distortion.

“We perceive our world through the nervous system. It is also through the nervous system that we coordinate the function of every cell, organ and tissue in the body. Every region of the body and every emotion is expressed through the nervous system. Also, it’s the part of us with which we reason and which adapts us to stress and it’s the vehicle we use to create our conscious reality. So, when an event occurs that our brain decides is not safe for us to fully experience at that particular time, the energy and information of the event is translated into vibration and tension, which is then stored in the body. This tension begins to distort the spinal system: Spinal bones (the vertebrae) lose their normal alignment, and muscles and ligaments strain and pull. Nerves can become compressed or stretched and irritated which results in abnormal function. As the nervous system is put under pressure, the spine is no longer able to right itself without outside help. Our body then ‘closes off’ the offending energy and tension, but over time, muscular tightness, spinal distortion, reduced breathing into the area occurs and consequently reduced movement results. Until it is safe to experience that energy again, and digest the information from the trauma, we cannot really feel whole or well.

“This is a very real thing – anyone who is at the crossroads of life, physically, emotionally or spiritually, or anyone who cannot get further than they were before, needs Network Care to help their brain to move from stress physiology which results in a person’s structure being fixed in defence posture. In fact, most of us remain in defence mode throughout our lives and this can retard the higher, more evolved area of the brain from developing its unique properties and evolving new strategies for experiencing and responding to life. There are many people whose vertebrae, ligaments and tissues are locked into stress patterns, creating so much tension, that their focus in life is just getting through another day! Network care allows the brain to move from the stress physiology into safety.”

So How Does The Practitioner Go About Relieving This Stress?

Dr Epstein: “I found that by using gentle and specific touches in a consistent sequence, where the spinal cord attaches to the spine, a patient’s own body learns to release complex patterns of tension and areas of disablement. Once this has been achieved, a further unwinding of deeper tensions from the spine occurs. These ‘touches’ consist of gentle finger or hand contacts applied at ‘spinal gateways’™ or ‘access points’ along the neck and lower spine. They are applied in such a way as to engage the higher part of the brain, the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex. This is the most recently developed region of our brain and is the area through which we observe ourselves and make choices regarding our behaviour. This is the area through which we can reach a higher level of humanity, one which embraces spirituality and evolution.”

During Network Spinal Analysis™ Care, two ‘healing waves’ develop. One is a breathing wave which releases tension throughout the spine and body and relaxes a person. The other is called somatopsychic (or body-mind) wave, which is associated with undulation or movement of the spine.

Dr Epstein: “The mathematics of this wave are unique because it appears that this type of wave has not been reported anywhere else, so it has to be a signature in Network care. The theory being purported now suggests that as the individual progresses through levels of care, that wave, that signal along the spine is organizing high levels of complexity. That means there’s more letters in the language – more words available and ultimately more information becomes accessible. There is an evolutionary aspect to this in that there is an increase in the ability of the system to self-organize so it can have more appropriate views about the environment and become more energy efficient. Thus an outcome is produced, that is significantly beneficial to the species and that was not there before.

“What we are looking for in Network is for the system itself to reorganize and develop strategies for experiencing and releasing tension on its own. In the first level of care, which may last a few weeks, the person develops a strategy to connect the brain to the body more effectively and to develop a capacity for self-correction of the tension patterns. The care programme encourages the development of spontaneous stretching movements and breath movements which help release tension in the spine. In the second level of care, we are looking for the brain to be aware of the person’s tension, and actually temporarily amplify that tension and redirect it so that the tension actually becomes the fuel for further healing and transformation. Tension is what holds a person anchored in a position of non-safety. Lack of safety is the basis for all physiological stress and the way we accumulate this stress is directly associated with the way we experience our world.

“I would like to see Network Spinal Analysis™ practitioners in places like cancer clinics and working with people who have had recent heart attacks; serious trauma patients and those who have had emotional traumas as children. I see Network Care not as competing with the existing medical paradigm, but instead offering a totally different approach that says no matter what you do about the disease, allow that person to be upgraded from say a 64k computer to a Pentium. Allow them to develop new strategies that they never had before and that person will make healthier choices. They will become more at peace and ease with their life and they will have a greater capacity to heal, which often means the disease going away. And if the disease doesn’t go away, at least that person’s life is going to be richer than it was before. Network Care is an approach to wellness that embraces everyone. Babies, children, seniors. All can develop these strategies which allow a higher level of function.

