Accidents and Injuries

Forearm pain refers to soreness, aches, or discomfort between the wrist and the elbow. An injury or inflammation can affect any tissues, including muscles, bones, blood vessels, tendons, and the skin. The causes usually include overuse injuries, pinched nerves, accidents causing trauma, lifting or heaving heavy objects, sports injuries, and fractures. If left untreated, issues like chronic muscle pain and decreased and disrupted blood/nerve circulation can develop, leading to numbness and weakness. Chiropractic treatment can release tension, massage, reset, and stretch the muscles to expedite healing.

Anatomy

The forearm comprises the radius and ulna, which extend the forearm's length and cross at the wrist.

The Radius

• This bone starts at the elbow and connects to the wrist on the thumb side.

Ulna

• This bone begins at the elbow and connects to the wrist on the side of the little finger.

Muscles

• Several muscles operate to rotate the forearm up/supination and down/pronation and flex and extend the fingers.

Causes

Forearm pain can happen to anyone and is usually related to traumatic or repetitive use injury. In other cases, pain may be associated with a benign growth, like a cyst or possibly a malignant tumor. Common causes include:

• Pulled and/or strained muscles
• Muscle ruptures or small tears
• A direct blow, fall, or any extreme twisting, bending or jamming action.
• Tendonitis from tennis or golfers elbow.
• Tennis elbow is caused by inflammation or tiny tears in the forearm muscles and tendons outside the elbow.
• Golfers' elbow is on the inside of the elbow.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a repetitive stress disorder that affects the nerves and tendons of the wrist and forearm.

Musculoskeletal Causes

The musculoskeletal causes involve issues in how the forearm components operate together.

• Repetitive actions like lifting, gripping, and typing can compress nerves and blood vessels throughout the forearm.
• Repetitive positional injury can lead to swelling.
• Forearm problems like dislocations or sprains can also lead to chronic inflammation and pain.

Traumatic Causes

Traumatic causes include those that result in injury to components of the forearm.

• Anything that causes a direct injury to the forearm, including an automobile crash or accident, fall, or a direct hit, can fracture bones in the forearm.
• A sprain can twist or stretch a ligament or tendon.
• Activities that cause bending, twisting, quick sudden movement or direct impact can result in sprained multiple ligaments in the forearm.

Chiropractic Treatment

Healing forearm pain depends on the type of injury, location, and cause of the pain. Chiropractic addresses arm pain, tingling, and numbness in ways often overlooked by general physicians.

• A chiropractor will perform a physical examination to determine if there are any underlying causes.
• They may apply an ice pack to help control inflammation before the massage.
• The chiropractor will perform gentle adjustments to the wrist, arm, and shoulder.
• They may recommend a forearm brace to help retrain positioning and movement.
• They will recommend exercises and stretches to strengthen and maintain the adjustments.

Carpal Tunnel Pain Treatment

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own 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 a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Ellenbecker, Todd S et al. "Current concepts in examination and treatment of elbow tendon injury." Sports health vol. 5,2 (2013): 186-94. doi:10.1177/1941738112464761

Shamsoddini, Alireza, and Mohammad Taghi Hollisaz. "Effects of taping on pain, grip strength and wrist extension force in patients with tennis elbow." Trauma monthly vol. 18,2 (2013): 71-4. doi:10.5812/traumamon.12450

Suito, Motomu, et al. "Intertendinous epidermoid cyst of the forearm." Case reports in plastic surgery & hand surgery vol. 6,1 25-28. 28 Jan. 2019, doi:10.1080/23320885.2018.1564314

The body's inflammatory response is a chemical one. It happens when the body's tissues are damaged/injured from:

• Bacteria
• Trauma
• Toxins
• Heat

The damaged cells release different chemicals that include:

• Histamine
• Bradykinin
• Prostaglandins

These chemicals cause the blood vessels to leak out into the tissues and cause swelling. Redness, swelling, and warmth/heat connected to an inflammatory response are secondary symptoms brought on from an increased blood flow that mobilizes the cells to the specific area to engage the healing process from illness or injury.

This process is vital in maintaining the body's optimal health. The inflammatory response can become debilitating when it becomes chronic and leads to the onset or aggravation of a condition or disease. Chiropractic treatment will restore the body's balance and reduce inflammation.

Inflammatory Response Causes

There are different causes for the body activating a full inflammatory response. When inflammation is caused by an acute injury, virus, or bacterial infection, inflammation is necessary to help restore the body’s homeostasis. Conversely, chronic inflammation leaves the body in a state of stress and imbalance. This depletes energy reserves making it impossible for the body to properly rejuvenate. Common causes of chronic inflammatory response include:

• Chronic stress/anxiety
• Poor sleep
• Unhealthy diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Being overweight
• Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
• Sensitivity to chemicals, environmental triggers, foods
• Autoimmune diseases

Inflammation Reduction

While inflammation is necessary for proper body health, knowing how to manage symptoms can help reduce unnecessary pain. Inflammation can be reduced by:

• A nutrient-rich diet that focuses on fruits and vegetables
• Reducing processed foods specifically sugars
• Avoiding common food allergens like gluten and dairy products
• Weight loss
• Sleep hygiene
• Regular physical activity
• Stress management
• Body balance

Spinal Alignment

The nervous system plays a significant role in inflammatory response management. The system coordinates proper cellular processes and signals. It also helps with body regulation and restoration when inflammation is no longer needed. A spinal misalignment can throw the entire process into chaos and be an underlying cause that contributes to chronic inflammation. Spinal misalignments block vital nerve energy that helps the body self-regulate. With chiropractic nerve circulation is restored allowing the body to properly and optimally coordinate necessary functions.

