Accidents and Injuries

Individuals suffering from a jammed finger: Can knowing the signs and symptoms of a finger that is not broken or dislocated allow for at-home treatment and when to see a healthcare provider?

Jammed Finger Injury

A jammed finger, also known as a sprained finger, is a common injury when the tip of a finger is forcefully pushed toward the hand, causing the joint to become compressed. This can cause pain and swelling in one or more fingers or finger joints and cause ligaments to stretch, sprain, or tear. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2015) A jammed finger can often heal with icing, resting, and taping. This is often enough to allow it to heal in a week or two if no fractures or dislocations are present. (Carruthers, K. H. et al., 2016) While painful, it should be able to move. However, if the finger cannot wiggle, it may be broken or dislocated and require X-rays, as a broken finger or joint dislocation can take months to heal.

Treatment

Treatment consists of icing, testing, taping, resting, seeing a chiropractor or osteopath, and progressive regular use to regain strength and ability. 

Ice

• The first step is icing the injury and keeping it elevated.
• Use an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel.
• Ice the finger in 15-minute intervals.
• Take the ice off and wait until the finger returns to its normal temperature before re-icing.
• Do not ice a jammed finger for over three 15-minute intervals in one hour.

Try To Move The Affected Finger

• If the jammed finger does not move easily or the pain gets worse when trying to move it, you need to see a healthcare provider and have an X-ray to check for a ​bone fracture or dislocation. (American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 2015)
• Try to move the finger slightly after swelling, and the pain subsides.
• If the injury is mild, the finger should move with little discomfort for a short time.

Tape and Rest

• If the jammed finger is not broken or dislocated, it can be taped to the finger next to it to keep it from moving, known as buddy taping. (Won S. H. et al., 2014)
• Medical-grade tape and gauze between the fingers should be used to prevent blisters and moisture while healing.
• A healthcare provider may suggest a finger splint to keep the jammed finger lined up with the other fingers.
• A splint can also help prevent a jammed finger from re-injury.

Resting and Healing

• A jammed finger must be kept still to heal at first, but eventually, it needs to move and flex to build strength and flexibility.
• Targeted physical therapy exercises can be helpful for recovery.
• A primary care provider might be able to refer a physical therapist to ensure the finger has a healthy range of motion and circulation as it heals.
• A chiropractor or osteopath can also provide recommendations for helping rehabilitate the finger, hand, and arm to normal function.

Easing The Finger Back to Normal

• Depending on the extent of the injury, the finger and hand can be sore and swollen for a few days or weeks.
• It can take some time to start feeling normal.
• Once the healing process begins, individuals will want to return to using it normally.
• Avoiding using a jammed finger will cause it to lose strength, which can, over time, further weaken it and increase the risk of re-injury.

If the pain and swelling persist, see a healthcare provider to get it checked for a possible fracture, dislocation, or other complication as soon as possible, as these injuries are harder to treat if the individual waits too long. (University of Utah Health, 2021)

At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, we passionately focus on treating patients’ injuries and chronic pain syndromes and improving ability through flexibility, mobility, and agility programs tailored to the individual. Our providers use an integrated approach to create personalized care plans that include Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine protocols. Our goal is to relieve pain naturally by restoring health and function to the body. If the individual needs other treatment, they will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited for them. Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and premier rehabilitation providers to provide the most effective clinical treatments.

Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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 it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, don't hesitate to 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 Society for Surgery of the Hand. (2015). Jammed finger. https://www.assh.org/handcare/condition/jammed-finger

Carruthers, K. H., Skie, M., & Jain, M. (2016). Jam Injuries of the Finger: Diagnosis and Management of Injuries to the Interphalangeal Joints Across Multiple Sports and Levels of Experience. Sports Health, 8(5), 469–478. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738116658643

Won, S. H., Lee, S., Chung, C. Y., Lee, K. M., Sung, K. H., Kim, T. G., Choi, Y., Lee, S. H., Kwon, D. G., Ha, J. H., Lee, S. Y., & Park, M. S. (2014). Buddy taping: is it a safe method for treatment of finger and toe injuries?. Clinics in orthopedic surgery, 6(1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2014.6.1.26

University of Utah Health. (2021). University of Utah Health. Should I worry about a jammed finger? University of Utah Health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/all/2021/03/should-i-worry-about-jammed-finger

Those experiencing neck pain, stiffness, headache, shoulder and back pain may suffer from a whiplash injury. Can knowing whiplash signs and symptoms help individuals recognize the injury and help healthcare providers develop an effective treatment plan?

Whiplash Signs and Symptoms

Whiplash is a neck injury that typically occurs after a motor vehicle collision or accident but can happen with any injury that rapidly whips the neck forward and backward. It is a mild to moderate injury of the neck muscles. Common whiplash signs and symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Tingling sensations in the neck or down the arms. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2024)
• Some individuals can develop chronic pain and headaches.

The symptoms and treatment depend on the severity of the injury. Treatment can include over-the-counter pain medicines, ice and heat therapy, chiropractic, physical therapy, and stretching exercises.

Frequent Signs and Symptoms

The sudden whipping movement of the head can affect several structures within the neck. These structures include:

• Muscles
• Bones
• Joints
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Intervertebral discs
• Blood vessels
• Nerves. 
• Any or all of these can be affected by a whiplash injury. (MedlinePlus, 2017)

Statistics

Whiplash is a neck sprain that occurs from a fast neck-jerking motion. Whiplash injuries account for more than half of vehicle traffic collision injuries. (Michele Sterling, 2014) Even with a minor injury, the most frequent symptoms include: (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

• Neck pain
• Next stiffness
• Neck tenderness
• Limited range of motion of the neck

Individuals can develop neck discomfort and pain shortly after an injury; however, the more intense pain and stiffness typically do not occur right after the injury. Symptoms tend to worsen the next day or 24 hours later. (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

Beginning Symptoms

Researchers have found that approximately more than half of individuals with whiplash develop symptoms within six hours of the injury. Around 90% develop symptoms within 24 hours, and 100% develop symptoms within 72 hours. (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

Whiplash vs. Traumatic Cervical Spine Injury

Whiplash describes a mild to moderate neck injury without significant skeletal or neurological symptoms. Significant neck injuries can lead to fractures and dislocations of the spine that can affect the nerves and spinal cord. Once an individual develops neurological problems associated with a neck injury, the diagnosis changes from whiplash to traumatic cervical spine injury. These differences can be confusing as they are on the same spectrum. To better understand the severity of a neck sprain, the Quebec classification system divides neck injury into the following grades (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

Grade 0

• This means there are no neck symptoms or physical examination signs.

Grade 1

• There is neck pain and stiffness.
• Very few findings from the physical examination.

Grade 2

• Indicates neck pain and stiffness
• Neck tenderness
• Decreased mobility or neck range of motion on physical examination.

Grade 3

• Involves muscle pain and stiffness.
• Neurologic symptoms include:
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in the arms
• Decreased reflexes

Grade 4

• Involves a fracture or dislocation of the bones of the spinal column.

Other Symptoms

Other whiplash signs and symptoms that can be associated with the injury but are less common or only occur with a severe injury include (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

• Tension headache
• Jaw pain
• Sleep problems
• Migraine headache
• Difficulty concentrating
• Reading difficulties
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Driving difficulties

Rare Symptoms

Individuals with severe injuries can develop rare symptoms that often indicate traumatic cervical spine injury and include: (Nobuhiro Tanaka et al., 2018)

• Amnesia
• Tremor
• Voice changes
• Torticollis - painful muscle spasms that keep the head turned to one side.
• Bleeding in the brain

Complications

Most individual generally recover from their symptoms within a few weeks to a few months. (Michele Sterling, 2014) However, whiplash complications can occur, especially with severe grade 3 or grade 4 injuries. The most common complications of a whiplash injury include chronic/long-term pain and headaches. (Michele Sterling, 2014) Traumatic cervical spine injury can affect the spinal cord and be associated with chronic neurological problems, including numbness, weakness, and difficulty walking. (Luc van Den Hauwe et al., 2020) 

Treatment

The pain is typically more severe the next day than after the injury. Whiplash musculoskeletal injury treatment depends on whether it is an acute injury or the individual has developed chronic neck pain and stiffness.

• Acute pain can be treated with over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol and Advil, which effectively treat the pain.
• Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that can be taken with the pain reliever Tylenol, which works in different ways.
• The mainstay of treatment is encouraging regular activity with stretching and exercise. (Michele Sterling, 2014)
• Physical therapy uses various range of motion exercises to strengthen the neck muscles and relieve the pain.
• Chiropractic adjustments and non-surgical decompression can help realign and nourish the spine.
• Acupuncture can cause the body to release natural hormones that provide pain relief, help relax the soft tissues, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. The cervical spine can return to alignment when the soft tissues are no longer inflamed and spasming. (Tae-Woong Moon et al., 2014)

Neck Injuries

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

Medicine, J. H. (2024). Whiplash Injury. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/whiplash-injury

MedlinePlus. (2017). Neck Injuries and Disorders. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/neckinjuriesanddisorders.html#cat_95

Sterling M. (2014). Physiotherapy management of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Journal of physiotherapy, 60(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2013.12.004

Tanaka, N., Atesok, K., Nakanishi, K., Kamei, N., Nakamae, T., Kotaka, S., & Adachi, N. (2018). Pathology and Treatment of Traumatic Cervical Spine Syndrome: Whiplash Injury. Advances in orthopedics, 2018, 4765050. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4765050

van Den Hauwe L, Sundgren PC, Flanders AE. (2020). Spinal Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). In: Hodler J, Kubik-Huch RA, von Schulthess GK, editors. Diseases of the Brain, Head and Neck, Spine 2020–2023: Diagnostic Imaging [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2020. Chapter 19. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554330/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-38490-6_19

Moon, T. W., Posadzki, P., Choi, T. Y., Park, T. Y., Kim, H. J., Lee, M. S., & Ernst, E. (2014). Acupuncture for treating whiplash associated disorder: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2014, 870271. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/870271

For individuals dealing with knee pain symptoms from injury and/or arthritis, can incorporating an acupuncture and/or electroacupuncture treatment plan help in pain relief and management?