“A man who came to a talk I was giving, told me he had metastatic prostate cancer. He had had surgery and radiation treatments and the cancer had gone away but now it was back and spreading and he was very worried. I asked him what he was afraid of and if he was afraid of dying. He said, ‘No, I’m afraid of the way I have to die if I go for further chemotherapy and radiation.’ It is upsetting that the treatment has to take away a person’s dignity which in my opinion can never heal. But I asked him what he would have to do differently if he was going to die. He said that he would have to get his affairs in order so I asked him what he meant by that. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I haven’t spoken to my son in 20 years and I never forgave my wife for dying’. And he went through a variety of things. I asked him why he would have to do these things. He said so that he could die in peace and I said, ‘Sir, this is a mistake, it’s so you can live in peace’. For some people, the only way they can make the changes which will enable them to live in peace is at the very end of their life.

“And the point of this is – there are people who have cancer who never know it and who live full and perfectly wonderful lives. I know of one Network doctor I met at a seminar recently who told people that she is more alive, more compassionate and responsive with more feelings of gratitude than ever before. Six months previously, she had a breast removed, and for six weeks before that she had received chemotherapy. The other people who had had chemotherapy and surgery at the same time were not receiving Network Care. Her internal state of wellness was so high irrespective of her circumstance, that she could be well and produce the physiology that would allow for a person to heal.

“When someone comes to me for care, I do not have to know what it was that caused that person’s problem. What I do know, is how to intervene, to help their system to observe itself and to make a change. I have clinically dedicated myself to furthering the knowledge of the biological links which will help us express a greater range of our humanity. I believe that by optimizing an individual’s biology, Network Spinal Analysis™ will facilitate positive transformation on a global scale, changing the world, a spine at a time”.

Massage is part of integrative medicine and can be used for various medical conditions. In massage therapy, a therapist rubs and kneads the body's soft tissues, including muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and skin. The therapist varies the amount of pressure and movement. Individuals often start feeling the effects right away. One of the benefits is increased temperature. Increased temperature amplifies blood flow and circulation, enabling muscular and connective tissues to release restriction, and muscle tightness, relieve tension, and improve movement. A massage therapist will use different techniques to increase the temperature to treat various conditions.

Increased Temperature

Some patients want to know why their muscles heat up or burn during a massage. Muscles burn because of the accumulation of waste in the cells. The waste products are released as a result of massage. The muscles release lactate, a byproduct of glucose. The effects of deep tissue massage are almost the same as the effects of exercise. During the massage:

• The demand for oxygen in the tissues increases.
• Because of this, blood flow circulation to these tissues increases.
• This is necessary to supply oxygen and glucose.
• It excretes waste substances and toxins.

Muscle heat or burn during massage differs for everybody. Some individuals don't feel it at all. The session can be so intense that the muscles can't clear the lactate/toxins fast enough, causing the burning sensation.

Fascia Circulation

The temperature of the fascia can also be increased. Fascia is the thick, fibrous layer of connective tissues beneath the skin that can often become restrictive. Increased temperature in the superficial and deep tissues releases, relaxes, and loosens tight, tense, shortened, and/or injured areas, allowing muscular tissues to increase in elasticity, flexibility, and relaxation. Heart rate is raised, improving circulation and increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the affected areas and the rest of the body.

• Myofascial release involves slowly applying pressure to the area using flattened hands and fingers.
• The slow, soft pressure increases the temperature of the fascia.
• As the hands and fingers get deeper within, they slowly move around, spreading the fascia.
• This releases the tightness and relieves the pain.
• An individual's posture can improve when the temperature is increased. Muscular tension and tightness can cause increased pain symptoms, not allowing healthy posture.

Muscle Burn Relief

Rehydrate

• Drink plenty of water after the session is over.
• Water maintains proper circulation for excreting waste products and nourishes the muscle cells with fresh nutrients and oxygen.
• Avoid coffee and alcohol as they increase urination and blood osmolality and dehydrate the body.

Stretching

• Stretching before and after a session can relieve muscle soreness.
• Stretching exercises increase blood flow.
• Stimulates the release of synovial fluid around the joints.

Sleep

• Get plenty of rest after a session.
• The body knows how to restore itself; during sleep, it reduces cortisol secretion.
• It increases the stimulation of antioxidative hormones to go after free radicals.

Herbal Remedies

• Herbal remedies like ginger, garlic, cloves, and cinnamon increase blood circulation, reducing pain and swelling.

Essential Oils

• Essential oils like peppermint oil can help relax the mind.
• They have anti-inflammatory properties that help with muscle burn and soreness.
• After a session, a little peppermint or CBD oil can relieve the sore parts.

Chiropractic Success Story

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 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, don't hesitate to 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

Dion LJ, et al. Development of a hospital-based massage therapy course at an academic medical center. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. 2015; doi:10.3822/ijtmb.v8i1.249.

Massage therapy: What you need to know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/massage-therapy-what-you-need-to-know. Accessed Jan. 5, 2021.

Rodgers NJ, et al. A decade of building massage therapy services at an academic medical center as part of a healing enhancement program. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2015; doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.07.004.