Neuropathy "The Painful Enigma"

Back pain and soreness are widespread conditions that affect all genders, races, and lifestyles. The causes for back pain are varied from injury, poor posture, arthritis, age, overuse, etc. If back pain is frequent, perhaps the last assumption is that the pain could be caused by cancer. While it’s far from the most common causes, cancer back pain is possible, which makes consulting a doctor that will figure out the root cause, especially if there are other non-related symptoms, and treat the back pain very important.

Cancer Back Pain

Back pain that could be caused by cancer usually occurs with other symptoms and include:

• Back pain that is not related to movement.
• Pain does not get worse with activity.
• Back pain usually presents at night or early in the morning and fades away or improves as the day progresses.
• Back pain persists even after physical therapy or other treatments.
• Changes in bowel movements or blood in urine or stool.
• Unexplained, sudden weight loss.
• Unexplained fatigue/exhaustion.
• Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the arms or legs.
• Back pain does not have to be severe to be cancer, as it can range in severity.
• Having a family history of cancer and these symptoms can increase the risk.

Types of Cancer That Can Contribute To Back Pain

Types of cancer that can form around, in, and near the spine can cause back pain. These include:

Spinal Tumor

• A spinal tumor can grow in the spinal bone or the membranes around the spinal cord.
• The spine is a common source for bone metastasis, where cancer starts in one location and spreads to others.
• 30 to 70 percent of individuals with cancer spreads to the spine, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons - AANS.

Lung

• Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that can spread to the spine.
• A lung tumor can press on the spine, affecting nerve transmissions.
• An individual with lung cancer may notice becoming tired/fatigued more easily, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and back pain.

Breast

• Rare but possible breast cancer symptom.
• Breast cancers can metastasize to the back.
• Like lung cancers, some breast cancer tumors can press on nerves connected to the spine, causing discomfort and pain.

Gastrointestinal

• Cancers of the stomach, colon, and rectum can cause back pain.
• The pain radiates from where the cancer is to the back.

Tissue and Blood Cancers

Blood and tissue cancers like:

• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Can cause back pain.

Diagnosing Cancer and Back Pain

Medical treatments for back pain-related cancer depend on its type and how advanced it is. A doctor will consider symptoms and medical history when diagnosing possible back pain causes. Because cancer is a rare cause of back pain, a doctor may recommend various treatments before a full cancer work-up. The doctor may order imaging studies and blood testing if the pain persists after chiropractic, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications. These tests will help identify potential cancer markers causing back pain.

• Treatments usually include chemotherapy and radiation to shrink a tumor.
• A doctor will recommend surgery to remove a tumor.

Chiropractic

Cancer patients have found chiropractic treatment to be effective for:

• Pain management.
• Flexibility improvement.
• Mobility improvement.
• Strengthening muscles.
• Helping to reduce stress.
• Helping the body function more efficiently.

Chiropractic physiotherapy benefits patients undergoing chemotherapy, as it helps the body withstand the debilitating effects of the treatment based on the whole-body approach.

Body Composition

Don’t Hate Dieting

Individuals hate dieting, usually because they go about it the wrong way. Individuals do not need to starve themselves and live at the gym. Reaching quick weight loss goals might sound appealing; however, going through it for an extended time can make individuals feel:

• Tired
• Depressed
• Unmotivated

Individuals can find a nutrition plan/exercise balance that works for them and their lifestyle. For some individuals, dieting alone is effective, but more than likely, they have increased metabolisms. Trying to lose fat by only cutting calories can be difficult for individuals with smaller metabolisms. The goal is to find a balance between diet and exercise. This does not mean having to go on an extreme diet, skip meals, or cut out entire macronutrient groups like fat or carbs, as the body needs both of these nutrients. Finding a sustainable long-term nutrition plan takes planning and support. A dietician, nutritionist, or health coach can offer a variety of nutrition and exercise plans customized to the individual.

General Disclaimer *

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

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

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

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Downie, Aron et al. “Red flags to screen for malignancy and fracture in patients with low back pain: a systematic review.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 347 f7095. 11 Dec. 2013, doi:10.1136/bmj.f7095

Mabry, Lance M et al. “Metastatic cancer mimicking mechanical low back pain: a case report.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 22,3 (2014): 162-9. doi:10.1179/2042618613Y.0000000056

Vasser, Melinda, and Matthew Koroscil. “When Back Pain Turns Deadly: An Unusual Presentation of Lung Cancer.” Respiratory medicine case reports vol. 29 101009. 28 Jan. 2020, doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101009

Verhagen, Arianne P et al. “Red flags presented in current low back pain guidelines: a review.” The European spine journal: official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society vol. 25,9 (2016): 2788-802. doi:10.1007/s00586-016-4684-0

A nerve injury is often caused by a sudden traumatic event, like a slip and fall, personal or work injury, an automobile accident, or a sports injury. Overall stresses of the body from poor posture and being overweight can also lead to nerve pain over time, known as cumulative trauma. Where ligaments and bones are not aligned correctly, nerve pain and damage can occur. When nerve pain presents, there is pressure being placed on that nerve/s. Nerve pain symptoms include burning, tingling, or numbness-type sensations in the tissues controlled by that nerve. Orthopedic and neurologic testing will determine what specific nerve is affected. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and relieve the pressure on the nerve, thus eliminating the pain and correcting the problem.