Acupuncture For Knee Pain

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into the skin at specific acupoints on the body. It is based on the premise that the needles restore the flow of the body’s energy to activate and promote healing, relieve pain, and help the body relax.

• Acupuncture can help address various health conditions, including knee pain caused by arthritis or injury.
• Depending on the type and severity of pain, treatments can help reduce the pain for days or weeks.
• Acupuncture is often used as a complementary therapy - treatment in addition to other treatment or therapy strategies like massage and chiropractic.

Acupuncture Benefits

Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis or injury can reduce flexibility, mobility, and quality of life. Acupuncture can help provide relief.

When the acupuncture needles are placed on the body, a signal is sent along the spinal cord to the brain, which triggers a release of endorphins/pain hormones. Medical researchers believe this helps reduce pain. (Qian-Qian Li et al., 2013) Acupuncture also helps decrease the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps control inflammation. (Qian-Qian Li et al., 2013) With reduced pain sensations and less inflammation after acupuncture treatments, knee function and mobility can be improved.

• Various factors play a role in the pain relief experienced from acupuncture. Some evidence suggests that an individual's expectations may impact the results of acupuncture treatment. (Stephanie L. Prady et al., 2015)
• Researchers are currently assessing whether the expectation that acupuncture is beneficial contributes to a better outcome after treatment. (Zuoqin Yang et al., 2021)
• In 2019, acupuncture was recommended in treating knee osteoarthritis in the American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guidelines for hand, hip, and knee osteoarthritis pain management. (Sharon L. Kolasinski et al., 2020)

Research

• Different clinical studies support acupuncture’s ability to help in knee pain relief and management.
• One study found that acupuncture helps manage various conditions that cause chronic pain. (Andrew J. Vickers et al., 2012)
• A scientific review analyzed previous studies on pain management interventions after knee surgery and found supporting evidence that the treatments delayed and reduced the use of medications for pain relief post-surgery. (Dario Tedesco et al., 2017)

Osteoarthritis

• A systematic review analyzed randomized control studies to determine whether or not acupuncture reduced pain and improved joint function in individuals with chronic osteoarthritis knee pain. (Xianfeng Lin et al., 2016)
• Individuals received six to twenty-three weekly acupuncture sessions for three to 36 weeks.
• The analysis determined that acupuncture can improve short and long-term physical function and mobility and provide up to 13 weeks of pain relief in individuals with chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that affects joints, including the knee joint, causing pain and stiffness.
• Acupuncture is beneficial in treating rheumatoid arthritis/RA.
• A review found that acupuncture alone and in combination with other treatment modalities benefits individuals with RA. (Pei-Chi, Chou Heng-Yi Chu 2018)
• Acupuncture is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects to help regulate immune system function.

Chronic Knee Pain

• Various conditions and injuries can cause chronic knee pain, making mobility difficult.
• Individuals with joint pain often turn to complementary therapies for pain relief management, with acupuncture being one of the popular modalities. (Michael Frass et al., 2012)
• A study showed modest improvements in pain relief at 12 weeks. (Rana S. Hinman et al., 2014)
• Acupuncture resulted in modest improvements in mobility and function at 12 weeks.

Safety

• Acupuncture is considered safe when administered by a trained, licensed professional.
• Few complications have been reported from the use of acupuncture. (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. 2022)

Side Effects

• Side effects can include soreness, bruising, or bleeding at the site of needle insertion and dizziness.
• Less common side effects include fainting, increased pain, and nausea. (Harvard Medical School. 2023)
• Working with a licensed, professional acupuncture practitioner can reduce the risk of unwanted side effects and complications.

Types

Other acupuncture options that may be offered include:

Electroacupuncture

• A modified form of acupuncture where a mild electrical current passes through the needles, providing additional stimulation to the acupoints.
• In one research study, individuals with knee osteoarthritis reported significant improvements in their pain, stiffness, and physical function after electroacupuncture treatment. (Ziyong Ju et al., 2015)

Auricular

• Auricular or ear acupuncture works on acupoints in the ear corresponding to the body's different parts.
• A research review analyzed several studies on auricular acupuncture for pain relief and found that it can provide relief within 48 hours of pain onset. (M. Murakami et al., 2017)

Battlefield Acupuncture

• The military and veteran healthcare facilities use a unique form of auricular acupuncture for pain management.
• Studies show that it is effective at providing immediate pain relief, but more research is necessary to determine long-term pain relief effectiveness. (Anna Denee Montgomery, Ronovan Ottenbacher 2020)

Before trying acupuncture, consult a healthcare professional for guidance, as it may be integrated with other therapies and lifestyle adjustments.

Overcoming an ACL Injury

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, don't hesitate to 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

Li, Q. Q., Shi, G. X., Xu, Q., Wang, J., Liu, C. Z., & Wang, L. P. (2013). Acupuncture effect and central autonomic regulation. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 267959. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/267959

Prady, S. L., Burch, J., Vanderbloemen, L., Crouch, S., & MacPherson, H. (2015). Measuring expectations of benefit from treatment in acupuncture trials: a systematic review. Complementary therapies in medicine, 23(2), 185–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2015.01.007

Yang, Z., Li, Y., Zou, Z., Zhao, Y., Zhang, W., Jiang, H., Hou, Y., Li, Y., & Zheng, Q. (2021). Does patient's expectation benefit acupuncture treatment?: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 100(1), e24178. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000024178

Kolasinski, S. L., Neogi, T., Hochberg, M. C., Oatis, C., Guyatt, G., Block, J., Callahan, L., Copenhaver, C., Dodge, C., Felson, D., Gellar, K., Harvey, W. F., Hawker, G., Herzig, E., Kwoh, C. K., Nelson, A. E., Samuels, J., Scanzello, C., White, D., Wise, B., … Reston, J. (2020). 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis care & research, 72(2), 149–162. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.24131

Vickers, A. J., Cronin, A. M., Maschino, A. C., Lewith, G., MacPherson, H., Foster, N. E., Sherman, K. J., Witt, C. M., Linde, K., & Acupuncture Trialists' Collaboration (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain: individual patient data meta-analysis. Archives of internal medicine, 172(19), 1444–1453. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3654

Tedesco, D., Gori, D., Desai, K. R., Asch, S., Carroll, I. R., Curtin, C., McDonald, K. M., Fantini, M. P., & Hernandez-Boussard, T. (2017). Drug-Free Interventions to Reduce Pain or Opioid Consumption After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA surgery, 152(10), e172872. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2017.2872

Lin, X., Huang, K., Zhu, G., Huang, Z., Qin, A., & Fan, S. (2016). The Effects of Acupuncture on Chronic Knee Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 98(18), 1578–1585. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.15.00620

Chou, P. C., & Chu, H. Y. (2018). Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2018, 8596918. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/8596918

Frass, M., Strassl, R. P., Friehs, H., Müllner, M., Kundi, M., & Kaye, A. D. (2012). Use and acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine among the general population and medical personnel: a systematic review. Ochsner journal, 12(1), 45–56.

Hinman, R. S., McCrory, P., Pirotta, M., Relf, I., Forbes, A., Crossley, K. M., Williamson, E., Kyriakides, M., Novy, K., Metcalf, B. R., Harris, A., Reddy, P., Conaghan, P. G., & Bennell, K. L. (2014). Acupuncture for chronic knee pain: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 312(13), 1313–1322. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.12660

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Acupuncture in depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/acupuncture-what-you-need-to-know

Harvard Medical School. (2023). Acupuncture: what is it? Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/acupuncture-a-to-z#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20side%20effects,injury%20to%20an%20internal%20organ.

Ju, Z., Guo, X., Jiang, X., Wang, X., Liu, S., He, J., Cui, H., & Wang, K. (2015). Electroacupuncture with different current intensities to treat knee osteoarthritis: a single-blinded controlled study. International journal of clinical and experimental medicine, 8(10), 18981–18989.

Murakami, M., Fox, L., & Dijkers, M. P. (2017). Ear Acupuncture for Immediate Pain Relief-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 18(3), 551–564. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnw215

Montgomery, A. D., & Ottenbacher, R. (2020). Battlefield Acupuncture for Chronic Pain Management in Patients on Long-Term Opioid Therapy. Medical acupuncture, 32(1), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1089/acu.2019.1382

During a fall individuals tend to automatically outstretch their hands to help break a fall, which can slam onto the ground causing a falling onto an outstretched hand or FOOSH injury. Should individuals get checked by a healthcare provider if they believe there is no injury?

FOOSH Injuries

Falling down usually results in minor injuries. A FOOSH injury occurs when falling and trying to break the fall by reaching out with the hand/s. This can result in an upper extremity injury like a sprain or a fracture. But sometimes, falling on one's hands can lead to serious injuries and/or create future musculoskeletal issues. Individuals who have fallen or suffered a FOOSH injury should consult their healthcare provider and then a physical therapist or chiropractor to safely develop a treatment plan to rehabilitate, strengthen, and expedite recovery.