Chiropractic Balance

Chiropractic is a science-oriented branch of medical care that focuses on optimizing spinal alignment. Addressing the root issue of spinal alignment will help restore the balance and energy needed to regulate the inflammatory response. Contact a chiropractic practitioner today and see what they can do for you and your health.

Auto Accident Injury Treatment

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Medzhitov, Ruslan. “Origin and physiological roles of inflammation.” Nature vol. 454,7203 (2008): 428-35. doi:10.1038/nature07201

Stress health recognizes how stress affects the body, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Stress that's left untreated can contribute to various health problems. These include:

• Anxiety
• Decreased energy levels
• Digestive dysfunction
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rate
• Heart disease
• Mental problems

Chiropractic serves as a powerful intervention for anxiety-related symptoms.

Stress Health Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Balance

Chiropractic benefits cardiovascular health as it directly affects the nervous and other body systems that include the spinal system, the bones, joints, and muscular system, affecting the function of the cardiovascular system. Chiropractic regulates these system's functions allowing for a moderate heart rate and blood pressure. Balanced blood pressure and heart rate can help minimize stress and anxiety, making it much easier to stay relaxed and focused. Individuals report experiencing decreased blood pressure and lower heart rate with long-term chiropractic treatment.

Mental Clarity

Cerebrospinal fluid/CSF is necessary for detoxifying the brain and helping to protect the brain. CSF transports oxygen and nutrients to the brain, helping to increase brain function efficiency. Chiropractic has been shown to increase the amount of cerebrospinal fluid delivered to the brain. This is because the spine is aligned correctly, allowing for a smooth flow of blood and nerve energy from the brain through the spine to the rest of the body. This provides:

• Sustained mental alertness
• Awareness
• Mental Clarity

This helps to combat mental fog or anxiety hyperactivity.

Improve Energy Levels

Chiropractic can help increase energy levels in different ways for different individuals.

• For some, this works by eliminating headaches, migraines, and other nerve dysfunction/s.
• For others, this happens by decreasing or eliminating pain symptoms.

These conditions can contribute to lowered energy levels. Constant stress can change the body's chemistry, leading to increased stress hormones like cortisol. Over time, these hormone releases can decrease energy, causing interference with the body/brain's natural rejuvenating processes that reduce stress. With chiropractic, the therapeutic effects help correct body chemistry and improve energy levels.

Body Composition

Increase Immune Function

Lymphatic fluid has a vital role in stress health and the function of the immune system. Lymphatic fluid helps separate and release:

• Toxins
• Viruses
• Fungus
• Bacteria from the body.

When lymphatic fluid flows smoothly and is not impeded or trapped in tissues, joints, or muscles, the immune system operates at a high level. Chiropractic helps drive lymphatic fluid out of the tissues, joints, and muscles of the body, facilitating optimal immune function.

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own 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 a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Dragoş, Dorin, and Maria Daniela Tănăsescu. "The effect of stress on the defense systems." Journal of medicine and life vol. 3,1 (2010): 10-8.

Meier, Jacqueline Katharina et al. "Stress Alters the Neural Context for Building New Memories." Journal of cognitive neuroscience vol. 32,12 (2020): 2226-2240. doi:10.1162/jocn_a_01613

Pickar, Joel G. "Neurophysiological effects of spinal manipulation." The spine journal: official journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 2,5 (2002): 357-71. doi:10.1016/s1529-9430(02)00400-x

Up to 50% of individuals who’ve experienced a whiplash, a neck injury most commonly caused during an automobile accident, often develop chronic symptoms. Medical diagnosis demonstrate certain people can have a higher chance to develop chronic whiplash symptoms from others. A recent study shows a possible explanation suggesting the reason for this percentage of chronic pain in a particular percent of individuals: cytokines.

 Cytokines are proteins released by the cells found within the immune system which help with cell communication. Soon after experiencing an injury, the immune system generates what is known as pro-inflammatory cytokines, or cytokines responsible for fighting off infection. Although whiplash is an injury resulting from physical trauma, inflammatory chemicals secreted from the cells in the body actually serve an important function during whiplash type injuries.

Whiplash-researcher Michele Sterling of the University of Queensland in Australia and her colleagues conducted a study to show how cytokine levels change in individuals who’ve sustained a whiplash injury. The study showed that individuals who recovered more quickly from this type of condition generally demonstrated particular changes in the cytokine levels within their body as compared to individuals experiencing symptoms of chronic whiplash.

If this research is confirmed in future studies, tracking changes in inflammatory biomarkers using serum blood tests may offer insight into determining an individual’s risk of developing chronic symptoms after suffering from an automobile injury, such as whiplash.