Nerve Injury

Too much pressure from surrounding tissues compresses and irritates the nerve and interrupts its ability to function correctly. Pinched nerves are most vulnerable at points in the body where they pass through narrow spaces and have little to no soft tissue protection. Symptoms include:

• Pins and Needles Sensation
• Numbness
• Pain
• Weakness

A pinched nerve can decrease the range of motion and cause muscle spasms. If left untreated, a nerve injury can leave an individual with chronic pain and lead to permanent nerve damage.

Tingling and Numbness

Tingling and numbness are unusual or unpleasant physical sensations, most commonly experienced in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes. Tingling and numbness come in two forms:

Paresthesia

• A feeling of pins and needles on the skin or the sensation of the hand or arm having fallen asleep.
• Paresthesia can be a result of reduced blood flow to the region. This can be caused by external pressure that constricts the blood vessels.

Dysesthesia

• This is a more persistent sensation resembling itching, burning, electric shock, or tightening pain.

Injuries to the nervous system can also produce numbness and tingling, even in areas nowhere near the actual injury. Examples include:

• Neck pain from a neck injury can cause numbness or tingling in the hand or arm.
• A low back injury can result in tingling in the back of the leg.

Other possible causes include:

• Inflammation that puts pressure on nerves
• Trigger points in the muscles
• Enlarged blood vessels
• Tumors
• Myofascial adhesions
• Scar tissue
• Infection
• Lesions on the spinal disc/s
• Diabetes
• Calcium deficiency
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Alcoholism
• Drug abuse

Chiropractic Treatment

To determine the appropriate course of treatment, a doctor of chiropractic must diagnose the cause of the nerve injury. Depending on the nature or severity of the sensation, the examination will include:

• Muscle tests
• Range-of-motion tests
• Neurological tests
• Orthopedic tests

The chiropractor will palpate the effective areas and order imaging tests like X-rays if necessary. If further testing is needed to diagnose the source of the nerve injury, the doctor may order an MRI or CT scan. Once the underlying condition is diagnosed, a chiropractor will develop a treatment plan to eliminate irritation, correct misalignments causing pressure, and restore proper nerve function. Treatment plans vary from case to case but can include:

• Therapeutic Massage
• Body adjustments
• Spinal manipulation
• Heat and Ice

The objective is to relieve/release the pressure on the nerves. Chiropractic adjustments help reposition the muscles and nerves. Deep-tissue massage helps to release tension and eliminate toxins that worsen the sensations. Treatment improves circulation and relieves pressure on the neural pathways necessary to restore normal neural signaling between the body and the brain.

Body Composition

Why The Brain Needs Sugar

The brain needs half of all the body's energy supply because of its complex nerve cell system. The brain requires glucose for brain cell energy. Because neurons can't store energy, they need a continuous fuel supply to function correctly from the bloodstream. The ability to think, learn and recall information is closely associated with glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are low, the ability to think is inhibited as the production of chemical messengers/neurotransmitters, are reduced, disrupting communication between the neurons. Natural sugar can boost brain health because it requires glucose for functioning. Sugar is released slowly into the bloodstream when taken naturally from sources like apples and bananas, keeping the energy levels steady, without craving more sugar.

General Disclaimer *

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

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

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

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Ameh, Victor, and Steve Crane. "Nerve injury following shoulder dislocation: the emergency physician's perspective." European journal of emergency medicine: official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine vol. 13,4 (2006): 233-5. doi:10.1097/01.mej.0000206190.62201.ad

Nichols, J S, and K O Lillehei. "Nerve injury associated with acute vascular trauma." The Surgical clinics of North America vol. 68,4 (1988): 837-52. doi:10.1016/s0039-6109(16)44589-5

Ruggiero, S L. "Trigeminal nerve injury and repair." The New York state dental journal vol. 62,8 (1996): 36-40.

Welch, J A. "Peripheral nerve injury." Seminars in veterinary medicine and surgery (small animal) vol. 11,4 (1996): 273-84. doi:10.1016/s1096-2867(96)80020-x

WOODHALL, B. "Peripheral nerve injury." The Surgical clinics of North America (1954): 1147-65. doi:10.1016/s0039-6109(16)34299-2