After The Injury

For individuals who have fallen down and landed on their hand, wrist, or arm, here are a few things to ensure the proper care for the injury, including:

• Follow the R.I.C.E. protocol for acute injuries
• Visit a healthcare provider or local emergency clinic
• Contact a physical therapist

A FOOSH injury could be or become serious, so to avoid letting small issues become big problems, get examined by a musculoskeletal specialist. The healthcare provider will obtain an imaging scan of the injured and surrounding areas. They will perform a physical examination to determine the type of injury, like a sprain or muscle strain. Not getting appropriate medical treatment after a fall can result in chronic pain and loss of function. (J. Chiu, S. N. Robinovitch. 1998)

Common Injuries

A FOOSH injury can injure different areas. These usually involve the wrist and hand, but the elbow or shoulder can also be injured. Common injuries include:

Colles' fracture

• A wrist fracture where the end of the arm bone is displaced backward.

Smith's fracture

• A wrist fracture, similar to a Colles' fracture, is where the end of the arm bone is displaced towards the front of the wrist.

Boxer's fracture

• A fracture of the small bones in the hand.
• Typically, it occurs after punching something, but it can happen from falling on an outstretched fist.

Elbow dislocation or fracture

• The elbow can pop out of the joint or can break a bone in the elbow.

Collarbone fracture

• The force from falling with the hands and arms outstretched can travel up to the collarbone, causing a fracture.

Proximal humeral fracture

• Falling onto an outstretched hand injury can cause the arm bone to get jammed into the shoulder, causing a proximal humeral fracture.

Shoulder dislocation

• The shoulder can pop out of the joint.
• This can cause a rotator cuff tear or labrum injury.

Regardless of the injury, individuals should visit a healthcare provider to evaluate the damage. If the injury is serious, the practitioner can make an accurate or differential diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. (William R. VanWye et al., 2016)

Physical Therapy

Individuals can benefit from physical therapy to help recover and return to their previous level of function. Physical therapy varies depending on the specific injury, but generally, a physical therapist can help individuals return to function after a fall on an outstretched hand. (William R. VanWye et al., 2016) Common treatments can include:

• Treatments and modalities to decrease pain, inflammation, and swelling.
• Instruction on how to wear an arm sling properly.
• Exercises and stretches to improve the range of motion, strength, and functional mobility.
• Balance exercises.
• Scar tissue management if surgery was necessary.

The therapy team will ensure the proper treatment is utilized to quickly and safely return to normal activities.

Chiropractic Care For Healing After Trauma

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

Chiu, J., & Robinovitch, S. N. (1998). Prediction of upper extremity impact forces during falls on the outstretched hand. Journal of biomechanics, 31(12), 1169–1176. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0021-9290(98)00137-7

VanWye, W. R., Hoover, D. L., & Willgruber, S. (2016). Physical therapist screening and differential diagnosis for traumatic-onset elbow pain: A case report. Physiotherapy theory and practice, 32(7), 556–565. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2016.1219798

For individuals experiencing gluteus minimus pain and are unsure where to start to deal with it, can a physical therapist, chiropractor, or general practitioner help diagnose lower extremity pain and develop an appropriate treatment plan?

Gluteus Minimus Muscles

The gluteus minimus is the smallest muscle of the gluteal muscles. Combined with the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, these muscles make up the glutes. The glutes help form the buttocks shape, stabilize the hips, rotate the legs, and raise the thighs. The gluteus minimus and medius specifically support the gluteus maximus's ability to raise the leg to the side and rotate the thigh inwards. (ScienceDirect. 2011)

Anatomy

• The gluteus minimus muscles are triangular and lie underneath the gluteus medius near the rotators of the hip joints. The muscles start in the lower ilium region, the upper and largest area of the hip bone that makes up the pelvis and attaches to the femur/thigh bone.
• The fibers on the top part of the muscle are thick and compact, while the lower fibers are flat and spread out.
• The superior gluteal nerves and blood vessels separate the gluteus minimus and the medius.
• The gluteus medius muscles start on the upper ilium region, which covers the gluteus minimus muscle entirely. The location of the gluteus minimus muscles envelopes the sciatic notch or the area in the pelvis that houses the piriformis muscle, superior gluteal vein, and superior gluteal artery, which provide a certain amount of protection.

Function

Movement depends on the location of the femur. The gluteus minimus muscle's function is to:

1. Flex
2. Rotate
3. Stabilize

• When the thigh is extended, it helps abduct or swing the leg out away from the body.
• When the hip bones are flexed, the gluteus minimus rotates the thigh inward with the help of the gluteus medius.
• The movements are done with the support of the muscle fibers, which contract to move the thigh in both directions. (ScienceDirect. 2011)
• The gluteus minimus and the medius also stabilize the hips and pelvis during movement and when resting.

Associated Conditions

One of the most common injuries is muscle wearing and tearing, which can cause pain over and around the greater trochanter. This is known as greater trochanteric pain syndrome or GTPS, a condition usually caused by a gluteus medius or minimus tendinopathy, which can include inflammation of the surrounding bursae. (Diane Reid. 2016) For a gluteus minimus tear, the pain/sensations will be felt outside the hip, especially when rolling or applying weight on the affected side. A tear can happen suddenly with no particular activity causing the tear to occur aside from normal use and stress on the muscle. Physical activities like walking may be painful.

Rehabilitation

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Usually, rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication can help reduce swelling and pain symptoms. For pain symptoms that are not subsiding, it’s recommended to see a healthcare provider who can run an MRI or X-ray to see the condition of the muscle and rule out other causes of pain. The healthcare provider will refer the patient to a physical therapy team that can evaluate the strength of the gluteus minimus and provide a list of exercises and stretches to help repair the muscle while conditioning the surrounding muscles. (SportsRec. 2017) Depending on the level of pain, sometimes the healthcare provider will prescribe a cortisone injection to the gluteus minimus muscle in conjunction with physical therapy. This will help alleviate the pain so that the physical therapy exercises can be done comfortably, allowing the gluteus maximus muscle to heal properly and strengthen. (Julie M. Labrosse et al., 2010)

The Science of Motion 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, don't hesitate to 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

ScienceDirect. (2011). Gluteus minimus muscle.

Reid D. (2016). The management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: A systematic literature review. Journal of orthopaedics, 13(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2015.12.006

SportsRec. (2017). Physical therapy exercises for the gluteus minimus.

Labrosse, J. M., Cardinal, E., Leduc, B. E., Duranceau, J., Rémillard, J., Bureau, N. J., Belblidia, A., & Brassard, P. (2010). Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection for the treatment of gluteus medius tendinopathy. AJR. American journal of roentgenology, 194(1), 202–206. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.08.1215

Finger sprains and dislocations are common hand injuries that can happen during work, physical/sports activities, or in automobile collisions and accidents. Can recognizing the symptoms help in developing an effective treatment strategy?

Finger Sprains and Dislocations

Finger sprains and dislocations are common injuries of the hand that cause pain and swelling.

• A sprain happens when the finger tissue that supports a joint gets stretched beyond its limits in a way that stresses the ligaments and tendons.
• The ligament tissue can be partially or completely torn. If the damage is bad enough, the joint comes apart.
• This is a dislocation - A dislocation happens when the joint in the finger gets shifted out of its normal position.
• Both injuries can cause pain and stiffness in the finger and hand.

Sprains

Finger sprains can happen any time the finger bends in an awkward or unusual way. This can happen from falling on the hand or getting hurt when engaged in physical activities like sports or household chores. Sprains can occur in any of the knuckle joints in the finger. However, most commonly, the joint in the middle of the finger gets sprained. It's known as the proximal interphalangeal or PIP joint. (John Elfar, Tobias Mann. 2013) Symptoms of a finger sprain can include:

• Pain when you move your finger
• Swelling around the knuckle
• Tenderness in the finger and around the joint
• For a sprain, individuals may need to have imaging done to see if any of the bones in the hand are broken or fractured. (OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022)

Treatment

Individuals are encouraged not to move the injured finger while in recovery and healing. It can be hard to do, but wearing a splint can help.

• Splints are supports that are usually made from foam and pliable metal.
• A sprained finger can also be taped to one of the fingers next to it while in recovery, known as buddy-taping.
• Splinting a sprained finger while engaged in activities can protect the hand from worsening or further injury.
• However, splinting the finger when it is not needed can cause the joint to become stiff. (OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022)

1. An injury known as "gamekeeper's thumb" is a more serious type of sprain.
2. Injury to the ligaments at the thumb joint can cause difficulty in pinching and gripping.
3. This injury must often be taped up or splinted for a significant amount of time for full recovery and could require surgery. (Chen-Yu Hung, Matthew Varacallo, Ke-Vin Chang. 2023)

Other treatments to help a sprained finger include:

• Elevate the hand if swelling and inflamed.
• Gentle finger exercises/movements to prevent stiffness.
• Icing the injured finger.
• Take an anti-inflammatory medication.

Individuals who have not broken bones or dislocated the joint will probably be able to move their finger in about a week. A doctor will set a timeline for when to start using the finger normally.

1. Individuals who sprain their finger that feels swollen and stiff for longer than a few weeks are recommended to consult a doctor or specialist.
2. They will need to check the hand to make ensure there aren't any breaks or fractures. (OrthoInfo. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022)
3. Thumb sprains and finger sprains in children may need to be splinted or taped for longer periods, as the ligament is not fully developed or as strong, which could lead to a tear.

Dislocations

A finger dislocation is a more severe injury involving the ligament, joint capsule, cartilage, and other tissues that causes misalignment of the finger. The ligaments and the joint capsule get torn when a joint is dislocated. The joint needs to be reset, which can be a simple process, or in severe cases, patients may need to be placed under anesthesia or undergo surgery to reset the joint properly.

• In these cases, tendons or other tissues might be preventing the joint from getting into position.
• Putting the finger back into the right position is known as"reduction." Once reduced, the finger needs to be splinted.
• Individuals also need an X-ray to ensure the joint is lined up correctly and that any bones were not broken or fractured when they sustained the injury. (James R. Borchers, Thomas M. Best. 2012)
• Once reset, caring for a dislocated finger is basically the same as a sprained finger. Using ice on the finger, keeping the hand elevated to reduce swelling.
• Individuals need to check with their doctor to find out when to start moving the finger. (James R. Borchers, Thomas M. Best. 2012)

The Chiropractic Approach To Improving Health

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, 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

Elfar, J., & Mann, T. (2013). Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 21(2), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88

OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022) Hand fractures.

Hung, C. Y., Varacallo, M., & Chang, K. V. (2023). Gamekeeper's Thumb. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022) Finger fractures.

Borchers, J. R., & Best, T. M. (2012). Common finger fractures and dislocations. American family physician, 85(8), 805–810.

When individuals experience a neuromusculoskeletal injury strain, can following basic pulled muscle treatment protocols help in healing and a full recovery?

Pulled Muscle Treatment

A pulled muscle or muscle strain occurs when a muscle is stretched beyond its ability resulting in discomfort symptoms and mobility issues. Microscopic tears can occur within the muscle fibers potentially worsening the injury. This type of injury usually causes mild to severe pain, bruising, and immobility, and nerve injuries can develop as well. Common muscle strains include:

• Pulled hamstrings
• Groin strains
• Pulled abdominal muscles
• Calf strains

Pulled muscle treatment requires patience to promote proper healing and restoration of optimal function.

• Individuals need to focus on the different stages of healing.
• Gradually increase activity levels as the body allows to prevent stiffness and atrophy which can cause complications.

Symptoms

The usual symptoms of this type of injury include:

• Pain
• Limited mobility
• Muscle spasms 
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Often individuals will feel a sudden grabbing or tearing sensation and are then unable to continue the activity.

Grading

Muscle strain injuries are graded by severity: (Hospital for Special Surgery. 2019)

Grade I

• Mild discomfort.
• Often there is no disability.
• Usually does not limit activity.

Grade II

• Moderate discomfort
• Can limit the ability to perform certain activities.
• May have moderate swelling and bruising.

Grade III

• Severe injury that can cause significant pain.
• Muscle spasms.
• Swelling.
• Significant bruising.

Basic Treatment Protocols

Most pulled muscle strain injuries heal with simple treatment. Following the right steps can ensure an expedited recovery. In the early stages after the injury, there is a balance between doing too much or not enough. The amount of activity an individual will be able to do, and the time required for recovery depends on the severity of the injury. Here are some guidelines in the right direction.

Rest

• Rest is recommended for the early recovery stage.
• Depending on the severity of the injury this could last from one to five days.
• Immobilization is usually not necessary, and not moving at all can lead to muscle and joint stiffness.
• This can be harmful and interfere with mobility. (Joel M. Kary. 2010)
• If immobilization is necessary, like using a splint or cast, careful supervision should be monitored by a healthcare provider.

Cold Therapy

• Cold therapy should begin as soon as possible after sustaining a pulled muscle.
• The therapy/ice helps reduce swelling, bleeding, and pain. (Gerard A Malanga, Ning Yan, Jill Stark. 2015)
• Cold therapy applications can be done frequently, but should not exceed 15 minutes at a time.

Stretching

• Stretching is important to relax the muscles and for pre-mobilization.
• Muscles that maintain flexibility help prevent further injury.

Strengthening

• The injury and the rest period can decrease the strength of the muscle.
• It is important to rebuild strength before returning to physical activities.
• Strengthened muscles help prevent re-injury.

Increased Activity to Prevent Muscle Fatigue

• Fatigued muscles are more likely to sustain injuries. (S. D. Mair, A. V. Seaber, R. R. Glisson, W. E. Garrett Jr. 1996)
• To avoid injuries make sure the muscles are not over-exerted.
• Gradually increase activity levels when starting an exercise program to build endurance.

Properly Warming Up

• Warming up before taking on physical activities will help loosen the muscles and prevent injuries.
• Beginning work or exercise with stiff muscles can lead to an increased chance of strain.
• Studies have shown that temperature can influence the stiffness of a muscle. (K. W. Ranatunga. 2018)
• Maintaining body and muscle warmth helps prevent injury and re-injury.

Injuries and Chiropractic: The Road To Recovery

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, 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

Hospital for Special Surgery, Muscle Strain: What You Need to Know About Pulled Muscles.

Kary J. M. (2010). Diagnosis and management of quadriceps strains and contusions. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 3(1-4), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-010-9064-5

Malanga, G. A., Yan, N., & Stark, J. (2015). Mechanisms and efficacy of heat and cold therapies for musculoskeletal injury. Postgraduate medicine, 127(1), 57–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.2015.992719

Mair, S. D., Seaber, A. V., Glisson, R. R., & Garrett, W. E., Jr (1996). The role of fatigue in susceptibility to acute muscle strain injury. The American journal of sports medicine, 24(2), 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1177/036354659602400203

Ranatunga K. W. (2018). Temperature Effects on Force and Actin⁻Myosin Interaction in Muscle: A Look Back on Some Experimental Findings. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(5), 1538. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051538

Can chiropractic treatment protocols diagnose what's causing head pressure in individuals, and provide effective treatment?

Head Pressure

Head pressure can have various causes and symptoms that affect different areas depending on whether the cause is a headache, allergies, injury, illness, or disease. The location of the pressure or pain can help a doctor of chiropractic determine the cause.

• The underlying factor is usually not life-threatening, but the pressure that has built can be the result of serious conditions like a head injury or brain tumor.
• Chiropractic ​care, which includes a combination of spinal manipulation, active and passive exercises, and massage, is often used for headache management and prevention. (Moore Craig, et al., 2018)
• Chiropractic therapy is often sought out for tension and cervicogenic headaches, migraines, and each responds differently to the treatment.

The Head

• The head is made up of a complex system of lobes, sinuses/channels, blood vessels, nerves, and ventricles. (Thau L, et al., 2022)
• The pressure of these systems is regulated and any disruption to this balance can be noticeable.
• Diagnosis can be difficult to figure out what is causing discomfort or head pressure.
• Pain, pressure, irritability, and nausea are all symptoms that can occur with headaches. (Rizzoli P, Mullally W. 2017)

Location

• Head pressure in more than one spot is possible with a migraine or a severe cold. (American Migraine Foundation 2023)
• Pain can present in more than one area if there has been a head injury.
• If the pressure is more specific in a certain region, it can help provide clues about the cause of the symptoms.
• Medical issues can cause pressure in different areas. (Rizzoli P, Mullally W. 2017)
• An example is a sinus infection which can cause pressure under the eyes and around the nose.
• A migraine or tension headache can present as: (MedlinePlus. Migraine 2021)
• A tight band around the head.
• Pain or pressure behind the eyes.
• Stiffness and pressure in the back of the head and/or neck.

Causes of Pressure

The root cause of the problem is not always clear. There can be a number of potential causes.

Tension Headache

Tension headaches are the most common that feels like pressure squeezing the head. They usually develop because of tightening scalp muscles caused by:

• Stress
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Head injuries
• Unusual positioning of the head or illness can cause tension headaches.

Other than muscle tension, tension headaches can develop from: (MedlinePlus. Tension headache.)

• Physical stress
• Emotional stress
• Eye strain
• Fatigue
• Overexertion
• Overuse of caffeine
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Over alcohol use
• Sinus infections
• A cold or flu
• Smoking
• Tension headaches can also run in families. (MedlinePlus. Tension headache.)

Sinus Headache

• A sinus headache - rhinosinusitis - is caused by a viral or bacterial infection in the sinus cavities. (American Migraine Foundation 2023)
• There are sinus cavities on each side of the nose, between the eyes, in the cheeks, and on the forehead.
• The location of where these headaches cause pressure varies, depending on which sinuses are infected. (Cedars Sinai. Sinus Conditions and Treatments)
• Sinus infection headaches are obvious from the discolored nasal drainage.
• Individuals can have facial pain and pressure, lose their sense of smell, or have a fever. (American Migraine Foundation 2023)

Ear Conditions

• The ears help the body sense movement and balance.
• A problem in the inner ear that helps control balance can cause a type of migraine known as a vestibular migraine. (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
• This type of migraine doesn't always present with pain symptoms.
• Problems with balance and feelings of vertigo/sense of spinning are common with these types of migraines. (American Migraine Foundation)
• An ear infection can also cause feelings of head pressure and/or pain.
• Infections can cause pressure to build on the delicate structures of the middle and inner ear.
• These infections are usually caused by viral illness or bacteria. (FamilyDoctor.org)

Neurological Causes

• Neurological diseases and conditions can lead to increased pressure in the head.
• The pain symptoms depend on the specific cause.
• For example, a stroke can affect the whole head, while decreased brain fluid levels may affect just the base of the skull.
• The latter condition is known as intracranial hypertension which means increased pressure in the brain. (Schizodimos, T et al., 2020)
• For some individuals, there is no clear cause, this is known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. (Wall, Michael. 2017) (National Health Service 2023)

Other causes of increased intracranial pressure include:

• Medications
• Hormones
• Head injury
• Fluid buildup inside the brain - hydrocephalus (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2023)
• Brain infections like meningitis or encephalitis
• Brain blood clots 
• Brain tumors

Other

• Head pressure can also occur only at times when standing up, bending down to pick up an object, or otherwise changing posture in some way that blood pressure is affected.

Chiropractic Treatment

The Injury Medical team will develop a personalized treatment plan to help relieve pressure symptoms through a multidisciplinary approach that can include. (Moore Craig, et al., 2018)

• Spinal manipulation
• Low-load craniocervical mobilization
• Joint mobilization
• Deep neck flexion exercises
• Neuromuscular massage
• Physical therapy exercises
• Relaxation techniques
• Stress management
• Nutritional recommendations

Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment

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, 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

Moore, C., Leaver, A., Sibbritt, D., & Adams, J. (2018). The management of common recurrent headaches by chiropractors: a descriptive analysis of a nationally representative survey. BMC neurology, 18(1), 171. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-018-1173-6

Thau, L., Reddy, V., & Singh, P. (2022). Anatomy, Central Nervous System. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Rizzoli, P., & Mullally, W. J. (2018). Headache. The American journal of medicine, 131(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.09.005

American Migraine Foundation. Is it a migraine or a sinus headache?

MedlinePlus. Migraine.

MedlinePlus. Tension headache.

Cedars Sinai. Sinus conditions and treatments.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Dizziness and balance.

American Migraine Foundation. What to know about vestibular migraine.

FamilyDoctor.org. Ear infection.

Schizodimos, T., Soulountsi, V., Iasonidou, C., & Kapravelos, N. (2020). An overview of the management of intracranial hypertension in the intensive care unit. Journal of Anesthesia, 34(5), 741–757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-020-02795-7

Wall M. (2017). Update on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Neurologic Clinics, 35(1), 45–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ncl.2016.08.004

National Health Service. Intracranial hypertension.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Hydrocephalus. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/hydrocephalus

Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries make up a fourth of all work injuries. Repetitive pulling, lifting, punching in numbers, typing, pushing, holding, carrying, and scanning are the most common causes of job-related injuries. These types of injuries are the most common that cause missed days at work.  Overexertion can lead to lasting physical chronic conditions, ranging from chronic back pain to chronic joint pain caused by the advanced wearing and tearing of the various musculoskeletal tissues. Chiropractic medicine takes a comprehensive and whole-body approach to treating neuromusculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic relieves tight or damaged muscles, increases nerve energy flow, and properly aligns the joints through adjustments, spinal traction, decompression, and various forms of manual manipulation.

Overexertion and Repetitive Stress Injuries

Overexertion and repetitive stress injuries typically occur over time/years of engaging in the same strenuous activity regularly. However, an overexertion injury can occur with one sudden or extreme movement. A worker can injure muscles, tendons, joints, and ligaments. Overexertion can lead to musculoskeletal disorders with symptoms including:

• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Stiffness
• Chronic pain
• Limited or total loss of mobility in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.

Types

A few of the most common examples of overexertion injuries include:

Soft-Tissue

• Injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints.

Back

• Pulled, strained back muscles.
• Herniated discs.
• Compressed nerve roots.
• Fractured vertebrae.

Dehydration and Heat Stroke 

• Most common among workers doing outdoor manual labor.

Repetitive and Overuse

• Injuries range from carpal tunnel syndrome to stress fractures.
• Often the result of weeks, months, or years of repeated movements
• In many cases, two or more injuries can happen simultaneously.
• For example, a worker is more likely to sustain an injury if they are dehydrated or they are performing dual tasks.

Causes

Certain movements and activities are more likely to cause overexertion injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Daily lifting of objects, light and heavy.
• Performing awkward movements that cause the body to be in unhealthy positions.
• Standing and/or sitting or for long periods.
• Using excessive force to perform tasks.
• Operating heavy machinery.
• Working in hot and/or humid conditions.

High-Rate Injury Industries

Industries in which overexertion injuries are most common include:

• Education.
• Health services.
• Manufacturing.
• Construction.
• Warehouse work.
• Transportation.
• Wholesale trade.
• Retail stores.

Chiropractic Treatment

These injuries can lead to missed work, debilitating pain, and medical bills. Depending on the severity of the injury, chiropractic care will use massage techniques, spinal manipulation, traction, and decompression therapies, to increase flexibility and mobility to reduce the chances of a recurring injury. The benefits of chiropractic include:

• Prevents the risk of worsening or future injuries.
• Expedites recovery to help individuals rehabilitate and get back to work sooner.
• Improves physical and mental well-being.
• Provide recommendations on how to properly stretch and strengthen muscles.
• Nutritional anti-inflammatory recommendations.

By learning how to avoid overexertion injuries, workers can be more productive, enjoy work, and improve their quality of life.

From Injury To Recovery

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, 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

Anderson, Vern Putz, et al. “Occupational fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and related economic loss in the wholesale and retail trade sector.” American Journal of industrial medicine vol. 53,7 (2010): 673-85. doi:10.1002/ajim.20813

Choi, Hyun-Woo, et al. “Characteristics of occupational musculoskeletal disorders of five sectors in the service industry between 2004 and 2013.” Annals of Occupational and environmental medicine vol. 29 41. 19 Sep. 2017, doi:10.1186/s40557-017-0198-4

Friedenberg, Rivi, et al. “Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among emergency medical technicians and paramedics: A comprehensive narrative review.” Archives of Environmental & occupational health vol. 77,1 (2022): 9-17. doi:10.1080/19338244.2020.1832038

Galinsky, T et al. “Overexertion injuries in home health care workers and the need for ergonomics.” Home health care services quarterly vol. 20,3 (2001): 57-73. doi:10.1300/J027v20n03_04

González Fuentes, Aroa, et al. “Work-related overexertion injuries in cleaning occupations: An exploration of the factors to predict the days of absence by means of machine learning methodologies.” Applied ergonomics, vol. 105 103847. 30 Jul. 2022, doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103847

Schoenfisch, Ashley L et al. “Declining rates of work-related overexertion back injuries among union drywall installers in Washington State, 1989-2008: Improved work safety or shifting of care?.” American Journal of industrial medicine vol. 57,2 (2014): 184-94. doi:10.1002/ajim.22240

Williams, J M et al. “Work-related injuries in a rural emergency department population.” Academic emergency medicine: official journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine vol. 4,4 (1997): 277-81. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.1997.tb03548.x

Automobile accidents and collisions can cause knee and ankle injuries in various ways. Automobile crashes are considered high-energy collisions versus slip and fall traumas which are generally low-energy. However, a 30mph or under-collision can have serious and detrimental effects on the knees and ankles. The sudden forces can cause the knees to collide with the dashboard or push the feet and legs into the body, generating intense pressure and compressing the bones, muscles, and ligaments damaging soft tissues and bone structures from the impact. The Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic Team can rehabilitate, realign, strengthen, and restore function to individuals with minor to severe auto collision injuries.

Knee and Ankle Injuries

Musculoskeletal motor vehicle crash/collision injuries affect the body's movement. The impact can pull, tear, crush, and smash bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, and nerves. These injuries restrict the range of motion and can cause pain and sensation symptoms. The National Accident Sampling System reports 33% of injuries sustained during vehicle collisions are to the lower extremities.

• Despite the knees and ankles having soft tissues that absorb and distribute the energy's impact, the forces from the collision often happen instantly and unexpectedly, causing the individual to tense up, which overwhelms the structures.
• Even panic stepping on the brake pedal can cause injury to the ankle and foot.
• A passenger's reflex of trying to resist forces can experience foot, ankle, and knee injuries from bracing off the vehicle's floorboard.
• Automobile collisions can cause strains, sprains, fractures, and dislocations.

Torn, Strained, or Sprained Knee

• If the foot becomes planted on the floorboard while the body continues to move forward or sideways, the force can travel into the knee, causing twisting or shearing.
• Depending on the injury type, the impact strength can damage different ligaments.
• The ligaments resist forces that push the knee inwards/medially and outwards/laterally and slightly resist rotational forces.
• When any of these ligaments are damaged, swelling, pain, and limited ranges of motion can result.
• Putting weight on the affected leg can be difficult.
• In some cases, the ligaments tear completely, necessitating surgical repair.
• Once the individual can engage in mild activity, they can begin a rehabilitation program to restore function.
• Recovery times vary based on the location and severity of the injury.

Fractured Knee or Ankle

• When a fracture occurs in a joint, like the knees or ankles, surgical procedures may be necessary to repair the broken bone/s.
• Broken bones can result in simultaneous damage and/or inflammation of the connective tissues that can cause the muscles to contract/tighten or atrophy during the recovery and healing phases.
• Joints and bones are kept healthy with moderate movement and weight-bearing.
• Fractures require immobilization of the affected area.
• A physical therapy rehabilitation program can begin when the brace or cast comes off.
• Targeted exercises and resistance will strengthen and stretch the joint to improve flexibility and promote healing through improved circulation.

Torn Meniscus

• The meniscus is a C-shaped area of cartilage that rests between the thigh and shin bones.
• It acts as a shock absorber.
• The meniscus can become torn, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of motion.
• This injury can heal independently with the right rest and therapeutic exercises.
• A chiropractic auto collision specialist can diagnose the severity of the tear and provide the recommendations needed to rehabilitate and strengthen the knee.
• If the tear is severe enough, surgery may be required.

Strained or Sprained Ankle

• Strained tendons and sprained ligaments can result from the ankle being subject to tremendous force.
• Strains and sprains vary in severity.
• Both indicate that the connective tissue has been damaged or stretched beyond normal limits.
• They can present with pain, inflammation, and problems moving the affected area.
• With proper medical attention and rehabilitation, recovery is possible.

Torn Achilles Tendon

• The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel and is necessary for walking, running, physical activity, and bearing weight.
• If the tendon gets torn, surgery will be required to reattach the muscle and tendon.
• After recovery, the individual can begin physical therapy to work the tendon and muscle, slowly building strength and range of motion.
• It is critical to do this with the supervision of an expert in musculoskeletal rehabilitation to avoid re-injury or developing new injuries.

Chiropractic Treatment

Any musculoskeletal motor vehicle injuries can result in intense pain that worsens with activity, inflammation, swelling, redness, and/or heat in the affected area. This is why correctly diagnosing the injury is essential if the condition is to be properly and thoroughly treated. A physical examination will vary based on the individual's state and can include:

• Strength assessment
• Range of motion
• Reflexes
• Other variables to determine the underlying issues.
• Diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans can help identify and clarify injuries' extent, nature, and location and rule out problems.

A qualified healthcare professional will combine the data with medical history to develop an accurate diagnosis. Our ability to effectively treat accident individuals is based on applying clinical expertise in musculoskeletal diagnosis and care. Our medical team takes a practical approach to helping individuals quickly heal from musculoskeletal injuries using the latest treatments possible. When you meet with one of our professionals, you will feel relaxed and confident that you have come to the right place.

From Injury To Recovery

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

Dischinger, P C et al. “Consequences and costs of lower extremity injuries.” Annual proceedings. Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine vol. 48 (2004): 339-53.

Fildes, B et al. “Lower limb injuries to passenger car occupants.” Accident; analysis and prevention vol. 29,6 (1997): 785-91. doi:10.1016/s0001-4575(97)00047-x

Gane, Elise M et al. “The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a protocol for a systematic review.” Systematic reviews vol. 7,1 202. 20 Nov. 2018, doi:10.1186/s13643-018-0869-4

Hardin, E C et al. “Foot and ankle forces during an automobile collision: the influence of muscles.” Journal of biomechanics vol. 37,5 (2004): 637-44. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2003.09.030

Li, Wen-Wei, and Cheng-Chang Lu. “Knee deformity following a motor vehicle accident.” Emergency medicine journal: EMJ vol. 38,6 (2021): 449-473. doi:10.1136/emermed-2020-210054

M, Asgari, and Keyvanian Sh S. “Crash Injury Analysis of Knee Joint Considering Pedestrian Safety.” Journal of biomedical physics & Engineering vol. 9,5 569-578. 1 Oct. 2019, doi:10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.424

Torry, Michael R et al. “Relationship of knee shear force and extensor moment on knee translations in females performing drop landings: a biplane fluoroscopy study.” Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon) vol. 26,10 (2011): 1019-24. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2011.06.010

Automobile accidents are emotionally and physically traumatic events. After an accident, individuals assume that they are okay if they don't have any broken bones or gashing cuts. However, even minor accidents can lead to significant damage, but the individual doesn't know it. An invisible/delayed injury is any injury that is not immediately obvious or is not experienced by the individual until hours, days, or weeks later. The most common are soft tissue injuries, back injuries, whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding. This is why it is imperative to see a doctor or chiropractic accident specialist as soon as possible after an accident.

Invisible Injuries Auto Accidents

The body goes into a fight or flight mode in a vehicle accident. That means a massive adrenaline surge makes anything happening to the body go unnoticed and unfelt. The individual does not feel pain and discomfort symptoms until later or much later.

Soft Tissue

• A soft tissue injury affects muscles, tendons, ligaments, and body parts other than bone.
• Even at low speeds, accidents, and collisions generate a significant force on the body.
• Drivers and passengers often come to a sudden stop along with the vehicle or get thrown around.
• This places intense stress on joints and other areas of the body.

Whiplash

The most common invisible soft-tissue injury is whiplash.

• Where the neck muscles are suddenly and forcefully thrown forward and then back, causing the muscles and ligaments to stretch beyond their normal range of motion.
• The injury typically results in pain, swelling, reduced mobility, and headaches.
• Symptoms may not present right away.
• Left untreated, whiplash can lead to long-term chronic pain. 

Head Injuries

• Head injuries are another common invisible injury.
• Even if the head did not hit/impact anything, the force and momentum can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull. 
• This can lead to a concussion or even more serious brain injuries.

Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Individuals can have a concussion without losing consciousness, depending on the accident's severity. Symptoms may be delayed or not experienced, but delayed treatment can lead to a longer recovery. Symptoms can include:

• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Confusion.
• Inability to remember the accident.
• Nausea.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Dizziness.

Back Muscles or Spine Injuries

Back muscles and spinal cord injuries are invisible injuries that can happen after an automobile accident. Signs of a back injury include:

• The back muscles can be strained due to the impact and tension build-up.
• Sore muscles or pain may not present until a day or two later.
• Body stiffness.
• Reduced mobility.
• Muscle spasms.
• Trouble walking, standing, or sitting.
• Headaches.
• Numbness and tingling.

Injuries to the spine, even serious ones, may not be apparent immediately.

• The impact can cause the spine to shift out of alignment profoundly.
• Swelling and bleeding in or around the spinal cord can cause numbness or paralysis that can gradually progress.
• This invisible injury can have long-term consequences, including paralysis.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is an effective treatment for neuromusculoskeletal injuries. The chiropractor will assess the damage and its severity to determine the best treatment for the individual. It relieves pain and discomfort symptoms, loosens and relaxes the muscles, and restores alignment, mobility, and a full range of motion. Chiropractic uses several tools and techniques to restore the spine and body balance. Results include:

• Pain relieved.
• Improved circulation.
• Restored alignment.
• Released compressed/pinched nerves.
• Improved posture and balance.
• Improved flexibility.
• Restored mobility.

Don't Ignore Post-Accident Pain

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

“Automobile-related injuries.” JAMA vol. 249,23 (1983): 3216-22. doi:10.1001/jama.1983.03330470056034

Barach, P, and E Richter. “Injury prevention.” The New England Journal of Medicine vol. 338,2 (1998): 132-3; author reply 133. doi:10.1056/NEJM199801083380215

Binder, Allan I. “Neck pain.” BMJ clinical evidence vol. 2008 1103. 4 Aug. 2008

Duncan, G J, and R Meals. “One hundred years of automobile-induced orthopedic injuries.” Orthopedics vol. 18,2 (1995): 165-70. doi:10.3928/0147-7447-19950201-15

“Motor Vehicle Safety.” Annals of emergency medicine vol. 68,1 (2016): 146-7. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.04.045

Sims, J K et al. “Automobile accident occupant injuries.” JACEP vol. 5,10 (1976): 796-808. doi:10.1016/s0361-1124(76)80313-9

Vassiliou, Timon, et al. “Physical therapy and active exercises--an adequate treatment for prevention of late whiplash syndrome? Randomized controlled trial in 200 patients.” Pain vol. 124,1-2 (2006): 69-76. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.03.017

Introduction

Many individuals are constantly in their vehicles and driving from one place to another in the quickest amount of time. When auto accidents occur, numerous effects can affect many individuals, especially their bodies and mentality. The emotional impact of an auto accident can change a person’s quality of life and take a toll on the person as they become miserable. Then there is the physical side, where the body lunges forward rapidly, causing excruciating pain in the upper and lower portions. The muscles, ligaments, and tissues become overstretched beyond their capacity causing pain-like symptoms to develop and overlap other risk profiles. Today’s article discusses the effects of an auto accident occurs on the body, the symptoms associated with auto accidents, and how treatment like chiropractic care utilizes techniques like the MET technique to assess the body. We provide information about our patients to certified medical providers that offer available therapy techniques like MET (muscle energy techniques) for individuals dealing with back and neck pain associated with auto accidents. We encourage each patient appropriately by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their diagnosis results. We accept that education is a spectacular way when asking our providers the most crucial questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., assesses this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

The Effects Of An Auto Accident On The Body

Have you been dealing with excruciating pain in your neck or back after an automobile collision? Have you noticed any of your muscles feeling stiffed or strained? Or have you been dealing with unwanted pain-like symptoms affecting your daily life? When a person has been through an auto accident, the spine, neck, and back along with their associated muscle groups, are affected by pain. When it comes to the effects of an auto accident on the body, we have to look at how the body reacts when the vehicles collide. Research studies have revealed neck pain is a common complaint to many adults involved in an auto accident. When a person collides with another car, their necks are lunged forward rapidly, causing a whiplash effect on the neck and shoulder muscles. Not only the neck is being affected, but also the back. Additional studies have mentioned that low back pain associated with vehicle collisions can cause the lumbar back muscles to be overstretched and develop non-fatal physical injuries over time, either during or the day after the accident. To that point, it can lead to unwanted symptoms associated with auto accidents and correlate with overlap risk profiles. 

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*

Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of workplace/job injuries and can happen anywhere. Work areas can have all kinds of slipping or tripping hazards, including uneven or cracked floors, equipment, furniture, cords, wet floors, and clutter from debris. Individuals involved in a slip-and-fall accident can sustain injuries that vary in severity. The key is to see a doctor or chiropractor immediately to document the slipping and falling injuries and develop a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic can help.

Slipping and Falling Injuries 

An individual can experience the following:

• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Back and/or spinal cord injuries
• Hip, knee, and ankle injuries
• Nerve injuries
• Fractured or broken bones
• Facial fractures
• Brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Permanent disability

Contributing Factors

The type of injury and degree of severity depends on physical and biological factors present during the slipping and falling. These include:

Physical Condition

• An individual's age, size, gender, and health can influence the type of injury sustained.

Height and Location of the Fall 

• Slipping, tripping, stumbling, or tumbling injuries could be minimal to severe, depending on the force, height, and location.

Surface Impact 

• The acceleration during the fall and how the body impacts the surface play an important role in the severity of the injury.

Body Position

• Protective reflexes, such as outstretched arms, to break the fall or whether or not the body hit the ground directly determine the injury and to what extent.

Symptoms

• Muscle pain and tension are the most common symptoms after slipping and falling.
• The muscle fibers overstretch, causing inflammation and swelling to develop.
• The pain can often start immediately after or a few days later, known as delayed injury symptoms.
• If the nerves sustain injury or irritation, they begin to swell, and the body responds to protect the damaged areas.
• The contact inflammation and irritation can cause tightness and spasms.
• Continuing ongoing discomfort and pain.
• Stomach discomfort and pain.
• Significant bruising.
• Limitations in movement.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractors are experts in slip-and-fall injuries and will use adjustments and various therapy protocols to realign the body and restore function. The objective is to relieve symptoms, rehabilitate the injured area/s, and regain mobility. Physical therapy and strength-building exercises under a specialist's supervision and at home are implemented to get back the use of the injured body part.

Inflammation

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

Li, Jie, et al. “Slip and Fall Incidents at Work: A Visual Analytics Analysis of the Research Domain.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 16,24 4972. 6 Dec. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16244972

Pant, Puspa Raj et al. “Home-related and work-related injuries in Makwanpur district, Nepal: a household survey.” Injury prevention: journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention vol. 27,5 (2021): 450-455. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2020-043986

Shigemura, Tomonori, et al. “Characteristics of stepladder fall injuries: a retrospective study.” European journal of trauma and emergency surgery: official publication of the European Trauma Society vol. 47,6 (2021): 1867-1871. doi:10.1007/s00068-020-01339-8

Smith, Caroline K, and Jena Williams. “Work-related injuries in Washington State's Trucking Industry, by industry sector and occupation.” Accident; analysis and prevention vol. 65 (2014): 63-71. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2013.12.012

Son, Hyung Min, et al. “Occupational fall injuries presenting to the emergency department.” Emergency medicine Australasia: EMA vol. 26,2 (2014): 188-93. doi:10.1111/1742-6723.12166

Can knowing treatment options for a dislocated hip help individuals expedite rehabilitation and recovery?

Dislocated Hip

A dislocated hip is an uncommon injury but can happen due to trauma or following hip replacement surgery. It usually occurs after severe trauma, including motor vehicle collisions, falls, and sometimes sports injuries. (Caylyne Arnold et al., 2017) A dislocated hip can also occur after hip replacement surgery. Other injuries like ligament tears, cartilage damage, and bone fractures can occur alongside the dislocation. Most hip dislocations are treated with a joint reduction procedure that resets the ball into the socket. It is usually done with sedation or general anesthesia. Rehabilitation takes time and could be a few months before full recovery. Physical therapy can help restore motion and strength in the hip.

What Is It?

If the hip is only partially dislocated, it's called a hip subluxation. When this happens, the hip joint head only partially emerges from the socket. A dislocated hip is when the head or ball of the joint shifts or pops out of the socket. Because an artificial hip differs from a normal hip joint, the risk of dislocation increases after joint replacement. A study found that around 2% of individuals who undergo total hip replacement will experience hip dislocation within a year, with the cumulative risk increasing by approximately 1% over five years. (Jens Dargel et al., 2014) However, new technological prosthetics and surgical techniques are making this less common.

Hip Anatomy

• The hip ball-and-socket joint is called the femoroacetabular joint.
• The socket is called the acetabulum.
• The ball is called the femoral head.

The bony anatomy and strong ligaments, muscles, and tendons help to create a stable joint. Significant force must be applied to the joint for a hip dislocation to occur. Some individuals report feeling a snapping sensation of the hip. This usually is not a hip dislocation but indicates a different disorder known as snapping hip syndrome. (Paul Walker et al., 2021)

Posterior Hip Dislocation

• Around 90% of hip dislocations are posterior.
• In this type, the ball is pushed backward from the socket.
• Posterior dislocations can result in injuries or irritation to the sciatic nerve. (R Cornwall, T E Radomisli 2000)

Anterior Hip Dislocation

• Anterior dislocations are less common.
• In this type of injury, the ball is pushed out of the socket.

Hip Subluxation

• A hip subluxation occurs when the hip joint ball starts to come out of the socket partially.
• Also known as a partial dislocation, it can turn into a fully dislocated hip joint if not allowed to heal properly.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

• The leg is in an abnormal position.
• Difficulty moving.
• Severe hip pain.
• Inability to bear weight.
• Mechanical lower back pain can create confusion when making a proper diagnosis.
• With a posterior dislocation, the knee and foot will be rotated towards the body's midline.
• An anterior dislocation will rotate the knee and foot away from the midline. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2021)

Causes

A dislocation can cause damage to the structures that hold the ball in the socket and can include:

• Cartilage damage to the joint - 
• Tears in the labrum and ligaments.
• Fractures of the bone at the joint.
• Injury to the vessels that supply blood can later lead to avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis of the hip. (Patrick Kellam, Robert F. Ostrum 2016)
• A hip dislocation increases the risk of developing joint arthritis following the injury and can raise the risk of needing a hip replacement later in life. (Hsuan-Hsiao Ma et al., 2020)

Developmental Dislocation of the Hip

• Some children are born with developmental dislocation of the hip or DDH.
• Children with DDH have hip joints that did not form correctly during development.
• This causes a loose fit in the socket.
• In some cases, the hip joint is completely dislocated.
• In others, it's prone to becoming dislocated.
• In milder cases, the joint is loose but not prone to becoming dislocated. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2022)

Treatment

Joint reduction is the most common way to treat a dislocated hip. The procedure repositions the ball back into the socket and is usually done with sedation or under general anesthesia. Repositioning a hip requires significant force.  A hip dislocation is considered an emergency, and reduction should be performed immediately after the dislocation to prevent permanent complications and invasive treatment. (Caylyne Arnold et al., 2017)

• Once the ball is back in the socket, the healthcare provider will look for bone, cartilage, and ligament injuries.
• Depending on what the healthcare provider finds, further treatment may be necessary.
• Fractured or broken bones may need to be repaired to keep the ball within the socket.
• Damaged cartilage may have to be removed.

Surgery

Surgery could be necessary to return the joint to its normal position. Hip arthroscopy can minimize the invasiveness of certain procedures. A surgeon inserts a microscopic camera into the hip joint to help the surgeon repair the injury using instruments inserted through other small incisions.

Hip replacement surgery replaces the ball and socket, a common and successful orthopedic surgical procedure. This surgery may be performed for various reasons, including trauma or arthritis, as it is common to develop early arthritis of the hip after this type of trauma. This is why many who have a dislocation ultimately need hip replacement surgery. As a major surgical procedure, it is not without risks. Possible complications include:

• Infection
• Aseptic loosening (the loosening of the joint without infection)
• Hip dislocation

Recovery

Recovering from a hip dislocation is a long process. Individuals will need to walk with crutches or other devices early in recovery. Physical therapy will improve the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the hip. Recovery time will depend on whether other injuries, such as fractures or tears, are present. If the hip joint was reduced and there were no other injuries, it may take six to ten weeks to recover to the point where weight can be placed on the leg. It could be between two and three months for a full recovery. Keeping weight off the leg is important until the surgeon or physical therapist gives the all-clear. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic will work with an individual's primary healthcare provider and other surgeons or specialists to develop an optimal personalized treatment plan.

Chiropractic Solutions for Osteoarthritis

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, don't hesitate to 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

Arnold, C., Fayos, Z., Bruner, D., Arnold, D., Gupta, N., & Nusbaum, J. (2017). Managing dislocations of the hip, knee, and ankle in the emergency department [digest]. Emergency medicine practice, 19(12 Suppl Points & Pearls), 1–2.

Dargel, J., Oppermann, J., Brüggemann, G. P., & Eysel, P. (2014). Dislocation following total hip replacement. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 111(51-52), 884–890. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2014.0884

Walker, P., Ellis, E., Scofield, J., Kongchum, T., Sherman, W. F., & Kaye, A. D. (2021). Snapping Hip Syndrome: A Comprehensive Update. Orthopedic reviews, 13(2), 25088. https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.25088

Cornwall, R., & Radomisli, T. E. (2000). Nerve injury in traumatic dislocation of the hip. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (377), 84–91. https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-200008000-00012

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2021). Hip dislocation. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/hip-dislocation

Kellam, P., & Ostrum, R. F. (2016). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Avascular Necrosis and Posttraumatic Arthritis After Traumatic Hip Dislocation. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 30(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOT.0000000000000419

Ma, H. H., Huang, C. C., Pai, F. Y., Chang, M. C., Chen, W. M., & Huang, T. F. (2020). Long-term results in the patients with traumatic hip fracture-dislocation: Important prognostic factors. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA, 83(7), 686–689. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000366

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2022). Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH). https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/developmental-dislocation-dysplasia-of-the-hip-ddh/

Can physical therapy with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or IASTM improve mobility, flexibility, and health for individuals with musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses?

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization or IASTM is also known as the Graston technique. It is a myofascial release and massage technique used in physical therapy where the therapist uses metal or plastic tools to improve soft tissue mobility in the body. The ergonomically shaped tool is gently or vigorously scraped and rubbed across the injured or painful area. The rubbing is used to locate and release tightness in the fascia/collagen covering the muscles and the tendons. This helps reduce pain and improve movement.

Massage and Myofascial Release

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization rehabilitation helps:

• Improve soft tissue mobility.
• Release of restrictions in tight fascia.
• Decrease muscle spasms.
• Improve flexibility.
• Increased circulation to the tissues.
• Relieve pain. (Fahimeh Kamali et al., 2014)

Individuals often develop tissue tightness or restrictions in the muscles and fascia after an injury. These soft tissue restrictions can limit the range of motion - ROM and can trigger pain symptoms. (Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)

History

The Graston technique of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization was developed by an athlete who created their instruments to treat soft tissue injuries. The practice has grown with input from medical experts, trainers, researchers, and clinicians.

• Physical therapists use different types of tools to perform IASTM.
• These massage instruments comprise various types for specific massage and release.
• The Graston company designs some of the tools.
• Other companies have their version of metal or plastic scraping and rubbing tools.
• The objective is to help release soft tissue and myofascial restrictions to improve body movement. (Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)

How It Works

• The theory is that scraping the tissues causes microtrauma to the affected area, activating the body's natural inflammatory response. (Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)
• The body activates to reabsorb the tightened or scar tissue, causing the restriction.
• The therapist can then stretch the adhesions to alleviate pain and improve mobility.

Treatment

Certain conditions respond well to instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, including (Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)

• Limited mobility
• Decreased muscle recruitment
• Loss of range of motion - ROM
• Pain with movement
• Excessive scar tissue formation

Augmented soft tissue mobilization or ASTM techniques can treat certain injuries and medical conditions that include:

• Musculoskeletal imbalance/s
• Ligament sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Myofascial pain
• Tendonitis and tendinopathy
• Scar tissue from surgery or trauma (Morad Chughtai et al., 2019)

Benefits and Side Effects

Benefits include: (Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)

• Improved range of motion
• Increased tissue flexibility
• Improved cell activity at the site of injury
• Reduced pain
• Reduced scar tissue formation

Side effects may include:

• Redness of the skin at the treatment site
• Bruising(Kim J, Sung DJ, Lee J. 2017)
• Worsening of the pain

Research

• A review compared hands-on myofascial release to instrument myofascial release for chronic low back pain. (Williams M. 2017)
• Little difference was found between the two techniques for pain relief.
• Another review compared IASTM to other methods for treating pain and function loss. (Matthew Lambert et al., 2017)
• The researchers concluded that IASTM could positively affect blood circulation and tissue flexibility and reduce pain.
• Another study examined the use of IASTM, pseudo-fake ultrasound therapy, and spinal manipulation for patients with thoracic/upper back pain. (Amy L. Crothers et al., 2016)
• All groups improved over time with no significant negative events.
• The researchers concluded that instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is no more or less effective than spinal manipulation or pseudo-ultrasound therapy for thoracic back pain.

Every case is different, and musculoskeletal conditions respond differently to various treatments. For any questions or concerns, contact your primary healthcare provider to determine if IASTM is an appropriate treatment that can help.

From Injury To Recovery

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, don't hesitate to 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

Kamali, F., Panahi, F., Ebrahimi, S., & Abbasi, L. (2014). Comparison between massage and routine physical therapy in women with sub acute and chronic nonspecific low back pain. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 27(4), 475–480. https://doi.org/10.3233/BMR-140468

Kim, J., Sung, D. J., & Lee, J. (2017). Therapeutic effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for soft tissue injury: mechanisms and practical application. Journal of exercise rehabilitation, 13(1), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1732824.412

Chughtai, M., Newman, J. M., Sultan, A. A., Samuel, L. T., Rabin, J., Khlopas, A., Bhave, A., & Mont, M. A. (2019). Astym® therapy: a systematic review. Annals of translational medicine, 7(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2018.11.49

Williams M. (2017). Comparing pain and disability outcomes of instrumental versus hands-on myofascial release in individuals with chronic low back pain: a meta-analysis. Doctoral dissertation, California State University, Fresno. https://repository.library.fresnostate.edu/bitstream/handle/10211.3/192491/Williams_csu_6050D_10390.pdf?sequence=1

Matthew Lambert, Rebecca Hitchcock, Kelly Lavallee, Eric Hayford, Russ Morazzini, Amber Wallace, Dakota Conroy & Josh Cleland (2017) The effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization compared to other interventions on pain and function: a systematic review, Physical Therapy Reviews, 22:1-2, 76-85, DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2017.1304184

Crothers, A. L., French, S. D., Hebert, J. J., & Walker, B. F. (2016). Spinal manipulative therapy, Graston technique® and placebo for non-specific thoracic spine pain: a randomised controlled trial. Chiropractic & manual therapies, 24, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-016-0096-9

For individuals experiencing lower back pain can understanding the anatomy and function of the multifidus muscle help in injury prevention and in the development of a highly effective treatment plan?

Multifidus Muscle

The multifidus muscles are long and narrow on either side of the spinal column, which helps stabilize the lower region of the spine or lumbar spine. (Maryse Fortin, Luciana Gazzi Macedo 2013) Sitting too much, practicing unhealthy postures, and lack of movement can progress to the multifidus muscle weakening or atrophy, which can lead to spinal instability, vertebral compression, and back pain. (Paul W. Hodges, Lieven Danneels 2019)

Anatomy

Known as the deep layer, it is the innermost layer of the three muscle layers of the back and controls the movement of the spine. The other two layers, known as the intrinsic and superficial, are responsible for the thoracic cage/rib cage and shoulder movement. (Anouk Agten et al., 2020) The multifidus has attachment points at:

• The thoracic spine of the middle back.
• The lumbar spine of the lower back.
• The iliac spine - the base of the wing-shaped iliac bone of the pelvis.
• Sacrum - series of bones at the base of the spine connected to the tailbone.
• When standing or moving, the multifidus muscle works with the transversus abdominus and pelvic floor muscles to stabilize the lumbar spine. (Christine Lynders 2019)

Muscle Function

The main function is to stabilize the lower back, but it also helps extend the lower spine whenever reaching or stretching. (Jennifer Padwal et al., 2020) Because the muscle has numerous attachment points and is serviced by a specific branch of nerves known as the posterior rami, it allows each vertebra to work individually and more efficiently.

• This protects against spinal deterioration and the development of arthritis. (Jeffrey J Hebert et al., 2015)
• The multifidus muscle works with two other deep muscle groups to stabilize and move the spine. (Jeffrey J Hebert et al., 2015)
• The rotatores muscle enables unilateral rotation, turning from side to side, and bilateral extension or bending backward and forward.
• The semispinalis muscle above the multifidus allows extension and rotation of the head, neck, and upper back.
• The multifidus muscle ensures spinal strength because it has more attachment points to the spine than the other layers, which reduces spinal flexibility and rotation but increases strength and stability. (Anouk Agten et al., 2020)

Lower Back Pain

A weak multifidus muscle destabilizes the spine and provides less support to the vertebra. This adds pressure on muscles and connective tissues between and adjacent to the spinal column, increasing the risk of lower back pain symptoms. (Paul W. Hodges, Lieven Danneels 2019) The loss of muscle strength and stability can cause atrophy or wasting away. This can cause compression and other back problems. (Paul W. Hodges et al., 2015) Back problems associated with multifidus muscle deterioration include (Paul W. Hodges, Lieven Danneels 2019)

• Herniated discs - also bulging or slipped discs.
• Nerve entrapment or compression pinched nerve.
• Sciatica
• Referred pain - nerve pain originating from the spine felt in other areas.
• Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis
• Spinal osteophytes - bone spurs
• Weak abdominal or pelvic floor muscles can compromise the core, increasing the risk of chronic lower back pain and injury.

Individuals are recommended to consult a physical therapist and chiropractor who can help develop the appropriate treatment, rehabilitation, and strengthening plan based on age, injury, underlying conditions, and physical abilities.

Can Core Exercises Help with Back Pain?

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

Fortin, M., & Macedo, L. G. (2013). Multifidus and paraspinal muscle group cross-sectional areas of patients with low back pain and control patients: a systematic review with a focus on blinding. Physical therapy, 93(7), 873–888. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20120457

Hodges, P. W., & Danneels, L. (2019). Changes in Structure and Function of the Back Muscles in Low Back Pain: Different Time Points, Observations, and Mechanisms. The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy, 49(6), 464–476. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2019.8827

Agten, A., Stevens, S., Verbrugghe, J., Eijnde, B. O., Timmermans, A., & Vandenabeele, F. (2020). The lumbar multifidus is characterized by larger type I muscle fibers compared to the erector spinae. Anatomy & cell biology, 53(2), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.5115/acb.20.009

Lynders C. (2019). The Critical Role of Development of the Transversus Abdominis in Preventing and Treatment Low Back Pain. HSS journal: The Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery, 15(3), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-019-09717-8

Padwal, J., Berry, D. B., Hubbard, J. C., Zlomislic, V., Allen, R. T., Garfin, S. R., Ward, S. R., & Shahidi, B. (2020). Regional differences between superficial and deep lumbar multifidus in patients with chronic lumbar spine pathology. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 21(1), 764. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03791-4

Hebert, J. J., Koppenhaver, S. L., Teyhen, D. S., Walker, B. F., & Fritz, J. M. (2015). The evaluation of lumbar multifidus muscle function via palpation: reliability and validity of a new clinical test. The Spine Journal: official North American Spine Society journal, 15(6), 1196–1202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2013.08.05

Hodges, P. W., James, G., Blomster, L., Hall, L., Schmid, A., Shu, C., Little, C., & Melrose, J. (2015). Multifidus Muscle Changes After Back Injury Are Characterized by Structural Remodeling of Muscle, Adipose and Connective Tissue, but Not Muscle Atrophy: Molecular and Morphological Evidence. Spine, 40(14), 1057–1071. https://doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0000000000000972